Former international Reuben Agboola has tipped Super Eagles central defender Kenneth Omeruo to be a pillar in the team in years to come.

The retirement of captain Joseph Yobo after his 100th cap against France means the Eagles will now look forward to a new leader in defence.

Ex-Southampton defender Agboola believes that with Omeruo’s performance at the World Cup, where Nigeria crashed out in the round of 16, it was just a matter of time before the Chelsea player stepped into a leadership role in the squad.
“Omeruo has a long international career ahead of him. He has been good and consistent and with Godfrey Oboabona’s partnership, the team’s defence will be very strong,” he told our correspondent online on Thursday.

Agboola added that coach Stephen Keshi deserved to be given a new contract.

“Nigeria has achieved respect at this World Cup thanks to Keshi’s leadership; people are talking about it here in England as if the team is theirs. I feel very proud to be associated with the team.”

The Senegal ’92 Africa Cup of Nations bronze medallist said the payment of bonuses should be an added income to the players and should not be a seed of discord between the players and the administrators.

He said, “I believe that nowadays, professional footballers earn enough not to bother or have other bonuses. Playing for a country of 160 million people should be an honour for anyone. I understand the home-based players but the others should give it to charity or channel it to the development of grassroots football.

“The Nigeria Football Federation has the trouble of trust. There is no trust between them and the players, and this is an embarrassment to everybody involved. When I played too, they owed us some monies which haven’t been paid till date and I believe this has to stop.”

The former Eagles left back said he would welcome an invitation to serve as a scout for the team in Europe.

“I will welcome the opportunity to be involved in the team with Keshi in charge. That is the capacity of being a scout for the Europe-based players as the team is built for the future.”
http://www.punchng.com/sports/agboola-tips-omeruo-for-greatness/

Omeruo needs to stop his middlesborough loving and try to play in the premier league next season