SPORT Cameroon target 4 points off Eagles
TCameroon hope they can pick at least four points off Nigeria’s Super Eagles when both teams clashin crunch 2018 World Cup qualifiers from August, according to assistant coach Sven Vandenbroeck.
he first runner-up in the Nigerian category at the just-concluded second edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, Philibus Sharabutu, yesterday said that Kenyan marathoners excel because of right infrastructure.
Vanguard report that Sharabutu stated this yesterday in Lagos, stressing that there was “nothing special” about their ability to excel.
“They have no special blood in them, it’s just that they have the right infrastructure to train and excel.
“The only noticeable difference between the Kenyans and Ethiopians and Nigerian runners is the infrastructure provided by the East African countries.
“There is nothing special about the Kenyans as far as I’m concerned. What is the difference between us? We are better candidates for marathon than they are.
“I have competed with them at least two times outside the shores of Africa since I won the first in the Nigerian category in the maiden edition in 2016,” Sharabutu said.
“We went to Paris and Doha and I have yet to see anything special in their blood that always makes them champions, but to be honest, they have the facilities for athletics.
“The government of those countries invests in the marathon routes to make it convenient for them to run
Nigeria welcome new African champions to Uyo on August 28, while the return leg match will be played on September 2 in Limbe.
“We will need at least four points against Nigeria,” coach Vandenbroeck said on a radio which I believe our country could also copy.”
Sharabutu, who ran 2:37:51 to emerge second at the 2nd Access bank Lagos marathon, said that government should develop marathon routes in Jos where the athletes could train.
He won the Nigerian category in the maiden edition interview yesterday.
“They will be two difficult games. But August is still six months away, it’s a long way to go.”
The Belgian coach further revealed he watched the Eagles beat Algeria 3-1 in another World in 2016, and 18th in the elite overall winners list with a time of 2.31.41.
Pam Iliya returned 2.37.21 and Peter Maham 2.39.07 to be first and second runnersup respectively.
“Nigeria can produce world beaters better than the East Africans because we also have a town that has the same altitude needed for marathon like them and that is Jos.
“We can have the marathon routes where we can train because training on roads is extremely dangerous, more so, it can’t bring out the best result.
“We need high altitude training so as to keep fit and sometimes keep our Cup qualifier in November.
“I watched Nigeria against Algeria. They are a good team, have talented players and play as a group,” he remarked.
“I believe they were disappointed not to be at the AFCON.”