Tunisia ’94 Africa Cup of Nations winner Nduka Ugbade insists Nigeria can run on the same level with world champions Spain and five-time World Cup winners Brazil with “tactical discipline.”
According to him, Brazil, Spain Italy, Argentina, Mexico, England and Germany are not always comfortable when pitted against Nigeria at tournaments.
“They are always afraid each time they are drawn against Nigeria because we are not a team that can be beaten easily,” Ugbade told our correspondent on the telephone during the week.
“They know we are blessed with the combination of power, speed and skill. The Brazilians and Spaniards are skillful but they find it difficult to withstand our physical play.
“They are never happy to play the Eagles or any of our teams because they know they are in for a difficult game.
“Argentina struggled to beat the Eagles 1-0 at the 2002 Korea/Japan World Cup despite having the likes of Gabriel Bastituta and (Oriel) Ortega in their lineup. It was the same story when we met at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Despite having Lionel Messi and (Gonzalo) Higuain in their attack they managed to beat us 1-0.
“What Nigeria and other African teams lack is tactical discipline. We rely on our strength and skill but the Brazilians, Argentines and Spaniards rely more on tactical discipline.
“With sports science and sport psychology the Eagles will be beating Brazil and Spain in any competition.”
The Golden Eaglets assistant coach praised Stephen Keshi for transforming the Eagles, saying the players have learned a lot from him.
“Keshi has improved the team since he became the national team manager,” the China’ 85 FIFA U-17 World Cup winner said.
“His assistants – Daniel Amokachi and Ike Shorunmu – are also doing a great job.
“Nigeria won the Africa Cup of Nations because of the job they did on the team. They deserve commendation.
“The team now play like the Eagles that won the Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia 1994 and played very well at the World Cup the same year.
“The Eagles now have a strong midfield and a good defence. The attack is not bad but we need to work on our strikers.”
Ugbade backed the Eagles to qualify for the World Cup, dismissing the threat pose by the Flames of Malawi in their group.
Nigeria lead Group F World Cup qualifiers on nine points, two above the Flames. The last group clash between the two teams in Calabar on September 6 will decide the winner of the single ticket to the final round of the qualifiers. A draw will be enough for Nigeria while the Malawians require a win to sail through.
The 1989 FIFA U-20 World Cup silver medallist said, “We only had problems in our first leg meeting with Kenya in Calabar (1-1 draw) but we beat them in the return leg in Nairobi (1-0).
“The Eagles will beat Malawi, I don’t know the team we’ll play in the final round but I’m sure of the World Cup ticket.”
“Keshi has improved the team since he became the national team manager,” the China’ 85 FIFA U-17 World Cup winner said.
“His assistants – Daniel Amokachi and Ike Shorunmu – are also doing a great job.
“Nigeria won the Africa Cup of Nations because of the job they did on the team. They deserve commendation.
“The team now play like the Eagles that won the Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia 1994 and played very well at the World Cup the same year.
“The Eagles now have a strong midfield and a good defence. The attack is not bad but we need to work on our strikers.”
Ugbade backed the Eagles to qualify for the World Cup, dismissing the threat pose by the Flames of Malawi in their group.
Nigeria lead Group F World Cup qualifiers on nine points, two above the Flames. The last group clash between the two teams in Calabar on September 6 will decide the winner of the single ticket to the final round of the qualifiers. A draw will be enough for Nigeria while the Malawians require a win to sail through.
The 1989 FIFA U-20 World Cup silver medallist said, “We only had problems in our first leg meeting with Kenya in Calabar (1-1 draw) but we beat them in the return leg in Nairobi (1-0).
“The Eagles will beat Malawi, I don’t know the team we’ll play in the final round but I’m sure of the World Cup ticket.”
Source: Punch