Former Super Eagles captain and midfield maestro, Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha has advised national team coach, Stephen Keshi and his assistants to eschew sentiments when making selections for the team ahead of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Okocha who was speaking yesterday in Lagos, observed that Nigeria has players that can hold their ground at the World Cup, but that will happen if only the best players are selected.

He added that most of the players in the squad are first timers and would need a strong mentality to succeed in the tournament.
“Most of them are coming into the big stage for the first time and need to be fortified mentally and psychologically to prevent them from being carried away.

“They should play to instructions and make fervent effort at making their opponents play at their own pace,” the former Eagles Captain and play-maker stated.

“Playing at the World Cup is every player’s dream. Our players should endeavour to surpass the old record and bring the much-desired victory to the nation,”he said.

Okocha, who plied his trade with Eintracht Frankfurt FC of Germany, Bolton Wanderers FC of England and Fenerbahce FC of Turkey, stressed that fans should not burden the players with unrealistic expectations.

On the current level of grassroots football development in the country, the former mid-fielder called on the authorities to grant tax waivers to corporate organisations that were willing to assist. He said that such a step was necessary because of the massive financial commitment that would be required to sustain such a project.

“There must be good structures on ground that will give special consideration of tax waivers to corporate entities that are inclined to such ventures.