HOME-BASED PLAYERS WILL STRENGTHEN EAGLES – SHORUNMU

Shorunmu
A former Super Eagles goalkeeper Ike Shorunmu has advised coach Lars Lagerback to focus on the six home-based players he has listed in his 44-man squad for camping ahead of the World Cup, saying they will be vital for the event.

Bayelsa United goalkeeper Bassey Akpan, Enyimba's Gabriel Reuben, Heartland's Ikechukwu Ibenegbu, Terna Suswan of Lobi Stars and the duo of Ahmed Musa and Solomon Okpako of Kano Pillars are on the list of players for camping in London. Shorunmu believes each one of them has a role to play if the Eagles must go far in the competition.

He told our correspondent on the telephone on Wednesday, 'Lagerback knows what he wants for the World Cup even though there is a short time left for him to prepare the team.

'He has seen the players win the WAFU Cup and any good coach knows it is better you go to a competition with players who are hungry for success.

'The coach should take advantage of their hunger to strengthen the team. There will be time the team will need raw strength to overcome their opponents; these players will be capable of doing that.'

The Heartland goalkeeper trainer said the list was comprehensive but admitted there would not be enough time to assess the players thoroughly before the World Cup.

He said, 'The list is interesting because we have all our best players on it but since there is a short time to the World Cup, it will be difficult for the coach to quickly determine who will make the final list. It would have been better if there was time to play at least five friendly matches before making the final selection.'