Continued from Part 8

he mid-field is a very important department in a soccer team. Any team with a weak or ineffective mid-field, is doomed to fail! A team's fortunes to a great extent, depends on the performance of the mid-fielders. It is common knowledge in soccer that a game is won and lost in the mid-field!

Thus, any team that wants to excel in soccer, must take care of this very vital department of the game. One is also pleased that Coach Rohr realises the importance of this vital department and has made work of getting the best for Nigeria. Coach Rohr, in his competence and dexterity, not only scouts for the best mid-fielders for Nigeria, for now, but even for the future!

As at now we are still blessed with the doyen of the present generation of mid-fielders: John Mikel Obi, and the other budding mid-fielders, who though haven't attained his standards, but are still talented enough to help Nigeria at Russia 2018, and even beyond. One sincerely hopes that Skipper John Mikel Obi, will give Nigeria and Nigerians, one more great virtuoso performance at the world cup, before probably calling it a day with international soccer! And whenever he does, yours sincerely is certain there would be sufficient talent to replace him.

Nigeria has over the years been blessed with good mid-fielders, who have helped the country clinch very important victories! As is customary, yours sincerely, will not end this piece, without remembering those beautiful players who have directly or indirectly helped bring honours to this great country of ours, through their contributions in the mid-field.

Yours sincerely remembers:

Ismaila Mabo; Sam Garba Okoye, Haruna Ilerika; Aloysius Atuegbu, alias "the block-buster", or "Atuegbe"; Nathaniel Atuegbu; Mudashiru Lawal, alias "Baba Shiru"; Christian Madu; Godwin Iwelumo; George Omokaro; Felix Agbonifo; Peter Egharevba; Nwabueze Nwankwo, alias "Mr.Long Throw"; Stanley Okoronkwo; Arthur Egbunam, alias "Arthur system"; Tony Orji, alias "Iron"; Eugene Ohuabunwa; Friday Ekpo, alias "Zico"; John Okon Ene; Ikponwonsa Omoregie; Thompson Oliha; Muyiwa Motajo; Nathaniel Ogedegbe; Henry "Silva" Nwosu; Emeka James; Waidi Akanni; Wasiu Ipaye; Osaro Obobaifo; Augustine Igbinabaro; Femi Olukanmi; Chibuzor Ehilegbu, alias "Mbuzu"; Louis Igwillo, alias "Commander"; Sylvanus Okpala, alias "Hafia"; Fatai Amao, alias "Arsenal";Dahiru Sadi; Shefiu Mohammed; Taiwo Enegwa, alias "Energy"; Mutiu Adepoju, alias "Headmaster"; Sunday Oliseh; Efan Ekoku; Moses Kpakor; Tarfa Kpakor; Austine "Jay Jay" Okocha; Fatai Atere; Victor Igbinoba; Sanni Adamu; my good friend, Teibowei Diepreye; John Orlando; Sylvanus Nsofor; Roland Orufe; Paul Okoku; Tunji Banjo; Olumide Banjo, alias "Schemer"; Felix Egogo, alias "Baber chair"; Idiabor; Rasheed of Bendel Insurance fame; and of course all the other beautiful mid-fielders who cannot be remembered at this time, due to human limitations. They were all great players who helped their country greatly. It's our fervent hope and prayers that their beautiful contributions in the years past will inspire the current set of Super Eagles' mid-fielders /players, as they fill out for Nigeria at the 2018 World cup competition, in Russia.

TO BE CONTINUED!

Continued from Part 8