Kunle Adelabu
A stakeholder in the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) and the Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Football Association, Mr Samuel Umoh, has predicted that the much -talked about semi -final match between the Super Eagles of Nigeria, and the Atlas Lions of Morocco on Wednesday, will be a highly technical and tactical game.
Umoh, speaking ahead of the match, also said that the Nigerian team has been improving game by game with technical depth, and will continue to do better.
The FA Chairman shared his thoughts with THE IMPACT at Muhammedia in Morocco.
“My own assessment of the Super Eagles in Morocco, is that of constant improvement. I see a team that is being consciously put up by the technical crew and even the players are being put together brick -by -brick. You can see it in their games that they improve by every game which is what tournament winners do.
“We have seen how they started and we see even in their last game where they’ve been. It shows that they’re evolving and they can do better”.
He said that the team and its technical crew have shown a sense of responsibility like the federal government, and the travelling Nigerians that have been giving the team maximum support.
“What I think is responsible is that we have been responsible. We have responsible players, crew, federation, government, supporters and the result is what you’re seeing. If you look at it very well and just like I said earlier on, they improve by game. They look at what they have done well and they maintain it and still see how they can do better. On the other side, what they’ve not done well they look back at it at the drawing board, see how they can improve and that’s why in every game, the Super Eagles keep improving and in this competition, I don’t think you can find Super Eagles playing two games the same way.
“They improve, they always get better rather than getting bad or worse in every game that they play. So, I think everything is falling into place for them to do better and put a smile on Nigerians’ faces again.
“We’ve come short for a great number of times now, but I think this time we’re trying…. Though, we’re not in a hurry, because personally, I would excuse them, but I think everyone now thinks that this is the time and all hands are on deck to make sure that we get to the promised land”.
In his assessment of the Eagles’ protests during the world cup qualifiers and at the ongoing AFCON and the resultant effects, Umoh said that the players, this time around, accept responsibilities to not only protest, but direct the same energy, after their demands were met, to reciprocate the government’s and Nigerians’ gestures in supporting them.
“It is still that sense of responsibility, added with experience. Like you said, in the playoffs they protested and they lost but in this one, they protested and they won. I believe that they’re channeling the energy to the game, because that’s the business, that’s what brought us here, and that’s the event that led to the protest which is I play and I win.
“So, I have to play and keep winning, not losing the fact that business first, which is winning for Nigeria, is a change for Nigerians. I believe all these are contributing factors in making a very strong and resolute team, because you must have all these and be able to manage it and be able to see how you use whatever comes positively, and channel it to your advantage.
“So, all of these, for me, helps to build the mentality of the team, and for anything that wants to go far, it must have the good, the bad and the ugly”.
While stating that the Eagles have developed thirst for victory, the Akwa Ibom FA chair, who have watched the team played through the group stage, said that the Nigerian team will go all out to win against the host in the semi – final, and eventually win the cup.
“We are blessed to have this thirst, I call it so because first, it was the Tunisians that provided the thirst which is what I believe we used in overcoming the Algerians, and now the Algerians have given us a thirst, an experience of what we might experience against Morocco. So, we’ve been able to garner these experiences.
“I believe the game against Morocco will be very technical and tactical in the sense that you can see that these two nations are football powers in Africa at the moment, and both of them have a mission. Morocco wants to host and win, while Nigeria also wants to make a statement. At the last AFCON, we were almost there and this time, we want to get it home. It is going to be an interesting match, but as a Nigerian and from what I’ve seen in this team, they’re going to win Morocco, and eventually win the cup”, Mr Umoh said with confidence.
Speaking on his thought before the quarter -final match against the Algerians, the football administrator said that he believed that the Eagles would deliver, because of their consistency, and the fact that the coach is building something with the team.
“I knew that the Super Eagles, coming into the match against Algeria, were going to be a different thing. With all that we have talked about, they improve with every game. They faced some crises which they used to their own advantage. I was so sure that they were just a touching time bomb waiting to explode in the match against Algeria. And thankfully, you saw what they delivered, a masterclass. They didn’t just deliver, they controlled. While they’re playing, you see what they’re trying to do. They press and while they’re trying to press, they kick the ball around and they’re not in a hurry. I think that the coach is really cooking something and let’s hope he’ll continue to improve the boys and the Nigerian Super Eagles”.
He charged the coach to sustain his consistency, and also urged the federal government to also sustain its support for the team.
“I will only tell the coach to keep doing what he is doing. To the government, I will only tell the government of Nigeria, to keep giving the boys the support that they have been giving, because it is through their support that we’ve come this far. I thank the government and the federation. I want to thank the federation for being able to put this together. I tell you, it’s not easy but then, we know the task at hand. It’s a task that must be done.
“Thankfully, the federation is up to it. The Nigerian government, journalists and the supporters are up to it and this time, I pray we’ll be rewarded with the cup”, Mr Umoh concluded.
