In this interview, he bears his mind on the game and sundry issues about the team.
The match against Sudan
People are right when they said the game is a must win situation if we must qualify for the Africa Nations Cup. From what I have seen of the players, especially the newly invited ones its very encouraging. I can tell you that I have seen a different level of concentration.
The intensity of the training is on another another level. Therefore, our prayer is that we keep the same focus, the same discipline on and off the field for the game.
Moses’ injury
Victor Moses is just like any other good player in the national team. Yes, of course, I am worried about him just as I am worried about Babatunde, Juwon or any other player since he is part of us. I pray that he gets well on time. The good thing is that we have 24 players in camp who should be able to play without Moses, though it would have been much better if he were here.
Playing in artificial turf
That is the main reason we practiced at the Goal Project but I am sure we are going to play on the same category of turf in sudan. At least it should be much newer but I don’t know whether it is going to be second or third level category.
All the same, we have to take this out of our mind and be ready to play for 90 minutes.
Traveling arrangement
I am not in the position to determine the kind of traveling arrangement because mine is to work with the players, ensure they are in good shape and leave the administrative part to those directly involved. All I can say is that it is better to travel around Africa by charter flight.
It is always a mess traveling with commercial flight around Africa. A two-hour flight always takes up to two days and we don’t have that time.
Clip on Sudan
I don’t really have any tape about Sudan but the good thing is that I have played against Sudanese team while I was with Mali and Togo, so and I have a little idea about them. However, I also know that it is not the same coach and set of players. A lot has changed over time .
We saw a bit of them against South Africa and Congo, but every game has its own experience. We have to prepare ourselves in line with Saturday’s game.
Challenges
The challenges we have is the traveling arrangement, the surface we are going to play and the high altitude. We are mentally ready to put all that behind us and play our game.
Pressure
Yes, there is always pressure, but pressure is meant to put us on our toes to get what we want. They all know what is at stake and I don’t need to remind them. They know we have to go out there and do our best by coming back with a win. All you need to do is to support the team, believe in the players since they are representing the country.
Experiment with players
The truth is that we don’t even know when we are appreciated. If we win, the problem will be that we did not play well, if we lose, they call us a bad team with bad players and a coach who does not know what he is doing. There is no appreciation of the players.
All we do is criticise the boys but we must understand that these players are not magicians and they are not from Jupiter. They have blood running in their veins. I appeal that we show some respect to the boys.
Ike Uche
This is the last time I will speak about Ike Uche, I don’t want anybody asking question about him again. Before the game against Congo, I did the 24-man list following the appeal from the federation, and included Uche.
Incidentally, he did not know about it even when he spoke with me. We spoke like brothers, but when my secretary asked him if he had South Africa visa he angrily said “why are you asking me and why should I bring my passport”.
I would love to speak with him if anybody can call him and put it on speaker to confirm or deny what I said. Uche said he needed somebody to talk to him about the allegation that he was a bad kid, if not he won’t be available. I am not going to beg Uche or ask my assistants to beg him.
We all played for this country for over 20 years yet nobody begged us to play. Rather, we were begging to play. Therefore, I appeal to the media not to ask me the kids that willingly came to play for their country. Why must everybody be talking about Ike Uche when he is not the only player not invited. Obafemi has not said anything, just like other players that are not here yet people want to tear this team apart. about Uche again. They should rather be encouraging
Role for Mikel
We are playing a formation that is all over the places in this world. Apart from the 4-4-2 formation that gives a lot of security to the team. Everybody knows his task and I cannot tell you the role I want Mikel or Onazi to play.
El Muez Mahgoub
Position: Goalkeeper
Club: Al-Hilal
The Al-Hilal safest pairs of hand has seen it all between the sticks. He is well known in his diving saves and his reflexes. The ageless goalkeeper has won 55 caps for the Sudanese side.
Maghoub has also featured in CAF Confederation Cup and he still a prominent member of the national team.
Mowaia Bashir Koko
Position: Defender
Club: Al-Hilal
Koko, 28, has won 16 caps and scored 2 goals since making his debut for the Sudanese national team. He is a rock-solid defender with an eye for goals. The Al-Hilal defender has previously played for Al-Ittihad Wad Medani where he was also transferred to the Blue waves.
He will be ready to deny attacking forays of the Super Eagles today in Khartoum.
Mudather El Tahir
Position: Striker
Club: Al-Hilal
El Tahir, otherwise known as Mudather Careca, is one of the most promising players in Sudan.
Mudathir started his career at Al-Hilal at 2004 and broke into the team at 2005, he later transferred to El-Neel. After having a good season with them, he returned to Al-Hilal in 2009 and became a star in Sudan and Al-Hilal, scoring more than 2 goals in one game. He is a regular member of the team.
He is very good at shooting, dribbling, ball control, passing and vision at goal.
During the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations he scored twice to put Sudan through to the quarter finals.
Mohamed Abd Al Momen Ankba
Position: Forward
Club: Khartoum FC
At 26, Ankba is one of the fine finishers, Sudan has ever produced. The forward has won for himself 6 caps and also scored one goal for the national team. With great speed and dribbles, he is capable of playing as a lone striker.
Ankba starred against Egypt in a 2012 Summer Olympics qualifying match and was also a member of the Sudan B Team in the Football at the 2011 Pan Arab Games.
Raji Abdel-Aati
Position: Midfielder
Club: Sudan Al-Merreikh
Raji Abdel-Aati is known as the next Messi in Sudan. He was brought from Ahli Al Khartoum in December 2008 to El-Merreikh. He scored his first goal for El-Merreikh in a friendly match against Al-Wakra of Qatar in Qatar from a penalty in which the visitors won 0:2.
The Super Eagles defenders must keep an eye on this midfielder today in Sudan. He capable of wrecking have with his mesmerizing dribbles and runs at opponents.
Ala’a Eldin Yousif
Club: Al-Merrikh
Position: Midfielder
Versatile Yousif is the captain of the side. He is highly experienced and has also brought stead into the playing pattern of the Sudanese side. This fantastic ball passer is a match winner if allowed to dictate pace of the game. He brings some entertainment into the game also.
The midfielder was brought from El- Merreikh in December 2004 to the bitter rivals Al-Hilal. After playing for 7 years with Al-Hilal, he returned to Merreikh a few years later.
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Eagles wont be under pressure against Sudan –Keshi |
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