INSIDE SIASIA’S BACK ROOM...Inner workings
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- Category: Sports
- Written by Ismaila Lere
- Hits: 918
Although he confessed to be an admirer of Real Madrid’s Portuguese manager, Jose Mourinho, Siasia has confirmed the fact that he spends his quiet time reading ‘The Adventures of Clemens Westerhof.’
Westerhof produced Nigeria’s most successful squad that won the Tunisia ’94 Africa Cup of Nations and also had a great debut at the USA ’94 World Cup.
The Dutch coach will always be remembered as the only coach (indigenous or foreign), who combed all corners of the country in search of players in the domestic league.
Grippingly, his efforts made the Eagles more competitive as several players in the league had the opportunity to fight for positions in the team with their colleagues from European clubs.
Top stars like Finidi George, Ben Iroha, Alloy Agu, Ben Iroha, Aminu Abdul, Edema Fuludu, Monday Agbontaen, Friday Ekpo, Ike Shorumnu, Uche Okechukwu and Daniel Amokachi blossomed under the Dutch.
Siasia, who belongs to that golden generation, is already following Westerhof’s style having acquired a robust knowledge of the domestic league after stints at JUTH and Heartland.
Today, he’s called Nigeria’s Special One and enters the history books as the most loved Super Eagles boss largely due to his relative success with the U-20 and U-23 national teams.
Goalkeepers:
Hapoel Tel Aviv goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, remains the number one in that position since Siasia’s appointment. But injury restricted Enyeama to the bench when Siasia debuted as Eagles coach in the international friendly against Sierra-Leone.The goalkeeper also missed the last Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Ethiopia and the friendly against Kenya, two days later.
Enyeama’s long-time deputy, Dele Aiyenugba did a good job in his absence. Experienced goal-tender Sunday Rotimi, got a rare chance as third choice after Heartland goalkeeper, Bassey Akpan, missed out.
Bassey, who was on the bench during the friendly against Sierra-Leone was punished for his action during an NPL match and missed the pre-match trainings despite the fact that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) quashed his ban.
Rotimi, a regular face at the national camp before his Israeli adventure has become the biggest beneficiary of Bassey’s misconduct.
Another former school boy and junior international, Ambrose Vanzekin, was close to the team, but Sunday got the nod for his experience.
Defence:
Super Eagles captain, Joseph Yobo, continues his duties as ‘commander-in-chief’ at the rear, where his job is to organise the back-four. Yobo’s experience cannot be over-emphasized.
However, Siasia is still in search of a partner for Yobo in the central defence.
Italy based Michael Odibe blew his chance to get a place in the team after a poor showing against Sierra-Leone.
Odibe appeared confused throughout the match against the West African minnows and left many wondering if the hype was necessary after all. His poor showing opened the way for former Olympic star, Efe Ambrose, to stroll into the team against Ethiopia.
Ambrose, who debuted against the Ethiopians, appears to have convinced Siasia that he can complement Yobo.
Perhaps, Siasia decision to pair Ambrose with Yobo in the friendly against Kenya is a confirmation of his impressive performance against Ethiopia.
Ukraine based Dele Adeleye, another player who has come a long way with Siasia in the age grade teams played a cameo role as a substitute for Yobo.
If Odibe blew his chance, Nigeria Premier League star, Chibuzor Okonkwo didn’t. The Heartland defender has become the most consistent NPL star in Siasia’s army.
It appears Okonkwo has become the longtime solution to the right full-back position as Greece based Olufemi Adebayo has been left in the cold despite his presence on the bench.
Siasia’s preference for Okonkwo means the Skoda Xanthi full-back will have to console himself with a place on the bench at the time the likes of Yusuf Mohammed and Portugal based Terna Suswan have lost out completely.
In fact, Suswan, who recently moved to Portugal’s Victoria Setubal, has moved down to the Under-23 national team.
There is no contest at the left full-back position as Taye Taiwo has made it his personal property. Sporting Braga’s Elderson Echiejile has been left in the wilderness with Taye’s performance in the last three matches.
Enyimba’s Valentine Nwabili, capped by former caretaker boss, Austin Eguavoen, also plays at the left-full position, but is yet to be invited in recent matches under Siasia.
However, the enterprising defender was in the team that traveled for the botched US tourney.
Midfield/Attack:
Siasia has a lot of options in the midfield and attack.
Inter Milan youngster, Joel Obi, became an instant favourite of the fans after his impressive performance against Sierra-Leone. The midfielder has since earned is second and third caps in the Eagles to make him one of the regular faces expected when Siasia begins preparation for the Argentina friendly.
Unlike Obi, who made an impression in one game, Turkey based forward, Emmanuel Emenike, will be cursing his luck for failing to identify the location of the goalpost on his debut in Lagos.
