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Nigeria poses threat if it solves problems Posted: Tuesday January 15, 2002 4:58 PM
LAGOS (Reuters) -- Nigeria are strong contenders to win the 2002 African Nations Cup despite a rocky start on the road to the tournament. But there was a danger their hopes could be hit by a dispute with Europe's top clubs over the release of some of their star players for the tournament. Only eight players had reported at the start of training camp and coach Shaibu Amodu said he would submit his team list only after the deadline. Temperamental players refused to play a friendly against Egypt because they had not been paid bonuses promised to them for qualifying for the World Cup. Egypt demanded Nigeria pay $15,000 to cover the costs of cancelling the day of the match. Poor preparation is a major concern. St Germain midfielder Austin "Jay Jay" Okacha said the decision not to play Egypt was a wise one becuse the team was "not fully fit yet." The Super Eagles have won the tournament twice before in 1980 and 1994 and narrowly lost the last Nations Cup on penalties to Cameroon in 2000. Amodu has the most at stake in the tournament. A poor showing at Mali could end his eight-month-old spell as coach and open the door for a replacement to take over for the World Cup finals in which Nigeria are grouped with Argentina, England and Sweden. But the players, most of whom play in Europe, are confident that the Super Eagles will deliver in Mali, although some of their players like first choice goalkeeper Ike Shorunmu and Victor Ikpeba who have largely been on the sub's bench for most of the season could be lacking match fitness. Amodu though says he is not too concerened by that as his players are fit and should be able to hold their own in the competition. But many say the team, although made up largely of the same old reliables, today's Super Eagles squad lacks the heart and determination of the 1994 squad. At the close of the training camp on Sunday, all but a few of the invited players had reported. Arsenal striker Nwankwo Kanu and Chelsea defender Celestine Babayaro were both involved in English premier league matches at the weekend, before goingt o Mali late. Nigeria is grouped with hosts Mali, Algeria and Liberia in the opening round and is expected to finish top of that quartet. Players to watch include Nations Cup veterans Okocha and Finidi George, as well as Nwankwo Kanu, Julius Aghahowa and newcomer Victor Agali. George made his Nations cup debut in Senegal in 1992 and played in the 1994 edition in Tunisia, as well as the 2000 edition. Okocha played his first Nations cup competition in 1994 and also featured in the 2000 edition. Kanu made his debut in 2000, while Agali is playing his first Nations cup in Mali.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. |
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