Ex-Super Eagles star, Thompson Oliha, tells  to JAMES AGBEREBI that the senior national team led by coach Stephen Keshi must prepare very well for the challenges ahead of them this year

What are your expectations for Nigerian football this year?

 That's a very good question. For Nigerian football to excel this year, the people in charge must plan well so that we can have a good year. We are no longer one of the best even in Africa. We have to show again that we really one of the best. We must improve on the quality of our league and it's a good thing that the NFF has held their annual general meeting. I hope they will execute some of the things discussed there. We want to see our league on TV; we want to hear our league on radio, we want to see our league in various media channels so that it can get the kind of followership it deserves.  

Where do you think we got it all wrong because around this time last year, expectations were high but at the end of the day, it was disappointment all the way?

We got it all wrong because we did not play by the rules. We make rules and we don't follow it. If the league is going to end in November, let it end in November no matter the situation. We should always learn to obey the laws which we established by ourselves so that we will have to progress. And I will like to implore Stephen Keshi to add more home-based stars into the main team like Westerhof did which made the Europe-based players to be very determined. It makes them to fight for shirts. Of course, Keshi doesn't need to be told because he knows what Westerhof did.

Last week at the AGM of the NFF held in Kaduna, one of the decisions taken was the vote of confidence passed on the present board despite the poor results recorded by the national teams. What are your thoughts on this?

This is our country and we cannot run away from what is happening. We know our people because they know how to manipulate things and that should not be a surprise to you. All we need is a standard league and well organized Federation Cup where people can enjoy themselves even if they are going to pay any amount to watch it. We cannot run away from the truth because if we are praising the English Premier League, then we must do something about our domestic league to make it more attractive to both the sponsors and spectators.

In essence, what you are saying is that the present board still has a lot to do...

Of course... if they are serious, they know what to do and I don't know why a lot of ex-internationals are not in the present board because having played to the highest level, I think they have gathered enough experience to be on the board.

 But we have some ex-internationals, especially in the Technical Department where we have some of your former colleagues…

  The major problem is that those ones that are there have not been given the freedom to do what is necessary because they know it may not go down well with some people. So, they want to make sure that those on the board do not succeed. They are sort of people who are not just serving because of money they can make but they have made a lot of money while playing the game.

 In your opinion, who do you think should be blamed for the country's recent woes between the FA and the players?

 I will blame the NFF for all that happened to Nigerian football last year. Even though they will claim that they were not selecting players for the coaches, but they have some players as favourites that must be invited or even feature in the team at all cost. At a time during Westerhof era, Yekini was sitting on the bench, even Jay Jay Okocha was sitting on the bench as well and Westerhof was not negotiating with anybody.  If we can apply that method, then everything will fall in place.

 Last week, coach Stephen Keshi declared that he would include more home-based players in the squad for the Rwanda game. What's your take on this?

 It's a very good thing for him to include more home-based players. It makes the foreign-based players to sit tight, and like I earlier mentioned, it will make them fight for their shirts. Westerhof did the same thing and he succeeded. Can you imagine that at that time, Emmanuel Amuneke and Victor Ikpeba were sitting on the bench for me?. Ikpeba was playing for Monaco then while I was playing for Iwuanyanwu Nationale. So it made them to be more serious. Even when I was in African Sports before I went to Europe, Keshi knew what happened and I believe he can do it.

Based on the experience of last year, don't you think there will be too much pressure on the home-based players, especially now that expectations are high?

No, the truth is that everyone wants to succeed. If they play well, they will soon be somewhere in Europe, but if they don't play well, they will not have that kind of opportunity.  I believe with some of the friendly games they've played so far and also some of the games being lined up for them, I think such games will go a long way in exposing them. And I don't think they will be under any form of pressure to perform because it's not as if they will be executing the game all by themselves. The foreign based stars will still join them which will make it easier for the home-based players. All they need is confidence to express themselves just like we did during the Westerhof era.

What do you think about the intention of coach Stephen Keshi to recall Yakubu Aiyegbeni to the Super Eagles following his recent form?

If Yakubu is in top shape, why not call him? He's a Nigerian, he has played well for this country in the past and if he is inform, he should be invited. Keshi doesn't need to go around announcing it because he has been watching some of his matches. Just last weekend, he scored two goals against Manchester United and aside that, he has been scoring so many goals for his team this season. So, with all these, I believe Yakubu deserves to be called back into the national team set-up.

But don't you think such recall will affect the development and balance of the new look Super Eagles because the coach declared that he is planning to build a youthful side?

 I don't think so because Yakubu is an experienced player. And we need all our experience players to get back to the top. I don't see Yakubu as an old player. I believe he is a good player and with the way he is scoring presently, he still has a lot to offer the Super Eagles.

 Nigeria against Rwanda will be the first major game for the team under Coach Stephen Keshi. What are your expectations from the game?

I believe that we can win that match because we are better than Rwanda. Forget about what happened last year; I expect them to give us a tough game because every country wants to win against Nigeria but we have capable hands that can do it.

  You sound so confident, have you forgotten what happened last year which led to the team's ouster from this year's Africa Nations Cup?

In the last game against Guinea, I will say Samson Siasia did not do well and I called it game of negotiation because if you are in charge of a team, you don't have to negotiate with anybody. There should be no undue respect for anybody. So the best thing to do to avoid any upset is to select the best legs to play every game based on forms. Anyone that wants to try what Osaze Odemwingie did the other time should be kicked out. If the coach can do this, I don't think Rwanda can stop us- not even in their backyard.

 And do you think the date fixed for the commencement of the league is realistic?

That's another aspect that needs to be looked into very critically because it's not too long ago when the last season ended. But I hope the league kick-off on time so that what we experienced last time will not repeat itself.

It's nice talking to you...

Thanks very much.