Sacking Siasia, Not The Solution –Brodericks

Former Golden Eaglets coach Sebastian Brodericks says firing Samson Siasia is not the solution to the Super Eagles’ problems, despite the team failing to qualify for the 2012 African Nations Cup.

Brodericks, who led the Under-17 team to their first world title in 1985, was concerned instead about the disciplinary issues within the team.

“It is a shame indeed and worrisome that the players, who are all doing well in their various clubs, failed to replicate this against the Guineans on Saturday,” he said.

“I think the team has been embroiled in lots of problems, including indiscipline, and this came to fore in the match. I am short of words because I cannot imagine that we will not be playing at the Nations Cup next year.

“I am surprised that the players were so lackadaisical in their approach to the game. The way they played showed that they were not determined and this cost us the Nations Cup. I know so many people will be calling for the sack of Samson Siasia, being the coach.

“But I want them to know that if they sack Siasia, that is not the solution. They need to just allow Siasia to stay and ensure that his role is well defined than just being the coach of the senior team but scouting for players all over the country.”

However, Brodricks feels that the absence of heavyweights like Egypt, Cameroon, South Africa and Nigeria may mean a paradigm shift.

“If teams like Niger can qualify for the Nations Cup, it goes to show that every country is improving and no country is ready to play second fiddle to others,” he said.

“Even when Cote d’Ivoire football went down, they were able to rise again and are still among the top teams in Africa, while Burkina Faso has not been doing badly lately.

“So it is a big shame that Nigeria will not be at Equatorial Guinea/Gabon next year. I am pained and disappointed in the team. We must find a lasting solution to the problems bedeviling our football.”