By GBOLAHAN DADA
Former national team goalkeeper trainer, Joe Erico believes Nigeria’s Super Eagles can achieve the impossible when they lock horns with the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia on June 20 in a 2010 World Cup qualifier in Tunis.
Speaking in Lagos on Tuesday, the Jombo Bonito exponent predicted tough encounter for Eagles, but stressed that the match could go either way.
The former Julius Berger coach said victory could only be ascertain for Nigeria if the Super Eagles would tackle the match professionally because, according to him, Tunisians play like Europeans.
“It’s going to be an ice cream party, because both teams are wary of each other. At the end of the day, it’s going to be anybody’s game,” he said.
Erico, however, warned Eagles to play the match with all their hearts and adopt a never-say-die attitude as Tunsians would utilise most of the chances that would come their way.
“They are not going to play like Kenyans, who frittered away their chances in Abuja. This would be a different ballgame entirely. The Tunisians would go all out for goals, so our boys should be ready to take the bull by the horn,” he said.
He urged the Super Eagles’ technical crew to change their tactics in their quest to win the match in Tunis.
“The Kenyans are typical African team, while Tunisians are foreign-oriented side. I think the technical crew knows what to do. They are bunch of experienced individuals.”
On whether Tunisia would use the home advantage on Nigeria, Erico said it would never happen in a match of such magnitude.
“All that Super Eagles need is to be business-like. They know the importance of playing at the World Cup and it is their duty to ensure victory to give Nigerians hope of playing in South Africa next year,” he said.
He said the Nwankwu Kanu-led team should psyche themselves up before going into the match, and “should take the game as if their lives depend on it.”
By MARO ONOKPEGU, Abuja
John Utaka has revealed how the new Portsmouth manager, Paul Hart frustrated him when the club’s former boss, Harry Redknapp went to Tottenham Hotspurs.Just as the new Pharaoh refused to recognise Joseph when the Egyptian king, who made the slave boy Prime Minister in Egypt died, Utaka said he struggled to make impact in the team under Hart.
He said he was fit and ready to play, but it was difficult for him to impress the new Pompey boss.
"Let me correct the mistake people have been making on my level of fitness, how could one be about 6,000 miles away and still know what is happening at Pompey? People should come close and watch our training and see what they make judgment from," Utaka began in his defence.
"There was never a case of poor form, but there were changes in the club – change of coaches, which as professionals, we had to deal with.
"Managers come with their own systems of doing things; they come with the players they would want to play for them and we have to accept it as professionals. And for me, I don’t complain when it comes to that because it is competition all the way in every team, and that is why we are there.
"Passing wrong judgment, I think is not good. But if you come and see things for yourself, you can make a better judgement.
"For the fact that one is not playing does not mean the person is not good. Though I was injured for about three weeks, by the fourth week I was rehabilitated, and I was with the team throughout until the last games. If a player is not fit, he won’t be on the bench in the first place," he continued.
"I just want to clear the air because there has been a lot of rumour about my fitness. I am not the type of person that will come to the media and begin to talk about myself, I rather prefer to do my talking on the pitch."
On how he bounced back from injury, Utaka said he would only describe the feeling the same way he felt when he won the FA Cup. Because at the end of the day, he did some kind of good stuff, which compensated his fans for all that happened during the season.
Expectations
"For me, the best has yet to come. Next season would be fresh and a decent one for me, and maybe, it might come with a new technical crew as well. So, I am looking forward to the new season with great hope."
Transfer speculations
"As for next season, I leave all options open. But I still love to stay at Pompey and see how it goes."
On whether Rennes FC want him back to France, he said: "That’s why I said I leave all options open. When I go back to Portsmouth, I will discuss with them and see how it goes, but I still have three years contract with Pompey.
Prefer position
"To be honest, my real position is centre forward. I was playing as a wide player because we had options in the front. They used me from the wing because of my speed or whatever, but my right position is still okay.
"I felt happy when I played against Sunderland in the front and the result came. It’s always good to make a bold statement. It may be an eye-opener for the club to know that I can also play up front."
