…coach, ex-internationals dish-out winning formula
The Minister of Youth and Sport, Barrister Solomon Dalung, has charged the Super Eagles to shine at the forthcoming FIFA World Cup holding in Russia, by winning the coveted trophy at the end of the hostilities.
Dalung made this charge while commending the Technical and coaching crew of the team and also the Nigeria Football Federation for their efforts being put into the preparations for the FIFA World Cup in Russia commencing in June.
The Minister expressed delight in the team’s show of commitment, patriotism and unity of purpose, as the World Cup in Russia gradually gets closer.
“I sincerely commend the Federal Government and Nigerians for their unflinching support and solidarity to the team and officials. As we look forward to playing our remaining friendly matches with DR Congo, England and the Czech Republic, government assures you that every step will be taken to ensure a smooth operation of the matches.
“I also appeal to Nigerians to show their solidarity and support to see the team to victory,” he urged.
Dalung, however, emphasised that priority would be given to the team, including officials before considering issues of sponsoring individuals.
“ We appreciate the desire of Nigerians to travel to Russia and support the team but it is worthy of note that every plan on ground will focus on the welfare of the team and officials before considering issues of sponsoring people to support the team because of economic realities on ground.
“The team, having qualified for the World Cup, is a Nigerian team, therefore preparation of delegations and mobilization of support is the exclusive preserve of the Federal government of Nigeria,” he stated.
The Minister said that the NFF is preoccupied with preparation of the team and its officials for the competition and should not be distracted with the award of slots to prospective supporters to Russia.
“I urge the Federation to concentrate on its mandate and avoid the distraction of allocation of slots to people interested in traveling to Russia for the World Cup.
“However, any Nigerian with the capacity to travel to Russia to support the Super Eagles is not limited by this advice.
“I wish the Super Eagles of Nigeria the best and look forward to an amazing performance in Russia 2018,” Dalung concluded.
In a separate interview with The Point, former Super Eagles assistant coach, Joe Erico, said having qualified for the Mundial the onus lies on the team to excel.
“Having qualified for the Mundial, the Super Eagles should be ready to battle with other countries for the coveted trophy in Russia.
“It will be a big shame if the Super Eagles arrive in Russia and the issue of players’ welfare and non-payment of their match bonuses rears up its ugly head. We don’t want that to happen in Russia and that is why Mr. President must tell those in charge of football never to do things that will rubbish the image of Nigeria at the Mundial.
“The World Cup is the biggest football event on earth and thus, it deserves the support of all. Government must show their support by making sure that the Super Eagles are well funded, kitted and psychologically ready to crush any opposition in Russia,” Erico said and wished Eagles the best of luck.
In his advice to the team, ex-Nigerian international, Nduka Ugbade, called on the administrators of football and the Super Eagles to intensify their preparations for the Mundial.
“My advice to the players is that they should be technically and tactically sound to be able to withstand all the opposition in Russia 2018. I also want to add that any player going to the Mundial must be psychological strong because you need to have a large heart to be able to play at such level,” Ugbade said.
However, former Super Eagles midfielder maestro, Friday Ekpo, told The Point, that expectations are really high on Nigeria winning the coveted trophy but cautioned Eagles never to underrate any team they meet during the Mundial proper because the era of minnows in world football is no longer tenable.
“The Super Eagles must not underrate any team at any stage of the tourney because any team that qualified for the world cup in Russia is good and capable of lifting the trophy.
“There are no more minnows in world football and if you can remember in 1990, Cameroon qualified for the Mundial and shocked the world by defeating defending champions Argentina 1-0 with Diego Maradona in action. It shows how dynamic football is!
“Aside that initial feat, Cameroon got to the quarterfinals of the world cup in same 1990 which I feel is a great lesson Eagles should draw inspiration from ahead of Russia 2018.
“Nigerians are frantically gripped by the world cup fever and I want the Super Eagles to go all out and surmount every opposition they meet on their way.
“We have quality players to prosecute the world cup for Nigeria, but the chances of Eagles excelling also depend on the tactics and formation to be deployed by the coaching crew led by Gernot Rohr.
“My daily prayer for the team is that God should grant the players the grace to be injury-free so that Eagles could play to their full potentials at the Mundial,” Ekpo stated.
