Super Eagle's Babatunde an asset to Eagles – Erico

 

Ahead of the African Cup of Nations qualifiers, a former Nigerian international Joe Erico believes that Babatunde Michael could be pivotal in the team based on his performance at the World Cup.

The Super Eagles begin the journey to their 2013 AFCON title defence in September but the players are currently on break from the national team and on the preseason tours with their various teams.

Babatunde was believed to have performed well in the Eagles’ second group match against Bosnia and Herzegovina and also the last group match against Argentina, where he got a broken wrist from an Ogenyi Onazi shot. He was subsequently unable to play in the 2-0 loss to France in the round of 16.

After the team’s untimely exit from Brazil, there has, however, been a call for the overhaul of the team’s midfield and Erico believes that the 22-year-old could be the team’s next playmaker.

“Every team in the world has a player who the team is built around and Nigeria is no exception. We have been having players around whom the team was built.

“It was previously Haruna Ilerika in the days of old, then Austin Okocha and after he left, Kanu Nwankwo became the team’s pivot. Like I said before that a team is a generational thing, I believe that Babatunde is a player who the team could be built around in the future.”

The former Eagles’ goalkeeper also said that Mikel Obi could also do the job if he has the will to perform.

The Chelsea midfielder was strongly criticised by Nigerians after his alleged lacklustre performance at the World Cup.

“It all boils down to Mikel’s will to perform. If he has it and believes he can do it he will although every player has his bad days. But Babatunde is a player to look out for and can be the team’s next playmaker.

“A team is never complete, you keep building it,” the former Eagles assistant coach said.

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