Eagles lack fitness and finesse — Owolabi

By Eddie Akalonu Former Nigerian international, Felix Owolabi MON has harped on the need for a physical trainer to be appointed for the Super Eagles to improve their readiness in the remaining games of the African Cup of Nations qualifying series, saying both games played so far against Congo and South Africa were disappointing. “The matches were a disappointment. The reason the team played badly was because players were not physically fit and they were not hungry to play by all ramifications. They were always at the receiving end most of the time in both games and that’s not the Nigerian team we all know,” he stated. Owolabi, who is a former Nigeria Football Association board-member and chairman of it’s technical committee, said for the team to return to winning ways, NFF needs to deploy a physical trainer to re-awaken the players, in the same vein that coach Stephen Keshi must design new ways to play. “It is certain that the team needs a physical trainer. The boys were heavy, sluggish and people have talked about the lack of creative people in the team. That is because, all the ingredients of a good team were lacking. There is therefore a need to ensure physical, mental and psychological readiness. “These would restore confidence. Keshi again must design different strategies per coming game because we cannot continue losing points while Congo and South Africa gain. Right now no one can even say we can beat Sudan, so we must sit up now. Before you know it we have a problem of qualification. Let me also note that our players were not hungry to play. That plus not being fit have been our bane. There is need for overhaul of the team before the next set of matches,” he added. - See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/09/eagles-lack-fitness-finesse-owolabi/#sthash.28UjbU5K.dpuf