World Cup Hopes Of
Epl’s Super Eagles
The opening half of a World Cup year represents the final furlong for national coaches. These months provide the manager with a final opportunity to fine tune he squad ahead of the main event and to decide on his tactical approach for the tournament.
Unlike in previous years, Nigeria will (in all certainty) head to Brazil in a position of prosperity and stability. Stephen Keshi has earned the trust of his fans and his players (if not his bosses) over the last two years and should be backed to thrive in Brazil. The coach has cultivated a fine group spirit and team ethic but, having used over 40 players in the last 12 months, must make some difficult decisions about who travels to the World Cup and who stays at home.
He will also have to decide on whether to gamble and include some figures who haven’t featured for the Super Eagles recently, but who may well bring something new to the table.
This article assesses the World Cup hopes of those Nigerians currently plying their trade in the English top flight.
John Obi Mikel Fitness-permitting, John Obi Mikel is the first name that Keshi pens into his Official FIFA Squad list come the beginning of the summer. Even if Mikel is crocked, you suspect the Big Boss might be tempted to take him anyway.
Having missed out on Africa’s World Cup in 2010, Mikel will be poised to make a major contribution in Brazil. The fact that he is such an influential figure in the national set-up and the manner that the team is constructed to maximise his talents, only underlines his value.
He is one of Chelsea’s elder-statesmen these days and while inconsistencies do remain, there is no doubting Mikel’s place in Keshi’s plans.
Victor Moses Despite some exciting early showings, Victor Moses has gone off the boil at Liverpool. The forward has struggled to earn regular game time, particularly with Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho in such fine fettle. Similarly, Brendan Rogers has often employed tactics which have left little place for conventional wide-men, instead encouraging the wing-backs to provide the width and the central strikers to drift wide.
All of this has meant that Moses has become a bit of a peripheral figure at Anfield. His up and down career, it seems, shows little sign of settling down.
Brendan Rogers clearly has faith in his man, however, and Moses has the time and the ability to make a big contribution before the season’s close. Putting a positive spin on things, he will at least arrive in Brazil fresh and keen to leave a lasting impression.
Sone Aluko Had Sone Aluko managed to sustain his early season form, he would have represented an opportunity too tempting to resist for Keshi. Unfortunately, injury has once again threatened to derail a very promising campaign.
The forward was charging towards the Championship golden boot last term as his goals propelled Hull City in the direction of the Premier League. An injury suffered halfway through the season meant an extended spell on the sidelines; Aluko was forced to watch on as his team-mates made it to the promised land.
Unfortunately, particularly after starting this year so brightly, the rug has been pulled out from under Aluko’s feet.
The Nigerian has missed over two months with an Achilles problem but could be on the brink of a return to the Tigers’ side. If he can regain his fitness and rediscover the form that made him such a dazzling prospect in the early months of the year, then Aluko might give Keshi a reason to bring him back into the fold.
To be continued
Super 4: Enyimba, Others Receive Participation Fee
The League Management Company (LMC) has paid out participation fees to the four clubs that will feature in this year’s Super 4 pre-season tourney.
LMC board member, Shehu Dikko, disclosed on Tuesday that the sum of one million naira each has been paid to each side adding that the said amounts has been paid into the various accounts of the club sides.
According to Dikko, this is to aid the clubs pre-season preparations, as the league’s organizing body is aware of the financial challenges faced by the teams at this time of the year.
Enyimba, Kano Pillars, Bayelsa United and Warri Wolves will compete in the competition, which will take place from 24 to 28 January at the main bowl of the Abuja National Stadium.
Meanwhile, the LMC according to our source have also thrown the gates of Abuja National Stadium open in a bid to increase the attendance of fans. He further informed that free transportation to the stadium will be provided for supporters from Lugbe, Mararba, Kubwa and other areas of the FCT.
It would be recalled that last season’s Super 4 was won by Heartland fc of Owerri in Kano against teams like Kano Pillars, Lobi Stars and Enugu Rangers but failed to finish in a position last season to enable them defend their trophy.
The four clubs, Enyimba, Kano Pillars, Warri Wolves and Bayelsa United will represent Nigeria at the continental competitions as Enyimba and the league champions Pillars will carry the nations flag in the CAF champions league while Bayelsa United and Warri Wolves vies for the CAF Confederation trophy starting from February.
CHAN RESULTS
21/1/14
Congo 2 2 Libya
Ethiopia 0 1 Ghana
22/1/14
Burundi — DR Congo
Mauritania — Gabon
CAPITAL ONE CUP RESULT
21/1/14
West Ham 0 3 Man City (0 9)
22/1/14
Man United — Sunderland
COPA DEL RAY 21/1/14
Espanyol 0 1 Real Madrid
FIXTURE 23/1/14
A/Madrid — A/Bilbao
COPA ITALIA 21/1/14
Roma 1 0 Juventus
FIXTURE 23/1/14
Fiorentina — Siena
