Former President of the West African Football Union (WAFU), Chief Jonathan Ogufere, has called on the Super Eagles and the coaching crew led by Gernot Rohr to be wary of the antics of Croatia and Iceland as the team gets set to take on the world at the Mundial next year in Russia.
Speaking exclusively to The Point in Lagos, the highly travelled football administrator said the team and its coaching crew should not concentrate alone on seeing ways to outwit perennial rivals, Argentina, but must devote enough time and concentration by spying on ‘deadly’ Croatia and also the ‘giant killers’ from Iceland.
Ogufere stated that the Group D which has Nigeria, Argentina, Croatia and Iceland is a very difficult group and needs good preparation for Nigeria to pick a ticket for the next round of the competition from there.
“I must say that Group D, where Nigeria is placed, is a very tight group. Croatia, for example, has a very dangerous squad and the team is well balanced in all departments. We must remember that Croatia has made its marks in European football, thus, Eagles must dig deep to surmount them in the opener.
“Also, we have always concentrated on Argentina whom we are going to meet for the fifth time at the Mundial in Russia next year; but we also must be wary of debutants Iceland who are a very physical side. Their giant-killing instinct cannot be underrated, but with good preparation, Eagles will fly over them,” Ogufere said, as he exhuded great optimism.
Speaking further on what Coach Gernot Rohr must do to excel with Eagles in Russia 2018 Ogufere said Grade A warm up matches for Eagles will do the magic.
“I must give Rohr and his crew kudos! They have done very well and I know he has the potentials to take Super Eagles far in the Mundial in Russia.
“I, however, believe that to make Eagles shine in Russia 2018, they need to play Grade A friendlies, especially with world Cup-bound teams.
“I also know that the weather in June next year in Russia will be very cold, thus the entire squad must brace up for the challenge!
“In all, I think Eagles will surely deliver and make Nigerians proud in Russia,” he said.
Ogufere used the opportunity by thanking the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr. Solomon Dalung and officials of the Nigeria Football Federation for motivating the players and also by making sure enough funds are released for the team ahead of the Mundial. This according to him will minimize the internal wrangling that have affected the fortunes of the team in past global outings.
“The issue of match bonus wrangling will be averted this time because of the efforts being made by the Ministry of Sports and the NFF at seeing that adequate funds are released for the Super Eagles ahead of the Mundial.
“However, I want to call on Corporate Nigeria to compliment the efforts of the Sports Ministry and the NFF in this regard by seeing that the entire squad gets massive support in their quest to making Nigeria proud.
“Finally, come Russia 2018, I want to see our supporters club members making the trip to Russia. I want to see lots of fans wearing the green and white jersey of Nigeria everywhere in the various stadia our players will do battle. Surely, this will give our players the massive support to surmount the impossible task at the Mundial, because we are going to face a formidable crowd from Iceland in Russia,” he concluded.
