20 February 2002
Despite Super Eagles winning of a bronze medal at the just concluded African Nations Cup in Mali, the team s performance has called for serious stock-taking and sober reflection than celebration.
In the tournament, Eagles was quite unimpressive. The team managed to beat Algeria by a goal, struggled for a draw with Mali and escaped with a goal win over Liberian in the preliminary round. A slim quarter final win of one nil over Ghana and a one to two loss to Lions of Senegal in the semi-final saw the team out of the final of the Nations Cup. The team subsequently defeated Mali, the host country, with a goal in the third place match.
Eventually, the final match between the two lions of Senegal and Cameroun saw the latter winning the coveted cup. Nevertheless, the Super Eagles should count itself lucky to have won the tournament s bronze medal. With the array of world s top class stars in its foray, we had expected that the team will win the cup for Nigeria. The reverse turned out to be the case.
We are worried. Other Nigerians too are disturbed. The justification for such apprehension on the dwindling performance of the Super Eagles is apparent. In the next three and a half months, the senior national team will be in Korea/Japan competing with some of the best teams in the world.
Yet, the performance of the team as the mundial closes-by is less than satisfactory.
Everything about the team seems not to be working. The Super Eagles lacks the ruggedness and commitment of a World Cup bound team. Neither did the team possess the discipline or technical drive of a team for the present or future. This is why a total overhaul of the team through injections of fresh and younger players into the squad before the mundial is necessary.
From the last tournament in Mali, it was obvious that the team could not score more than a goal in a match. Such situation must be improved before June, when the World Cup starts.
The technical ineptitude and lack of total control over the team by its coaching crew was glaring in Mali. Amodu Shuaibu and his assistants must be sent on refresher coaching courses provided they will be in-charge of the team at the mundial. More friendly matches must be organised for the team to ensure and sustain team cohesion and spirit. This is lacking in the present team.
Vanguard wants the Nigerian Football Association (NFA), to start Super Eagles World Cup preparation in earnest. A shoddy preparation cannot take a team far in the World Cup.(ACONS)
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