By Daily Sports on September 11, 2017

The absence of Carl Ikeme, Vincent Enyeama and that of the fumbling and wobbling Daniel Akpeyi, in addition to the superlative performance of Ikechukwu Ezenwa at the last leg of CHAN game in Kano against the Republic of Benin was the only tonic that brought Super Eagles’ Coach, Gernot Rohr’s searchlight on the FC Ifeanyi Uba safe gloves.

As if the gods wanted to smile at him and give him a place in the team, Akpeyi said he was injured and the whole lot of goalkeeping burden fell on Ezenwa.

Among the teammates, a mere mention of an encounter with Cameroon causes scare, jittery and panic on the lily livered. Ezenwa, whose only major international stint was the poor showing of FC Ifeanyi Uba in the last CAF Confederations Cup; and then, the two legged CHAN qualifying games. He was determined hearted and prepared for the worst and showed lots of bravery and composure in goal as his reactions each time the opponents were on the offensive remained mature and steadfast.

The few times he was called to duty in Uyo portrayed him as a brave upcoming national team goalie. We saw him in Yaoundé especially in the second stanza, when Mikel Obi was pulled out. Ezenwa stood his ground, refused bluntly to give in. He gave a good account of himself. He is a new discovery. An account on Ezenwa will be written when we finally pick the sole group B ticket at the expense of the Zambians. He is one of the revelations to watch out for in Rohr’s new Eagles formation. The Italian goalkeeper trainer, one must point out, did a lot of technical panel beating on Ezenwa, which bred confidence in him.

Looking at it from a close observer’s corner, Nigeria is on the verge of being among the best football playing countries that would converge in Russia for the 2018 finals of the World Cup football summit forbidding any last minute careless mistake in Uyo come October 7.

The Uyo football war is no doubt, a ‘now or never’ battle against the invading and over ambitious Zambians that showed Algeria ‘Red Card’ from next year’s World Cup qualifiers. Already big teams are falling apart. The tough talking Chipolopolo lads went to close camping in Europe, which no doubt signifies that the South African region team would be up in arms against Nigeria in the game that holds lots for both sides.

One, it is where our hope of making it the sixth time to the world Cup lies as we will thus pick the ticket for the most prestigious gathering of  teams chasing a round object in the globe. It will mark a watershed in our football which nosedived shortly after winning AFCON in 2013, and the crisis that trailed our football right there in Brazil 2014, which remained Nigeria’s Achilles’ heel until the upbeat performance of the Super Eagles against the Indomitable Lions in the ongoing World Cup.

It is believed that it won’t be temporary as Zambia threatens. Super Eagles did well against their Cameroonian counterparts. The team did not border about the antics of the Central African country but wholly concentrated on the task of preparations for the all-important game which paid off handsomely in Uyo and Yaoundé respectively at the end of the day. That sterling performance of the Gernot Rohr tutored lads gladdens our hearts.

Eagles are on course and the best thing that is on ground now is that Gernot Rohr said there will be no new intakes into the Eagles camp except Alex Iwobi that was knocked off by injury before the Cameroon showdown. That is cheering in the first place as you don’t change a winning side overnight. Those strategies helped the lot of the squad in Yaoundé shooting range where the Nigerians went deep into the thick battle, saw and conquered.

Again, one must also point out how gladdening it sounds when the supremo of Nigerian football, Amaju Pinnick revealed that preparations for the final onslaught against the towering Zambian side have started in earnest. It is a sign of positive change, a departure from the past. It further points to the direction that the inglorious era of fire bridge approach in preparations for major champs have given way. One prays that all these are concretes because from the look of things, the Zambians won’t be an easy nut to crack even in our home soil. Yes, they were defeated at home ground, Ndola in the first term. That is no reason for laxity. Much water has passed under the bridge of both teams. On one hand, Eagles have grown in character and strength, so also have the Zambians. Both have strengths that aim at high heavens only.

One may not totally rule out the memories of that tough and pulsating replay of 1994 AFCON finals held in Tunisia come October 7. While Zambia is making lots of noise because it beat another boastful team, Algeria home and away, Nigeria is keeping her cards very close to her chest. Fact is that the dice is gradually building up to be cast. All eyes are on this highly famed group of death that paired former champs of Africa. Technically, two strongholds have fallen but not flat yet until the outcome of the Uyo mother of all ground battles. It will seal every other hope and mathematical calculations of any magnitude because it is one ticket that would be picked in each group of the African series.

It will be wonderful if Nigeria picks it and joins the rest of the best football playing nations to draw the curtain on the 32-nation World Cup finals format. Her presence would serve as icing on the cake, which would push us out of slumber and set the tone for football rebirth in the country.

This is premised on the ground that the many young lads that are currently being discovered would be full grown by the next enlarged World Cup finals in Dubai in 2022. The interest shown by our sons in the Diaspora to lace their boots for the country no doubt, has upped the antenna and also brought to the fore ‘Can Do’ spirit of the Super Eagles.

