We must be ready for Cameroun’s physical game, says Garba Lawal
Former International, Garba Lawal, has warned the handlers of the Super Eagles to take the boastful Cameroun’s assistant coach, Sven Vandenbroeck, seriously, as the country prepares to meet the new African Cup of Nations (AFCON) champions in 2018 World Cup qualifiers in August.
Vandenbroeck recently expressed Lions of Cameroun’s intention to amass four points out of the two games fixed for August 28 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State and September 2 in Limbe.
The five times Africa’s champions against all odds won this year’s AFCON in Gabon, after staging a comeback to upset seven times winners, the Pharaohs of Egypt 2-1. Nigeria currently sits on top of Group B with six points after two rounds of matches, while Cameroon has two points.
Speaking with The Guardian yesterday, Lawal said he did not expect the Camerounian assistant coach to say anything less, as the trophy won in Gabon has boosted their moral.
“No coach will ever say he is going to lose a match; it is all about a mind game. If he is now boasting that he will get four points from the two World Cup qualifiers, it is because of their exploits in Gabon. But before the AFCON, the same coach was not talking. Now, he can talk since their surprised victory at AFCON,” Lawal said.
The former Kaduna United Football Club’s General Manager cautions the Super Eagles’ handler to be careful, as he prepares the team for the crucial matches.
“We should be careful against a physical team like the Camerounians, whose players depend solely on their physical strength with little skills. Our boys are blessed with lots of skills, which we make use of with less strength. The two matches will be difficult, but I believe qualification for Russia is in our hands,” he stated.
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1 Comments
Which physical game is Garba Lawal talking about? If you watched the New-Breed Lions they were anything but physical as they were technically very superior and very talented. Watch that winning goal against Egypt with three defenders and see the ball chested down between two defenders by Abubarkar, then a tap over the head of one of the defenders and a kick while the lopped ball is still in the air to goal – with yet another Egyptian defender’s leg cheated at the ball: all these without looking at the goal post! The player Abubarkar did not touch or lean on any defender to do so. So what is Garba lawal up to? Stop accusing oponents and concerntrate on doing better. That is my advise.
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