No room for lazy foreign-based players in my team –Okon

Super Falcons’ chief coach, Edwin Okon, has vowed to shun
players that lack commitment to national duty ahead of the
team’s preparation for the World Cup.
In a chat with Daily Sun Sport, Okon spoke on a number of
issues including his aspirations this year, as well as his style
of celebrating whenever his team scores in a tournament.
What are your plans for the year?
We still have more competitions to play. There are the
Olympics and All Africa Games’ qualifiers as well as the World
Cup in Canada to play.
These are the three most important hurdles we have to face
this year. It is imperative that we prepare well for this competi­
tions and, most importantly, early enough.
The NFF have done well for us in 2014 because we got all the
support and encouragement from them, but we need to start
playing friendly matches soon.
The higher the quality we get, the better for us because we
must prepare hard for the championships lined up for us this
year and we must play strong teams as part of our
preparation.
For the World Cup in Canada, it would be good if we can play
against countries from the region where our group opponents
come from as that would toughen us on what to expect from
our group opponents.
But like I said, the NFF has done well and I believe it will do
its best to get us these friendly matches.
We want to do well at Olympic qualifiers, All African Games as
well as the World Cup and I’m sure we will get all we need to
make us do well in Canada.
What’s your take on criticisms on your outing at the last
AWC and what motivates you?
Well, it is always like that when you are holding a public
portfolio, especially with our football. You are constantly
under scrutiny and you face a lot of criticisms, and,
interestingly, I have learnt from them.
How do you mean?
What I mean is that when such criticisms start pouring in, I sit
back and reflect on what I am doing, whether I am wrong or
right.
I always have it at the back of my mind that those outside
are, sometimes, in a better position to see what I am not
seeing as an insider. So in such cases, I welcome the
criticisms and forge ahead.
Another thing is that, sometimes, most of those loudly
criticizing are agents of some of the star players and they
want their players to be in your team.
Do you take advice from them?
I am a grassroots coach. The local league has produced so
many good national team coaches and at that level, we are
not new to the system. So before you can convince me about
a player that is not in Nigeria, it will take time.
So you don’t have space for Pros in your team?
You see, I don’t hate them but their gimmick is the problem I
have. They stroll into the national team and before you know
it they make the team.
This era, I don’t believe in any player strolling into the national
team whenever it soothes her. I want them to compete for
shirts with those at home and then we know if you are better
than those in the domestic league, or if they are better than
you. If eventually you don’t measure up, then bye-bye.
This is my line of thinking and action at this level and it is not
going to change for a long time to come.
How would you review the year 2014?
The victories recorded in the past year means a lot to me, the
joy and happiness is indescribable. I give credit to my Lord
and Master for giving us the trophies in 2014 and we are
assured that He will do more for us in 2015.
What are your expectations this year?
We expect good things from the team. I harp on discipline a
lot because I believe that if a team is disciplined, they will go
places.
Any target at Canada 2015?
This is the apex of football competitions in the world and we
are looking forward to it. As we all know, Super Falcons have
never crossed the group stage at the World cup level.
Yes, we are setting a target for ourselves. The players and the
technical crew are aware of this and the target is best known
to us.
We have to do all within our means to achieve our goal and
as well call on God to assist us.
Why do you always bow down on the ground any time your
team wins a match?
You see, I don’t hide my identity, I am a Christian and each
time people ask me why I bow down my head on the ground ,
some even ask me if I am a Muslim and I say no.
Bowing down with my head touching the ground is my unique
way of referencing my God and whenever I do that, I achieve
results because God has never failed me.
What do you think about Assisat Oshoala?
Asisat had a very wonderful year in 2014 and I am not
surprised by the accolades coming her way. I congratulate her
for winning the African Woman Footballer of the Year Award.
We all knew that she would win it because she was and is the
best female player in Africa.
Her joining Liverpool, is a sign of greater things to come and I
hope she continues getting better.
This is not the time for her to go to sleep because she must
sustain the tempo so that she can keep getting recognized.