Eagles Need High Profile Friendlies – Udoh

A former Super Eagles Media Officer, Colin Udoh,   has charged the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) to sustain the team’s AFCON feat by arranging quality friendly matches, to keep it in shape.

Udoh told Tidesports in Lagos that the NFA should not shun international friendly matches like it did in the aftermath of the Atlanta Olympics victory.

He stressed that results from friendly matches should be taken in good faith, especially when the team loses.

The former media officer added that friendly matches are usually used by teams to gauge their strengths and weaknesses, in order to fortify the team accordingly.

“After our victory at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, we felt on top of the world. We had so many offers to play high-profile friendly matches; but our authorities shunned the offers.

“They didn’t want to lose, but losing makes a team to get better and it also brings more money to the coffers of the FA, so it’s a win-win situation.

“For now, whether they win or lose, the federation would just have to engage the team in grade A friendly matches, to enable it to stay focused for the tasks ahead,’’ he said.

In the area of discipline and team cohesion, Udoh told Tidesports that Keshi would just have to maintain an even course, to steady the team for the future.

“Keshi has to keep doing what he has been doing because the team is still to work in progress.