The former defender has predicted a more positive
outcome for the Super Eagles when they meet the Albiceleste in Brazil
this summer
The Super Eagles have not had much luck against Albiceleste losing in three World Cup attempts in 1994, 2002 and 2010. But the former player who is now a church leader expects the West Africans to turn the table in Brazil.
“Once beaten twice shy, I believe that we have learnt from the experience of the Eagles' last meeting with Argentina at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. The technical crew also understands that. The match against Argentina this time around will be more positive,” West told Goal.
He showered praises on the team since Stephen Keshi took over and described their performances so far as impressive.
“The Super Eagles players under Keshi have been wonderful and they are all doing well in their club side. We only need to support the team with prayers and I believe this time the team will surprise Nigerians and Africa as a whole.
“The defense line of the Eagles as well as other departments of the team is capable of withstanding any opponent coming for the 2014 World Cup. The secret weapon of the present Super Eagles team is that the players are hungry for success and the best place to showcase their talents is on the world stage which the World Cup has presented them. So they are raring to go."
West understands the young side's need for experience and has urged the national team coach to include Joseph Yobo in the squad for his wealth of knowledge.
“These players are young, hungry to make a name and I would like Stephen Keshi to mandate Joseph Yobo to lead these boys to success in Brazil. With the experience of Yobo he can easily guide these guys to success and the Eagles would surprisingly checkmate whatever teams like Bosnia, Iran and Argentina are bringing. The young strikers at the front have the quality and talent to surprise the world in the competition, I am sure of this,” he said.
West however, cautioned on the debates going on that Osaze Odemwingie and Ike Uche should be included in the team for the World Cup.
“I just want to warn here that people should not put undue pressure on Keshi on who to use or not whether Osaze Odemwingie or Ikechukwu Uche. There should not be any distractions now. Let Keshi pick his team and let us support him with prayers. These players that have been mentioned are good and can add quality to the team but the selection of players is the sole prerogative of the head coach so don’t let us make controversy about this.
“For instance Keshi took Ike Uche to a tournament and did not do well but the player is good and doing well in his club. All of us are clamouring for Uche’s inclusion but Keshi said the player is not needed in this team because he has seen him play so we should respect the coach’s verdict and respect his decision. We have other better players in the team that can still do the job well.
“We need people like Emmanuel Emenike because he will be surely handful for Nigeria’s opponent. He is a very determined and strong player. He is the type of striker the Eagles need at the World Cup. He has prove himself in South Africa during the last Africa Nations Cup and has also proved himself in the World Cup qualifiers and now he is scoring every other day in his club/ So what else do you want. Emenike is ready and hot for the World Cup.
Taribo also tipped the Eagles for success at the World Cup adding that the Nigerian senior national team could surprise the whole world because of the unity and love among the players and the spirit of God’s grace among them.
“The things that can make a team very strong is firstly, togetherness, secondly the spirit of oneness is there among the Super Eagles players and thirdly love is radiated in the team. So when you have a team like that and you take a team of that quality to a tournament you can’t predict them. This spirit behind these boys I believe they will cause a lot of surprises in the tournament.
“There is a heavy grace upon the team. There are no special or fantastic players like Austin Jay Jay Okocha or Daniel Amokachi in the team like during our era that can just make a day or decide a tough match for the team with their God given special talents. But these boys play together, work together and move together. So when you have that kind of a team, it is a very difficult team to contest with. So I believe the team would do well in the tournament.” West said.
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