Briefs about Nigeria

22.06.98 18h54 CET

• Heat stroke: commenting on the NIGERIA team's falling work rate towards the end of the match against BULGARIA, Victor IKPEBA (20) remarked to a Spanish journalist: "The large majority of the Nigerian players have been playing in European leagues for several seasons now and as a consequence they too suffer from the heat".
• Reunion: on Wednesday 24 June, the Nigerian coach Bora MILUTINOVIC will resume acquaintance with the PARAGUAY goalkeeper, José Luis CHILAVERT, whom he coached at San Lorenzo, the ARGENTINA first division club. "CHILAVERT gives a great deal of mental confidence to his teammates. I know that he's working on his free kicks for the game against us". Victor IKEPBA responded that "he has scored several goals in the ARGENTINA championship but I am certain that we will put at least one or two past him".
• Out of Africa: the Nigerian players have taken to singing and dancing in the coach they take to their training sessions. They give some of their own Compact Discs to Christian, their driver. On Monday morning, Taribo WEST (6) and his band grooved along to the rhythms of traditional Mali music.
• A (false) family air: thought of as a round ball artist in the style of the great Zico, Jay-Jay OKOCHA couldn't help bursting out laughing when a Mexican journalist asked him if he had family in BRAZIL.
• Watch out for placards: The little village of Ellincourt-Sainte-Marguerite (Oise) has not remained impervious to the exploits of the Nigerians. The signs are going up around the château de Bellinglise, where the African squad is staying. Some examples: "We believe in you. Go further. The supporters of Ellincourt." And "Two victories: well done". Never two without three ? The scissors are ready.