Okocha advises Eagles on World Cup

Former Nigeria international, Austin Jay-Jay Okocha, on Friday advised Super Eagles players to remain focused in the buildup to the upcoming World Cup tournament in Brazil.
Okocha told the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos that the team was currently doing the needful but must remain dedicated to excel at the quadrennial football tournament.
He said: “Most of them are coming into the big stage for the first time and need to be fortified mentally and psychologically to prevent them from being carried away.
“They should play to instructions and make fervent effort at making their opponents play at their own pace.”
The former Eagles Captain and play maker added: “Playing at the World Cup is every player’s dream.
“Our players should endeavour to surpass the old record and bring the much-desired victory to the nation.”
Okocha, who plied his trade with Eintracht Frankfurt FC of Germany, Bolton Wanderers FC of England and Fenerbahce FC of Turkey, stressed that fans should not burden the players with unrealistic expectations.
He advised the Stephen Keshi-led technical crew to ensure that team selection was done in a manner that would be devoid of sentiment.
On the current level of grassroots football development in the country, the former midfielder called on the authorities to grant tax waivers to corporate organisations that were willing to assist.
He said that such a step was necessary because of the massive financial commitment that would be required to sustain such a project.
He said: “There must be good structures on ground that will give special consideration of tax waivers to corporate entities that are inclined to such ventures.
“The rationale is to encourage them to support our upcoming football stars so that there will be regular training, camping, competitions and kits to enhance their skills.”
Okocha, who was fondly called Jay-Jay by his admirers, expressed optimism at the calibre of budding talents being churned out in grassroots competitions across the country.
He said: “The future is very bright for our upcoming stars and it gives me hope that we have players that will take over from us and even do better for the nation.
“Investing in the future of our young stars should be paramount and that is to say that once they are identified, follow-up programmes must commence to give them proper training.”