Former national team goalkeeper trainer, Joe Erico believes Nigeria’s Super Eagles can achieve the impossible when they lock horns with the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia on June 20 in a 2010 World Cup qualifier in Tunis.
Speaking in Lagos on Tuesday, the Jombo Bonito exponent predicted tough encounter for Eagles, but stressed that the match could go either way.
The former Julius Berger coach said victory could only be ascertain for Nigeria if the Super Eagles would tackle the match professionally because, according to him, Tunisians play like Europeans.
“It’s going to be an ice cream party, because both teams are wary of each other. At the end of the day, it’s going to be anybody’s game,” he said.
Erico, however, warned Eagles to play the match with all their hearts and adopt a never-say-die attitude as Tunsians would utilise most of the chances that would come their way.
“They are not going to play like Kenyans, who frittered away their chances in Abuja. This would be a different ballgame entirely. The Tunisians would go all out for goals, so our boys should be ready to take the bull by the horn,” he said.
He urged the Super Eagles’ technical crew to change their tactics in their quest to win the match in Tunis.
“The Kenyans are typical African team, while Tunisians are foreign-oriented side. I think the technical crew knows what to do. They are bunch of experienced individuals.”
On whether Tunisia would use the home advantage on Nigeria, Erico said it would never happen in a match of such magnitude.
“All that Super Eagles need is to be business-like. They know the importance of playing at the World Cup and it is their duty to ensure victory to give Nigerians hope of playing in South Africa next year,” he said.
He said the Nwankwu Kanu-led team should psyche themselves up before going into the match, and “should take the game as if their lives depend on it.”
Also in the news
How change of guard at Pompey affected Utaka
By MARO ONOKPEGU, Abuja
John Utaka has revealed how the new Portsmouth manager, Paul Hart frustrated him when the club’s former boss, Harry Redknapp went to Tottenham Hotspurs.Just as the new Pharaoh refused to recognise Joseph when the Egyptian king, who made the slave boy Prime Minister in Egypt died, Utaka said he struggled to make impact in the team under Hart.
He said he was fit and ready to play, but it was difficult for him to impress the new Pompey boss.
"Let me correct the mistake people have been making on my level of fitness, how could one be about 6,000 miles away and still know what is happening at Pompey? People should come close and watch our training and see what they make judgment from," Utaka began in his defence.
"There was never a case of poor form, but there were changes in the club – change of coaches, which as professionals, we had to deal with.
"Managers come with their own systems of doing things; they come with the players they would want to play for them and we have to accept it as professionals. And for me, I don’t complain when it comes to that because it is competition all the way in every team, and that is why we are there.
"Passing wrong judgment, I think is not good. But if you come and see things for yourself, you can make a better judgement.
"For the fact that one is not playing does not mean the person is not good. Though I was injured for about three weeks, by the fourth week I was rehabilitated, and I was with the team throughout until the last games. If a player is not fit, he won’t be on the bench in the first place," he continued.
"I just want to clear the air because there has been a lot of rumour about my fitness. I am not the type of person that will come to the media and begin to talk about myself, I rather prefer to do my talking on the pitch."
On how he bounced back from injury, Utaka said he would only describe the feeling the same way he felt when he won the FA Cup. Because at the end of the day, he did some kind of good stuff, which compensated his fans for all that happened during the season.
Expectations
"For me, the best has yet to come. Next season would be fresh and a decent one for me, and maybe, it might come with a new technical crew as well. So, I am looking forward to the new season with great hope."
Transfer speculations
"As for next season, I leave all options open. But I still love to stay at Pompey and see how it goes."
On whether Rennes FC want him back to France, he said: "That’s why I said I leave all options open. When I go back to Portsmouth, I will discuss with them and see how it goes, but I still have three years contract with Pompey.
Prefer position
"To be honest, my real position is centre forward. I was playing as a wide player because we had options in the front. They used me from the wing because of my speed or whatever, but my right position is still okay.
"I felt happy when I played against Sunderland in the front and the result came. It’s always good to make a bold statement. It may be an eye-opener for the club to know that I can also play up front."
Source: The Sun News
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