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Super Eagles in a spin
Andrew Hush
Over a month has passed since Nigeria's stuttering attempt to win the 2008 African Cup of Nations finally came to a grinding halt against Ghana. A campaign that was built on uncertainty and controversy played out inconsistently and has been followed by acrimony.
IssoufSanogo/GettyImages
Berti Vogts: Former Nigeria coach heavily criticized the African country's FA.
Since the two-time champions were eliminated by the host nation in Accra, Nigeria have failed to replace their coach, who left his post shortly after the tournament, having roundly criticized his employers in it build-up. Berti Vogts is no longer the Super Eagles coach and there is no immediate sign as to who will be his replacement. With qualifying for the 2010 World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations rapidly approaching on the horizon the Nigerian Football Association are attempting to get its house in order. Those that have likened the Nigeria national team to a soap opera seem set for further episodes. Vogts criticised the NFA over its failure to pay salaries and team bonuses on time, adding that if Nigerian football had the infrastructure enjoyed by the game in Germany, the Super Eagles would be one of the best teams in the world. As it was, the exposure of Nigeria's shortcomings at the Cup of Nations led to inquests and self-evaluations comparable to those conducted in England following the national team's failure to qualify for Euro 2008. Of course, Vogts only tells one side of the story. Though his issues with the NFA were well known, he admitted how much he enjoyed coaching Nigeria's players. However, little did that enthusiasm translate into on-field effectiveness once the Cup of Nations began. Following his failure as Scotland manager, questions as to Vogts' continuing capability as an international coach were legitimate. One point from their opening two games meant Nigeria almost failed to advance from the group stages. They did, with victory over Benin, but the win proved to be a flash in the pan. Despite taking the lead against Ghana, Vogts' side could not hold on and exited the tournament with barely a whimper. A side that contained an abundance of individual talent as rich as any nation competing in Ghana had failed spectacularly. The ignominious nature of Nigeria's failure was the last straw for Vogts who, despite signing a contract that lasted through the next World Cup, quit just over two weeks after his side's exit. The manner of his own departure was curious, with the German press the first to break the news having been tipped off by the man himself. Rumours had persisted that Vogts was a candidate to be fired in any case, but the manner in which he resigned seemed to throw his (former) employers for a loop. Perhaps fittingly given the chaos which currently surrounds the team, for a short time the NFA seemed unsure as to what had happened and would not instantly confirm that the German had, indeed, resigned. Vogts cited differences he had with Alhaji Sani Lulu, chairman of the NFA, as being a major factor in his decision to resign. Lulu has said little regarding the whole affair, mainly due to a confidentiality clause in Vogts' contract that lasts for the one month of notice he gave upon resigning. Thus, on 20 March, it is likely that some of the questions regarding the whole sorry affair may be answered. Though the NFA will, no doubt, seek to have their say, what is more pressing is the immediate future of the Super Eagles. World Cup qualifying begins on May 30 against South Africa, with three further qualifiers scheduled before June 20. Given that, in addition to the home nation, just six spots in South Africa are reserved for representatives of the host continent, the need to hit the ground running is prescient. Currently, James Peters is the caretaker coach of Nigeria. Though a leading official within the NFA, he is only keeping the seat warm, with it being unlikely he will be offered the job full-time. An permanent appointment should come soon. As time ticks by, the confusion over who will be in charge for the opening qualifier only adds to the overall uncertainty that surrounds the team.
AFP/GettyImages
Secretary-general of the NFA Bolaji Ojo-Oba with favourite for the Nigeria job Samson Siasia (L).
A number of names appear to be in contention with the common denominator being that each candidate is homegrown. Ruling out former coaches such as Clemens Westerhof, who himself claims he is the best man for the job, Lulu has said that Nigerian coaches would get their chance with the national team. However, his caveat that the opportunity would last 'until such a time they prove unsuitable for the job' is a warning that instant positive results are expected. It is hardly a ringing endorsement, nor does it suggest any sort of guaranteed longevity to the role of the appointee. The NFA's decision to look closer to home is one that has been endorsed by the most powerful man in the game. Referring by name to his 'old friend', Sepp Blatter used the example of Vogts neither living in Nigeria nor learning the native tongue of his players as evidence that, often, a big-name coach is not enough. Nigeria need only look at the success achieved by Hassan Shehata with Egypt as proof of this. However, even with the list of candidates limited to native Nigerians, there remains no obvious choice for the job, even though the majority of the contenders have previous experience on the national team's coaching staff. Adegboye Onigbinde has done the job twice before, while Augustine Eguavoen has also held the reins, from 2005 until Vogts took over two years later. Daniel Amokachi, Sunday Oliseh and Stephen Keshi have also been mentioned as possibilities for the job, as has Samson Siasia. With an impressive resume as coach of Nigerian youth teams, the forty-year-old Siasia is arguably the best man for the job. However, he is also coach of the country's Olympic team and thus, with the Beijing games rapidly approaching, would find juggling his old job with a new one a difficult task. Desperate for stability, the NFA is taking a patient approach to finding the man they believe is best qualified to lead the Super Eagles not only to the World Cup, but to success at the finals themselves. In December 2006, Nigeria were ranked ninth in FIFA's world rankings. Last year saw a steady decline that was accelerated by the Cup of Nations debacle. Currently seen by football's governing body as the 45th best team on the planet, it is clear that a declining African powerhouse is in dire need of a strong leader that has the political skills necessary to effectively communicate with his bosses as well as the tactical nous to get the best out of a talented but frustratingly inconsistent group of players. The search goes on.
