There is a relationship between ascribing numerical values to events, activities or exercise and the notion in football that as a coach ‘you are as good as your last result’ World wide and over, football management has been as controversial as the leadership of a country and in Nigeria there is no exception. However, counting with the use of numbers in football as like other sports has made it easy to keep tabs with events and activities on the field. A peculiar and uneasy situation has been brewing in the Nigerian Football space for months now concerning the roles of the 2 most senior coaches of the Nigerian national team which has prompted me to black ink this space with the above mentioned title.

The appointment of Shaibu Amodu over the crowd’s favorite Samson Siasia generated a lot of controversy(and still is); with buffs preferring the humble disciplinarian Siasia over that of the seemingly dull but intelligent Amodu. Like millions I had preferred Siasia ahead Amodu but quickly came to realize the sense in naming the latter as the coach of the Super Eagles. The sense essentially, is centered on the fact that Siasia had a pet project of taking the national under -23 team to the Olympics in Beijing (August 2008) at about the time the campaign for the 2010 world cup qualifiers started and having gone through the rigor of qualifying the lads for the Beijing games (of which he won the silver medal), it would be senseless to ask him to abandon the team for another qualifying campaign in Africa whilst a chance to show the skills of his lads beckons in Beijing. And at the same time, it is impossible to put the South Africa 2010 Qualifying rounds on hold till the end of the Olympics because we all wanted Samson Siasia as coach of the Super Eagles.

As an enthusiast of the beautiful game, and a student of the philosophy of Football, I would have thought that comments that are being championed by some people whose views ‘hold water’ in our football space should be checked with statistics before judging the current man at the helm of Super Eagles. ‘Their’ agitation of wanting Amodu out as coach should be based on his pedigree, his conquests and ultimately, his results as coach and not sentiments. In as much as Siasia can also do a clean job as Eagles coach, I think the current debate is an unnecessary distraction for the current man on the seat, especially when he is not doing bad result wise. Infact, it is a pure 100 percent job done by Amodu. With 6 wins out of 6,

I would like to ask? What is it that Siasia can do as coach that Amodu is not doing right now with the Eagles? The result is the most important thing in the qualifiers of any tournament. Statistics of the most points garnered determines who qualifies and Amodu has given Nigeria 18 points out of 18! A whooping plus 10 goals difference, and 11 goals for; 1 against, what else do we want?

Let me flash you back to 2001, when erstwhile coach Bonfrere Jo had made a mess of the qualifying rounds of Korea/Japan 2002 with away losses to Sierra Leone, Liberia and a draw away to Ghana. Therefore, lying dangerously 3rd on the table to Sudan and Liberia, 2002 world cup seemed like a mirage. So in came Amodu, with the unenviable task of getting Nigeria to her 3rd consecutive world cup and what did we get in return?

2-0 victory against Liberia in Port- Harcourt, 4-0 thrashing of Sudan in Omdurman and 3-0 spanking of Ghana in Port-Harcourt and off to Korea/Japan 2002 we went. It must be said however, that Nigeria was done a big favor by Ghana who defeated Liberia in Monrovia on the weekend of the Sudan game. A feat that left Nigeria in pole position afterwards but we must also credit the coach who steadied the rocking boat to clinch the sole ticket. He was sacked as coach because he won bronze in the Mali 2002 AFCON amid speculations he could not tame the ‘wild boys’ of the National team.

Prior to that even, Amodu had won the Nigerian FA cup with a relatively unknown BCC Lions of Gboko over Iwuanyanwun Nationale at 31 years of age! A year later, he brought continental club trophy to Nigeria after 13 years absence with BCC Lions victory over Club Africain of Tunisia in 1990. He would later defend the trophy to the final, the following year. With the departure of Clemens Westerhoof in 1994, Amodu was appointed as Super Eagles coach but was sacked after a friction between him and the NFA a year later. He would later be coach again in 1996 when Bonfrere Jo legged it after the Atlanta 1996 victory but was again sacked for Philippe Trousier in 1997 because he got 4 points out of possible 6 in 2 world cup qualifying games! A coach with a lot of local honors ranging from league championship to FA cups, Amodu coached Orlando Pirates of South Africa based on his understanding of the African football scene… a scene that is very treacherous when qualifying for a big world event.

