By Kate Obodo
Former Barcelona of Spain and Super Eagles attacker, Emmanuel Amuneke, has predicted a tough match for the Eagles when they lock horns with the Harambee Stars of Kenya in the crucial 2010 World Cup qualifier in Nairobi next weekend.
•Nigeria against France in a friendly match recently..."It is not about playing, it’s all about getting set"
The 1994 African Footballer of the Year believes that with adequate preparation, the Eagles will subdue the Kenyans in Nairobi, adding that the state of the team matters.
“The coach needs to get his side ready for the big and important game ahead. Rather than depending much on the professional aspect of the players and praying for victory, Shaibu Amodu should prepare his team and focus on their ability.
“It is not about playing, it’s all about getting set, knowing what is at stake. So far, we have watched the team play. The question is, are they ready? They have to get themselves ready. “Sometimes it is difficult to say the truth.
It is not going to be an easy one, it takes more than prayers to win. Yes, we need to pray but prayer without work is disaster waiting in the corner. We must do our home work first.
“You cannot ask for God’s help without first helping yourself. I am not that kind of person who believes the game will be easy without working hard.
They just need to prepare very hard because Kenya will not allow them to go with the maximum points. This is based on three factors. First they want to qualify for the Nation’s Cup, secondly, they are playing at home, and lastly, they are playing in front of a vociferous crowd,” Amuneke said.
Putting himself in Amodu’s shoes, Amuneke said it would be better if the coach utilise players who are capable of getting the job done.
“Well I am not Amodu, but if you ask me, first, I will check and analyse what I have at hand. Looking at players, who can give out their best especially players who are fit. The most important thing is to make sure the boys are in high spirit.
They should also understand what is at stake but to crown it all, they should be psychologically, technically, physically and tactically ready if they must win,” the former Julius Berger and Zamalek FC attacker said.
Do not underestimate the Super Eagles! While being realistic we should not overrate Kenya either. Kenya cannot stop the Super Eagles from going to South Africa. Only the lack of seriousness and lack of alertness of the Eagles can stop them from getting anything. Kanu should start the attack. Osaze and Obafemi should do the killing and Yobo should stop his characteristic carelessness in the defense. Good luck Eagles! Go get them! Eat the Harambee Stars raw !!!
God does wonders for those who believe and truly put their trust in Him. He makes what looks impossible for man possible. Hence, praying is very fine. But very hard preparation should accompany prayers. They Eagle played their hearts out during the last match as individuals because they did not prepare hard enough as a team. Have they prepared hard enough now? The remaining days are enough for them to prepare very hard and avoid injuries. I know that God is with them. They should not jubilate much when they score. They should wait till the end of the match so as not to lose focus. They opposing team can capitalise on losing concentration to score. That was what happened when they played in Lagos with the Tunisians. They should always have two men at the back to defend. The opponents watch them when they all move forward, to break through from the wings that are not defended. Odeningwe played like a patriot. I salute him. I wonder why some players who cannot be mobile, tireless, patriotic have to be fielded. The energy and tolerance needed are too much for an old player. Use local players who are skillful, strong and patriotic as well. The level of play at the foreign and local club levels are much lower than the level at the world cup level. I have the feeling that God will support our great country, although to man, it looks like a difficult assignment, because the people in charge of football did not prepare the players well enough early.
All the Nigerians are praying seriously for the super eagle to qualify for the world cup. My question is, does it mean that it is not God that created Tunicians? Remember, heaven help those who help themselves. Tunicians worked very hard, therefore, they deserved God’s mercy. God cannot rub them and give it to those who could not work very hard. The best think that the coch and the players should do is for them to wait untill when they are ready togo to the world cup. Their time is not yet ripe.
If only Amodu will utilize all the advise he is getting from other coaches. He has been told by Keshi and other better coaches that his players do not mark their opponents very well hence the late equalizer the team suffered in their match against the Tunisians. Amodu does not need to be told that he should prepare his team to mark at all times to prevent the other team from creating chances to score. Massive attacking system coupled with close and clever marking will win the game for Nigeria against Kenya. He should go for the best defenders and not those that will create easy passage for the Kenyans to score and win. Taiye Taiwo is very suspect in defence, so also is Seyi Olofinjana. He should put both players on the reserve. Also, he needs to find a better partner for Yobo in the central defence. Adeleye is just too slow to withstand the pace of the Kenyans. If Amodu does not win this game, then his coaching career in Nigeria should come to an end. This is the way it has to end for Amodu’s career. His only option is to find a way to win this all important match.
Its not going to be easy for Super Eagles at Nairobi, Kenya. I agree with Amunike that we need more than prayers. Kenyans too are praying and Tunisians are not sleeping as well. The stake is very high and unpredictable. Kenyans are eyeing the Nations Cup in Angola and Mozambicans too are hopeful. For Nigeria and Tunisia, luck is the key word here. Our fingers are crossed, let it be a day for Nigeria and Tunisia, a twit light.
Like it is said the ball is absolutely in the players’ court. Whatever the result I think the stand to loss more or gain more. If kanu is fit, he should start this game. Players like Kanu mean more than a presence on the pitch especially against opponents such as the Kenyans. As long as he is on the pitch the Kenyans will remain on the edge and the attention he would draw from the Kenyan players will free sharp shooters like Obafemi, Odenwige, and Nsofor to get early first half goals to keep the crowd quiet. These four if fit should start the match in Kenya.