Technical Director of Oasis Football Academy of Lagos, Loveday Omoruyi, has revealed that the Super Eagles cannot be a formidable squad without the services of skipper Mikel Obi, ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup holding in Russia in June.
Speaking exclusively with The Point shortly after his team’s training session at Albati Barracks soccer pitch in Lagos, the highly experienced coach said the recent friendlies played so far by the Super Eagles has exposed the missing link in the team’s set-up.
“From the friendlies so far played by the Super Eagles, the team is still ‘work in progress’. Against Poland and Serbia respectively, it was glaring that there was no creative midfielder to help hold the ball effectively in the middle to ease pressure on the defence and also distribute the ball to the strikers upfront. We really needed Mikel Obi in the crunchy tie.
“Still against Poland, the game was tough for the Eagles, though they triumphed 1-0, but there were lots of lessons the coaching crew of the team must have learnt.
“Frankly, it was glaring that Odion Ighalo was seen doing a lot of marking in the match because nobody was in the middle to help send balls to him to score as a top striker. He had to often fall back intermittently to help ease the pressure, thereby failing to play his role effectively as a top finisher.
“We needed a player in the mould of Mikel Obi to help get the balls from the middle and distribute to him, but that was not forthcoming. We thank God we eventually won 1-0.
“However, the same situation repeated itself against Serbia as virtually all the strikers on parade that day could not deliver and the team eventually lost 2-0.
“Aside the aforementioned, the pressure from the Serbians was much and became unbearable for the Eagles defence as they paid dearly for their shortcomings in the midfield,” he said.
Speaking further on the likely players that could make the final squad for the Mundial, Omoruyi tipped Leon Balogun, Mikel Obi, Alex Iwobi, Willam Troost-Ekong, Shehu Abdullahi and goalkeeper Frank Uzoho. He however had some reservations for Uzoho.
“I have had many soccer analysts complain about Frank Uzoho’s ability to man the goalpost at the Mundial, but I think what he needs is more playing time to be fully fit and confident to stand in between the sticks for Eagles when hostilities commence in Russia.
“Though, the Mundial is few weeks ahead and I think the Super Eagles will be ready before then. Already, the technical crew led by Gernot Rohr is working round the clock to build a rock-solid squad that will withstand all opposition at the Mundial proper.
“I wish them luck and with discipline the team should be able to fly in Russia,” Omoruyi stated with optimism.
Speaking further on his journey to Oasis Football Academy, Omoruyi said he wants to help the team raise future quality players for the national team.
“Oasis Football Academy is a model soccer outfit that wants to help reposition Nigerian football. I joined them five months ago and I have enjoyed a good working relationship with the proprietress of the team, Gloria Jehu Auta who is out to help discover players from the grassroots. She’s really using football to help take out future good players from poor backgrounds or streets and train them in this academy to stardom.
“To say the least, she pays the transport, provides three sets of training kits, boots and even pays the school fees of the players which you cannot see happening in some soccer academies in Nigeria,” Omoruyi stated.
On the achievements so far made by the Academy that was formed in 2015, Omoruyi said the Academy’s U-15 team finished second at the just concluded Ramat Cup in Kano and will be representing Nigeria in a U-15 international tourney in Norway later in the year.
