Despite Super Eagles booking a place in next year’s FIFA World Cup in
Brazil on Saturday and two days later put up a 2-2 brilliant
performance against Azzuri of Italy in an international friendly match,
FIFA and CAF Instructor, Chief Adegboye Onigbinde has declared that the
Nigerian senior national team are not a World Cup team yet.
Onigbinde told P.M.NEWS Sports
in an interview early today that despite the fact the Eagles qualified
for their fifth World Cup appearance, the African champions still need
to improve on their game if they want to go far in next year’s World
Cup.
“I had not been watching the Eagles’ matches of late, but I
want to share the believe of some soccer-loving Nigerians that the team
are not a World Cup team yet. We still have a lot of works to do if we
want Stephen Keshi and his team to excel in next year’s World Cup.
“I
always said that I am not satisfied with any achievement the Eagles
might have recorded but one thing I believe is that the team can still
do better if they want to make any meaningful impact at the World Cup.
Kudos to the players and their coaches for securing the ticket to play
in the World Cup and forcing former world champions, Italy to a 2-2 draw
in a Grade A friendly match on Monday,” said Onigbinde.
The former Eagles’
coach noted that for Nigeria to be successful in Brazil next year, there
should be cohesion in the team, and the players should have zeal and
determination to succeed. Onigibinde, who took Nigeria to the 2002 FIFA
World Cup in Korea and Japan, said that Nigeria can possibly win the
World Cup if necessary things are put in their in right place.
He
said there are many factors that worked against Eagles in South Africa
2010 FIFA World Cup which are ranging from administrative, tribal
sentiment, technical, government’s interference and late preparation.
Onigbinde said if all these barriers can be taken care of, the team have
what it takes to go far in next year’s World Cup.
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