Russia 2018: Nigeria Likely in trouble
There
will be no hiding place for the Super Eagles of Nigeria when the world’s most
glamorous sporting event, the world cup, opens in Russia in 2018. The Nigerian
side will actually be the team to beat as other countries who have qualified
have started redoubling efforts to overawe the Nigerian side should they be
drawn together on December 1 when the draw is made in Russia.
The gang up
against Nigeria is not because it qualified from its group even with a match to
spare. It’s also not because in its round robin encounters with Cameroun,
Algeria and Zambia, super powers of the round leather game on the continent, it
did not taste defeat. Nigeria is in trouble because after qualifying for the
showpiece event, the Super Eagles went on to do the unthinkable.
Yes
the Nigeria Super Eagles are actually the architect of their own trouble. They
played themselves into trouble when they went to Russia on November 13 and
decimated one of the Super powers in the sport Argentina 4-2 with the whole
world watching proceedings. The legendary Diego Maradona described the defeat
of Argentina by Nigeria in the friendly match thus, ‘I am angry because they
have taken away our prestige”. Indeed that famous victory has cast the Super
Eagles in a new light and football aficionados across the world, including
coaches and players who will be playing in the world, cup now see Nigeria as a
formidable opponent which should not be trifle with. So Nigeria’s opponent in
Russia will not take matches against the Super Eagle with levity. They will go
all out and fire from all cylinders to humble this team that humiliated
Argentina in Russia.
From
all indications this will be Nigeria toughest World Cup ever. Forget the fact
that by African standard the country has done relatively well in the competition.
From the first appearance in 1994 the Eagles led by the Late Stephen Keshi
almost created the biggest upset when they faced Italy in the second round and
led by 1-0 until the very last moment when a momentary lack of concentration
prevented them from caging the Roberto Baggio led squad in the second round.
Italy eventually prevailed by 2-1.
Prior
to that, the Eagles had humiliated Greece, Bulgaria and virtually retired
Andoni Zubizarreta, the Spaniard all-time great goalkeeper who fumbled with the
ball and allowed Eagles to run away with 3 – 2 win over Spain.
After
USA’94 the Eagles managed to put up mainly respectable, and at times shambolic,
performances in subsequent appearances at the world cup in the first round
almost always qualifying for the second round. That’s where they always
stopped. And that is why the Eagles are in greater trouble with their
compatriots who follow the game with dizzying passion. So this time around the
Super Eagles and their handlers must know that second round qualification is
not enough.
The
success at Russia 2018 will be measured by at least a quarter final berth.
Anything short of that will be tantamount to a successful failure. And these
Eagles Class of 2018 have what it takes to shake the world. They have as Technical
Adviser a man who seems to know his onions and has weathered the politics of
the Football Association and the interference from high and low quarters.
Yes,
Gernot Rohr has been inspiring and has engineered the team to deliver at
critical times. He cannot afford not to deliver in Russia. And luckily for him
he has a group of experienced players and new intakes who want to show that
they have all it takes to become world beaters.
The
Captain of the team, John Mikel Obi, is a veteran of sorts and he has shown
that he has the support of his mates which is critical and the character of a
team leader off and on the field of play. The likes of Victor Moses, Ahmed
Musa, Ogenyi Onazi, Odion Ighalo, Abdulahi Sheu, Alex Iwobi have enough
experience and fire in their belly to hold their own against any opposition.
And
of course emerging key players like Kelechi Ihenacho, Leon Balogun and William
Troost Ekong and new kid on the block Brian Idowu could also contribute to an
anticipated success story in Russia.
However,
as in the past extraneous forces and matters must not be allowed to infiltrate
the team and preparations. Before long, those who played little or no role in
the qualification race will want to reap from where they did not sow and
through subterfuge and influence peddling will create division in the team. And
of course, even ethnic jingoists and religious zealots are waiting in the wings
to canvas for ethnic balance and religious equity. Such inanities and
aberrations must not be imported into the march to Russia.
Rohr
must be given the free hand to select his team. The role of the Football
Association must be limited to contingency support from the background while
government officials who have enough money to go to Russia must confine
themselves to designated spots.
Former
Super Eagles Chief Coach, Adegboye Onigbinde, has this advice for Rohr and his
boys, ”The Eagles have a technical team employed to ensure they do well at
competitions and I believe they should know what to do after seeing the way the
team played both halves against Argentina. The team can go on to win the World
Cup next year if the right things are done-part of which is giving them quality
matches to play to prepare them for the task ahead. No two games are the same,
and the same Argentina we beat 4-2 may meet us at World Cup and beat us silly.
The team look good but they need reinforcements to enable them to keep up the
performances and do better. The players should guard against being
overconfident because they have defeated Argentina”. Certainly, a timely advice
to steer Nigeria off the path of trouble in Russia.
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