Emenike was invited based on his outstanding records at the Turkish top flight in only his first season and Siasia had to spend some time convincing him because of interest from Turkey. Unfortunately, the bulky forward had to leave the field after failing to break though Sierra-Leone’s defence.
To compound his woes, Warri Wolves star, Ekigho Ehiosun, who scored a hat-trick on the eve of the match in the local league became the new star minutes after replacing him.
Ehiosun got his first international goal on his debut and promptly became a favourite of the fans and the technical crew.
FC Groningen’s Femi Ajilore was invited for the Sierra-Leone match, but missed the last two matches. Ajilore’s average performance was responsible for his absence. If he misses the next matches against Argentina and Ethiopia, then Ajilore might have to perform a miracle to earn a return.
It won’t be wrong to call Solomon Okorokwo the biggest under-achiever in the Super Eagles. The former Hertha Berlin star has struggled to make an impact in the team whenever he’s invited.
The Eagles now boost of new stars like Ahmed Musa (VVV Venlo, Holland), Peter Utaka (Odense, Denmark), Nnamdi Oduamadi (A.C. Milan), Fengor Ogude (Valenrega, Norway), Julius Ubido (Heartland) and Warri Wolves’Ehiosun.
Utaka’s brace against Ethiopia has earned him a place in the next match, but he still has a lot of work to do to become a regular in the Eagles.
There’s no doubt that NPL’s all-time top scorer, Ahmed Musa, has wormed his way into the hearts of Nigerians with his dazzling runs on both flanks. Musa’s first international goal against Kenya is a sign of good things ahead as he continues his development at modest Dutch side, VVV Venlo.
Regular campaigners like Osaze Odemwingie, John Mikel Obi, Obinna Nsofor, Victor Anichebe, Kalu Uche and Ike Uche have proved their presence in the team is no mistake.
The duo of Anichebe and Ike Uche will certainly be on duty when the Argentines visit Nigeria in June.
Real Zaragoza’s Uche has underscored his relevance in the team with three goals in two matches.
Injury turned Birmingham forward, Obafemi Martins, into a spectator, but he remains a serious contender whenever he returns to fitness. Martins’ return will make the battle in the attack more competitive.
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INSIDE SIASIA’S BACK ROOM...Inner workings
Category: Sports Written by Ismaila Lere Hits: 918
Super Eagles handler, Samson Siasia, has an intention to conquer Africa next year and to achieve that result he has commenced the process of rebuilding the squad that will achieve that objective. He has utilized the last three games to create an archetype that will guide him. As he continues to re-examine his squad, the SHOT! presents an outlook on the tactical operations and inner workings of Siasia’s back room and believes that some players have lost their positions, while others can look forward to the epic clash against Argentina on June 1.Although he confessed to be an admirer of Real Madrid’s Portuguese manager, Jose Mourinho, Siasia has confirmed the fact that he spends his quiet time reading ‘The Adventures of Clemens Westerhof.’
Westerhof produced Nigeria’s most successful squad that won the Tunisia ’94 Africa Cup of Nations and also had a great debut at the USA ’94 World Cup.
The Dutch coach will always be remembered as the only coach (indigenous or foreign), who combed all corners of the country in search of players in the domestic league.
Grippingly, his efforts made the Eagles more competitive as several players in the league had the opportunity to fight for positions in the team with their colleagues from European clubs.
Top stars like Finidi George, Ben Iroha, Alloy Agu, Ben Iroha, Aminu Abdul, Edema Fuludu, Monday Agbontaen, Friday Ekpo, Ike Shorumnu, Uche Okechukwu and Daniel Amokachi blossomed under the Dutch.
Siasia, who belongs to that golden generation, is already following Westerhof’s style having acquired a robust knowledge of the domestic league after stints at JUTH and Heartland.
Today, he’s called Nigeria’s Special One and enters the history books as the most loved Super Eagles boss largely due to his relative success with the U-20 and U-23 national teams.
Goalkeepers:
Hapoel Tel Aviv goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, remains the number one in that position since Siasia’s appointment. But injury restricted Enyeama to the bench when Siasia debuted as Eagles coach in the international friendly against Sierra-Leone.The goalkeeper also missed the last Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Ethiopia and the friendly against Kenya, two days later.
Enyeama’s long-time deputy, Dele Aiyenugba did a good job in his absence. Experienced goal-tender Sunday Rotimi, got a rare chance as third choice after Heartland goalkeeper, Bassey Akpan, missed out.
Bassey, who was on the bench during the friendly against Sierra-Leone was punished for his action during an NPL match and missed the pre-match trainings despite the fact that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) quashed his ban.
Rotimi, a regular face at the national camp before his Israeli adventure has become the biggest beneficiary of Bassey’s misconduct.
