ARGENTINES are in the streets. The Brazilian Police is mad, and is reversing its code of conduct and might join the citizen protests against the World Cup. Few weeks to the opening ceremonies, the stadia are not ready and the hosts are not buying the tickets.
For the first time since Michael and the last of his kind, belted; “We are the World” the World is united on one issue and one demand. Bring back our girls! Wherever they are, Rhoda, Agnes, Hauwa, Margaret, etc, be assured that this Column and the rest of mankind are unflinching in our solidarity and support for your speedy return to your parents. It will be sad and an incomplete World Cup, if the world is denied the safe return of our girls before the opening ceremonies.
ARGENTINA WITHOUT CARLOS TEVEZ
In our April 20th Pre Tournament analysis on Argentina, we acknowledged that Argentina would be too slippery to hold when Lionel Messi combines with Teves, Aguero…… Indeed that forward line will be lightening and these tested hounds will ensure Argentina coasting to the top of their group. Argentina’s Manager however, had his own ideas.
Tevez, one if the few attacking firecrackers on the global scene, was a star at Manchester City. If the world Cup is a tussle between the world best footballers, Argentina should book a first class ticket for this first class player. Rather the Argentina Coach cancelled Teves on the road to Brazil. For those if you who argue that the Coach has the final word, is Louis the IX, cannot be challenged, Argentina is saying to you, perish the thought. We know our best footballers; we have the technology, the new sciences, the data and our research have given us the result. Carlos Tevez is as good as the best and Argentina should invite him to play for us and the nation.
If a great football nation like Argentina is not giving in to the almighty Manager then we are moving with the tides. Very soon, we shall be employing the democratic process to pick our team for the World Cup.
At the moment, the world is saying; Bring back our girls.
Argentina is calling the Coach’s bluff over the dropping of the star attacker, Tevez. For the Super Eagles, we will continue to support Stephen Keshi’s Killer Squad. At the same time, we worry that the Coach is making light of his own statement. “Only those who have recorded constant playing shirts in their clubs would be invited on the road to Brazil”. Ikechukwu Uche not only made it in his club, he was prolific with his goals in one of the most competitive Leagues in the world.
Coach, you were also not fair to his brother Kalu Uche, the MVP at the last World Cup for Nigeria in South Africa. He scores from Set Pieces. Adroit in his ball placing, and making the true passes, he is the only Nigerian player who can close his eyes to hit home a spot kick. What a dream Midfield for Nigeria, playing Kalu Uche beside Mikel!
Judging from their level of play and application in the field, the brothers should have been invited to camp to struggle with others for the final pick.
PLAY THE MATERIALS NOT THE SYSTEM
The great masters of the game choose to play the system, accommodating the talents and materials available in the camp. At the same time, successful football managers are inclined to a set game plan and would only invite the executors to that plan to play the Coach’s will. In those Organization, Clubs and National Teams, money, and the ambounding skills and the development of the game, place the Coach in a position to organize his plan and look for his type of players to play to his particular pattern and system.
The Super Eagles we maintain have the materials. Nigeria over the years have a winning native tradition which is worrisome to any Football nation playing us in the same group.
The recent release of Coach Stephen Keshi’s list is an encouraging corroboration to our own scientific earlier forecast.
This is indeed the beauty of combining the experience of playing, administering and writing sports at this level.
For those of you who called, I did not scoop the super Eagles list for the World Cup. In Sports Journalism, a newspaper has the independence to predict the Coach and announce prior to the great matches, the Paper’s own POSSIBLES AND POSSIBLES.
The unforgettable fine Sportswriters from the iconic Daily Times Stable, Peter Osugo ,Esbee, Toyin Makanju, to Reti Uzzi, Sports Editor, during the golden age of the Observer group, all had the nose at the presence of the mind, and would present their selected X1 before a major encounter of the Eagles.
While it is impossible, considering my limitations in space, to respond to all the calls, we will like to acknowledge with a lot of respect the courtesies extended to this Column from Akure, Ekiti State and from Chief Acarika, Port Harcourt, Rivers.
To my Teacher, Colleague, Tennis Buff, one of the greatest Nigeria’s Sports Administrators, Pioneer African Umpire at the Wimbledon and a Prince of the Tennis playing Aristocracy of Owo…. Prince Wale Olateru- Olagbegi
Sir, you are welcome and thanks for your kind comments.
