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Tag: Amodu

  • Amodu for coaches clinic

    Amodu for coaches clinic

    Former Super Eagles coach and Nigeria Football Federation Technical Director, Amodu Shuaibu  is among top resource persons expected to deliver speech at the Chanchaga Coaches’ Association clinic billed for Minna, Niger State.

    The event, which will hold at the Bako Kontagora Memorial Stadium Minna come Saturday, is aimed at updating the knowledge of local coaches on one hand and equipping them for challenges ahead on the other.

    Chief coach of Niger Tornadoes Abubakar Bala Mohammed who doubles as Chairman of Chanchaga Local Government Football Coaches Association said the choice of Amodu as guest speaker at the event is to draw from his wealth of experience having made impact in coaching and football administration in Nigeria.

    Bala noted that in view of the dynamics of football, it is necessary to constantly update the knowledge of coaches as well as administrators of the game at the grassroot with a view to putting them on the same page with international best practice.

    “We decided to organize this clinic to further enrich our knowledge on the game, and the only way to do that is to go for the best which explains why we thought it wise to engage Coach Amodu whose wealth of experience is sure to serve as a ginger for coaches and administrators alike,” he said. Amodu is however not the only egg head  expected at the event as Crown of Ogbomosho Technical Adviser, Abdul Hakeem Busari will also be on parade.

    Ahmed Yusuf Fresh, Chairman Referees Appointment Committee and Alh Baba Sheshi Katcha, Director of Sports Ministry of Sports, are among special Guests of Honour expected at the event.

  • NATIONAL TEAMS: Amodu to boss all the coaches

    NATIONAL TEAMS: Amodu to boss all the coaches

    THe Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has mandated all the  national team coaches to report to the body’s Technical Director, Shaibu Amodu, on all matters surrounding their teams’ tactics and logistics towards ensuring a fruitful outing in subsequent competitions.

    SportingLife gathered exclusively that Amodu has already been accepted by the national team coach for the Brazil 2016 Olympic Games, chief coach  Samson Siasia, his Flying Eagles counterpart, Manu Garba and Golden Eaglets’ coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, who have all pledged to work with him, having coached them as players in their heyday.

    Amodu, who is presently in London for a capacity-building course to prepare him for the job, has submitted weekly reports of how Nigerians have been faring in Europe since the season began in January.

    Amodu’s submission would form the basis for inviting players for the international friendly against Bolivia on March 26 in Uyo, even as NFF chiefs await the outcome of an ongoing discussion betwen the body’s agents and its South African Football Association (SAFA) counterparts.

    The Glass House also confirmed to SportingLife that Musa Amadu, a lawyer, will remain in his post as the body’s General Secretary.

  • Okocha, Kanu, Amodu, others off to London

    Okocha, Kanu, Amodu, others off to London

    • As Taleveras redeems pledge

    The trip of the first batch of  highly–qualified Nigerians for match reading and backroom analysis technique programme in the United Kingdom is assured, as sponsors Taleveras Foundation on Monday released the cheque for the amount of money to cover the trip and the programme.

    Chief Executive Officer of Taleveras Foundation, Mr. Igho Sanomi said on Monday in Abuja that his organisation was extremely proud to be involved in a process meant to facilitate the rapid development of Nigeria football.

    “We are doing this based on our belief that the potential is there for Nigeria football to be much better than what it is now, and everyone who has something to offer should come forward and be counted.

    “Taleveras Foundation is excited to be involved in this programme that will see the likes of Nwankwo Kanu, Jay –Jay Okocha, Coach Amodu Shaibu, Garba Lawal and Florence Omagbemi improved themselves in order to be able to deliver positive impact on Nigeria football in the very near future,” he said.

