By KATE OBODO
Former Super Eagles attacking midfielder a.k.a headmaster told Sunday Vanguard Sports in an interview that the Super Eagles can be rated high in the world again if the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF focuses more on good youth developmental football programme that will help discover young talents who could be nurtured into formidable teams for the country. Excerpts:

Judging from the two friendly matches the Super Eagles just played, do you see them regaining their world rating?

Judging from the friendly matches, I see the Super Eagles going back to the top because we have the talents and the players in this country.

Things may not be good now, but I think in the nearest future it is going to be okay. Everybody has seen what has happened including the players. They know how every body is feeling about it too but I know with subsequent games things will normalize.

In 1994, Eagles were rated 5th in the World. Do you see them reaching there under Keshi?

It is possible but, it also requires hard work, commitment and dedication from everybody including the technical crew and the players. If I may say, nothing is impossible, I think we can still get there if we really work hard for it.

Players are no longer committed to the national team any more, what do you think is the problem and how do you think it can be solved?

Well, I think is not just one problem, it is a series of things that have been happening in the past and the end result is what we are seeing now.

It is not only on the players but both the coaches and the administrators too.It is a cumulative of everything. And I think they should try and analyse and rectify things right from the grass-roots. I also believe it requires time and hard work for things like commitment to be in our football and also our national team.

There are no longer talents as it was before in the past, where we have creative players, dribblers and finishers. What do you think Keshi should do about that?

It is not only the job of Keshi. It has to do more on going back to the grass-roots. This is where you get raw talents. Getting talents from the grass-roots as a coach, you have to inculcate the culture of the game by trying to let the players know the rudiments of the game and also the fundamental aspect of football. Also, it requires going through all the steps in the game as it is done in Europe. They have to learn these things, but now, it will be difficult to teach players from the national team how to shoot. I think they have grown beyond teaching them. What we should focus on now is grass-roots football.

Lastly, do you see the target given to Keshi as something achievable?

Like, I said earlier, nothing is impossible. All we need to do is to start doing the basic things, by going out scouting for players from the grass-roots and also provide him with the necessary things that will enable him achieve these targets. I believe it is achievable going by his experience and achievements. All Keshi needs from Nigerians and NFF is time to blend the players.