Another former school boy and junior international, Ambrose Vanzekin, was close to the team, but Sunday got the nod for his experience.
Defence:
Super Eagles captain, Joseph Yobo, continues his duties as ‘commander-in-chief’ at the rear, where his job is to organise the back-four. Yobo’s experience cannot be over-emphasized.
However, Siasia is still in search of a partner for Yobo in the central defence.
Italy based Michael Odibe blew his chance to get a place in the team after a poor showing against Sierra-Leone.
Odibe appeared confused throughout the match against the West African minnows and left many wondering if the hype was necessary after all. His poor showing opened the way for former Olympic star, Efe Ambrose, to stroll into the team against Ethiopia.
Ambrose, who debuted against the Ethiopians, appears to have convinced Siasia that he can complement Yobo.
Perhaps, Siasia decision to pair Ambrose with Yobo in the friendly against Kenya is a confirmation of his impressive performance against Ethiopia.
Ukraine based Dele Adeleye, another player who has come a long way with Siasia in the age grade teams played a cameo role as a substitute for Yobo.
If Odibe blew his chance, Nigeria Premier League star, Chibuzor Okonkwo didn’t. The Heartland defender has become the most consistent NPL star in Siasia’s army.
It appears Okonkwo has become the longtime solution to the right full-back position as Greece based Olufemi Adebayo has been left in the cold despite his presence on the bench.
Siasia’s preference for Okonkwo means the Skoda Xanthi full-back will have to console himself with a place on the bench at the time the likes of Yusuf Mohammed and Portugal based Terna Suswan have lost out completely.
In fact, Suswan, who recently moved to Portugal’s Victoria Setubal, has moved down to the Under-23 national team.
There is no contest at the left full-back position as Taye Taiwo has made it his personal property. Sporting Braga’s Elderson Echiejile has been left in the wilderness with Taye’s performance in the last three matches.
Enyimba’s Valentine Nwabili, capped by former caretaker boss, Austin Eguavoen, also plays at the left-full position, but is yet to be invited in recent matches under Siasia.
However, the enterprising defender was in the team that traveled for the botched US tourney.
Midfield/Attack:
Siasia has a lot of options in the midfield and attack.
Inter Milan youngster, Joel Obi, became an instant favourite of the fans after his impressive performance against Sierra-Leone. The midfielder has since earned is second and third caps in the Eagles to make him one of the regular faces expected when Siasia begins preparation for the Argentina friendly.
Unlike Obi, who made an impression in one game, Turkey based forward, Emmanuel Emenike, will be cursing his luck for failing to identify the location of the goalpost on his debut in Lagos.
Emenike was invited based on his outstanding records at the Turkish top flight in only his first season and Siasia had to spend some time convincing him because of interest from Turkey. Unfortunately, the bulky forward had to leave the field after failing to break though Sierra-Leone’s defence.
To compound his woes, Warri Wolves star, Ekigho Ehiosun, who scored a hat-trick on the eve of the match in the local league became the new star minutes after replacing him.
Ehiosun got his first international goal on his debut and promptly became a favourite of the fans and the technical crew.
FC Groningen’s Femi Ajilore was invited for the Sierra-Leone match, but missed the last two matches. Ajilore’s average performance was responsible for his absence. If he misses the next matches against Argentina and Ethiopia, then Ajilore might have to perform a miracle to earn a return.
It won’t be wrong to call Solomon Okorokwo the biggest under-achiever in the Super Eagles. The former Hertha Berlin star has struggled to make an impact in the team whenever he’s invited.
The Eagles now boost of new stars like Ahmed Musa (VVV Venlo, Holland), Peter Utaka (Odense, Denmark), Nnamdi Oduamadi (A.C. Milan), Fengor Ogude (Valenrega, Norway), Julius Ubido (Heartland) and Warri Wolves’Ehiosun.
Utaka’s brace against Ethiopia has earned him a place in the next match, but he still has a lot of work to do to become a regular in the Eagles.
There’s no doubt that NPL’s all-time top scorer, Ahmed Musa, has wormed his way into the hearts of Nigerians with his dazzling runs on both flanks. Musa’s first international goal against Kenya is a sign of good things ahead as he continues his development at modest Dutch side, VVV Venlo.
Regular campaigners like Osaze Odemwingie, John Mikel Obi, Obinna Nsofor, Victor Anichebe, Kalu Uche and Ike Uche have proved their presence in the team is no mistake.
The duo of Anichebe and Ike Uche will certainly be on duty when the Argentines visit Nigeria in June.
Real Zaragoza’s Uche has underscored his relevance in the team with three goals in two matches.
Injury turned Birmingham forward, Obafemi Martins, into a spectator, but he remains a serious contender whenever he returns to fitness. Martins’ return will make the battle in the attack more competitive.