COACH LARS LAGERBACK EXPECTS BETTER FROM NIGERIA

By Oluwashina Okeleji
Nigeria coach Lars Lagerback wants a better performance from his side against Colombia on Sunday.

Nigeria were held to a 0-0 draw by Saudi Arabia in a warm-up match played in Wattens, Austria on Tuesday.

But Lagerback said the performance was disappointing.

A top Nigeria Football Federation official, Taiwo Ogunjobi revealed that the disappointed coach lambasted the players afterwards and admitted he has his work cut out before the World Cup.

“The coach was not happy. He was angry and disappointed with the performance of the team,” Ogunjobi said.

“He also told us that he now has a lot to do before the World Cup kicks off.

“The boys did not live up to expectations and they have to do a lot better on Sunday against Colombia.”

Meanwhile, the Super Eagles camp in Essex is boosted with the arrival of Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi and striker Brown Ideye on Friday.

Obi had been undergoing physiotherapy following surgery on his knee last month, raising doubts about his availability for next month's tournament.

Sochaux forward Brown Ideye resumed training with Nigeria's World Cup squad Friday morning in Essex after receiving an entry visa to the United Kingdom.

Last Saturday, Ideye failed to travel with the Nigeria team to London from Abuja because of issues with his travel papers.

“Ideye trained with the rest of the squad this morning (Friday) after he flew out of the country last night,” NFF Ademola Olajire said in a press statement on Friday.

“Mikel has also joined the other players and is expected to have his first training today.”

Nigeria, who are drawn with Argentina, Greece and South Korea, will also tackle North Korea in Makhulong Stadium on 6 June before their opening Group B match against Argentina at Ellis Park Stadium, also in Johannesburg.