Yobo and Odemwingie call for focus

Two Nigeria's most experienced players, captain Joseph Yobo and Peter Odemwingie, who's recently started to use his other first name Osaze, have called for commitment and focus from their younger teammates.

Nigeria made it through to South Africa in the last minute, winning their last match and so edging out Tunisia, costing me some betting money (not bitter at all, he-hee).

Yobo wasn't happy with the teams performance through out the qualifying process and now wants better performance in the finals. "We have to now change our attitude and mentality so it won't be a disastrous World Cup for this generation. Nigerians want to see a change in approach, see a change in commitment", said the Everton player, who today injured himself in his teams 2-2 draw with Tottenham.

Odemwingie seconds these thoughts. The striker also reckons the teams should start building their team-spirit with the African Cup of Nations next month. He said: "A brilliant outing at the World Cup will depend largely on what happens between now and then. Angola provides us with a platform to fix the problems affecting us and that should help mould us into a team that will be able to represent Nigeria effectively."

Have to agree with them. Nigeria haven't won anything since the Olympics in 1996. That was seen a big rise to the nation, but the generation failed and players like Sunday Oliseh, Jay-Jay Okocha and Finidi couldn't deliver neither Nations Cup glory nor World Cup success.

And the topic in hand is spot on. While the team has always had talented players, they've always failed to perform as a team, with individuals taking over matches and causing unrest in the dressing room.

The current side is quite youthful and no doubt Yobo and Odemwingie amongst the senior members have to bond the group and you might even say teach the younger players to work as a unit.