Amodu, Ezeugo Praise Federation Cup Standard

Super Eagles coach, Shaibu Amodu and one time international mid fielder Emeka Ezeugo have praised the standard of the Federation Cup final match played on Sunday between Sharks of Port Harcourt and Enyimba FC of Aba, saying both teams displayed high level performance.

Enyimba won the match courtesy of a goal scored in the 40th minute by Musa Mustapha.

Amodu who observed the final as well as the preceding third place match between Lobi Markurdi and Bayelsa Utd from the technical area told newsmen that he was impressed by the enthusiasm and atmosphere around the final.

However, Amodu who was apparently at the stadium to shop for prospective materials for the national team, said that it is only when professional league matches are played on good turf and television friendly environment that local players could be truly adjudged to be ready for national team.

“It was a good match that was played at a high tempo by both sides, though the third place match was slightly more entertaining than the final that was to be expected because tactics would be a factor. However, I still want to insist that to assess the readiness of home grown players for international look in, we have to expose them to good pitches as we saw on Sunday as well as television friendly environment where they can display their natural potential,” Amodu said.

Ezeugo who played for the Eagles at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul as well as the FIFA World Cup in USA in 1994, also shared the same view about the quality of the final.

The hard marking midfielder observed the quality of the Teshim Balogun Stadium pitch allowed good and flowing soccer which was savoured by the spectators.

“The pitch was fantastic. If you watch that on TV, it will look like a premier league match. The two sides were also great with formidable tradition. They played a tight game – what else can we ask for”, he said. Though he agreed that fewer chances were created in the match he noted that the reason for such was in tune with the character of most cup finals where the emphasis is mostly on cautious approach.”