The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Eagles job

  • No Eagles job for Okocha

    No Eagles job for Okocha

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) officials are to meet with the Sports Minister,  Solomon Dalung, to chart a way forward for Nigeria after the disappointing Afcon 2017 qualifying campaign.

    Top of the agenda will be the issue of hiring a foreign coach for the Super Eagles as the World Cup qualifiers loom on the horizon.

    NFF President Amaju Pinnick hinted to the media in Abuja that Tuesday’s meeting with the minister will determine if the federation hires a foreign coach or not.

    There has been news making the rounds that former midfield maestro Augustine ‘Jay-Jay’ Okocha will be part of the new coaching crew but despite availing himself, it seems this won’t happen any time soon.

    According to sources in the Federation, the present set-up will remain intact for now as Samson Siasia tinkers with the ‘Dream Team’ ahead of the Olympics.

    It is expected that if a foreign coach is hired, he might want to come in with his own assistants who will likely be foreigners.

    The NFF will look to concessions with whoever is hired but there will be no more room for any Nigerian coach in the present set up as the football body are expected to stick with the duo of Emmanuel Amuneke and Salisu Yusuf for the start of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.

  • Oliseh blasts: I was begged to accept Eagles’ job

    Oliseh blasts: I was begged to accept Eagles’ job

    Sunday Oliseh has for the umpteen time declared he never lobbied for the Super Eagles job but has continued to face criticism from individuals with vested interest.

    The 41-year-old Coach, who also captained the national team stressed he remains patriotic.

    “I didn’t beg for this job, I didn’t even want this job. I refused it twice and it took the intervention of a highly respected friend of mine; who was in government, for me to concede and take this job.”

    “I took it not to serve special interests, I took it to serve Nigerians, and if there’s one thing I know that my people know; forget the critics, is that I am patriotic.”

    Speaking on his performance as Eagles gaffer,the 41-year-old insists the current Eagles coaching crew have done well, keeping the team in contention for the 2017 Afcon and 2018 World Cup.

    “A contract is made out, We signed a contract; myself and the NFF. If you’re not happy about it, we’ll come and we’ll shake hands.

    “But I’ll like to remind you that this is the 14th game I have been in charge of the Super Eagles and we’ve lost only two; and only one official game.

    “We’re still on track to qualify for the Nations Cup, we have qualified into the group stage for the World Cup, so where is this failure that some of our critics are trying to sell to Nigerians.”

    “Unless you mean that for Coach Sunday Oliseh and his crew to be successful they must win every match, Jesus Christ! even the world Champions Germany are not doing that – talk less of us that is a brand new team that we’ve just started building just for some months now.”

  • KESHI ACCEPTS EAGLES JOB

    KESHI ACCEPTS EAGLES JOB

    •ASKS PAUL BASSEY TO RESIGN FROM TECHNICAL COMMIITTEE

    Stephen Okechukwu Keshi has accepted to handle the Super Eagles again for another two years where he would abide by the rules entrenched in the contract.

    Keshi is expected in Abuja, possibly next week, where he hopes to sign the contract with his employers, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

    Keshi has however challenged NFF Technical Committee member and respected sports journalist Paul Etubong Bassey to resign from the Board, following the new development between Keshi and the federation.

    Keshi recalled that Paul Bassey has always insisted that he will resign from the NFF Committee if he, Stephen Keshi, accepts to sign a new Contract and that Paul Bassey should be honourable and keep his words.

    Keshi said: “Now that Paul Bassey said I have accepted, he should resign. After all, that is what he said he’ll do if I should accept to sign the contract. Tell him to do the honourable thing by resigning now.”

    Keshi was however shocked by stories in the media that he was to have signed a new contract as Super Eagles coach with the chieftains of the Federation yesterday.

    Keshi told SportingLife that he is really amused by the misleading story bearing in mind that the NFF and everyone that matters were all in Uyo, Akwa Ibom for the international friendly between Super Eagles and the Cranes of Uganda.

    Keshi also dropped strong hints that he will be in Abuja soon if called upon by the NFF board to sign a new contract.

    He said: “Sure that is some joke right? How can I be in Abuja to sign a contract on the same day that the National team will be playing a friendly game, where everyone in football administration in the country will be there? Who will I go and meet at the NFF?

    “No one spoke with me about signing anything today in Abuja. Will there be any signing without the presence of the president of the Federation who is already there in Uyo for the friendly game? It’s absurd and not true.

