With just four points from their four qualifying games, Nigeria have left themselves with an uphill battle to qualify for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.
But former Super Eagles defender Nduka Ugbade is confident the African champions can qualify for the continental football’s showpiece in Morocco next year.
And the Tunisia ’94 Africa Cup of Nations winner believes Mikel Obi can stamp his authority on the team and prove his critics wrong by guiding the Eagles to their 17th appearance in the African finals.
The 2012 UEFA Champions League and 2013 Europa League winner has often been the subject of intense criticism by the local media and fans, but Ugbade says the Chelsea midfielder must take criticism as a challenge.
Mikel has heaped pressure upon himself after he continued his bit-part role at Stamford bridge following the arrival of Nemanja Matic from Benfica in the summer.
The Eagles backed themselves into a corner after their shock defeat 3-2 to Congo in their Morocco 2015 Group A opening encounter in Calabar on September 6 followed by another shock loss (1-0) at the hands of minnows Sudan in Khartoum on October 11. The defeat came after the Eagles battled to a goalless draw against South Africa in Cape Town on September 10.
Nigeria defeated Sudan 3-1 in the reverse fixture on October 15 to move from the bottom of Group A table to occupy the third place and revive their Morocco 2015 qualification hopes, but the Eagles need to pick up maximum points in the remaining matches against Congo and South Africa to grab one of the two tickets in the group. But the 1980, 1994 and 2013 champions will rely on Congo losing to Sudan in the last group fixture in Khartoum on November 19 to have any chance of making it to Morocco. Nigeria face South Africa in the other group fixture in Abuja same day.
Ugbade maintains Mikel can win over his critics by helping the Eagles qualify for the biennial championship. The much-maligned Chelsea player was instrumental in the Eagles’ triumph over Sudan and Ugbade is backing the 27-year-old to carry over his fine form into the last to qualifiers – against Congo and South Africa respectively.
South Africa lead the group on eight points followed by Congo on seven points.
The Nigeria Football Federation fired caretaker manager Stephen Keshi after the South Africa 2013 Africa Cup of Nations-winning coach guided the Eagles to victory over Sudan and replaced him with Shaibu Amodu.
Keshi’s contract with the NFF expired after piloting the Eagles to a second round exit at Brazil 2014 World Cup but the football body, which was plagued by power struggle then, engaged the former Nigeria captain on a caretaker basis.
Amodu, who is babysitting for foreign coach to be appointed by the NFF later, faces another big challenge.
The former BCC Lions and Orlando Pirates manager faced the biggest challenge of his coaching career when he was appointed to oversee Nigeria’s Korea/Japan 2002 World Cup qualifying campaign after Dutchman Bonfrere Jo dumped the team after the Eagles suffered a shock 1-0 defeat at the hands of Sierra Leone in Freetown on April 21, 2001.
Nigeria eventually qualified for the 2002 World Cup after Amodu guided the Eagles to a 4-0 victory over Sudan in their second leg fixture at the El Meriekh Stadium on Omdurman on July 1, 2001. But Amodu was sent packing before the competition and replaced by Adegboye Onigbinde.
Amodu also helped Nigeria qualify for the South Africa 2010 World Cup, but he was sacked prior to the tournament and replaced by Danish coach Lars Lagerback.
China ’85 FIFA Under-17 World Cup winner Ugbade is tipping the Eagles to go all the way in the Morocco 2015 Africa Cup of Nations remaining qualifying games and seal their place in the tournament.
“I saw a different Mikel against Sudan and I’m happy he’s now doing what many of us expect from him,” the Saudi ’89 FIFA Under-20 World Cup silver medallist told our correspondent on the telephone during the week.
“He’s a very good player and he gave a lot in the game against Sudan – and he deserves commendation for his contribution to our victory in the encounter.
“He started running from the beginning of the game and proved his class.
“He defended very well and created some good opportunities for the team. His marking was very good and his leadership on the pitch helped the team.
“But Mikel can silence his critics by doing more to help the Eagles qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations and defend their title in Morocco next year.”
The national Under-20 national team assistant coach added, “But Mikel must improve his passing and release the ball quickly.
“It’s not true that he’s not committed to the national team. When things aren’t going well for a team, people will criticise a particular player on the coach. This is normal in football.”
Ugbade commended the Eagles for their showing against Sudan, urging them to repeat the form that inspired their 3-1 win over a rugged and resilient Sudanese side at the National Stadium in Abuja.
The former Nigerdock player, who was one of coach Manu Garba’s two assistants when the Golden Eaglets won the 2013 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates, praised Lazio midfielder Ogenyi Onazi and Eskisehirspor star Raheem Lawal for their performances in the encounter.
Ugbade is backing the 24-year-old Turkey-based Lawal to develop into one of the national team’s top players in the nearest future.
He said, “Lawal is a very good player and he proved himself in the encounter. He marked very well and made it possible for Mikel to attack. With more matches, Lawal will gain confidence and play a major role in the national team.
“Onazi did very well in the right-back and he deserves praise for his contribution.”
The retired player, who is worried about the quality of players representing the national team, called for the development of the game at the grassroots.
He said with a good planning the country could produce top quality players like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar.
Meanwhile, the former Malaysia-based player believes every game could thrive in the country with a strong foundation.
“If you rely only on potential, and you refuse to develop that potential to become profitable for usage, you know what is going to happen. You will only be playing on formation,” Ugbade was quoted by the News Agency of Nigeria as saying.
“But) when you play on information you will last longer and be able to do more important things in the future; you will have success and your success will be enduring.
“But the thing is that our nation must – we must remove – from our mentality, the issue of only potential or talent.
“Talent is no longer enough you must develop it to become profitable for usage.
