Posted by By GBOLAHAN DADA and RICHARD JIDEAKA, Holland on
The first Vice Chairman of thae Nigeria Football Association (NFA), Chief Gabriel Chukwuma, has predicted that at least four of the Flying Eagles' players currently on international assignment at the ongoing FIFA Under-20 World Youth Championship in Holland would be in Nigeria's World Cup party in Germany in 2006
The first Vice Chairman of thae Nigeria Football Association (NFA), Chief Gabriel Chukwuma, has predicted that at least four of the Flying Eagles' players currently on international assignment at the ongoing FIFA Under-20 World Youth Championship in Holland would be in Nigeria's World Cup party in Germany in 2006.
Chief Chukwuma, who is the leader of the Nigerian contingent to the Holland championship, said the quartet of Solomon Okoronkwo, Mikel Obi, Taiye Taiwo and Sani Keita are some of the players who could compete for shirts by next year in the Super Eagles. He insisted that the only way these players would not make it to the Super Eagles for the Germany event was if the coaches failed to pick their team on merit.
The proprietor of Gabros International Football Club of Nnewi, told Sunday Sunsport in Emmen, Holland that the present bunch of Flying Eagles players were so talented that he could vouch for them. He added that their stepping up to the Super Eagles would serve as a continuity in building the players and the national team.
Hear him: "There are several of them in this squad (Flying Eagles) who are ripe for the senior national team, and I will advise Coach Christian Chukwu to henceforth concentrate on giving some of the players a chance by inviting them for friendly games and even for World Cup qualifiers. The coach has no choice than to give these boys the chance to explode.
"The present Super Eagles' players are ageing fast, and unless these younger boys are introduced into the team, we would soon start suffering for relying so much on the old boys.
"Look at Okocha for instance, it is shameful that after playing for the Super Eagles for 12 years, we are still searching for Okocha's replacement in the national team. No matter how it may be, the longest Okocha can go now for Nigeria is to play for us at the 2006 World Cup in Germany and after that, he must retire. So, where do we go from there if we do not give the youths the chance."
On Okocha
"Okocha has been giving the coaches notice of his plans to quit the national team but it seems they failed to understand his plight.
"Football is all about risk, and if Chukwu does not take it now, he will regret it, and Nigeria will pay dearly for it in future.
"Okocha has paid his dues for this country and it is in order for us to respect his decisions without prejudice.
"My advise for Okocha is that he should be bold enough to tell the coaches when he would not be available for matches rather than playing hide and seek. He should even address the press to explain his reasons for not honouring the invitation to play the Nigeria-Rwanda World Cup qualifier game in Kigali, in which he was absent. Otherwise, all he had laboured for in this country would be rubbished."
On Siasia
"Oh, Siasia will go places if he continues the way he had started. Siasia's watchword has remained: ‘No sentiment, just merit'.
"I advised him to pick the best players to build his squad, and that he should not succumb to any form of intimidation or pressure from any quarters, and I am happy he complied.
"Look at the way he has moulded a solid squad in the Flying Eagles. I am happy for him and by the grace of God, he will go
places."
Under-20 chances
"After holding Brazil to a goalless draw, I want to tip them as one of the favourites to win the trophy. Yes, the team we have here can beat any team and the coaches are working real hard to achieve this.
"With the kind of motivation the players are getting here and with the perfect match plans the coaches are hatching, Flying Eagles will perform well in this championship. But in everything, we need prayers. We need God to make our dreams come true.
Gabros FC
"The team is a breeding ground for all the top clubs in Nigeria. We have produced some players for the national teams at all levels. I will keep financing the team as my contribution to the growth of the game.
"Gabros may not be among the best funded teams in the Premier League, but I tell you, we are very organised and focussed.
"We are trying to workout a partnership with some top European clubs, and if the deal works out, the fortunes of Gabros would change for the better."
The 43-year-old billionaire stated that he had some reservations about the league, but said he knew where the trouble in the league was coming from.
For him, the Nigeria Football League (NFL) Secretariat is doing wonderfully well, but he said that some people in the board and various committees were trying to spoil matters.