Andrew Hush
Over a month has passed since Nigeria's stuttering attempt to win the 2008 African Cup of Nations finally came to a grinding halt against Ghana. A campaign that was built on uncertainty and controversy played out inconsistently and has been followed by acrimony.
IssoufSanogo/GettyImages
Berti Vogts: Former Nigeria coach heavily criticized the African country's FA.
Since the two-time champions were eliminated by the host nation in Accra, Nigeria have failed to replace their coach, who left his post shortly after the tournament, having roundly criticized his employers in it build-up. Berti Vogts is no longer the Super Eagles coach and there is no immediate sign as to who will be his replacement. With qualifying for the 2010 World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations rapidly approaching on the horizon the Nigerian Football Association are attempting to get its house in order. Those that have likened the Nigeria national team to a soap opera seem set for further episodes. Vogts criticised the NFA over its failure to pay salaries and team bonuses on time, adding that if Nigerian football had the infrastructure enjoyed by the game in Germany, the Super Eagles would be one of the best teams in the world. As it was, the exposure of Nigeria's shortcomings at the Cup of Nations led to inquests and self-evaluations comparable to those conducted in England following the national team's failure to qualify for Euro 2008. Of course, Vogts only tells one side of the story. Though his issues with the NFA were well known, he admitted how much he enjoyed coaching Nigeria's players. However, little did that enthusiasm translate into on-field effectiveness once the Cup of Nations began. Following his failure as Scotland manager, questions as to Vogts' continuing capability as an international coach were legitimate. One point from their opening two games meant Nigeria almost failed to advance from the group stages. They did, with victory over Benin, but the win proved to be a flash in the pan. Despite taking the lead against Ghana, Vogts' side could not hold on and exited the tournament with barely a whimper. A side that contained an abundance of individual talent as rich as any nation competing in Ghana had failed spectacularly. The ignominious nature of Nigeria's failure was the last straw for Vogts who, despite signing a contract that lasted through the next World Cup, quit just over two weeks after his side's exit. The manner of his own departure was curious, with the German press the first to break the news having been tipped off by the man himself. Rumours had persisted that Vogts was a candidate to be fired in any case, but the manner in which he resigned seemed to throw his (former) employers for a loop. Perhaps fittingly given the chaos which currently surrounds the team, for a short time the NFA seemed unsure as to what had happened and would not instantly confirm that the German had, indeed, resigned. Vogts cited differences he had with Alhaji Sani Lulu, chairman of the NFA, as being a major factor in his decision to resign. Lulu has said little regarding the whole affair, mainly due to a confidentiality clause in Vogts' contract that lasts for the one month of notice he gave upon resigning. Thus, on 20 March, it is likely that some of the questions regarding the whole sorry affair may be answered. Though the NFA will, no doubt, seek to have their say, what is more pressing is the immediate future of the Super Eagles. World Cup qualifying begins on May 30 against South Africa, with three further qualifiers scheduled before June 20. Given that, in addition to the home nation, just six spots in South Africa are reserved for representatives of the host continent, the need to hit the ground running is prescient. Currently, James Peters is the caretaker coach of Nigeria. Though a leading official within the NFA, he is only keeping the seat warm, with it being unlikely he will be offered the job full-time. An permanent appointment should come soon. As time ticks by, the confusion over who will be in charge for the opening qualifier only adds to the overall uncertainty that surrounds the team.
AFP/GettyImages
Secretary-general of the NFA Bolaji Ojo-Oba with favourite for the Nigeria job Samson Siasia (L).
A number of names appear to be in contention with the common denominator being that each candidate is homegrown. Ruling out former coaches such as Clemens Westerhof, who himself claims he is the best man for the job, Lulu has said that Nigerian coaches would get their chance with the national team. However, his caveat that the opportunity would last 'until such a time they prove unsuitable for the job' is a warning that instant positive results are expected. It is hardly a ringing endorsement, nor does it suggest any sort of guaranteed longevity to the role of the appointee. The NFA's decision to look closer to home is one that has been endorsed by the most powerful man in the game. Referring by name to his 'old friend', Sepp Blatter used the example of Vogts neither living in Nigeria nor learning the native tongue of his players as evidence that, often, a big-name coach is not enough. Nigeria need only look at the success achieved by Hassan Shehata with Egypt as proof of this. However, even with the list of candidates limited to native Nigerians, there remains no obvious choice for the job, even though the majority of the contenders have previous experience on the national team's coaching staff. Adegboye Onigbinde has done the job twice before, while Augustine Eguavoen has also held the reins, from 2005 until Vogts took over two years later. Daniel Amokachi, Sunday Oliseh and Stephen Keshi have also been mentioned as possibilities for the job, as has Samson Siasia. With an impressive resume as coach of Nigerian youth teams, the forty-year-old Siasia is arguably the best man for the job. However, he is also coach of the country's Olympic team and thus, with the Beijing games rapidly approaching, would find juggling his old job with a new one a difficult task. Desperate for stability, the NFA is taking a patient approach to finding the man they believe is best qualified to lead the Super Eagles not only to the World Cup, but to success at the finals themselves. In December 2006, Nigeria were ranked ninth in FIFA's world rankings. Last year saw a steady decline that was accelerated by the Cup of Nations debacle. Currently seen by football's governing body as the 45th best team on the planet, it is clear that a declining African powerhouse is in dire need of a strong leader that has the political skills necessary to effectively communicate with his bosses as well as the tactical nous to get the best out of a talented but frustratingly inconsistent group of players. The search goes on.
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