Ex-NSC Boss Wants NFF To Confirm Siasia’s Position

A former Director-General
of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Patrick Ekeji, has called for the confirmation of Samson Siasia as the substantive Super Eagles’ head coach.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had last week appointed a consortium of coaches, including Emmanuel Amuneke, to handle the Super Eagles with Siasia as the interim head.
The appointment is for the two 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches against Egypt, scheduled for Kaduna on March 25 and Alexandria in Egypt on March 29.
Ekeji, however, said this at the weekend that appointing Siasia on an interim basis would not yield the desired result in the team.
He said the two-match test for Siasia was unfair, going by his coaching pedigree and achievements with the various national teams.
“Siasia has posted some good performances. He has the experience and knows how to navigate his team around every match.
“NFF’s idea of employing Siasia on a temporary basis is not healthy. They should just give him the job straight and see him perform,” the former Green Eagles defender said.
On NFF President Amaju Pinnick’s comment that local coaches would no longer handle the Super Eagles under his reign, Ekeji said such decisions must be taken in agreement with the Minister.
“I don’t believe Pinnick will make that kind of statement. Before the NFF embarks on such a programme, it must consult with major football stakeholders, including the Minister of Sports.
“That statement is not something he (Pinnick) will make without the appropriate level of consultation,’’ he said.
The former NSC DG said due process must be followed in the engagement of any coach, whether local or foreign, to give room for proper consultation and expert guidance.