« Here We go Again. | Main | Football: Nothing Like it! »
What is this?
By Toyin | March 29, 2009
A couple of weeks back, I wrote on our upcoming match against the Mozambicans and I titled it ‘No Excuse’. I made reference to the point that the players have a big role to play in deciding whether Nigeria will be at SA 2010 or not. I specifically appealed to their sense of patriotism and also highlighted what the FA should do in actualizing our common goal; a representation at the Mundial.
The shocking defeat of Cameroon in the hands of Togo yesterday sharply reminded me of the mine field that the Mambas could turn out to be if we do not buckle our shoes as necessary. Playing at home on a synthetic pitch, the team from Southern part of Africa must have felt that they can go for it. And what a shocking display our Super Eagles put up to kick start this all important adventure.
My inclination in most games is not to question team selections; I’ve always believed that the coach knows best and is the closest person to the players. When on the other hand, a first eleven is not shaping up as envisaged, it is expected that changes would be made to rectify the foreseeable shortcomings. What I saw today can best be described as a plethora of disparities.
Thank God that the Eritrean referee knew his onions and was brave enough to take the right decisions. We could have lost this match by at least a goal. To say that ‘am disappointed with our display is to reaffirm the obvious; we were simply poor!
Our team lacked any fire, cohesion and motivation. If we cannot beat the likes of Mozambique whether they are at home or in space, I wonder then what we will do when faced with more illustrious opponents sure to come our way. It’s even more alarming because our group opponent, Tunisia got the three maximum points away and they therefore top of the table.
More annoying is the clueless disposition when Amodu replace Obinna Nsofor and left Ozaze on the field. Were we watching the same match? Odemwegie, at best was lethargic today and made no telling contribution throught the match.
What is Chidi Odiah doing on the field when it is obvious that he lacks match fitness? Are we so poor that we can’t get a replacement for our first choice right back? Why is it mandatory that Mikel must start for Nigeria? Is it because he plays for Chelsea? Too many questions but few answers!
At this point, it must be sounded very clear to all concerned that we (Nigerian people) will not accept any excuse for failing to qualify for the world cup. It’s still morning yet and the work of the can be fully planned to ensure success. As far as ‘am concerned, a point against the Mambas is a failure. If coach Amodu doesn’t see it like that, then we must have the wrong man in charge!
Football is not rocket science. Basic elements that includes but not limited to the following determines the performance or otherwise of any team: Fitness, stamina, tactical awareness, reasonable pace, quick thinking, hard work, determination and commitment. Most if not all were lacking in the way we played today. Our ‘big’ players were owned all over the pitch by the more hungry and mobile Mozambicans. I think it won’t be out of sorts to declare that enough is enough of this type of display.
Having had a shot at the national team hot seat on four different occasions, Amodu Shuaibu must count himself lucky and privileged; I don’t any coach in the world that’s enjoyed this type of patronage. He therefore must not fritter away this goodwill that he enjoys on the altar of players fraternity. Only fit, determined and committed players should don our national jersey from now on. We cannot afford to joke with our qualification for the world cup; it will be a disaster if we do so!
Topics: Biz Football, Crazy Fans, Nigerian Football, Premiership, Success Pills, The Champion, The Gaffer, Uncategorized, Who Will Win |
March 29th, 2009 at 5:54 pm
This so called Super Eagles are not super at all; nonsense!
March 29th, 2009 at 6:00 pm
To say ‘am embarrased by this goaless draw is to say the least. This is a stupid display by our team; they were outplayed, outrunned and out thought! Amodu better sit up or ship out. We can’t afford to play this way again.
March 29th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
our hearts were left in our mouths over such a lowly team as Mozambique. What’s the problem with our team? They play as if there is nothing at stake; this must stop and they should realise it will be a big shame if we dont go to the world cup. In fact it’s unthinkable.
March 29th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
We had the chance to bring a serious, sound and passionate person like Samson Siasia to coach the team but like everything else with Nigeria, we are still playing politics with our football.
I hope it is not too late before we wake up. Every sane country uses their best resource. Siasia has proved over time that he is the best coach that Nigeria currently has. Why should we be building our team around spent forces like Kanu and co who dt even get constant appearance in their teams.
What the reallt wrong with our administrators. Why on earth should Nigeria struggle to beat a team like Mozambique, I hardly know where they are in africa.
Abeg, I better do something else before my blood pressure becomes dangerous.
Good luck to Nigeria, let’s hope England qualifies for the world cup that will give me a team to cheer. I don tire for Nigeria.
March 30th, 2009 at 8:46 am
Like coach, like players. Full stop.
March 30th, 2009 at 9:54 am
Home based players would have done it better.
If Egypt can win 2 Nations cups back to back with thier home based players, then what are we waiting for.
Na we Nigerians they kill our league anyway. No be Arsenal. Man U, Barca , Red devils….. we they carry on our head. We need to develop our local league, let all nigerian football lovers and the media continue to promote our wikki tourist and hearthlanders over the so called EPL and la liga teams, better and forget about all these ‘BIG BOYS’ saga. I think they will do better when they fight for shirts than have it secured.
I thank God I didnt watch the (dance of shame) match
March 30th, 2009 at 11:40 am
I doubt if with this team Nigeria can pick the qualifying ticket for the first world cup on the continent of Africa, and that will be a big shame on us.
I want to agree with Jonah. The choice of Amodu over Siasia as super eagle coach is wrong, Siasia is of new breed football who has a better chance of seeing Nigeria through to the world cup (if indeed we want to use indigeneous coach).
