Onochie Anibeze
3 July 2009
(Page 2 of 2)
It appeared natural that they never got beyond that stage, not because they lacked the players but because of their attitude. It was typically African.
There's something that fires the ego in us when we should keep our heads. I don't know what that thing is. But for the crisis situation in our camp, the Eagles would have pumped more goals into the net of Italians in that USA '94 World Cup and Italy scoring a late goal would not have made any difference. It was so bad that, in four days, Eagles trained only once before facing Italy.
It's very painful to recall that event. That's why we must begin a campaign to change our football. From our attitude to the game and to facilities - training and match venues for our league - and to coaching and discipline of players.
We must begin to appreciate that set-pieces decide matches. Two out of the five goals in the Spain-South Africa matches were from set-pieces. It was same in the final match between USA and Brazil.
Our coaching aspect must address the issues of modern football. Organised defence and very fast attack especially when counter-attacking.
The midfield these days have what coaches call workers. Players mark so tightly and so collectively that ball carriers are rarely noticed if they are not working like others.
The marking they do now doesn't give room for play makers to shine the way they did in the past. In just two years things have changed.
If, for example, Jay Jay Okocha quits retirement and returns to action as Adokiye Amiesimeka is clamouring for, his creativity will be appreciated but he definitely will no longer fit in as a ball carrier. He may not have room for that.
He will need to be faster in releasing the ball and will need to run more than he did before.
If he cannot mark, then he can't fit in. Another problem is that our players knew how Okocha was adored and they all want to play like him to please the fans. Unfortunately, they do not have the skills of Okocha.
Secondly, they appear not to respect the changes going on. Our coaches must make them change because they are not exactly so when playing for their clubs although I do not expect them to do exactly same thing because there are different attributes and different football cultures. Amodu, Daniel Amokachi, Alloy Agu and Fatai Amoo have a lot of work to do.
The points Marius raised are vital and key to our expectations if the Eagles will meet them.
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