Erico Shows Way To 2014 World Cup

Former Green Eagles goalkeeper, Joe Erico, said yesterday in Lagos that the country could qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil only through a “coordinated approach”.

Erico told newsmen that the sporting media, the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) officials, players and coaches must work as a unit to achieve the objective.

He said that the major stakeholders in Nigerian football should see themselves as partners for the progress of the game and not antagonists.

Erico told newsmen that stakeholders must ensure that previous negative experiences were averted.

“The group in which the Super Eagles find themselves is not as easy as it looks on paper.

“Qualification from the group will entail intensive preparation and being focused.

“There has to be a friendly understanding of stakeholders in the football family rather than working at cross purposes to the detriment of our qualification,’’ he said.

Nigeria is drawn in Group F alongside Malawi, Kenya/Seychelles and Namibia/Djibouti in the first phase of the African qualifiers for 2014 FIFA World Cup.

The former assistant coach of the Super Eagles also urged the coaching crew of the team to be professional in the way they prepare the players for the competition.

“They should take a good look at the ongoing U-20 World Cup in Colombia because many of the players showcasing their skills there may turn out to be our opponents in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

“Once we have put all these elements of excellence in place then qualification for the World Cup is assured,’’ Erico said.