Former Super Eagles goalkeeper trainer, Ike Shorunmu has said the various fund raising projects geared towards generating money to aid Nigeria to success at the forthcoming Russia 2018 World Cup will not guarantee excellent performance from the players at the competition.
DAILY POST recalls that penultimate week, the federal government backed the mobilization of non-state resources for the Super Eagles’ participation at the 2018 global soccer mundial.
However, Shorunmu expressed the view that the team’s handlers need to go beyond seeking for funds and look inwards to get the best players that will fortify the squad for excellent performance at the World Cup.
He stated it would be an exercise in futility if billions of naira was spent on the World cup Campaign and at the end of the day there is nothing to show for it.
The former Super Eagles’ goalkeeper said paying the Eagles their allowances and settling all the logistic problems that could hamper the team’s chances of getting to the finals of the World Cup will only motivate the players to give their best and be more committed during the competition, but cannot put the ball in the net if there were no formidable squad to do the job.
He opined that the level of support and encouragement given to the Nigerian side is enough to raise the anxiety of the players to give their best in Russia.“Raising money to meet the demands of the Super Eagles to excel in Russia is very good if the money eventually got to them.
“Paying the players their allowances as at when due can propel the players to give their best at the World Cup. But the aspect of raising a quality team for the Mundial should not be over looked. I think the Eagles are facing some challenges in some departments, which the coaches are fighting hard to correct. I cannot dictate for the Eagles handlers because they are close to the players.
“But the Eagles coach should work hard to manage the players available. We should realise that the Nigerian team is no longer in the era when they had abundant talents like Austin Eguaveon, Samson Siasia, Austin Okocha, Victor Ikpeba, Kanu Nwankwo and others.
“Money cannot improve the technical efficiency of a player or team. The coach needs to manage the players available to get the best out of them. From the defence, midfield, striking force to goalkeeping positions, the Eagles need the full attention of their coaches,” he told Guardian.
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