By: Obiweluozo MartinsWith the news about the resignation of Super Eagles Coach Sunday Oliseh following hostilities and bridge of contract by the NFF (Nigeria Football Federation) as the main reason for quitting his coaching position. However the NFF went ahead to appoint a replacement in the person of Samson Siasia after experience Coach Shuaibu Amodu turned down the chance to return to Super Eagles hot seat citing person reasons. On the eve of Samson Siasia’s appointment, he said he took the job as an honour to his fatherland and for Nigeria’s interest. If Coach Samson Siasia tenure have to be on the interest of Nigeria and football nation as a whole, there are key things the newly appointed gaffer need to do to better the performance of his predecessor Sunday Oliseh. SoccerNet Nigeria highlights these things Siasia must do on the Interest of Nigerian Senior National Team. RESTORE THE ATTACKING LUSTREThe Super Eagles of Nigeria is known for its attacking flair and swashbuckling style of play but of recent the team have been lacking firepower uproot. The forward line has been misfiring as the game against lowly rated Swaziland with due respect produced only 2 goals in between 180 minutes played. That goals scored in 2 games against such an opposition shows how the Eagles have struggled of recent in attack going forward. In the 1990’s and in the Atlanta 1996 when the Eagles put fear in the heart of opponent and tore defences apart with their directness in the final third, it was a great combination of forward line with strict attacking player like Victor-Ikpeba – the Prince of AS Monaco Nwankwo Kanu – Papillo and Daniel Amokachi – the Bull in attacking 4 – 3 – 3 formation with great supply coming from the deep zone (midfield). The previous coach (Oliseh) talked about the need for mobile players in attack to aid mobility in transition, so therefore Siasia must look for with mobile players with the best of combination to make the difference. Player like Isaac Success, Imoh Ezekiel, Victor Moses and Abiola Dauda would fit the billing in order to instill fear in the opponent of the Super Eagles especially against Egypt. MIDFIELD CREATIVITY
The midfield have always seems to lack creativity over the decade as the Super Eagles have scored and won important games as a result of individual brilliance of players like Ikechukwu Uche, Ahmed Musa and Peter Odemwimgie, but the fact remains that the Super Eagles must put an end to its long midfield dilemma.The previous gaffer before recently resigned coach Oliseh in the person of Stephen Keshi, the major problem of his team was to find the third man whose main job will be to link the attack to the midfield. With a potent partnership of John Obi Mikel and Ogenyi Onazi the third person was sought after by the Big Boss with countless invitees to no avail. Hope Akpan, Sunday Mba, Fegor Ogude, Nosa Igiebor were all tested without a positive outcome. Even little experienced Ramon Azeez was entrusted into an unfamiliar role to curtail the midfield search for a third man but the young Azeez faltered. Samson Siasia seen to like find a likely answer as the partnership of Mikel Obi and Joel Obi was swift and dynamic in his early day in Eagles. Nowadays he have more option as players like Chuks Aneke, John Chibuike, John Ogu and Rabiu Ibrahim are up and ready to man the position to help lift the burden and focus off the shoulder of long lasting midfielder John Obi Mikel.There is an urgent need to explore the attacking midfield position at the maximum so that the creativity from the middle can enhance the Eagles procession to the final third in attack.
CAPTURE FOREIGN BORN TALENTS
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| Jordon Ibe, one of the key foreign born talent still in Nigeria’s reach |
The fact that Nigeria got talent home and abroad is there for all to see, but the major problem is Nigeria’s lack of organization and laze affair attitude towards taking into recognition our range of talent pool and capturing them early enough. As the saying goes a stitch in time says nine, so is the case as regards to our foreign born talent.The Super Eagles have an unbalance chemical equation in the defence line as it seems at every absence of Kenneth Omeruo and Godfrey Oboabona we begin to reshuffle with low key partnership in the defence line. Samson Siasia yes a good scout when it comes to young talent but need to scout and identify this young talent with immediately plans for approaching them.We have the chance now not when they become super stars and regulars at club level than we begin to wriggle with the favourite nation for the players. Time to act is now and it must be done fast. The ease with which we accepted Jordon Ibe decision went a long way in telling the player how much he was needed by Nigeria but a persistent in and out checking come on will tilt the youngster’s decision in our favour especially now he is out of Liverpool’s first team over the week for many reasons. MANAGE THE PRIDE OF THE PLAYERS
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| Samson Siasia must ensure team uniformity by managing the pride within his team. |
Samson Siasia as always and during his playing days have been attested to be a man of discipline, he comes early to training and obeys training norms and schemes under his coach then and will be willing to discipline his team but with the recent ouster between the players, the coach and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) ranging from one on one outburst or payment of match bonuses the coach needs to help calm down the atmosphere to ensure the Eagles start on a clean sheet. Cordial relationship will be vital especially in his return mission with the Super Eagles. Siasia needs to manage situations with keen interest. In a big team and a National team like Nigeria there are bound to be ego especially as the country is renowned with top players in the game, it will be candid to settle the arena and manage the pride of the players to great effectiveness, previously Siasia felt out with Enyeama and Odemwimgie leading to failure to qualify for 2012 African cup of Nations. Also in the Olympic in 2008 there was an incident with John Obi Mikel but the new Super Eagles manager (though on Interim basis for now) needs to pile low if, it is really on the interest of Nigerian football. [post_ad]