MOST OF THE PLAYERS ARE TIRED. God help us.
March 30th, 2009 at 11:56 am
Well, you’ve all said one thing or the other that I should have said…
It’s just a shame that at this time in our Country’s history writing; a time when all nations are re-writing and re-adjusting the wrongs in their history of football, we chose only to re-copy our mistakes on the same piece of scrappy, old and weak pieces of lose papers -the only thing we’ve done differently is the use of re-packaged and poorly refilled pen (i.e, The FA, The Coaching crew and the Deplated eagles).
Like Jonah Ulebor said, we have built our team largely around spent forces who have spent their current football season only on their teams reserve benches and training grounds (and some, not even good as subs) - imagine the country’s team captain being a bench warmer in a relegation struggling team in Europe…what contributions can he make? Nsofor has the same story, Chidi Odiah…Mikel Obi…, Vincent Enyama…, you all know the team list, so I need not go on and on…It’s a LIST OF SHAME, a list of uncommitted, unfit, un… everything negative footballwise, as my able friend, Toyin Akiode agrees.
I am simply put disappointed in the “Dance of Shame” match in Maputo that one of Africa’s hope for a good South Africa 2010 “show down” is really DOWN and SICK; and unless we start putting the square pegs in square holes, we will only find out, too late, that, what we thought are square pegs are actually firewoods, only fit for making burn fires…
While I wish and look forward to seeing the Super Eagles fly high in South Africa 2010, I also look forward to seeing Africa do well in the competition, generally.
To achieve this we must work hard, train hard, and “select hard”.
March 30th, 2009 at 1:38 pm
I wonder why all this hullabaloo about our national team. All the players are in Europe; agreed. How many of them are regular in their clubs? What value has Amodu Shuaibu added to the team that a 12 year old Fulani cattle rearer cannot surpas?
My girlfriend had wanted me to take her somewhere but I chose to sit back and annoy myself watching what I couldn’t comprehend.
But sincerely, Nigeria’s (Super) Eagles have remained the same for the past three or so years. It’s all beautiful.
I’m sure Nigeria will qualify for the Nations’ Cup in Angola. But the world cup, let’s hope for 2014, when hopefully we ‘ll have a better coach and more committed players. This has nothing to do with not being patriotic; it’s all about facing the facts on ground. It is the truth!
March 30th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
Guys what do you expect? Some of us saw this coming.
In the first place, I wonder what informed the choice of Amodu. It seems NFA or NFF is still celebrating the successes of Amodu during the days of BCC Lions, somebody should tell them at the glass house that football has moved forward. It was obvious that our so-called coach is not in tune with modern tactics, he is becoming archaic; has he been going for refresher courses at all?
Our players has shown in recent times that what they need is a disciplinarian and not a soft coach like Amodu. At times I wonder whether he can actually tell anybody in the team off, his looks always remind me of someone who is afraid of taking resposibilities. We do not need a coach that has to travel to Europe to talk to Kanu and Yobo before taking decisions. We need someone who will sit down here, look for alternatives in our local league and thank God for satellite, players who play week-in week-out abroad can be monitored. Every player must be made to sweat for his position. England Manager will never use any player who is not regular in his club, even if you are Rooney or Beckham.
The truth is bitter, the Nigerians I PERSONALLY feel is qualified to handle these Eagles are Keshi and Siasia or betterstill a good tactician from Europe (I’m not talking about Vogts here). If Chelsea of England had not taken that bold decision to do away with Scolari (who obviously has lost ideas), I’m sure the club will by now be struggling for 4th or 5th position.
We must not allow these rubbish to continue.
March 30th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
Well, I think it all smirks of the attitude of ‘we’ Nigerians as a whole…as long as it is for the Nation then it can’t bother me much. There is definitely no zeal in the game and like Tunde rightly said, Amodu has lost ideas and like the former Chelsea Boss he should be shown the boots.
The status quo ante cannot be maintained, otherwise we would not be at the world cup.
March 30th, 2009 at 10:12 pm
Thanks guys! I appreciate your views and comments on the silly team that represented us yesterday. You’ve said it all, our redemption lies in a no nonsense coach like Stephen Keshi or Samson Siasia. And God, Amodu is so arrogant; he thinks he knows it all!
March 31st, 2009 at 11:25 am
We all go on blaming the coach, these guys claim to be proffessionals if the are not ready to take us to the world cup they should give way to better players.
April 1st, 2009 at 11:51 am
Patience, the buck stops at the coach’s desk. If the coach really knows what he was doing, he would have told them to go to hell.
I remember Westerhof telling Keshi or is it Okocha… ‘look boy, you don’t wear necklace to my camp’….and of course they complied. That is the trademark of a competent coach.
April 2nd, 2009 at 11:35 pm
I blame Amodu. For the 1st time i join the call to sack him. I don’t mind the draw but i mind the manner in which it came. Our team was clueless and so were the coaches. His changes told it all. Apam for Chidi Odiah when we were losing (yes we were losing cos we were totally rubbish).
We must follow SA’s approach and let these players go and start from scratch. They must know Nigeria is bigger than they are. I refuse to believe that in the local league we cannot find a creative midfielder. We took 9 attackers and 4/5 midfielders to the Nations cup and we paid for it. We are doing it again at the WCQ. Mikel was awful (he was ill though or so we were told so why the hell did he play?), Kaita was confused. We had 4 attackers- Osaze, Nsofor, Uche and Obafemi - and for what?
Sack them. Sack them all or we will not make it to SA