    “I don’t know where whoever wrote that story got the information from. It is not true. I am not in Abuja to sign any contract today (Wednesday). Maybe I’ll be in Abuja next but definitely not today?”

  • Super Eagles job: Cooreman: ‘My Knowledge of Nigerian football gives me an edge’

    Super Eagles job: Cooreman: ‘My Knowledge of Nigerian football gives me an edge’

    Maurice Cooreman is a name that needs no introduction to football followers in Nigeria after spending over a decade coaching in the Nigeria league.

    The Belgian in this chat with SL10 spoke on his ambition to coach the Super Eagles, talked about  Stephen Keshi  and  Amodu Shuiabu as well.

    Is it true you are interested in the role off coach of the Super Eagles?

    Yes I am interested in the job, after all lot of coaches applied for the job, why not me

    What makes you think you stand a chance?

    I have the experience because when you have stayed so long in Nigeria, you understand better the Nigerian way and that is why I insist I’m the right man for the job.

    It was rumoured poor health made you leave Gombe United, Are you ready health wise for such a challenge?

    I don’t know where the reports claiming I’m  ill  came from and I can’t walk, I spoke with some media men and they saw me walk straight, I am not struggling to walk maybe when I get my next job they will see me on the touchline.

    You’ve won all the domestic trophies in Nigeria, but can I say this is your last shot at the Eagles job?

    I will say it might be my last shot at the job because whoever that is given the job might have a two-year deal and I’m not growing any younger but I believe I stand a chance to be given the job.

    If you are made coach of the Eagles what will be your first step?

    My first step will be to get a right blend of home-based players and foreign base to compete for spots in the team , I am in a better position to pick the best local legs in the league than anyone else, some have played against me others I have coached at a time.

    The foreign base will solely be selected on current home and a situation like Moses pulling out injured but playing for Stoke City last weekend is one I won’t tolerate, if you are injured you have to report first to be ascertain by our doctors, I will only use committed players who are the best talents in Nigeria.

    What do you have to say about Keshi’s Sack?

    Well Keshi did very well with the team, won the Nations Cup and qualified the team for the World Cup and that is as good as any African coach can aim for but results have not gone his way lately and maybe that cost him his job.

    What’s your take on Amodu Shuaibu?

    It’s a short term role and with just two games to go, I think Amodu Shuaibu will do well going by his experience, I expect him to salvage what can be termed as a bad situation and qualify Nigeria for next year AFCON.

    You have won all domestic trophies in Nigeria, which one is more memorable to you?

    Two are evergreen in my memories, winning the league with an unfancied Ocean boys team and the Federation Cup triumph with Kaduna United, both were special because lifted the title against all odds.

    Thank you for your time

    You Welcome.

  • Amodu, Oliseh in line for Eagles job

    Amodu, Oliseh in line for Eagles job

    Former coach Shuaibu Amodu and ex-captain Sunday Oliseh are in the front running to replace Stephen Keshi in the short and long-term, KickOffNigeria.com understands.

    Keshi, whose contract as Nigeria coach lapsed with the country’s elimination from the World Cup, has not been offered a new deal and is not likely to be, despite reports to the contrary.

    Instead, Technical Director Shuaibu Amodu, who has had three spells as Nigeria coach, is expected to be put in temporary charge while the NFF shops for a replacement.

    The first name being considered is former captain Oliseh. Despite his limited experience, NFF bosses have been impressed with his knowledge of the game and his name came up for discussion immediately news of Keshi’s stepping down became public.

    Top NFF officials however told KickOffNigeria.com that nothing had been decided yet, and the Federation will take its time in picking a suitable replacement.

    What is certain, however, is that the relationship between Keshi and the NFF is fractured almost beyond repair.

    The last straw was the coach’s announcement of his resignation without first informing the NFF as a courtesy.

  • Heartland’s De Kruiff dreams Super Eagles job

    DutchMAN Ludewijk de Kruff has revealed a desire to manage the Super Eagles of Nigeria. The former Heartland coach, who has been linked with a few clubs after the close of the season, said he is not ruling out working with the Nigeria senior national team in future.

    “Of course, that is the aim of every coach. To manage a good side like Nigeria and as an ambitious coach, I won’t rule that out,” he said when asked if he ever thought of coaching Nigeria at any time of his career. “If it comes, fine, and if it doesn’t, no problem.”

    De Kruiff managed Heartland of Owerri to Federation Cup success but fell out of favour with the management of the Premier League side which led to his exit from the club midway into the concluded season.

    He was reported to have been contacted by Warri Wolves but a deal could not be reached owing to his high wage demand.