Author: Adebanjo Ogunseye
Former Nigerian star Friday Ekpo says the return to the NPFL and the presence of Nigerian players in CAF club competitions offers Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr another rare window to scout for the best in the country before the Africa Cup of Nations proper. He told www.brila.net that although it was necessary to allow the Coach have a free hand in selecting players for national team duties, he argues it is imperative for the Coach to look inwards first. Nigeria has qualified for the AFCON for the first time since 2013; after missing out on two successive editions.
Point Guard Joy Ebiega says she has settled in well at First Bank Basketball Club and believes she brings excitement to the team on the court and makes basketball enjoyable to watch. Joy won the championship last year in her first season after she was recruited at the end of 2017 and she told www.brila.net that she has improved as a player since. The guard who was crucial to the Elephant girls triumph last season insists her ball handling skills and assists are important aspect of her style of play that makes her important to the team.
Former Nigeria international and now assistant Coach of the U17 Boys national team, Nduka Ugbade says the culture of Black Africans makes their style of football synonymous to the Brazil school of thought. Ugbade, however, argues that style is distinct from philosophy. Speaking with www.brila.net ugbade insists the dancing and lively celebration that is common among Black Africans is well suited to the jogo bonito. He also points out that style and methodology are not the same as philosophy in football, rather they are a subset of the latter.
The Super Falcons should begin to aim for bigger challenges like breaking into the top 10 best teams in the world according to former Coaxh Christopher Danjuma. The Falcons are 9times champions in Africa and recently defending the CAF Africa Women’s Cup of Nations title, but Danjuma says the NFF must raise the bar for the team. Speaking with www.brila.net the Coach who currently handles the NWPFL powerhouse Nasarawa Amazons insists the FA can establish a long term plan to propel the women’s national team to a level where it will attract the attention of the very biggest…
Enyimba are eyeing a return to dominance in the league NPFL again and the head Coach Usman Abd’allah can help propel them towards that objective according to former loanee Sunday Adetunji. Abd’allah guided Enyimba to a semi final spot in the CAF Confederation Cup last season and got the new NPFL season underway in fine form, a result of the team having a better grasp of his “philosophy”, Adetunji told www.brila.net. Enyimba appointed the coach mid way through last season after the sudden departure of Paul Aigbogun, they have kept faith with the veteran Coach into the new season with…
The current Eagles is short of ‘ naturally gifted ‘ footballers with the ability to change the course of a game according to former defender Mobi Oparaku. The Atlanta 96 Olympic gold medal winner, Oparaku, insists there’s an urgent need to improve the scouting network of the national teams at the local level to unearth young talents with pure and natural football ability. He told www.brila.net that the Eagles also is in short supply of experience on the pitch, which could be necessary to also help the team.
Veteran NPFL and Kano Pillars star Rabiu Ali says the secret of his longevity in the sport is Super natural. Ali who resumed his 10th Premier league season with Pillars on Sunday in the 1-0 over Heartland FC isn’t contemplating retirement yet but admits the time might be near. The midfielder told www.brila.net his training and diet are routine and doesn’t believe either has had a bigger impact in his consistent form as have the power of God. Last season Ali led Pillars to the final of the Aiteo Cup, but although they failed to clinch the…
Former Nigeria midfielder Mutiu Adepoju has harped on the need a formulate a football philosophy that suits the quality of players available. Adepoju who won the 1994 AFCON with the Super Eagles, identified the success of the 1994 team was primarily due to the style of football they played. He told www.brila.net that the process will require stability and consistent improvements in order to bring all the national teams to adopt a common identity. He drew comparisons with Spanish football and the deliberate effort to build their football league; which he regards as the best in the…
Senegal basketball star Gorgui Dieng insists the Lions are in the top two best basketball team in Africa. The NBA star who will hope to help his country secure qualification to the 2019 FIBA World Cup when Senegal hosts the third and final qualifying window next month was cocksure they are in the conversation of Africa’s top two elite teams. Meanwhile, the FIBA ranking places Nigeria (33) in pole position on the continent ahead of Angola (36) who are in second ahead of third placed Senegal, ranked 39th best in the world. Dieng, however, admits there are…
Lobi Stars left back Ebube Duru says he’s putting in the work in training to improve his work rate to keep himself on top and indispensable. With Lobi stars in the CAF Champions League this season and the AFCON coming up later this year, Ebube has told www.brila.net he wants to keep improving his numbers and continue to improve the qualities that has helped his breakthrough. In 2018 the left back earned two Super Eagles call ups for exhibition games against Atlético Madrid and Liberia.
