Fidelis Ebu
30 November 2008
James Peters, an assistant general secretary (Technical) of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF fresh from FUTURO 111 Refresher Coaching Instructors' Course programme in Mauritius might be on the bench this afternoon to impact what he learnt from the one-week programme on the players of the home-based Super Eagles as they file out against their Ghanaian counterpart in African Nations Championship qualifier.Peters, who declined to tell the direction the victory pendulum would swing, said he could only tell what could happen if he is on the bench studying the pattern of play by both teams at the Ohene Djan Stadium, Accra; the same venue the Super Eagles were taught bitter soccer lesson by the Black Stars early this year that saw the team out of the African Cup of Nations in the quarter finals stage.
Aware of the bitter rivalry between the two countries, Peters has however described today's encounter as 'battle royale' adding that his presence on the bench with the team's head coach, Okey Emordi could make the difference just as he scored the indigenous coaches low.
"The technical knowledge of our coaches is low, and they need to update themselves", he said without being specific on the coaches concerned.
But he expressed that prior to his departure to Mauritius, the players of the home-based Eagles have been exposed to series of friendly matches with domestic club sides to sharpen their skill for the qualifier. "The Sunday (today) tie would reveal a lot of things to the soccer populace.
"We're hoping to win the encounter to confirm our participation in the inaugural African Nations Championship in Cote d'Ivoire next year", James Peters said.
The team of 18 players, nine technical officials and four administrative officials have already flown into Accra since Thursday evening, and have been acclimatising to ensure this afternoon's tie would be a success.
Emordi has however started talking tough saying on arrival in Accra that they are in the former Gold Coast for real business.
Efe Ambrose, who has been given the captain's band said that the match is a must win for them if they hope to book a ticket for the finals in Cote d'Ivoire early next year.
Ademola Olajire, the NFF Chief Media Officer, who is with the team said the players had their first training at the University of Legon on Friday afternoon, and trained at the match venue (Ohene Djan Stadium, Accra) to familiarise themselves with the turf.
Players in the team are goalkeepers Akpan Bassey and John Gaadi, and Cletus Itodo, Nnaemeka Anyanwu, Nazifi Inuwa, Efe Ambrose, Valentine Nwabili, Emmanuel Omodiagbe, Chinedu Effugh, Samaila Suleiman, ThankGod Ike, Isiaka Olawale, Kingley Elvis, Emmanuel Nwachi, Bello Kofarmata, Rabiu Yusuf, Kabiru Musa and Henry Uche.
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