As the Super Eagles get set for next month’s 2014 World Cup/ 2013
Nations Cup qualifiers, renowned military sports administrator,
Brigadier-General Emmanuel Okaro (rtd) has expressed fears over the
team’s qualification for both competitions if Stephen Keshi fails to
feature the best and experienced players.
The Eagles will play Namibia in Calabar on June 3 in a World Cup qualifier and travel to Blantyre the following week for the second group match against Malawi after which they will also welcome Rwanda for the second leg qualifier for the 2013 Nations Cup on June 17 in Calabar.
However, General Okaro has advised Keshi to get the best foreign-based players that would blend with the home-based if he must qualify for both the 2013 Nations Cup and 2014 World Cup.
“My fear for the team is the crop of players that Stephen Keshi is banking on. For me, I see the team struggling to qualify. We may have an edge over Namibia, Rwanda and the rest of them but it would be very difficult because of the new boys Keshi is bringing in.
The most important aspect is having players who are in form, good and experienced in the game that would blend with the local boys. John Utaka, for example is one players that is in form and I think Keshi should look into him.
“What I really want Keshi to do is to feature the best strikers and
especially those who are currently in form. For instance Utaka is a good
striker and also a clinical finisher. Other players are Ahmed Musa and
Osaze Odemwingie.
If he features Utaka, he may get the best out of him because he is doing well in his club. And as an experienced player, I doubt if he would struggle with the home-based players rather they would look up to him for leadership.
The home based players are not too experienced, he can blend them with the foreign players but he needs the foreign-based players much more than the local ones,” General Okaro stressed.
He said Mikel Obi’s game has improved in his club ( Chelsea), but that “he has always felt that he is indispensable in the national team. Therefore, I’m not going to rate him because of Chelsea’s victory as he remains one player that cannot be relied on in the national team.
In all, Keshi, should ensure that he gets quality players that would earn him the desired results if he must succeed in getting both the Nations Cup and World Cup tickets, or else it would be another disaster for Nigerian football.”
The Eagles will play Namibia in Calabar on June 3 in a World Cup qualifier and travel to Blantyre the following week for the second group match against Malawi after which they will also welcome Rwanda for the second leg qualifier for the 2013 Nations Cup on June 17 in Calabar.
However, General Okaro has advised Keshi to get the best foreign-based players that would blend with the home-based if he must qualify for both the 2013 Nations Cup and 2014 World Cup.
“My fear for the team is the crop of players that Stephen Keshi is banking on. For me, I see the team struggling to qualify. We may have an edge over Namibia, Rwanda and the rest of them but it would be very difficult because of the new boys Keshi is bringing in.
The most important aspect is having players who are in form, good and experienced in the game that would blend with the local boys. John Utaka, for example is one players that is in form and I think Keshi should look into him.
If he features Utaka, he may get the best out of him because he is doing well in his club. And as an experienced player, I doubt if he would struggle with the home-based players rather they would look up to him for leadership.
The home based players are not too experienced, he can blend them with the foreign players but he needs the foreign-based players much more than the local ones,” General Okaro stressed.
He said Mikel Obi’s game has improved in his club ( Chelsea), but that “he has always felt that he is indispensable in the national team. Therefore, I’m not going to rate him because of Chelsea’s victory as he remains one player that cannot be relied on in the national team.
In all, Keshi, should ensure that he gets quality players that would earn him the desired results if he must succeed in getting both the Nations Cup and World Cup tickets, or else it would be another disaster for Nigerian football.”
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