BY GEORGE ALUO
FORMER Super Eagles assistant coach, Sylvanus “Quick Silver” Okpalla is confident Nigeria would make it to the Russia 2018 World Cup if those in charge of the game begin now to do the right thing.
Okpalla who spoke exclusively to Sunday Sunsports said without mincing words that preparation is key.
“The draw has been made and to many people we are in a tough group. Let me tell you there is no group that is easy and no one is too tough. What is important is how do we prepare for the task ahead. Preparation is key here. If we prepare well, I m sure we will qualify. We have the players to do the job. The NFF, everybody must get down to work. First, I expect the NFF to name a substantive coach for the Eagles immediately. The coach must start work now. If it is Yusuf that they want or a foreign coach, the soccer federation must decide now. We must begin now to monitor our opponents, how to prosecute the games and all that. We also don’t need any further distraction. Qualifying for the World Cup should be a collective effort. The NFF must get the support of every Nigerian. Everybody must rally round the Eagles. If we do the right thing, we will definitely qualify,” Okpalla said.
Okpalla who was a member of the Super Eagles technical crew that won the AFCON 2013 trophy for Nigeria in South Africa said none of the other three countries in the same group with Nigeria is a push over.
“Zambia, Cameroon and Algeria are all very solid countries. So, we cant afford to toy with any of the games,” he said.
Nigeria is billed to start the qualifiers away to Chipolopolo of Zambia in October. The Eagles would after the away tie return home to play two straight home games against Algeria and Cameroon.
