Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, June 12, 1994 TAG: 9406140187
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C11 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By SCOTT BLANCHARD STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
Okpodu, Tech's women's soccer coach, had a month-and-a-half-long tryout in March and April with the Nigerian team but did not make the 22-man roster. He played for the Nigerian team that did not qualify for the 1982 World Cup.
He doesn't hesitate to handicap the '94 tournament, however. His final four are Germany, Brazil, Argentina and dark horse Cameroon. He praised Germany for its comeback ability and predicted the Germans will win their second straight championship.
"They don't give up, and they don't sit back and wait for you to pressure them," Okpodu said. "They are tireless. I like the fact that they'll play you 120 minutes and they can still play another 40 minutes and not even flinch. The type of people they select at that level are people who will give their blood. For them, it's a privilege. To them, it's a job that must be done."
Okpodu's responsibilities at Tech helped nix his chance to play in the World Cup. The former North Carolina State All-American said he could have joined Nigeria as an alternate but decided against asking Tech for the extra leave. Having been on the job for only about a year, he doesn't have enough vacation time to use.
"Either you can do it, or you can't do it," the Warri, Nigeria, native said. "I've got bigger and better things to look forward to. I feel like it would've been great to do it, but on the other hand it's not a great loss."
by CNB