2010 World Cup: Super Eagles ‘ll Be Reorganised -Sports Minister

Minister of State for Petroleum Odein Ajumogobia SAN driven by a beneficiary of ESI Lady Cabbies, during the commissioning of the second batch of 60 vehicles in Port Harcourt at the weekend.

Following the not-too-impressive form of players of the senior national team, the Super Eagles at the on-going 2010 Nations Cup in Angola, Sports Minister, Alhaji Sani Ndanusa says the under 20 and under 23 players that represented the country in the past would form the nucleus of the Nigerian team to the World Cup in South Africa later in the year.

Alhaji Ndanusa disclosed this yesterday at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, while speaking to newsmen on arrival from Angola with Governor Amaechi and other members of the Presidential Task force on Nigeria’s qualification for the 2010 World Cup.

Alhaji Ndanusa, who is also the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, said African football has improved tremendously in pace and strength, which makes the football authorities prefer younger players to represent the nation in South Africa.

According to him, “we are going to look at the under 20 and under 23 players to form the nucleus of the Super Eagles team to campaign for the world cup in South Africa.

Reacting to question on the performance of the Super Eagles, he said Nigerians expected more from the senior national team than they are doing in Angola now, but expressed the hope that the Super Eagles would improve as the games progress.

The Sports Minister noted that the football authorities would consider overhauling the team and the technical crew before the World Cup commences, to ensure a proper representation in the mundial in South Africa.

Alhaji Ndanusa commended the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on the qualification of the Super Eagles for the 2010 World Cup, Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State, for his exceptional leadership style in piloting the affairs of the task force, adding that the presence of members of the task force in Angola acted as a morale booster to the players.

The Minister used the occasion to wish the Super Eagles more successful outings in Angola, to make the soccer loving Nigerians happy and also urged Nigerians to pray for the team.