Football | Super Eagles
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20 Years ago this year, Nigeria qualified for the world cup for the first time then as it is now a lot was made of who should make the final squad to the US.
Central Defender Chid Nwanu then of Anderlecht of Belgium had been strangely left out of the Super Eagles during the qualifiers and the subsequent triumph at the Tunisia '94 Afcon considering that he was one of the best defenders Nigeria had in Europe at the time.
However, come the world cup, he not only made the squad but was the first choice centre-back alongside the giant Uche Okechukwu. Nwanu spoke to WHN at his home in Diest, Belgium.
Asked how he managed to force himself into that team " I was not part of the team initially for reasons outside of football in all honesty. So, I kept my head down, worked hard on my game, continued to play well for my club and believed that one day I will be given the chance again. I had told Westerhof (then Nigerian coach) that one day you will ignore all of this and come for me. I believed it".
The Dutch man did eventually as it turned out to which Chid Nwanu is quick to pay tribute to him "I congratulate Westerhof for he defied all the schemes around him and called me to say 'Chidi, come play for me, your country needs you'. He was a man who wanted results, he did not care for friends or family and that is what sets apart great coaches/managers."
Current Chelsea football club Director of Football Mike Emenalo was also another person who made the US '94 squad without being part of the qualifiers. "We were room-mates, Emenalo and I during the world cup, during the training camps in Europe. Emenalo had made up bis mind he was going to make this team. Playing for Moleenbeek at the time he wanted to improve his standing in the game and the world cup was a genuine target". Nwanu recollects.
Many Nigerians at the time and even some today still quarrel that Emenalo took the place of Nduka Ugbade in the team. Chidi Nwanu saw it differently. "The determination and discipline Emenalo showed in training, his very high skill level meant that Westerhof had no choice but to take the better of the players vying for those defensive positions"
In the current situation there seems to be a few players looking in from the outside who did not play in the qualifiers but who are qualified to play for Nigeria. Chidi Nwanu has this advice for them "play regularly and consistently for your clubs. Keep fit. Keep your technique sharp be alert, so that should ever be called up for a training camp you will show what you are made of"
A man incredibly passionate about the Nigerian national team he says "every day I pray that God Himself makes it possible that only those good enough to play for Nigeria actually make the final squad. I believe that not even the coaches will be able to stop those who God has destined to be in Brazil" he concluded.
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