Verbal warfare

May 30, 2007

MIND games can be a double-edged sword! That’s why the ‘mind-games manual’ has an unwritten chapter dedicated to the specific dos and don’ts! They’re to be deployed only against an equal; otherwise, one risks inciting a reaction.

JOSEPH OPIO

MIND games can be a double-edged sword! That’s why the ‘mind-games manual’ has an unwritten chapter dedicated to the specific dos and don’ts! They’re to be deployed only against an equal; otherwise, one risks inciting a reaction.

With this in mind, coach Laszlo Csaba must be delighted at the verbal warfare unleashed by the Nigerians in the lead-up to the June 2 qualifier.

It reveals excessive interest from the Super Eagles, betrays encouraging signs of anxiety and implies the rattled West Africans are finally granting Uganda the grudging respect reserved for peers.

Pre-Abeokuta, Cranes were treated with all the patronizing courtesy accorded to underdogs.
There were no pre-match insults nor interest from Nigerian players — a few even confessed they had never heard of Uganda.

Mind games start
After that narrow win in Abeokuta however, ex-Super Eagles ace, Thompson Oliha started the mind games. To the uninitiated, Oliha was an anonymous midfielder in 1993 as Nigeria snatched a lucky draw at Nakivubo.

“Ugandans are good ball jugglers but aren’t really a threat. We should adopt an attacking formula. That will scare them and put Uganda on the defensive.”

Oliha’s attempts to sow seeds of self-doubt among Csaba’s legions have been emulated by a few players.

John Obi Mikel admitted he had been discussing the game with colleagues “and we shall win it.”
The fixation with the Cranes has afflicted Nigerian assistant coach, Augustine Eguavoen too.

“We’re not sleeping. But whatever happened in Abeokuta, we won and are top on the table. I don’t think we have anything to fear. In Kampala, we’ll pay our debt to the fans.”

With the match two days away however, most Nigerians have dropped all pretense at civility.
“Uganda can say what they want to say, but it appears they don’t know football,” Marseille’s Taye Taiwo raged. “How can they say they will beat Nigeria because of what happened in Abeokuta? It’s an insult! If they want to use one match to judge another, good luck to them. I know we’ll to win. We can’t lose to Uganda.”

Mind games intensify
Holland-based Sani Keita was more scathing. “Look at even Uganda talking. They better be prepared to pack their midfield. They don’t know anything and we’ll teach them a lesson.”

Keita’s comments were echoed by Orlando Pirates’ midfielder Onyekachi Okonkwo. “Because they were lucky to play us on a bad pitch, they think they can make noise? They should be prepared for war! Apart from [David] Obua, who do they have in their team?”
This Saturday, Ugandans expect ten other Cranes stars to supply an answer to that derisive question!

Deep in disarray
Meanwhile, the Nigerian team that jets in at 1:15pm today has been cast into deeper disarray.

Coach Berti Vogts has threatened to desert over unpaid wages. Press reports said that Vogts’ ire over ill-preparations has been worsened by failure to receive his May wages.

“He doesn’t trust the NFA and may not wait till Sunday,” it was reported.

NFA’s Ade Olajire retorted: “He should achieve results first. He shouldn’t be more interested in the money. We have written to our sponsor, Globacom.”
Vogts’ 5000-euro-a-month (sh115m) salary is footed by local firm, Globacom.

*Additional reporting by Swalley Kenyi and Phillip Corry

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