Former Super Eagles handler, Christian Chukwu has expressed hope in the present squad handled by Stephen Keshi despite the team’s ouster from the FIFA Confederations Cup by Spain on Sunday.
“We are out but our heads are not bowed,” Chukwu said, in a chat with Sports Vanguard, Monday.
Christian Chukwu and Stephen Keshi
“We played well. We used the matches to know our deficiencies in the team and the tournament served as a good preparatory ground for our remaining World Cup qualifiers. For now, we know what we need to fortify the team.”
The former Enugu Rangers coach was particularly happy with the experience gained from the tournament. “It was good for the players and they are going to improve.”
Chukwu said the team’s biggest problem was their inability to score goals. “Definitely, our attacking line needs the injection of good finishers. But I give kudos to Vincent Enyeama and his defenders. They did a marvelous job. Although they lost concentration at times which resulted in some of the goals, they did well.
“The midfield? Not bad but we need a skilful midfielder who can feed the attackers well; not one who makes diagonal passes across the field.”
The absence of a good set piece taker in the squad. “I doubt if the Eagles train for spot kicks. We had a lot of them but not one was utilised effectively.”
On his part, Paul Hamilton said, “the team’s greatest undoing was their poor form in front of goal. For once we saw a very well coordinated Eagles but the art of goal-scoring is still eluding them.”
Hamilton, a former national team coach also said the absence of Victor Moses and Emmanuel Emenike was felt, particularly, in the match against Spain. “We missed those two, but the exposure was worth the effort. I think I can see an emerging Super Eagles from this team.”
Ambassador Fanny Amun said he was disappointed with Nigerians who felt the Eagles could beat Spain. “Spain are world and European champions who have not lost a game since 2011. Our players did their best and I still believe that Keshi will give us a strong team that will prosecute the World Cup in 2014.”
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