So why the clamor for another coach when the incumbent has won all there is to win so far in the 2010 qualifying rounds? Whilst the gentleman, Siasia has not done anything to fuel this agitation, I think it would be appropriate for him to show a form of solidarity towards Amodu by debunking the call for his head when there are absolutely no reasons for such.

I must point out to all that, it is very difficult to blend entertainment football with positive result in modern day football and the clamor for Siasia some argue is because he would re-brand the Nigerian game with entertainment again. Yes I agree with that notion, but it will be difficult for him to do so while qualifying for a major tournaments and that may actually jeopardize the qualification if not careful. If we examine Siasia’s matches enroute to the Beijing games, how many can we say were entertaining? He just did the job he had to do with no loss, one draw and 3 wins.

Siasia is a good coach, a future Eagles coach, and a man who knows how to bring the best of his lads. He has them structured since the WYC in Holland 2005 with the bulk of them at Beijing 2008 but at the moment, someone is doing the job 100 percent. The least we can do is support him not distract him.

The fear in all these is that some big ‘all about me’ shot in the NFA(Nigerian Football Association) might jeopardize Nigeria’s chance by sabotaging a game or two to the detriment of the nation just to pave way for a new coach and at the moment only Nigeria coached by Amodu have 100 percent so far in Africa. Whilst it is just the beginning of the race to 2010 world cup, it is also the beginning upon which to build on. Six wins out of six is also a continuous platform for the next phase of the 2010 WC qualifiers.

Demola Adeniran

Robot  Villager

# 1 A peculiar and uneasy situation has been brewing in the Nigerian Football space for months now concerning the roles of the 2 most senior coaches of the Nigerian national team which has prompted me to ...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 13.10.2008 15:28

Anioma777  Villager

# 2 You make very valid points,but as you well know in Nigeria "REASON and COMMON SENSE" find it difficult to flourish due to "OUR SELF-HATRED AND DESTRUCTIVE NATURE". Amodu has done well and its disgraceful the way him,Keshi and Joe Erico where removed after qualifying the Super Eagles for WC2002. Its no surprise considering the track record of NO FUTURE AMBITION ( NFA ) now masquerading as NFF as they are enemies of progress. Amodu has not only qualified Nigeria for ACN 2010 and the next phase of the WC qualifying he has also RESTORED THE PRIDE OF OUR BELOVED SUPER EAGLES after the debacle of Herr Berti Vogts. I am ONLY INTERESTED AND HAPPY when we have an INDIGENOUS COACH. We have the talent and they should NEVER BE THE NEED FOR A EUROPEAN OR FOREIGN COACH AGAIN!!!! Those buffoons clamoring for Siasia to be head coach should remember this:- " IF IT AIN'T BROKE DON'T FIX IT". Posted by Anioma777| 13.10.2008 19:35

chudi97  JJC

# 3 I am a firm believer of this philosophy: "you don't change a winning team". Siasia is a good coach, he has been able to prove it and no one can take that fact away from him. However, Amodu is equally good. He qualified Nigeria for the Nation Cup and the next round of the World Cup without losing any game or even dropping a point. That is a record by itself. History keeps repeating itself. Amodu was the first Nigerian coach to qualify us to the World Cup back in 2002 when Bonfere Jo skipped town, but Amodu and Keshi (his assistant) were pushed aside for archaic Festus Onigbinde and Nigeria recorded our worse appearance in the mundial. Nigerians can never be satisfied. A similar thing happened in 1998, Phillipe Trousier qualified Nigeria for France '98 winning almost all the qualifying matches, albeit with a low margin. He maintain a very tight defence, eventhough the attack was not producing lots of goals, but the guy had a programme he was executing. Trust the impatient Nigerian administrators. The then Sports Minister, Chief Jim Nwobodo, fired the frenchman saying that Nigeria needed a "world class coach" and then hired Bora Mulinitovich. Bora took Nigeria to the World Cup and we were humiliated 4-1 in the 2nd round by Denmark. The NFF should leave Amodu alone. He is one of our best indigenous coaches and he has been through this road before in 2002, as the writer pointed out. If Amodu is a white man, he would be praised to the high heavens as a messiah of our football. Amodu should be encouraged and not condemned. Chukwudi Nwokoye Posted by chudi97| 14.10.2008 00:09

