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| | Tuesday, 21 May, 2002, 16:55 GMT 17:55 UK The Huesu review Emmanuel Huesu, former deputy editor of African Soccer, takes a weekly look at the football stories in the newspapers of Africa's five World Cup qualifying countries. Nigeria New sports minister, Steve Akiga tells the Daily Champion that he is dedicated to the Super Eagles success in Japan. "I promise the Eagles a hard time. "I will stay in their hotel, eat the same food as them, train with them and if there is a problem, they come to me or I go to them," he said. Coach Adegboye Onigbinde tells The Guardian his team is ready to emerge from the group of death.
"Have you seen a soldier go to war with the aim of being captured?," he asks. The exclusion of Sunday Oliseh, Finidi George and Victor Agali does not have Jay Jay Okocha's approval. "I respect the coach's decision (to exclude the players) but my opinion is that they should have been included," Okocha said. South Africa In the Saturday Star, fans tell the Bafana Bafana not to "come back without a victory" at the World Cup. "We want a second round place and some pride. Don't repeat the France '98 farce and don't make us cry," fans plead. In the Sunday Times, Quinton Fortune says the World Cup will be "a brilliant stage for the country to reverse its struggling sporting image."
The dispute between Jomo Sono and Gordon Igesund has made Sports minister Ngconde Balfour unhappy. "You will like to see a situation where a winning coach like Gordon Igesund is utilised for the World Cup," he tells the Mail and Guardian. Igesund, who has won the South African league with three different clubs, fell out with Jomo Sono over tactical matters. Cameroon Striker Pius Ndiefi tells Le Messager he deserves a first team place at the World Cup. "I have proved without any shred of doubt what I am capable of. "I should not be confined to the bench," he said.
Rigobert Song says he will remain a tough defender, even though hard tacklers stand the risk of being red-carded at the World Cup. "I am not a dirty player. I will play hard, but fair as I always do." Song holds the unenviable record of being expelled at the 1994 and 1998 World Cup finals. Senegal Walfadjiri l'Aurore reckons Senegal 3-2 defeat to Saudi Arabia is a timely wake up call. "While we must not press the alarm button just yet, we believe it is a clear indication that we are far from the goal we have set for ourselves." Sud Quoditien urges the Lions "to use the next two friendly games against Ecuador and Reysol FC to reassure their fans before the big game against France on May 31." Tunisia Coach Ammar Souayah exudes confidence about his team to La Presse. "Football is not an exact science and Tunisia can create surprises at this World Cup," he warns. | |
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