Atlanta ’96 Olympic Games gold medallist Taribo West has joined the growing fan club for Africa Cup of Nations hero Sunday Mba by hailing him as a “fantastic player”.
Mba’s superb volley fired Nigeria to their third continental title after the Super Eagles beat surprise finalists Burkina Faso in the final of South Africa 2013 in Johannesburg on February 10 and reports have linked him with a host of European clubs, including Bayer Leverkusen.
But Taribo has advised the 24-year-old, whose ownership has sent Warri Wolves and Enugu Rangers into a major battle, to seek guidance before putting pen to paper for any club.
“Mba is a fantastic player and I understand many European clubs are after him,” the former AC Milan and Inter Milan strongman told our correspondent on the telephone on Friday.
“My prayer is that those managing him should not sell him to a small club.
“He should be patient and not be in a haste to leave the country for Europe. He has age on his side and he should not allow self-seeking managers or scouts deceive him. He should get someone who will be able to negotiate a good contract on his behalf.
“A good contract is not all about big money. You can sign for big money without having a good contract. I mean a contract that will help the development of the player.
“I watched Mba carefully during the Africa Cup of Nations and he showed a high fighting spirit.
“He’s a material for the likes of Inter Milan, AC Milan, Juventus, Manchester United, Liverpool and Bayer Munich.
“If Mba joins any of these clubs, he will develop into a better player.”
The 1998 UEFA Cup winner, who represented Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations in 2000 and 2002 as well as the Korea/Japan 2002 World Cup, also tipped Holland-based Kenneth Omeruo, Lazio’s Ogenyi Onazi and Spartak Moscow’s Emmanuel Emenike for greatness.
Taribo, who spent four seasons at French club Auxerre, added, “Our triumph in South Africa is a blessing for the country. Our players will now be considered by top European clubs again.
“Many of our players have been playing in lowly leagues because the big European clubs no longer focus on Nigeria. Instead, they focus on Ivory Coast and Zambia because of their performances at major competitions.
“However, our Nations Cup win will changed that. I have been receiving calls from journalists from across the world to speak on the Eagles since we won. It shows Nigeria is in the spotlight again and it’s a good development.”
The ex-Kaiserslautern star hailed coach Stephen Keshi’s decision to open the national team door to West Brom forward Osaze Odemwingie, Spain-based Obafemi Martins and on-loan Dynamo Kyiv’s Taye Taiwo, who were excluded from the South Africa 2013 squad.
But he said Osaze must apologise to Keshi and other ex-national team players he criticised on his Twitter page to deserve a return to the team.
He said, “Osaze is a quality player but he lacks maturity and good guidance. He needs someone to help him. I’ve forgiven him over what he wrote about me. I’m not broke or suffering as he indicated. I’m very comfortable.”
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