Godwin  Villager

# 4 =Anioma777;279208>You make very valid points,but as you well know in Nigeria "REASON and COMMON SENSE" find it difficult to flourish due to "OUR SELF-HATRED AND DESTRUCTIVE NATURE". Amodu has done well and its disgraceful the way him,Keshi and Joe Erico where removed after qualifying the Super Eagles for WC2002. Its no surprise considering the track record of NO FUTURE AMBITION ( NFA ) now masquerading as NFF as they are enemies of progress. Amodu has not only qualified Nigeria for ACN 2010 and the next phase of the WC qualifying he has also RESTORED THE PRIDE OF OUR BELOVED SUPER EAGLES after the debacle of Herr Berti Vogts. I am ONLY INTERESTED AND HAPPY when we have an INDIGENOUS COACH. We have the talent and they should NEVER BE THE NEED FOR A EUROPEAN OR FOREIGN COACH AGAIN!!!! Those buffoons clamoring for Siasia to be head coach should remember this:- " IF IT AIN'T BROKE DON'T FIX IT". Amodu has not yet led the Super Eagles to CAN 2010 Qualification theoretically because only the Top 3 Teams in each of The Last Qualifying Group Stage will be in Angola. Your Hatred of The NFF confirms "OUR SELF-HATRED AND DESTRUCTIVE NATURE". I support Amodu as Coach and see SiaSia as a future Super Eagles Coach but even Jose Pekerman (who actually won 3 WYC in '95, '97, '01) did not fare very well as Argentine Coach. Success @ Age-grade level does not usually translate to the Senior team. Posted by Godwin| 14.10.2008 05:43

Anioma777  Villager

# 5 Godwin:- Amodu has not yet led the Super Eagles to CAN 2010 Qualification theoretically because only the Top 3 Teams in each of The Last Qualifying Group Stage will be in Angola. Your Hatred of The NFF confirms "OUR SELF-HATRED AND DESTRUCTIVE NATURE". I support Amodu as Coach and see SiaSia as a future Super Eagles Coach but even Jose Pekerman (who actually won 3 WYC in '95, '97, '01) did not fare very well as Argentine Coach. Success @ Age-grade level does not usually translate to the Senior team. Godwin please enlighten me what is "CAN 2010" or do you mean ANC 2010. Check the CAF records you will see Nigeria has already qualified for African Nations CUP 2010 in Angola. So I am somewhat bemused as to why you say Amodu has not qualified us for ANC 2010.. I never said I hate NFF or NFA or what ever fancy name they parade around in now, but wanting the best for your people and making your feelings clear to the those in charge shows LOVE and the will to SUCCEED. For all the bible and koran bashing Nigerians do they ARE SCARED OF THE TRUTH. Chopping and changing leads you no where especially when its based on bias,jealousy,greed and this "SUB-HUMAN" mentality of destruction and anti-progress. It will be interesting to see if Amodu does not win ACN 2010 and had already qualified for WC 2010 if he is retained to lead us to the WC. I wish one day we have a real sports loving minister or president who can completely purge the whole NFF and get smart ex-footballers and administrators to run Nigerian football. Amodu is the man for the job 6 games 18 points 100% record, even God cannot argue with that:D Posted by Anioma777| 14.10.2008 11:24

