Mutiu Adepoju: Super Eagles should emulate Ahmed Musa for 2018 World Cup success
Former Nigerian international, Mutiu Adepoju ‘Headmaster’ has said for the Super Eagles to succeed at the 2018 World Cup, they should emulate Ahmed Musa who recently returned to his former club CSKA Moscow for regular playing time. The former internationa
Yes, I am one of such people because what he has done is a positive step in the right direction. It is good for his career and the Super Eagles. Having qualified for the 2018 World Cup, it is important to have all our players actively engaged in their clubs. They should be playing week in week out. This will enable them to be in top shape for the World Cup which is not too far from now. So I think his move is a positive decision that will brighten his chances of playing in the 2018 World Cup.
Yes I will advise them to emulate Ahmed Musa but the fact is that the transfer window is closed for now. So the only thing I can say is that they should all strive harder and be playing regularly in their clubs. At least they have clubs to play for so they should ensure they are having playing time. We have few months to the World Cup so they have to be active. No coach would take any player who is not in form to the World Cup.
Their chances are bright like those of any other team in the group. Going by their present form, the Super Eagles should be able to go far in the World Cup, if they would get out of their group. So like I said, as it is now, things are looking really good for them. Most of our top players are playing for their clubs in Europe and if they would step up their game at the right time, the Eagles will surely get out of the group and also go far in the World Cup.
I believe that our match against Argentina is going to be as difficult as the previous ones we’ve played. Although we defeated them convincingly in that friendly match, we shouldn’t go to sleep. The Eagles shouldn’t relax. We all know that no two matches are the same. Each game has its own spirit so they will meet Argentina in a different spirit at the world cup. They should plan well and get to the World Cup in top form.
I will say they are doing their best to ensure the Eagles get the best preparation for the World Cup. I want to commend them on the way they have been doing things since the team qualified. It is good that they have already discussed the issue of bonuses and allowances with the players. There is no need to allow for such distractions during the World Cup. These are the type of things that can lead to crisis during competitions. So what they have done is commendable. This time, they are being proactive so I believe the Eagles would have a hitchfree participation at the World Cup.
What would you say helped the Super Eagles to qualify for the 2018 World Cup without the usual permutations?
Well, we all saw the group as a very tough one. Nigeria, Algeria, Cameroon and Zambia are all power houses in African football. For this reason, the group was rightly tagged the group of death. It was therefore difficult for most people to believe that the Eagles would beat the reigning African champions, Cameroon to the ticket. However, winning the first and second game made it possible and easy for the Eagles to top the group. They have a good coach who did things differently. I want to commend him for doing a good job. You see, a coach can have all the best players in the world but if he cannot use them correctly, he will surely fail. I also want to commend the players who showed the right attitude and commitment towards the qualification of the team.
Moses Obi and Victor Moses are the two highly influential players we have in the team. They are the ones to inspire and motivate the rest of the players. Their performance will be key to the success of the Super Eagles. So they must be in top form to be able to drive the team.
Well, as we are all aware, the goalkeeping department is very important in any team. The goalkeeper is one of the most important players in any team so the need to get the best to man the post cannot be overemphasised. As you said, we are having problems but I don’t think it should be a serious one. We have goalkeepers all over the world. It is now left for the coach to try and choose the best that will do the job for the team. The goalkeepers are doing their best so we shouldn’t have too much problems.
Well not too disappointed but honestly I didn’t expect them to lose that way. Let’s just say they deserve commendation for getting to the finals but they shouldn’t have lost by that wide margin. Like I said when they started nobody believed they would go as far as the finals but they struggled to get there. It shouldn’t have been 4-0 but that notwithstanding, they must have learnt one or two lessons.
I think the clubs put up encouraging performances, especially Plateau United who did very well by winning 3-0 at home. However, they still have return matches to play so they should not rest on their oars. They shouldn’t think they did well so they can go to sleep. I am sure their opponents have all gone back to the drawing board to re-strategise and come back stronger and better. MFM who drew away should come back home and ensure they win convincingly to move to the next round. I see the clubs doing better this time, if they would work harder.
It is going to be difficult but not impossible for them to scale the hurdle. If they would put their acts together, they can still upturn the first leg result to remain in the competition. I am sure they will strive harder to avoid a repeat of what happened to them in 2015. They have a good squad so they should be able to get a good result in the return leg in Banjul.