Former Golden Eaglets head coach Alphonsus Dike, has warned the Super Eagles manager, Gernot Rohr to start the 2018 World Cup preparation in-house.
“The begging question right now is what can we do in the six-month to the World Cup and I think we should look inward to build the team.
“The truth is that no European country can give you the best in terms of preparation knowing full well that it could turn around to hurt them. It’s simply politics.
“Our preparation and training must be in-house we can then move close to any country with the same weather condition with the hosts, Russia to acclimatise,” Dike told Supersport.com.
“We always look for quick fix all or perfect situation but end up with near perfection which is more real in the world.
“Right now our focus is on going to the World Cup and not the quality of team we hope to present.
The former Heartland, Kwara United and Enugu Rangers coach however, defended the performance of goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa in last Friday’s World Cup qualifier in Constantine against Algeria which ended in a 1-1 draw.
“Ezenwa is the most agile and smartest goalkeeper in the land at the moment.
“Somebody has to work on it to get him to perfect for the task ahead instead of doing nothing and vilifying him unnecessarily.
“I rate his performance in the clash about 60, 70 per cent, he remains the best, we just have to work on his deficiency.
“Of course yes, Ezenwa needs a backup, at least one or two quality goalkeepers to help out at the World Cup.
“Vincent Enyeama’s name has been on the table for possible return to the national team based on his experience.
“That decision is squarely Eagles manager, Gernot Rohr’s prerogative as the buck stops at his desk as far as World Cup team is concerned.
“Without doubt Enyeama is a good and experienced goalkeeper and will be a huge plus if he returns but his fitness must be worked on.
“The third goalkeeper must be fished out in time and be tested for agility, composure and experience,” the former Nasarawa United coach said.
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