FORMER Nigeria international and former Abia Warriors coach, Emeka Ezeugo believes the Super Eagles need to up their game in order to face the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup the challenge.

The USA ’94 Nigerian World Cup defender was not pleased with the slow pace of the Eagles in the three friendly matches played against Scotland, Greece and USA and has urged the team to raise their game

Ezeugo who in his active days played professional football in five continents; most famously for Connecticut Wolves (an A-League club in United States), East Bengal, Kolkata, India, Peru and Dhaka Mohammedan during a successful 15-year playing career. warns in this interview, that the Coach Stephen Keshi tutored Eagles should be wary of Argentina and Iran. Excerpts:

What is your feeling about the Nigerian team to Brazil 2014 World Cup?

Ezeugo

I am happy that Nigeria qualified for the World Cup in Brazil and I am also happy that we have a good team that can represent us. The feeling is very high that my country’s flag will be among the 32 nations’ flags that will be hoisted in Brazil.

My impression of the games is that the Eagles are practically slow in their approach and I think it’s one of the areas Coach Stephen Keshi should address especially with our starting 11 (Eleven). What I saw of the friendly matches was not our best in the match against Scotland and partly against Greece, Keshi was still experimenting looking at some players. I know that he has a reason for doing that, but if I were him I will field my best players especially my first team players to really detect the final flaws and fixing them before the World Cup proper.

Do you belong to the group that says Nigeria can go as far as the semi finals in Brazil?

Why semi final? Nigeria can win the World Cup trophy. One thing with the World Cup is that it’s a game of surprises, The countries that you least expect to do well may be the ones  winning the games while those everybody focuses on  turn out as big flops. We have some players who are plying their trade outside the country with some big clubs..

You are sounding a bit optimistic here?

Yes, you have to be optimistic and positive because if you are pessimistic there’s nothing you can achieve. I am happy with the crop of players Keshi has assembled for the World Cup. We need to support them.

Who do you think can make the difference in the Nigerian World Cup squad?

We have a few  players there that can make the difference. Mikel Obi is  there, we have Emmanuel Emenike, Osaze Odemwingie is there and unfortunately, Ike Uche and Sunday Mba are not in the squad. We have a couple of them there in the team.

Do you feel comfortable with the inclusion of the team Captain Joseph Yobo and goalkeeper, Chigozie Agbim in the 23 man list?

I’m comfortable with whoever  Coach Keshi chooses and whatever decision he makes. I am okay with that because he’s the coach, the buck stops on his table and his decision should be respected.

Which of our opponents do you think will give us headache? We have Argentina, Iran and Bosnia and Herzegovina?

Iran, I know play very well. Argentina, I know also play very well, but Bosnia and Herzegovina are a bit obscured, though any team or country that made it to the World Cup final is as good as winning it. I think Bosnia will be a bit difficult, but nonetheless, Eagles can handle them well if they put their acts together. But Iran and Argentina are stronger teams, I must say. Iran is too good technically. Iran I know them from my playing days in Asia, at that time, Iran and Iraq used to be Asia’s best. I know how they play. They have the speed and timely with the ball while Argentina are world beaters any day, very skilful and have most of their players playing in the first team of their various clubs. So, I think Argentina and Iran are the teams to be wary of. We should expect tough games from these countries.

You were a member of the Nigeria USA’94 World Cup team, now as a former player of the national team, this is another World Cup period what kind of feelings are you having?

Nostalgia, at the same time full of expectation for my countrymen to do well and make our fatherland proud at the World Cup .

So what is your advice to Coach Keshi?

I don’t have any advice for him because I am sure he knows what he’s doing, he is up to his responsibility. He knows what to do and he does not need my advice or that of other football pundits from Nigeria. I tried not to give him (Keshi) a call at this time unless there’s something I feel that is a major issue that I need to alert him of, then I give him a call. Otherwise, I don’t see any reason calling him.

So how’s your relationship with Coach Keshi?

Ideal relationship! (he retorted) We have been together for seven good years even in the national team, so I have great relationship with him.

Coach Stephen Keshi once said that he has seen some flashes of the 1994 team spirit in this present squad, do you think this squad will perform  better than the ‘revered’ USA ’94 World Cup team?

There is nothing wrong with them performing better than our USA ’94 team, but definitely, there is no basis for comparing the two squads. USA ’94 team were grossly determined to excel, they were arguably the best crop of players that Nigeria ever had. In every department of the team, we had naturally talented players who could fit in perfectly. If you look at the number of first team players in their various clubs in Europe who could not make the team, that will tell you the calibre players we had at that time. So, there is no basis for comparison.

Are you not bothered that most of Keshi’s first team players are bench warmers in their clubs?

Like I said earlier, the buck stops with Keshi. He is responsible for the team and even if those he selected are bench warmers in their various clubs, he knows the reason why he selected them. And we should also know that club forms may not or even be translated into national team form. I know players who had matches going for them in their various clubs and when they come to the national team, they never perform and those who don’t do well in their respective clubs perform creditably for their national teams. So club form is not everything.

For instance, some of the club players in Europe play in front of 20,000 capacity stadium and are shining there and when they come to the National Stadium in Surulere Lagos and you are playing in front of 90- 100,000 spectators and you have another 200,000 watching on television outside the stadium wanting to see you play is different from what you experience in your club. Obviously, you wouldn’t even know when the 90 minutes is up and you wouldn’t even touch the ball. So club form is quite different from National team form.

So there’s a great difference between a club form and national team form?

Great difference!

On a final note, what are you telling the team?

Like I said earlier, I wish the national team good luck and if they get to the final and win the Cup, I will be the happiest African on this planet.

But can they get to the final?

Why not! We need to get there, if we are there, why not.