    NFF President, Amaju Melvin Pinnick, just back from CAF duties at the 30th Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea, praised Taleveras Foundation for the organisation’s professionalism, integrity and keen interest in the development of football in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

    “I was at the Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea, but I was not happy that the Super Eagles were not there to defend their title. The capacity building programme in the United Kingdom is one of the plans the present NFF Executive Committee has in place to reposition Nigeria football.

    “For me, and other members of the NFF Executive Committee and Management, Nigeria must never again fail to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations. I like to commend Taleveras Foundation for redeeming their pledge. I have been reliably informed that most of the persons listed for the trip have already secured entry visas into United Kingdom.”

    Officials reliably informed that the first batch will depart Nigeria for the United Kingdom on 25th February. Among those listed are former National Team Captains Jay-Jay Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, Garba Lawal and Yisa Sofoluwe, Coaches Amodu Shaibu, Sam John Obuh, Isa Ladan Bosso, Salisu Yusuf and Kelechi Emeteole, Edema Fuludu, Paul Aigbogun, Dahiru Sadi, Ann Chiejine, Siji Lagunju, David Ngodigha, Florence Omagbemi and Garba Musa.

  • Amodu: Keshi doesn’t need my help

    Amodu: Keshi doesn’t need my help

    The Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) Technical Director, Shuaibu Amodu has informed SportingLife that the head coach of the Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi has not sought his expertise on the double header Africa Cup of Nations against Congo and South Africa but would be happy to assist if he does.

    The NFF relieved Keshi of his duty as Eagles’ boss after the AFCON qualifier victory over Sudan in Abuja last month only to be recalled two weeks later after Amodu interceded on behalf of the Big Boss that he should be allowed to continue to tinker the team at least for the remainder of the qualifiers.

    Amodu was initially named as Keshi’s replacement for the two remaining qualifiers against the Red Devils and the Falcons before his pleas for Keshi’s recall was approved of by the NFF.

    The Edo-born former four times Super Eagles head coach told SportingLife that he has not been approached by Keshi on the way forward ahead of the two crucial qualifiers and so the Big Boss should be allowed to do his work without any form of interference or distraction.

    He declined comments on the reasons he asked for the recall of Keshi insisting that the letter he wrote to the NFF on the issue was copious and explicit on the issue adding that Nigerians should stand behind Keshi in the quest for the AFCON ticket.

    “I don’t think Keshi needs my help to succeed as Eagles boss. He has not called me but I feel he has the wherewithal to ensure that the Eagles qualify for the Nations Cup. Distraction is the last thing the team needs now because everyone needs to stand behind the team to ensure that the Eagles pick a ticket to the Nations Cup,” Amodu told SportingLife.

    The former El Kanemi Warriors and BCC Lions’ head coach is a Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor  and he has been working with the youths of the state to fish out hidden talents from the grassroots.

  • Technical C’ttee accepts Amodu’s plea for Keshi

    Technical C’ttee accepts Amodu’s plea for Keshi

    • Pinnick says ‘no objection’

    The process for the return of Stephen Keshi as Head Coach of the Super Eagles appeared complete on Friday after the NFF Technical Committee accepted the plea for his reconsideration, made by Coach Shaibu Amodu on Monday.

    Amodu was announced to take over the senior squad in the early hours of October 16, hours after the team’s 3-1 win over Sudan in Abuja only took it to third place in the Group A table of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

    However, in a letter dated October, 27 and addressed to NFF President Amaju Pinnick through the Chairman of NFF Technical Committee, the 56 –year old tactician pleaded that Keshi be reconsidered for the two matches as the time –frame was too short to tinker with the fabric of the squad or start to build a new one altogether.

    “As Technical Director of the NFF, I am ready and willing to help build a better relationship among Keshi (with whom I have enjoyed a good working relationship in the past and who is still very close to me), the players and the NFF Technical Committee,” Amodu wrote, inter alia.

    Speaking on Friday morning, Chairman of the NFF Technical Committee, Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu, said his committee has accepted the plea and forwarded same to the NFF President.

