| Rufai
to Amodu…
Use individual skills
…And pick W/Cup ticket
By MERCY
JACOB
Monday, August 10, 2009
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•Rufai
Photo: olympicessen.com
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As Super Eagles’ technical crew continue to strategise
on how to qualify Nigeria for next year’s World Cup
in South Africa, former Super Eagles’ goalkeeper, Peter
Rufai, has come up with an idea on how Coach Shaibu Amodu
could use his players better.
Rufai said that teamwork had not really helped Nigeria much
in all her feats in football, but player’s individual
skills had counted most for the country in her achievements
in the round leather game.
The former Eagles’ best hands said there’re great
players with abundant skills in the current Super Eagles squad,
who could run riot against any opponent in a match, but that
they need to be identified and utilised properly by the coach
as Eagles march towards picking the ticket for the mundial
in South Africa next year.
Speaking to Daily Sunsport in a recent chat, Rufai said that
individual skills of some players could be vital for Nigeria
to claim superiority over Tunisia, who are currently atop
of Group B table of the African Zone of the 2010 World Cup
qualifiers.
He, however, warned that while Amodu pay special attention
in shaping those players with special skills in his team,
he must not forget to carry every other player along.
Rufai, who acknowledge that the road to South Africa 2010
would be rough for Eagles, however, was optimistic that come
what may, Nigeria would take part at the World Cup in South
Africa. He added that the country has abundant talents to
achieve that feat.
"We have entered the crucial stage of 2010 World Cup
qualifiers. It is at this stage that any mistake could terminate
any country’s dream of playing in South Africa next
year. The road would be rough for Eagles and their technical
crew, because when you look at the current situation we are
into, you will agree with me that it is not going to be easy.
"As it is, I believe that the only way Eagles can achieve
our collective dream is by adopting the individual performance
method. With this method, I believe we will pick the sole
World Cup ticket ahead of Tunisia and the rest in the pack.
"I also believe that Nigeria will secure a slot to play
in the South Africa 2010, because I can’t imagine a
World Cup being hosted in Africa for the every first time
without Nigeria in the game. However, all hands must be on
deck for this dream to be realised."
‘Dodo Mayana’, as Rufai is fondly called by soccer
fans, however applauded Super Eagles’ goalkeeper, Vincent
Enyeama for proving himself in the team’s goalpost.
He further charged him not to relent in his effort, but should
aspire to rise higher in his chosen profession.
"I can confidently say now that I have gotten a good
replacement in the Super Eagles. Vincent Enyeama has proved
that he is equal to the task of manning the Eagles’
goalpost. I give him kudos for what he has achieved so far.
However, I would advise him to aspire more. I believe in Enyeama
and hope that with him in Eagles’ goalpost, the team
will go places.
"Though it is not easy to measure performance considering
that other African countries are also developing in their
game and would always fight to outdo those that had already
been there, I still hope that the Coach Amodu-led team will
make it to the mundial in 2010, and with Enyeama, they have
an edge."
In a lighter mood, Rufai concluded: "One thing I would
want every Nigerian to realise is that Peter Rufai has yet
to get an official send off from the Super Eagles, because
nobody has taken over my gloves since I pulled them off my
hands. But I seriously need to hand them over to another good
hand to enable me move on. I really need to go for another
fellow to take over."
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