Dosu advises NFF to monitor players’ form before Algeria clash

Former international, Joseph Dosu, has urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to pay close attention to Super Eagles’ stars’ activities and form before the team’s next Russia 2018 World Cup qualifier against Algeria.

The Super Eagles defeated the Chipolopolo of Zambia 2-1 at the weekend to lead Group B of the African qualifying series.Speaking with The Guardian yesterday, Dosu, who said the Eagles’ success in Ndola has brought happiness to Nigerians, advised the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) not to rest on its oars until the team prosecutes their five remaining games successfully.

“Now that we are topping Group B on three points, as against a point each by Cameroun and Algeria, a win in Uyo against Algeria in our next match will put us on six points, five points above the Desert Foxes. And it could be four points over Cameroun if they beat Zambia. That will set us on the right stride.

“I believe and hope that the advantage will remain like that until after the fifth game of the qualifier because any team that tops its group qualifies directly. The coaches know and even the NFF knows that we cannot afford a slip this time around until the last match is played,” he warns.

Dosu said the coaches should concentrate on correcting the lapses they saw during the game in Ndola, adding, “This is the time for the players called to duty to prove that they are capable of making us proud. And if such a player does well, he keeps his place in the team, and if not, we have talented players in abundance, spread around the whole of Europe, who are ready for whatever position they are given.

“Our technical adviser should also look out for players that he thinks might be useful during the qualifiers. He should know what position he needs players to come into the team and take over from those that are not doing well. We have just a few weeks before the list will be released, as we know these players who won the match against Zambia just went back. He needs to monitor players subsequently before extending invitation to them,” he said.

On the absence of the home-based in the team, Dosu said, it is too early to start talking of where invited players are coming from.

“I believe there is still time for the home-based players to be given adequate opportunity during the qualifiers. All we need to do is to keep on supporting the coach and the players and we should also keep our fingers cross and see how we will go through.

“My advice now is that the team needs a lot of concentration because we cannot afford not to qualify for the next World Cup. The NFF and the coaching crew need to put their house in order and also put their heads together to plan the strategy that would ensure that the nation’s flag is hoisted in Russia come 2018,” Dosu stated.