Chukwu cautions Nigerians over extolling Eaglets

A former member of the Green Eagles, Christian Chukwu, has warned Nigerians to be economical in showering praises on the Golden Eaglets lest they lose focus.

Speaking to NEXTSports over the weekend, the onetime Super Eagles coach said the Golden Eaglets should face their South Korean counterparts with the zeal of a team that is just starting out and has a point to prove:

“Well so far so good, they are improving with each match. The only thing I’m afraid of is their success getting into their heads, because they are young boys. It might be to their advantage if people do not over praise them but wait until they get to the final stage then we can all celebrate and shower them with all the praises.

“For now, I want them to see their next game as if it is just the beginning of the qualifiers. Their coach,

John Obuh, has seen the South Koreans play so I believe he knows the area of lapses where they need to improve on. Our happiness is the spirit of the boys; it is very high and their level of commitment is also great.”

Gains of U-17 World Cup

Chukwu, who was erstwhile coach of Rangers FC in Enugu, is also happy at the opportunity the hosting of the U-17 World Cup has presented to the clubs:

“With the facilities that are on ground courtesy of the U-17 World Cup, many of the clubs will have that advantage of playing on good surfaces. I think our local referees have been watching how officiating is being done and how with good officiating, matches can be won,” he said.

So much at stake

As the Super Eagles take on the Harambee Stars of Kenya in their final World Cup qualifying match this Saturday, Chukwu says it’s going to be a tight match, hence Shuaibu Amodu’s boys have to draw blood first:

“Our boys have to go all out and try and score in the first half because the Kenya that I know will be able to bounce back by second half if we fail to score. But our boys should be the ones that want to go to the World Cup more than you and I so they know what is at stake.

“This is the most difficult stage of the World Cup qualifiers because every team has something at stake.

Kenya and Mozambique want to go for the Nations Cup while Nigeria and Tunisia both want to go for the World Cup. It is the 90 minutes that will predict the final outcome because this is the kind of game nobody can predict.”