Nigeria Must Learn From Germany –Taribo

 

 Taribo West

Nigeria must learn some lessons from the 2014 World Cup winners Germany and runners-up Argentina if the Super Eagles hope to make a major impact in the World Cup, says Taribo West.

Taribo, who represented Nigeria at the France ’98 and Korea/Japan 2002 World Cups, said the Brazil 2014 World Cup finalists had long-term plans, as well as the right personnel in place ahead of the tournament.

“We have a lot of lessons to learn from the two sides, especially Germany and their coach, Joachim Low. He had a lot of critics even before the World Cup but he proved them wrong on Sunday by winning the tournament,” the former AC Milan centre-back told our correspondent on Monday.

“Oliver Bierhoff was my teammate at Milan but he is the manager of the German national team. He knew his job and he executed it well. But here, we bring in just anybody to administer our football. If you put me in a bank today, that business will crumble overnight because I don’t know anything about banking.

“German football has a vision and structure, with everybody working towards one goal and I can bet you both teams that played the final game on Sunday have already started preparations for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

“But money issues have always been our undoing. There is always somebody somewhere, who wants to pocket money meant for the players.”

The Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games gold medallist, who played for German Bundesliga outfit Kaiserslautern, called on the government to ensure that the right people are in the right positions in Nigerian football.

“Ours is a critical and complex case; it’s a big shame. People at the helm of affairs should put competent ex-internationals in the right positions because they understand football better and the problems footballers face,” Taribo added.

Meanwhile, Queens Park Rangers are interested in Nigeria defender Kenneth Omeruo on loan from Chelsea for the new season, africanfootball.com has learned.

Hull City had already declared their interest in Omeruo, who represented Nigeria at the World Cup in Brazil.

The player, who spent a season on loan at Middlesbough last term, signed a new three-year deal with Chelsea before the World Cup.

“QPR want to have Omeruo on loan for the new season even though Chelsea have made it clear they will give the player a chance to fight for a place in the first team after what he showed in Brazil,” a source told africanaootball.com

“The player is back in Nigeria on holidays now but he is expected back in London by July 28 to rejoin Chelsea for pre-season.

“Chelsea are billed to train in Papendal, Holland, for pre-season and it is only after this that a clearer picture will come up as concerns his most immediate future.”

Source:punchng.com