NWOSU: EAGLES CAN’T AFFORD TO MISS 2014 WORLD CUP

NWOSU: EAGLES CAN’T AFFORD TO MISS 2014 WORLD CUP

Posted: May 24, 2013

NWOSU: EAGLES CAN’T AFFORD TO MISS 2014 WORLD CUP

Former Super Eagles captain, Henry Nwosu, in this interview with IZUCHUKWU OKOSI urges the senior national team to pay more attention to the World Cup qualifying games against Kenya and Namibia. He says the Super Eagles will miss the experience of Mikel, Moses, Kalu Uche among other players who will not be part of the June games on account of injuries.

What are your expectations from the Super Eagles games against Mexico (friendly), Kenya and Namibia (World Cup qualifiers) and the FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil?

Hopefully they will get the wins in those games. That is what we all want from the team. However the qualifiers first, then the Confederations Cup in that order are more important than the friendly in Houston against the Mexicans.

The team will be without the quartet of Victor Moses, Kalu Uche, John Mikel Obi, Ahmed Musa (for Mexico friendly) and Gabriel Rueben due to injuries . What really are the Eagles’ chances without these key players?

The team will definitely miss their services in the qualifiers and during the Confederations Cup but their absence will not be sorely missed for the friendly against the Mexicans because it’s just a friendly game after all.
The World Cup qualifiers are most important and surely Stephen Keshi will miss the quality of these guys.

But don’t you think they could still be part of the team at least to act as an inspiration to the other players. The World Cup qualifiers and the Confederations Cup are FIFA games?

That is true but at least these players have played lots of games for their clubs. The coach invited good players who should see this as a chance to also stake their claims in the team. For example, Chelsea insisted that they want Victor Moses in their pre-season tour of the USA and you cannot begrudge them because they pay the player’s wages and other bills.

However I will plead with them to be available for the World Cup qualifiers in June against Kenya and Namibia if they regain their fitness before then. The friendly game against Mexico is not really a do-or-die affair but we can’t afford not to be in Brazil 2014.

Do you now think that their decision to opt out of these important matches due to their fitness concerns should see the likes of Osaze Odemwingie, Joseph Yobo and Victor Anichebe getting a recall to the team? These are players who had a spat one time or the other with Stephen Keshi?

Did Victor Anichebe have any major problem with Keshi? No, I don’t think so. It was just a case of misunderstanding in his own case. I’m not here to defend him because we’ve worked together before, no. He expressed his opinions about his involvement in the national team and would still want to be part of the team in future. As for Osaze and Yobo, theirs are different matters altogether. It’s the coach’s decision as to who he invites to the national team because he will take all the praises and criticisms in case of success or failure. They shouldn’t complain if you ask me especially Osaze who owes the coach, NFF and Nigerians apologies for his rants over his exclusion from the national team.

The Eagles won the Africa Cup of Nations without him so he is no longer a player we can’t do without. Keshi was part of the Tunisia ‘94 Nations Cup team but was benched for most of the games including those at the USA ‘94 World Cup.

Perhaps Keshi should replace the missing players with the likes of Ike Uche, Obafemi Martins and Nosa Igiebor, don’t you think so?

Yes, I will advocate for their recall to the Eagles especially Ike Uche. He did not have a particularly good Africa Cup of Nations outing but there are stars who don’t play well at a major tournament. Robin van Persie was an example. The guy was one of the flops of Euro 2012 but that does not mean he is no longer a world class striker or not one of the key players for Holland. So I would want Keshi to recall Ike who has been doing well for Villarreal in Spain after the Nations Cup.

The Flying Eagles are in Germany preparing for the U-20 World Cup to be hosted by Turkey in June. What are your expectations from John Obuh’s team?

I hope to see them take their scoring chances and be more solid in defending. I have no doubt that we shall see a better side at the World Cup. Not winning the AYC might be a blessing in disguise which would bring out the best in them.

You were a former Golden Eaglets coach. Recently they were hosted by President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja. That must be a motivation ahead of the U-17 World Cup, right?

Of course yes. I was happy to know of the President’s reception.  But I want to use this opportunity to appeal to the government to remember the Beijing 2008 Olympics football team that also won silver at the Olympics. I know that was the time late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua was ill but its not late to recognize our efforts. As they say, “At all, at all na im bad.” We need to be appreciated too.

Finally how would rate the performances of Nigerian players in Europe this past season?

The duo of Mikel Obi and Victor Moses were spectacular for Chelsea. They had wonderful performances for their club which culminated in their Europa League triumph and clinching a Champions League place for next season. Brown Ideye, Kalu Uche, Ike Uche, Efe Ambrose, John Utaka, Ahmed Musa all scored vital goals and won one title or the other for their clubs this season. There are many Nigerian stars in Europe but these ones really stood out for me.

Thank you for your time, MON

You’re welcome. ------------------------ Complete Sports