    “We have deliberated on Coach Amodu’s letter, and after speaking to my committee members, we decided to accept it and informed the NFF President of our approval.”

    On his part, NFF Pinnick simply said on Friday that he had no objection to the proposal.

    “I have never had anything against Keshi as a person. Amodu is someone we all respect and since that is his opinion and the Technical Committee has approved, so be it.

    “I have always said that the work of the committees will not be interfered with. We will give the committees the independence to do their work for optimum results. I am also assuring Nigerians at home and abroad that the NFF will give Keshi all the necessary support to successfully prosecute the two very crucial final matches of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series.”

  • Amodu set to give Mohamed, Yahaya Eagles chance

    Amodu set to give Mohamed, Yahaya Eagles chance

    According to AfricanFootball.com, Flying Eagles skipper Musa Mohamed and Tottenham Hotspurs youngster Musa Yahaya are most likely to be considered for the new Super Eagles under caretaker coach Shuaibu Amodu.

    Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup Kelechi Iheanacho has already been mentioned as one of those players to be named by the full international team after former coach Stephen Keshi said he was “too young” for his team.

    The new national selectors are spreading their dragnet wide to ensure that the country’s best players feature for the Eagles.

    Muhammed is on the books of Turkish club Besiktas and he is widely seen as a player who could finally solve the country’s problematic right back position which has for the past three years been manned by central defender Efe Ambrose.

    He is likely to be included in the home-based Eagles’ training camp which opens in Uyo early next month.

    Muhammed is energetic, good defensively and loves to join the attack.

    Yahaya, on the other hand, has been training with the Tottenham Hotspur academy team for the past few months.

    Left winger ‘Neymar’ also shone at last year’s triumphant U-17 World Cup in the UAE. He has vision and weighs in with his fair share of goals.

  • Amodu roars: I’ve nothing to prove

    Amodu roars: I’ve nothing to prove

    Super Eagles’  interim coach Amodu Shaibu has boasted that he has nothing to prove, as he gets set for yet another rescue mission for the African champions.

    The 56-year-old is having his fourth stint with the Super Eagles and after a coaching career spanning over 30 years, he says he has nothing left to prove.

    Nevetheless, Amodu admits that he will need everybody’s support to get the job done this time, which is to qualify Nigeria for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

    “I have seen it all in coaching and I have nothing to prove now.

    “I have coached for over 30 years and you all have my track record; my dossier, you should be able to determine whether this is a suitable material for this job or not, I’m not one to show such pride.

    “And I believe with all our hands on deck, we will be able to salvage the situation. It’s not for me alone, it’s for all of us and that’s the truth.

    “And that is the way I’m going to approach this job for all of us, including the players,” he said.

    Amodu qualified Nigeria for the 2002 and 2010 World Cups but never took the teams to any of those tournaments and has also told SL10.ng that he will not be disappointed if he doesn’t retain the job.

    “I’m not bothered because I’m used to it, truly I’m not bothered,” he posited.

  • NFF not imposing players on me, says Amodu

    NFF not imposing players on me, says Amodu

    Nigeria caretaker coach Amodu Shaibu has said the list of 66 players given to him by the Technical Department of the Nigeria Football Federation was a positive move to help guide him in decision making.

    On Tuesday, the 54-year-old was handed a list of players eligible to be invited for the Super Eagles’ crunch 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Congo and South Africa next month.

    Amodu led his technical crew, made up of Salisu Yusuf, Gbenga Ogunbote and Alloy Agu, to meet with the Director of the Technical Department of the NFF, Emmanuel Ikpeme to start preparations for the upcoming matches.

    “What the Technical Department of the NFF has done by giving us the list of (66) players is what a proper Technical Department should do for any coach that is coming in,” Amodu told reporters.

    “They have just listed players who play regularly in their clubs home and abroad. These are the kind of inputs we expect from this department.