Let us not rule out the great interest Rohr has shown on this project just like Clemence Westerhof did when he was in charge, whereby he encouraged our players to ply their trade abroad. It brought revolution hence the evolution of the national team in the 1990’s which climaxed in our first World Cup appearance in US 1994; and also the first away victory in that year’s AFCON in faraway Tunisia. It brought tremendous progress. Rohr is at it. Many of those that have not capped in the team that are with us will be in the main stream in the last formality game in Algeria. A little patience in the horizon boys because we are getting there! But I won’t name names.

Let me say that Amaju Pinnick, who is an Executive Committee member in CAF and FIFA would enter the books as being in charge when Nigeria qualified for 2018 World fiesta. I believe that is why the Delta State born, administrator is more resolute than ever to see the country through to Russia. His boast may not be empty when he was quoted to have said that Nigeria will grab the sole group B ticket in Uyo against the invading Zambia. I believe him that it may not be an empty one. He demonstrated via his motivation, paying Eagles full bonuses the gallant team pulled Cameroun to sweat through their pants to pull a face saving draw.

He has set the right signal and his friends are also helping to motivate the Nigerian team. Governor Udom Emmanuel is not relenting in its ramifications. Aside the first rate stadium facility the respected Senator of the Federal Republic and former Governor of the State, Chief Godswill Akpabio constructed during his eventful regime the incumbent governor has shown depth clout to all.

We are not yet home and dry. The Zambia game will even be of higher tension than what Cameroon match generated. Eagles know what to do in situations like this. The level headedness and concentration of the former African Champs of late grows in each given encounter. It has been hailed in many quarters as great sign of maturity on the part of all the players with Mikel Obi showing great leadership qualities.

Before I drop the anchor on the Eagles and the impending Zambia match, I wish to use this very reverend platform to appeal to the players and officials of the NFF that we should all work as a team to achieve this task ahead. We should work as a team since the qualifier for the World Cup began. The reported incident which mentioned the pairing of Chelsea star, one of his teammate and the NFF boss should be seen as a family affair despite the bad press and refutation from the football body that followed.

Let me confess that I don’t want to comment deep on it hence this passing comment. We must sink whatever differences and support Amaju and his team to deliver this ticket to Russia. The tranquillity that prevailed before and during the build up for the match against Cameroon should once more be embraced. We need such now against Zambia. Our opponents in the October 7 cracker look more slippery and dangerous than the conquered on September 1 and 4. There is still High Mountain to climb up front and so we must not rest at the base. We must collectively device killer strategies to climb it without hassle. It is what we can calmly accomplish without any rancour. There should be no room for disunity in camp or between the FA officials and players.

My last line: We have come to know the attitude of Amaju Pinnick which I would always say is his nature and I pray we continue to tolerate him and pretend as if we never notice him and his ways and move on doing what will be more edifying and justify our dealing before God and man.

This World Cup ticket is within our grabs and nothing called ego and other man made colourations must stop it.  Daily Sports would continue on her spirited frank and authoritative reportage on the positive happenings around Eagles players, technical crew and the build up as it affects the looming Nigeria/Zambia epic encounter. Our assurance, however, to hit the root against forces that may rear their ugly heads against Nigeria’s chances of flying its flag in Russia 2018 World Cup finals. We should drop the anchor on this premise as the countdown continues!

The curtain for this season’s NPFL was drawn last week Saturday and we all know the first three teams that would fly our flag in CAF Champs. It was a keenly contested season that did not produce clear winner until the last game. We also saw teams starting well from the onset and held unto it though not without the blood pressure of their fans and managers not rising to all time high.

We also saw a pulsating NPFL season where squads that broke the bank for the recruitment of first class coaches and players started on a snail speed but picked up when the coast was almost far walked by other equally ambitions teams. We will never forget much in a hurry. Let me say that Enyimba International got where they finished up in the just concluded season via determination, prudent management of lean resources spiced with the vast experience of its head coach, Oluwagbenga Ogunbote, whom I have often times described as veteran of many football league battles. Needless to point out his cool headedness in the face of provocations. He never complains no matter how his team is cheated.

For all the teams that sweated it out travelling long distances and taking every risk on the roads across the nation, it is kudos from Daily Sports. You showed Great Spirit of the beautiful game. Those that were relegated, it doesn’t mean end of the road for you, rather a prodigious beginning of better days ahead. I enjoyed few games I paid my way to watch in Calabar, Ijebu Ode, Ibadan, Agege, Ilorin, Enugu, Rivers; Akwa Ibom, Makurdi, etc. They were all worth the while. It gave me the hope and first hand grab that we are moving. What the NPFL needs most is much funds as obtains in EPL. Nigeria has the resources and the mighty to blaze the trail if those in the driver’s seat can honestly and for the love of fair play, our youths and the game embrace only clean dealings for the game to growth as it should.

Every one that made the season end resoundingly must have my thumbs up; there is still much room for improvement especially in the area of officiating.

Viva NPFL managers and Bravo to the participating teams. Please join me on Twitter handle, WhatsAPP; LinkedIn and Facebook for discuss to continue. I have come to enjoy that aspect a lot more now. Keep shooting hard, till next week!

Source Daily Sports

Posted September 11, 2017

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