NFF WILL MAKE OR MAR LAGERBACK

NFF 'll make or mar Lagerback
-Shorunmu
By George Aluo
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Shorunmu
Super Eagles' former goalkeeper's trainer, Ike Shorunmu, has hailed the decision of the nation's soccer governing body, Nigeria Football Federation(NFF), to hire a new technical adviser for the Super Eagles. Shorunmu was, however, quick in adding that the success or otherwise of the Swede manager, Lars Lagerback, would depend on the soccer federation.

Shorunmu, who manned the post for Nigeria in the Korea/Japan 2002 World Cup, said the level of support given to Lagerback by the Sanni Lulu-led NFF would, to a large extent, determine the success of the Eagles' new manager.

“I am happy we have a new coach and the big question right now is whether he would succeed in South Africa or not, since the World Cup is just a few months away. My position is that everything would depend on the NFF.

If it gives the coach all the needed support, then the Eagles would be capable of doing well in South Africa. It is one thing for the coach to draw up his programme straight away and it is another thing for him to implement it. I'm sure Lagerback will draw up a plan and it is expected he would get all the necessary support from the NFF,” Shorunmu said.

On the team proper, Shorunmu said Lagerback should look inward for players, insisting that some of the players plying their trade in the home front are good enough to lace boots for Nigeria at the 2010 M

undial.
“I think Lagerback should look inwards. It is good he would be at the Abuja National Stadium on Wednesday when the Eagles to be made up of home-based players face DR Congo. That will be a good avenue for him to begin to size up the home-based lads,” Shorunmu said.

Shorunmu, who has since joined Heartland of Owerri stressed that his dream is to see the Eagles dazzle the world in South Africa.

“Agreed, we are kick starting our preparations late, but I want to believe the Eagles can still shine in South Africa,” he said.