Keshi to look for experienced players to complete his reform in the
national team.
In an exclusive telephone interview from his base in the United States
of America, Okoku, who won silver medal with Green Eagles at the 1984
Nations Cup, told TSW that from what he saw of the Nigerian team at
the ongoing FIFA Confederations in Brazil, Eagles would have done
better in the competition if the team had experienced players in its
fold.
"I'm happy with the boys Keshi took to the Confederations Cup in
Brazil even though they were thrown out of the competition with only a
win against the group's underdog, Tahiti. The players were composed in
their games and showed resilience even when they confronted world and
European champion, Spain. They showed a little respect to Spain at the
early minutesof their match, but quickly realised themselves to face
the occasion.
"What we saw in that match was a good sign that Keshi's transforming
effort is yielding good fruits. We can excuse some of the mistakes the
players made against Spain that invariably led to goals against
Nigeria, but I believe that the team must have learnt from those
mistakes. So, I will only advise those that are criticising the Super
Eagles to see reasons with Keshi and allow the National team to blend
and mature properly for the 2014 World Cup, also coming up in Brazil.
"I can excuse those that query Eagles' loss to Uruguay, but calling
for the heads of both the coach and the players is uncalledbecause I
never expected Nigeria to fly over Spain. In all, the Confederations
Cup was a good exposure for the players, especially the home-based one
that can now boast of playing against the like of Suarez, Fabregas and
co. And mark my words; Eagles will go places next year at the World
Cup because I am already looking beyond their qualification for the
Mundial.
"My only advice for the coach is that he should soft-pedal on his
stand concerning some of our experienced players, who were either
rejected or axed from the team, probably owing to their current form
or attitude. I think the team needs some of them at this point soar.
"Mind you, I am not pleading for those players, who have nothing to
offer the team any more or those who have passed their prime. But I am
pleading on behalf of the like of Victor Anichebe, Osaze Odemwingie,
Kalu Uche and his brother, Ikechukwu. I don't think it would be a
difficult task for Keshi to bring those boys back to the Eagles' fold
to compliment the good works of players like Emmanuel Emenike and
Victor Moses.
"I know that Keshi and his assistants have done so well, but Super
Eagles need a player like Odemwingie and others to excel.And I am
happy that Odemwingie once wrote on his Twitter account that he would
want to play for Eagles again.
"In the game against Spain, Eagles were menace to Gerard Pique and
Sergio Ramos, but they could not test Victor Valdes in goal. The
numerous misses by Brown Ideye and Mohammed Gambo, showed that if the
team must remain super, it has to search and employ superb strikers.
"We are not talking about the return of Emenike and Moses, but to
search for more players who can take their places when they are not
around. And like former Liverpool's coach, Gerrard Houllier said it;
'they play good football…but they need to score goals. If they can do
that, it will be a great team.'
"This is not an overall indictment on the local league because it was
the league that produced a player like Godfrey Oboabona, who currently
stands like a rock in Eagles' defence in recent times. I know that we
have better players in the league than some of the ones currently
playing in the national team. All we need is to fish them out.
"Keshi alone cannot do that. This is where the Technical Committee of
the Nigeria Football Federation should come in and assist the coach to
find good legs with which to fortify the national team.
"Before the commencement of the Nations Cup last January in South
Africa, I had my doubts about the capability of Elderson Echiejile,
but after the triumph, in which the Braga defender scored a wonderful
goal in the semi-final against Mali, I came to respect him and he has
continued to improve his game in leaps and bounds. Whatever lesson he
received from Keshi has worked out for him. His market value must have
increased within the last five months, as the former Flying Eagles'
left back has liberated himself from being a shackled player to one
that now radiates confidence with or without the ball.
"I heard that VFB Stuttgart in the Bundesliga is said to be on his
heels. If that works out, it will turn out good for him.
"Meanwhile, the two defeats Eagles suffered at the Confederations Cup
in Brazil helped to expose the weak sides of the team. More
transformation is needed in the midfield. The attack must be sharpened
to locate the goalposts and the coach has to do something fast about
it. The defence still needs to be fortified, and the goalkeeper,
Vincent Enyeama, was also culpable to some extent.
"My advice is that the entire team should be aware of what to dowith
the ball always. It is more dangerous in modern football to lose ball
and give room for counter attack, because more goals have been scored
in that situation.
"Finally, I am happy that the John Mikel Obi, which Manchester United
and Chelsea fought for in 2005 has once again rediscovered his style
of play in Brazil. I realized that something clicked for Mikel in
Brazil and we are praying to seemore of it going for him. From his
passes and body movement in the match against Spain, one can say that
the midfielder is capable of being Eagles' playmaker after all. But
whether he can sustain the tempo is a discussion for another day.
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