KALIKA: NO STAR PLAYER IN EAGLES

By NBF News

Super Eagles' Assistant Coach, Simon Kalika, has argued that there is no outstanding player among the current squad of Eagles who could eclipse the contributions of others in the team, noting that the focus is now on the team not on any individual player.

The Holland coach, speaking with the media at the National Stadium, Abuja, admitted that it would be very difficult for the technical crew to easily pick a starting IX among the array of stars jostling for attention in the tie against the visiting Ethiopians.

'We don't have stars in the current crop of Eagles squad. The meaning is that the team is now the focus. Before now, we have star players in the Eagles who attract attention, but we don't have it now. We don't also have anybody above the team now, yet the team is reaching a very high standard. We are happy with the situation,' he said.

On the fitness form of Obafemi Martins and Peter Osaze Odemwingie that sustained slight injury ahead of the encounter, Kalika said: 'We stopped them from training today (Wednesday) because we want to be very careful about the injury. We don't just want to take risk on them. However, I think they will be okay for the match.'

He also spoke on the difficulty of picking a starting team, admitting: 'It is going to be tough but there is only one room in football. We will have seven training sessions and the players that are at their very best will the ones to be selected for the game.'