    “They are not imposing any player on me. They just told me that, ‘look at this large pool of players and come out with the players you want and we will support you.’ That is what they told me,” Amodu clarified.

    He also said that he won’t beg to be appointed the Technical Director of the federation if the new leadership fails to legitimize the appointment that was made by former president, Aminu Maigari.

    “After the Eagles job even if I don’t come back here [to the NFF as Technical Director] I won’t blink an eye because I am not looking for work. At least this is on record and I am not going to repeat myself,” Amodu said.

    Nigeria need to win their two remaining matches in order to qualify for the 2015 AFCON.

    They will travel to Congo on November 14 before hosting group leaders South Africa five days later.

    Amodu was brought in to replace dismissed Stephen Keshi following the poor showing of the African champions who have just one victory after four matches and lie in third place in Group A.

  • Oshaniwa thrilled with the choice of Amodu

    Oshaniwa thrilled with the choice of Amodu

    • Offers to work with new head coach
    • Says no one is greater then Nigeria

    Super Eagles’ defender, Juwon Oshaniwa has expressed his joy at the appointment of Shuaibu Amodu as the senior national team caretaker manager and would be more than willing to work with the new helmsman.

    Oshaniwa was introduced to the Eagles by the erstwhile head coach, Stephen Keshi but having been asked to go after the country’s unimpressive start to the 2015 AFCON qualifiers which has seen Nigeria picking a miserly four points from a total of 12 points.

    But Oshaniwa in an interview with SportingLife from his base in Israel said that the country is bigger than any individual and that the players owe Nigerians a ticket for 2015 African Cup of Nations (AFCON), hence his decision to offer himself for selections to the new Eagles handlers.

    “I am happy for the new coach and will be more than willing to work with him. Nigeria is bigger than anybody and it is the players wish to ensure that the Eagles win the next two matches and pick a ticket to 2015 AFCON.

    “I still respect our former coach, Stephen Keshi a lot and I have to thank him for his role in monitoring my form and ensuring that I got invited and he will always remain in my heart despite the fact he is no longer in charge.

    “With the change of guard, I am ready to offer my services 100% to the Eagles and it should be our collective target to win the next two games and then hope it will be enough to take us to 2015 AFCON,” Oshaniwa said.

    Oshaniwa also admonished the Eagles’ players to get behind the new head coach and ensure that the senior national team has the chance to defend the trophy won in South Africa last year.

    In recent times, the Eagles have missed out on only four editions of the competitions since 1976 when it was held in Morocco. They couldn’t participate in the 1986 edition hosted by Egypt after they were eliminated by Zambia(1-0 on aggregate) and were also absent at 1996 and 1998 competitions in South Africa and Burkina Faso because of political reasons. The Eagles also were eliminated in the qualifiers for the 2012 Gabon/ Equatorial Guinea after Nigeria failed to beat Guinea in Abuja. It marked the end of then Eagles’ boss, Samson Siasia.

     

  • Sani Kaita backs Amodu to deliver AFCON ticket

    Sani Kaita backs Amodu to deliver AFCON ticket

    Nigeria midfielder Sani Kaita has thrown his weight behind interim Eagles coach Shuaibu Amodu to deliver an AFCON 2015 ticket next month.

    He said Amodu and others on the technical crew that replaced the dismissed Keshi led crew have what it takes to see Nigeria through.

    “I believe Shuaibu Amodu will surely deliver the AFCON 2015 ticket because he had a lot of experience. The other coaches appointed to assist him will help him,” said Kaita.

    “We started the qualifier poorly, but that doesn’t mean we won’t qualify. I truly believe we will be there to defend our title with the quality we have everywhere.”

    He further told AfricanFootball.com: “The game against Congo away will be a World Cup final for Eagles.

    “South Africa are then coming to Nigeria and I am confident we will beat them.”

    Amodu made history when he became the first Nigerian coach to qualify the country to the World Cup in 2002. He repeated this feat for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.