By Izuchukwu Okosi:
Former Super Eagles assistant coach Simon Kalika insists that the Nigerian national team will find it difficult to have a player like Austin Jay Jay Okocha.
Speaking exclusively to Completesportsnigeria.com on Tuesday from his base in Amsterdam, Holland, Kalika who worked with former Super Eagles striker Samson Siasia in the national team says Mikel is undoubtedly a talented
player but is not the quintessential number 10 who would fill the shoes of Okocha.
“Mikel is a very good midfielder but for a player of his experience, he had a very disappointing World Cup,” begins Kalika.
“You cannot take it away from him , but Jay Jay was one of a kind. You need intelligent players in the midfield to win games. Nigeria don’t have a playmaker at the moment.
“I don’t think we should be looking at scouting a playmaker. Such intelligent players like Joel Obi and Sone Aluko can play together in the Eagles’ midfield. They are creative and can play together. Mikel can play slightly behind them alongside Onazi.
“I think Emmanuel Emenike and Osaze Odemwingie played very well in Brazil. Vincent Enyeama was head and shoulders above every other player,” Kalika remarks.
Kalika would also speak on the threat by FIFA to ban Nigeria from international football if the Extra Ordinary Congress of the NFF does not reverse their impeachment of the NFF Executive Committee led by Aminu Maigari.
The NFF Executive Committee was impeached by the NFF Extra Ordinary Congress at the Bolingo Hotel, Abuja on Saturday.
“This is not good for Nigerian football. It is always the same problem in Nigeria, states Kalika.
“The World Cup is over now. The focus should be on the future and the development of the game in the country. The 2015 African Cup of Nations qualifiers is around the corner,” Kalika tells Completesportsnigeria.com
A three-man delegation namely; Dr Amos Adamu, Dr Bolaji Ojo-Oba and Sports Minister, Tammy Danagogo jetted off to Brazil on Monday, June 7, to meet with the chieftains of FIFA in a bid to convince the world football governing body that the
Aminu Maigari-board was removed via due proccess, and as a result, Nigeria should not be banned from international football.
Today, July 8 2014, is the deadline set by FIFA for the NFF congress to clean up its mess and reisnstate Maigari at the helm of the Federation after his arrest by the State Security Service upon his arrival from Brazil.
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