Vogts hopes goal-shy Yakubu can end goal drought
May 03, 2007
BERTI VOGTS is understandably a worried man. The German coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles has been looking on in dismay as his superstar strikers in Europe struggle with form, a month away from their game against Uganda.
By Fred Kaweesi
Nations Cup qualifier
June 2
Uganda v Nigeria
BERTI VOGTS is understandably a worried man. The German coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles has been looking on in dismay as his superstar strikers in Europe struggle with form, a month away from their game against Uganda.
According to reports from Nigeria, Vogts has put his entire faith in Middlesbrough striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni. He has also preferred a training camp in Kenya to sort out the striking crisis, and not in Europe, as has been the case previously.
The Nigerian super stars are all expected in camp in Nairobi for five days from May 25 before heading to Kampala.
Aiyegbeni, Nwankwo Kanu, Obafemi Martins, Osaze Odemwingie, John Utaka, Victor Anichebe and Ayo Makinwa, have endured insistent goal droughts at their respective teams in recent weeks.
Yakubu has not managed a single goal in 11 games since scoring his 16th of the season in the 2-1 Barclays Premiership win over Reading on February 24.
Kanu last scored for Portsmouth in their Premiership 2-1 win over Man City on February 10, while Martins’ most recent goal was on April 7, in Newcastle’s 2-1 win over Sheffield United.
Everton striker Anichebe is still struggling with an ankle injury. Utaka, who has had a promising season at Rennes, has looked out of depth and out of touch with the Super Eagles team.
Nigeria’s forwards:
Obafemi Martins (Newcastle), Ayodele Makinwa (Lazio), Nwankwo Kanu (Portsmouth), John Utaka (Rennes), Osaze Odemwingie (Lille), Yakubu
Aiyegbeni (Middlesbrough), Victor Anichebe (Everton), Sunday Stephen
(Ejido, Spain).
Nations Cup qualifier
June 2
Uganda v Nigeria
BERTI VOGTS is understandably a worried man. The German coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles has been looking on in dismay as his superstar strikers in Europe struggle with form, a month away from their game against Uganda.
According to reports from Nigeria, Vogts has put his entire faith in Middlesbrough striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni. He has also preferred a training camp in Kenya to sort out the striking crisis, and not in Europe, as has been the case previously.
The Nigerian super stars are all expected in camp in Nairobi for five days from May 25 before heading to Kampala.
Aiyegbeni, Nwankwo Kanu, Obafemi Martins, Osaze Odemwingie, John Utaka, Victor Anichebe and Ayo Makinwa, have endured insistent goal droughts at their respective teams in recent weeks.
Yakubu has not managed a single goal in 11 games since scoring his 16th of the season in the 2-1 Barclays Premiership win over Reading on February 24.
Kanu last scored for Portsmouth in their Premiership 2-1 win over Man City on February 10, while Martins’ most recent goal was on April 7, in Newcastle’s 2-1 win over Sheffield United.
Everton striker Anichebe is still struggling with an ankle injury. Utaka, who has had a promising season at Rennes, has looked out of depth and out of touch with the Super Eagles team.
Nigeria’s forwards:
Obafemi Martins (Newcastle), Ayodele Makinwa (Lazio), Nwankwo Kanu (Portsmouth), John Utaka (Rennes), Osaze Odemwingie (Lille), Yakubu
Aiyegbeni (Middlesbrough), Victor Anichebe (Everton), Sunday Stephen
(Ejido, Spain).