Godwin  Villager

# 6 =Anioma777;279369> Godwin please enlighten me what is "CAN 2010" or do you mean ANC 2010. Check the CAF records you will see Nigeria has already qualified for African Nations CUP 2010 in Angola. So I am somewhat bemused as to why you say Amodu has not qualified us for ANC 2010.. I never said I hate NFF or NFA or what ever fancy name they parade around in now, but wanting the best for your people and making your feelings clear to the those in charge shows LOVE and the will to SUCCEED. For all the bible and koran bashing Nigerians do they ARE SCARED OF THE TRUTH. Chopping and changing leads you no where especially when its based on bias,jealousy,greed and this "SUB-HUMAN" mentality of destruction and anti-progress. It will be interesting to see if Amodu does not win ACN 2010 and had already qualified for WC 2010 if he is retained to lead us to the WC. I wish one day we have a real sports loving minister or president who can completely purge the whole NFF and get smart ex-footballers and administrators to run Nigerian football. Amodu is the man for the job 6 games 18 points 100% record, even God cannot argue with that:D CAN 2010 is French which means Coupe Des Afrique des Nations and is the more popular of the abbreviations and is used on the official logo. http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc63/UtubeGodwin/CAN_2010_Logo.jpg Only Angola has qualified for CAN 2010 and the other 15 qualifiers will be made up of the top 3 in the last 5 Qualifying Groups. http://www.can2010angola.com/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification_(CAF) Third Round Main article: 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification - CAF Third Round The 20 remaining sides will be split into five groups of four. The winners of each group will qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and the top three in each group will qualify for the African Cup of Nations. The draw for the groups will take place on 22 October 2008 in Zürich, Switzerland. Posted by Godwin| 15.10.2008 12:56

Ochi Dabari  Villager

# 7 Amodu is one of the best coaches in the world, black or white. His records do not begin and stop in Nigeria. He was the coach of Orlando Pirates when they won the African Cup of Champions for South Africa for the first, long before Enyimba won it for Nigeria. Amodu (assisted by Keshi) qualified Nigeria for World Cup 2002 before they shoved him aside for Onigbinde to take the boys to Japan, where they did not score a single goal! Amodu's records with BCC Lions of Gboko are impressive and they still sing his name in Benue. What I like most about his present role is that he is getting the big guns to camp early and Nigeria appears to be playing like a team once again. This was what Chukwu and successive white coaches could not do. The other teams in the group may not be formidable but tiny Gambia was the one that knocked Senegal out of the competition completely. If Amodu gets a quarter of the support that is offered to white coaches in Nigeria, he would win the world cup for Nigeria. His current record is impressive. Come to think of it; all around the world Nigeria was the only country that did not concede a goal, scored by an opponent, in 6 matches. We were the ones that scored against ourselves in the last match against S/Leone. Siasia is a good coach. In his free time, he should work with Amodul, to get the results for Nigeria, but if there will be in-fighting, let Amodu go it alone; he even has good assistants in the persons of Amokachi and the goal-keeper trainers. There is no way Nigeria will not qualify for CAN in Angola; it is almost impossible to come 4th out of 4. Qualifying for South Africa 2010 may be harder but let the draws be made first, then we can work out the permutations. ochi =Robot;279154>A peculiar and uneasy situation has been brewing in the Nigerian Football space for months now concerning the roles of the 2 most senior coaches of the Nigerian national team which has prompted me to ...Read the full article. Posted by Ochi Dabari| 16.10.2008 00:34

Godwin  Villager

# 8 =Ochi Dabari;279893>Amodu is one of the best coaches in the world, black or white. His records do not begin and stop in Nigeria. He was the coach of Orlando Pirates when they won the African Cup of Champions for South Africa for the first, long before Enyimba won it for Nigeria. Amodu (assisted by Keshi) qualified Nigeria for World Cup 2002 before they shoved him aside for Onigbinde to take the boys to Japan, where they did not score a single goal! Amodu was not Coach of Pirates when they won African Champions Cup in Abidjan beating ASEC 1-0 in December 1995. The late Ronald Mkhandawire replaced Interim Coach Joe Frickleton who also replaced Mike Makaab on the road to the final. Amodu joined Pirates in 1998. http://www.dispatch.co.za/1998/05/11/sport/PIRATES.HTM Nigeria actually scored 1 Goal by Julius Aghahowa @ KoreaJapan 2002 in the loss to Sweden Posted by Godwin| 16.10.2008 11:25