Erico berates NFF over foreign goalkeepers trainer

https://guardian.ng/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Goalkeepers-Back-19072017-.jpg

Dele Alampasu (left) and Daniel Akpeyi are two of the goalkeepers Rohr has employed since he became Super Eagles’ manager

• Rohr releases team list this week

Former Super Eagles Assistant Coach, Joe Erico has castigated the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for hiring a foreign goalkeepers’ trainer for the senior national team, which is preparing for crucial 2018 World Cup qualifying matches against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroun.

Erico said Nigeria has experienced former internationals, who performed well in their goalkeeping  careers, adding that their expertise would have been utilised to train and pick quality goalkeepers for the team instead of wasting tax payers money on a foreign trainer.

He noted the selection process of goalkeepers in the national team would not  be a problem if the right approach were followed, adding that goalkeeping has never been a problem for the Eagles.

He wondered why the NFF would employ an expatriate goalkeepers’ tactician when the likes of Peter Rufai, Ike Shorunmu, Alloy Agu and others, who distinguished themselves in and outside the country in their playing days, were still around to work for the team.

Erico also  added that the Super Eagles can only beat Cameroun home and away and qualify  for the 2018 World Cup when the NFF and the handlers prepare the players  well in all aspects of the game.

“The NFF hiring a foreign goalkeepers’ trainer for the Super Eagles is an insult to the Nigerian retired goalkeepers. We have quality retired goalkeepers in the country and the NFF should have invited them to put heads together and pick the right goalkeepers for the World Cup qualifiers.

“I see no reason why the NFF should lose faith in the domestic coaches. I am tired of talking. I don’t understand the way football is administered in the country,” he said.

On the game against Cameroun, Erico said based on the standard of the Lions and their performance at the Confederations Cup, “I think the Eagles need to  work extra  hard to excel in the qualifier. Although the Camerounians did not excel in Russia, their fighting spirit still showed and this is what they will use against Nigeria. When it comes to African soccer, it is a different situation.”

Meanwhile, Super Eagles Media Officer, Toyin Ibitoye has revealed that Manager, Gernot Rohr will release the list of players that will jostle for shirts for the 2018 World Cup qualifier this week.