Eagles World Cup preparation in dilemma
By ‘TANA AIYEJINA, Published: Sunday, 2 May 2010

Having set for itself a semifinal target at the 2010 World Cup, it still remains to be seen how the Super Eagles can post a fine performance as problems and more problems continue to trail the team‘s preparations ahead of the Mundial, writes ‘TANA AIYEJINA.

With just few weeks to the 2010 World Cup, it is still a surprise that the Super Eagles, which have been given a semifinal target by the Nigeria Football Federation – are yet to commence serious preparations ahead of football‘s biggest showpiece.

While Argentina have named their squad for their opening match against Nigeria, the Eagles coach, Lars Lagerback, is yet to meet majority of his players for the first time.

In fact, Argentina coach Diego Maradona has practically confirmed 20 of his 23 World Cup-bound players. He has already revealed which four defenders will debut for the side against Nigeria – Nicolas Otamendi, Martin Demichelis, Walter Samuel and Gabriel Heinze.

Argentina‘s midfield has also been revealed by Maradona, in the case that none of the following players pick up injuries. Jonas Gutierrez, Juan Sebastian Veron, Javier Mascherano and Angel Di Maria will start for Los Albicelestes.

Maradona has yet to reveal which attacking partnership will lead the side in South Africa. Lionel Messi will surely start for the side, but his partner has not been chosen. While Gonzalo Higuain is the favourite, other possible partners include Carlos Tevez, Sergio Aguero and Diego Milito. Also, Lyon‘s Lisandro Lopez seems to be out of the race while Martin Palermo and Ezequiel Lavezzi still have hope.

Although Lagerback‘s employers were thrilled with ‘his great knowledge of Nigerian football and its players‘, it remains to be seen how the Swede can weather the tide in South Africa without knowing his players- his basic tool for the World Cup task.

There is an indication that the Eagles may be heading for the rocks, as several factors show that the authorities concerned are taking the wrong steps towards the preparation of the team for the World Cup.

On Thursday, the new Sports Minister, Ibrahim Bio, rejected the Hampshire Hotel (near Durban) which had earlier been booked for the Eagles, saying that he was ‘unsure of the security of the place.‘

However, reports on Saturday again revealed that Nigeria had picked Protea Waterfront Hotel at Richards Bay (two-hour drive from Durban where the Eagles will play their last group match against Korea Republic).

It is a shock that the Eagles have been unable to play friendly games ahead of the World Cup. While the likes of Cameroon, Cote d‘Ivoire were engaging quality opposition ahead of the Mundial, Nigeria was busy playing an inconsequential friendly against DR Congo.

That team was largely made up of domestic league players and five foreign-based players. It called to question the relevance of the match when it was clear that majority of those who played that game would not make the World Cup team.

However, the NFF revealed that Colombia and Iceland will now play the Eagles on May 26 and 29, respectively, in London before they depart for their final camp in South Africa.

But that plan may have hit a brickwall again as organisers have been finding it difficult to name a venue for the friendly game against Colombia whose earlier date (May 26) has now been changed to May 30 in London.

A former Eagles coach, Christian Chukwu, said those at the helm of football administration should have begun preparations before now rather than setting unrealistic targets for the team.

”I think the earlier we settle down, the better. Iit will be very difficult for us in South Africa if we take things for granted. I learnt the coach has been on tour to meet with the players, but what we hear now is talk about the team‘s hotel problem.

”The World Cup is where you meet the best in the world; not the Nigerian Federation Cup. By now, we should have known our team that is heading to the World Cup, but everybody is in the dark.

”It makes it even more difficult. I am praying that we advance from our group first before we start talking of a semifinal target. But we are not adequately prepared,” the 1980 African Nations Cup winner said.

A former international, Chikelue Iloenyosi, said the problems of the Eagles were from the federation.

”Actually the team is supposed to be camped in a good hotel with security. The problem we are having now is from the NFF, so they should manage it. They have since been shown the hotel by the South African FA. So I don‘t know why there would be so much noise now about the issue,” the former Germany-based player said.

”It is a shame that we don‘t have a team yet. This is the time for us to train so that players can understand each other and blend well.

”It will also afford the coach the opportunity to know which player is injured and who is match fit. The World Cup is for the prepared. How do you get to the semifinal without preparing?

”Countries like Argentina and Germany, who have been tagged favourites, are not resting, in spite of their pedigree. So we must begin training ahead of the World Cup fast,” Iloenyosi, who missed the 2002 World Cup by a whisker, added.

For Julius Kayode, a former junior international, the semifinal target is a mission on a wild goose chase.

”We just contracted a coach and all we have seen from him is a 44-man list and nothing else. Where are the friendly matches? I don‘t think we can reach the semifinal of the World Cup.

”It is not a surprise to me because preparation has always been our problem. But it is appalling that right now, we don‘t have players in camp and no friendly match in sight ahead of the World Cup.

”The coach has been going from one country to the other. What does he want there? He should stay here (Nigeria), open a camp and let some players go in.

”You can see Argentine players like Lionel Messi and Walter Samuel playing first team football for their big teams but ours are more on the bench. I think we are not prepared enough,” the former Azerbaijan-based player said.

A look at the preparation of Nigeria‘s World Cup Group B opponents shows that they have fortified preparations ahead of the Mundial.

Argentina will play Canada on May 24 in Buenos Aires, and then five days later, face United Arab Emirates in Dubai.

The Argentines have been impressive in their preparations towards the World Cup beating Costa Rica (3-2) and Jamaica (2-1) before recording another high-profile win against 2006 World Cup hosts Germany 1-0 in Munich.

Greece, who have been to the World Cup once, in 1994, fell to second-half goals by Senegal‘s duo of Mamadou Niang and Guirane Ndaw during their first preparation game ahead of the World Cup in March.

But the Europeans will play further friendlies against Paraguay and North Korea before the World Cup finals.

Korea Republic have won four of their five friendly matches so far and they are not resting on their oars as they will play Ecuador, Japan, Belarus and European champions Spain before the World Cup

After losing to Germany 4-2 in Johannesburg in January, they went on to record heart-warming victories against Hong Kong (5-0) and Japan (3-1).They also defeated Cote d‘Ivoire 2-0 in London in March.