World Cup,Supper Eagles Preparation In Dilemma.

The Nigerians Eagles World Cup preparation in dilemma
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


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 (NFC). By now, we should have known our team that is heading to the World Cup, but everybody is in the dark.