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The Way Forward (1)
By Toyin | February 5, 2010
As usual, the Super Eagles got another bronze medal at the just concluded CAN in Angola. That was our fourth bronze medal in 10 years. And for a country that is supposed to be a ‘super power’ in African football, that record; when deeply dissected is tantamount to failure. Compared to Egypt, Nigeria would be in a very distant third on the scale of accomplishments within this period.
The funny comments during the reception for the Super EAGLES after the CAN in 2004 that the team came back with ‘Golden Bronze’ because we defeated Cameroon in the quarterfinals was a joke carried too far! No matter what, a bronze can never turn to gold. And there’s a long distance between the first and third place. Crossing that mediocrity level should form the bastion of our future aspirations not only in African football but also in global competitions.
Losing by a lone goal to a youthful Ghanaian side deprived of the service of its most important player showed how low we have come in African football. Even the quarterfinals win over Zambia left little to be celebrated as our egoistic and unfit players struggled throughout to keep pace with their less illustrious opponents. They had to win at the end through penalty kicks thanks to goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama’s heroics.
Such was the distaste for this particular team that most people predicted that Ghana would defeat them. And true to these predictions, our team could not hurl themselves back from a goal conceded midway into the first half. The manner of that defeat showed how lacking in technical and tactical depth coach Ahmodu is. For everything thrown their way, the Black Stars had a way out. Our players kept doing the same thing over and over again until the clock wound down.
Now that the big one is just four months away, what should be the game plan to avoid an embarrassing participation in South Africa?
Most of the commentaries so far had focused on hiring another coach preferably a well-known and successful one. As far as this criterion is concerned, only two or three coaches fit that bill and are available. Gus Hiddink, Frank Rijkaard and Jurgen Klinsman. Others are gainfully engaged with various European clubs and major national teams. However, to be very sincere and practical, would any of these gentlemen be prepared to come and work in our well-documented chaotic environment?
What some of our administrators have failed to realize is that the world is indeed a global village. All a Hiddink for instance need do is type in Nigeria plus football and he’s furnished with all the sordid details of our administrator’s lack of organization, commitment, respect, integrity and planning. Secondly, would any right thinking high profile coach be prepared to come and soil his reputation under these circumstances? What about the high salary that would be the standard for these types of personnel; would we be ready to pay?
These questions and many more should occupy the minds of those concerned as they look for another coach as I am now very convinced that Ahmodu Shuaibu doesn’t have the technical nor the tactical know-how to do great at the World Cup. The short space of time is another critical issue to look at. By now, we should be getting our plans fully on track and just be implementing in phases towards a successful participation at the competition
As a matter of urgency, the Technical Committee of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) should look for capable replacements for players like Chidi Odiah, Joseph Yobo, Yusuff Mohammed (out with a serious injury), Kanu Nwakwo, Seyi Olofinjana, Obinna Nsofor, obinna Nwaneri, Yusuff Ayila and Yakubu Aiyegbeni. These players, except for Mohammed, have shown they are not fit, injury prone and incapable of making any serious contribution in our quest to do well at the World Cup.
While Kanu may be included in the party to South Africa based on other considerations apart from football, it is very important to make the team as competitive as possible. And this must be within the shortest possible time. With the composition of our group, only serious mindedness, commitment, preparation, focus, discipline and dedication would make us qualify for the next round.
A group consisting of Argentina, Greece and South Korea is not a soft one and Nigeria must be well toned to match up to any of these nations. Right now, the ball is in our court to get it right. Immediately we get to South Africa and the competition commences, it would be too late, far much so, to make any changes!
Topics: Biz Football, Nigerian Football, Success Pills |
February 7th, 2010 at 10:07 pm
I just hope that the FA make their move as fast as possible. The World cup is just around the corner and we cannot afford to fool around anymore.