…Demands New Attitude From Eagles

Samson Siasia was officially presented as Nigeria coach on Wednesday by the Nigeria Football Federation and immediately made it clear he expects a change in attitude from the squad.

“We expect them to show discipline and commitment to the national team. We want to see all players play for their national team the way they play for their clubs. If they don’t, we’ll find someone else,” he said.

But to get that level of dedication, Siasia admits that the players will also expect to be treated with fairness.

“As a former player, I understand some of the frustrations these players feel when they come to play for the national team, and I have an assurance from the federation that the players will be treated in a professional way so that they can give their best to the country.”

Siasia also promised to deliver a different, offensive team, but warned Nigerians not to expect any radical changes in personnel, only in attitude.

“Our Super Eagles haven’t been doing that well. But I am not saying we will change everything.

“It is going to be a gradual process, and will take time,” he said.

Players from the domestic league are expected to form a key component of that process “We will have to start with the home-based players.

“My idea is to start by bringing them in once a week initially for three weeks, and then play a friendly on the fourth week.

“From there, we will select the ones we can keep. We will keep doing this until we have a strong group of players who can compete well with the foreign-based players.”

For those foreign-based players, Siasia reiterated that he will open communication lines with them, but it will be up to the players to decide on their international future.

“If we invite a player and he comes, fine. If he doesn’t, we’ll look for someone else.”