Nigerians Renew Calls For New Eagles Coach

Following Super Eagles’ loss to Syli Stars of Guinea in Sunday’s Nations Cup qualifier, some football enthusiasts have renewed the call for a competent coach for the team.

Some of the enthusiasts told newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday that it was high time a competent coach was appointed.

Mr Gabriel Abakpa, an Asokoro resident, said that it was time to end the gimmick in the appointment of Samson Siasia as the substantive coach for the Super Eagles.

“Let’s get someone who understands the mentality of the local players to handle the team and build a structure for our football.

“In my opinion, Samson Siasia possesses all these qualities to take us to the next level; he can do it, he took us to the Olympics and made us proud,” Abakpa said.

He faulted the tactics of coach Austin Eguavoen for the team’s defeat in last Sunday’s game in Conakry.

“I believe that if the coach was technically sound enough he could have effected changes that would have turned the game around in Nigeria’s favour.

“So it still could be blamed on the coach because he didn’t know what to do at a particular time; his over-reliance on certain players had no impact on the team,” he added.

He, however, said Nigerian football needed a total overhaul for the country to regain its lost glory.

“Once they build a structure for the Super Eagles, I can tell you that our football will get to the next level,’’ he said.

On his part, Ossom Raphael, another Abuja resident, said the technical crew of the team was not effective in the game.

He said a change would be the best thing, but advised the authorities to be cautious about it.

“I think it’s high time we did something about our coach; I feel we should go for one with class, not necessarily a foreign coach, we can make do with a local coach,” he said.

Ossom, however, said the football house could not be entirely absolved of blame over the dismal performance in Conakry on Sunday.

“I think the crisis rocking the football house contributed to the performance of the Super Eagles in Conakry last Sunday; it also affected them psychologically,” he said.

Mr Jacob Nimzing, a sports journalist in Abuja, said that it was time to give the home-based players a chance in the new team.

“I believe the home-based players can do better if they are encouraged, particularly if they are camped for a good time, and with the right technical inputs they can deliver,” he said.

The Tidesports source reports that the Super Eagles trail Guinea in second position with three points from two matches in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.