“Nigeria should be able to rule Africa and rule the world.”
But former Super Eagles defender Nduka Ugbade is confident the African champions can qualify for the continental football’s showpiece in Morocco next year.
And the Tunisia ’94 Africa Cup of Nations winner believes Mikel Obi can stamp his authority on the team and prove his critics wrong by guiding the Eagles to their 17th appearance in the African finals.
The 2012 UEFA Champions League and 2013 Europa League winner has often been the subject of intense criticism by the local media and fans, but Ugbade says the Chelsea midfielder must take criticism as a challenge.
Mikel has heaped pressure upon himself after he continued his bit-part role at Stamford bridge following the arrival of Nemanja Matic from Benfica in the summer.
The Eagles backed themselves into a corner after their shock defeat 3-2 to Congo in their Morocco 2015 Group A opening encounter in Calabar on September 6 followed by another shock loss (1-0) at the hands of minnows Sudan in Khartoum on October 11. The defeat came after the Eagles battled to a goalless draw against South Africa in Cape Town on September 10.
Nigeria defeated Sudan 3-1 in the reverse fixture on October 15 to move from the bottom of Group A table to occupy the third place and revive their Morocco 2015 qualification hopes, but the Eagles need to pick up maximum points in the remaining matches against Congo and South Africa to grab one of the two tickets in the group. But the 1980, 1994 and 2013 champions will rely on Congo losing to Sudan in the last group fixture in Khartoum on November 19 to have any chance of making it to Morocco. Nigeria face South Africa in the other group fixture in Abuja same day.
Ugbade maintains Mikel can win over his critics by helping the Eagles qualify for the biennial championship. The much-maligned Chelsea player was instrumental in the Eagles’ triumph over Sudan and Ugbade is backing the 27-year-old to carry over his fine form into the last to qualifiers – against Congo and South Africa respectively.
South Africa lead the group on eight points followed by Congo on seven points.
The Nigeria Football Federation fired caretaker manager Stephen Keshi after the South Africa 2013 Africa Cup of Nations-winning coach guided the Eagles to victory over Sudan and replaced him with Shaibu Amodu.
Keshi’s contract with the NFF expired after piloting the Eagles to a second round exit at Brazil 2014 World Cup but the football body, which was plagued by power struggle then, engaged the former Nigeria captain on a caretaker basis.
Amodu, who is babysitting for foreign coach to be appointed by the NFF later, faces another big challenge.
The former BCC Lions and Orlando Pirates manager faced the biggest challenge of his coaching career when he was appointed to oversee Nigeria’s Korea/Japan 2002 World Cup qualifying campaign after Dutchman Bonfrere Jo dumped the team after the Eagles suffered a shock 1-0 defeat at the hands of Sierra Leone in Freetown on April 21, 2001.
Nigeria eventually qualified for the 2002 World Cup after Amodu guided the Eagles to a 4-0 victory over Sudan in their second leg fixture at the El Meriekh Stadium on Omdurman on July 1, 2001. But Amodu was sent packing before the competition and replaced by Adegboye Onigbinde.
Amodu also helped Nigeria qualify for the South Africa 2010 World Cup, but he was sacked prior to the tournament and replaced by Danish coach Lars Lagerback.
China ’85 FIFA Under-17 World Cup winner Ugbade is tipping the Eagles to go all the way in the Morocco 2015 Africa Cup of Nations remaining qualifying games and seal their place in the tournament.
“I saw a different Mikel against Sudan and I’m happy he’s now doing what many of us expect from him,” the Saudi ’89 FIFA Under-20 World Cup silver medallist told our correspondent on the telephone during the week.
“He’s a very good player and he gave a lot in the game against Sudan – and he deserves commendation for his contribution to our victory in the encounter.
“He started running from the beginning of the game and proved his class.
“He defended very well and created some good opportunities for the team. His marking was very good and his leadership on the pitch helped the team.
“But Mikel can silence his critics by doing more to help the Eagles qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations and defend their title in Morocco next year.”
The national Under-20 national team assistant coach added, “But Mikel must improve his passing and release the ball quickly.
“It’s not true that he’s not committed to the national team. When things aren’t going well for a team, people will criticise a particular player on the coach. This is normal in football.”
Ugbade commended the Eagles for their showing against Sudan, urging them to repeat the form that inspired their 3-1 win over a rugged and resilient Sudanese side at the National Stadium in Abuja.
The former Nigerdock player, who was one of coach Manu Garba’s two assistants when the Golden Eaglets won the 2013 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates, praised Lazio midfielder Ogenyi Onazi and Eskisehirspor star Raheem Lawal for their performances in the encounter.
Ugbade is backing the 24-year-old Turkey-based Lawal to develop into one of the national team’s top players in the nearest future.
He said, “Lawal is a very good player and he proved himself in the encounter. He marked very well and made it possible for Mikel to attack. With more matches, Lawal will gain confidence and play a major role in the national team.
“Onazi did very well in the right-back and he deserves praise for his contribution.”
The retired player, who is worried about the quality of players representing the national team, called for the development of the game at the grassroots.
He said with a good planning the country could produce top quality players like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar.
Meanwhile, the former Malaysia-based player believes every game could thrive in the country with a strong foundation.
“If you rely only on potential, and you refuse to develop that potential to become profitable for usage, you know what is going to happen. You will only be playing on formation,” Ugbade was quoted by the News Agency of Nigeria as saying.
“But) when you play on information you will last longer and be able to do more important things in the future; you will have success and your success will be enduring.
“But the thing is that our nation must – we must remove – from our mentality, the issue of only potential or talent.
“Talent is no longer enough you must develop it to become profitable for usage.
“Nigeria should be able to rule Africa and rule the world.”
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