The Black Stars of Ghana, the team of the host nation in the on-going Africa Cup of Nations have sent out the Super Eagles packing. Ghana, with ten men defeated Nigeria by two goals to one in the first quarter finals.

Nigeria scored its only goal through a penalty kick taken by the man of the tournament, Yakubu Aiyegbeni. Ghana equalized at the very end of the extra time (first half) when Essien’s powerful header pierced through Super Eagles wonderful defenders.

Though Super Eagles lost the game, they have proved the naysayers wrong. They have shown us that they are still the best team coached by the best coach money could buy. They played with determination, skill and above all, patriotism. They played like a winning team. Ha, it was the game of their lives!

I watched the match from the beginning to the end. I kept saying, “This is the best team, the dream team, the team of the future. This team must be kept together with their German trainer. No one should think of disbanding this wonderful and powerful team”.

Abi you failed to see how Yakubu’s body technique earned the Super Eagles the opening goal? That was the best goal I have ever seen in my life. The Super Eagles played to win and they almost won. Forget about the result.

After all, football is not mathematics. I know many Nigerians are now furious, and some may have fallen sick because the Super Eagles have failed to move on to the semi-finals. To this people, I say make una take am easy o. For me, I don cool am down with a lager beer.

I am begging the Nigerian authorities to please increase the salary of this genius coach called Berti Vogts. He needs to be given a national honour, and possibly a beautiful woman. This is highly necessary in order to show our appreciation in recognition of his hard work for taking the Super Eagles to the quarter finals. By reaching the quarter finals, the man has achieved a feat. Forget the fact that it was Ivory Coast that eventually helped them qualify. Yes, Vogts has put all his critics into shame. Yes, foreign coaches don't make mistakes because they are gods.

Now you can see why we need a foreign coach at all times. No matter how you look at it, these foreign coaches are simply fantastic. They are better than the indigenous coaches who have never won any title for the nation. In fact, we should replace all the indigenous coaches with the foreign ones – in the future

For now I’d suggest we hire one or two more foreign coaches. If we did this, then next time we will definitely reach the semi-finals. Abi you don’t get my gist? Hm, an indigenous coach is black and under achiever while Berti Vogts, a foreign coach, for example, is white and must be very good. This is a mentality that has made the Super Eagles super. Haven’t you seen that?

Any Nigerian who may be calling for Vogts’ head should be sent to Kuru or where did they send Ribadu to? As usual, I know Nigerians would be too emotional to see the future of this dynamic team and its dynamic coach. Let the Nigerian press also tarry a little. The NFA should declare any journalist who dares write nonsense about our future team and its foreign coach, unpatriotic. They should also send these erring journalists to wherever they sent Ribadu to….Up Super Eagles…Up Vogts…Up Nigeria.

Dear Nigerians, forgive me my sins, for I do not know what I am writing or talking about. This is the only way I could relieve myself of this emotion.

2008 copyright          mysmallvoice@yahoo.com

Robot  Villager

# 1 var sbtitle9043=encodeURIComponent(Super Eagle...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 03.02.2008 17:03

Shoko Loko Bangoshe  Villager

# 2 Hakeem, That was hilarious! But seriously, I think Vogts deserves an honour for services to alcohol related industries as many Green Eagles supporters will be drowning their sorrows in various pubs, bars and peppersoup joints up and down the country and in Diaspora. :) Posted by Shoko Loko Bangoshe| 03.02.2008 17:52

Palamedes  Villager

# 3 All good employers always ask for references before they offer someone a job. If the NFA had consulted the Scottish FA, the Scots would have refused Berti Vogt a reference, that is to say, they have nothing positive to say about him. Let Berti Vogt's score card show all those Nigerians who are inferiority complex-ridden, that “pink” skin don't guarantee success. And indeed, some of our local coaches are much better than these foreign imports. Enough of fraudulent trips overseas in the pretext of finding foreign coach, when the real aim is to submit and claim fraudulent expense. I would like Nigerian legislators to pass laws which forbid the engagement of any foreign coach for the Super Eagles in the future. This would FINALLY close the debate on whether to employ a foreign coach or not. If Mikel Obi had gone to Manchester United, he would have become a far better player than what he is now. Also, he would learnt to play high tempo game—more similar to how Super Eagles plays--, instead he went to Chelsea where he was taught to “tidy up”, slow down, the game. He and Yakubu are Nigerians and footballers but they should not be in the Super Eagles because their style of football is incompatible to the Nigerian style of football. Posted by Palamedes| 03.02.2008 19:51

salstep  Villager

# 4 The only bright positive to take out from the Africa cup of nations tournament was watching Danny Shittu display of leadership on the Pitch. His marshalling of the defence remind me of Uche Okechukwu and Stephen Keshi. The man should be made captain. Not that lazy, docile Joseph Yobo. I raise my glass to DANNY SHITTU. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Daniel Olusola "Danny" Shittu (born September 2, 1980 in Lagos)<1> is a Nigerian footballer, currently playing for Football League Championship side Watford after signing from Queens Park Rangers for £1.6 million on 6 August 2006. "Olusola" is a nickname for the Yoruba name "Oluwanisola" (meaning "God creates wealth").<2> After two years at Charlton Athletic mainly spent on loan (first at Blackpool then QPR), QPR acquired his services permanently for £350,000. He was bought by a fan (Alex Winton) who also paid Shittu's wages during his first season at QPR. His time there was successful, with 159 appearances in four seasons, plus 16 goals. In the summer of 2006 he was snapped up for £1.6 million by Premiership newcomers Watford. This move was slightly controversial, as Shittu had passed a medical and was on his way to West Bromwich Albion, before an 11th hour call from Watford manager Adrian Boothroyd secured a move to Vicarage Road. He quickly became a crowd favourite at Watford and QPR fans created a popular chant: Chim chimeny, Chim chimeny Chim, chim, cher-oo Who needs Sol Campbell When we've got Shittu?<3> Shittu scored his first goal for the club in a 2-2 draw against Newcastle in a Carling Cup tie on 7 November 2006. He powered a header past Newcastle goalkeeper Steve Harper to give Watford the lead. However Watford went on to lose the match on penalties. Shittu scored his first Premier League goal on Saturday 5th May 2007 in a 2–0 win at Reading. Shittu was called up for Nigeria's team for the 2008 African Cup of Nations. Whilst away, media speculation have linked him with a move to Newcastle United. Posted by salstep| 04.02.2008 03:34

Profegee  Villager

# 5 The only revelation in the Super Eagles team is Danny Shittu. He displayed commitment to the team and service to fatherland. If not for him who stopped some of the dangerous attackers with outstanding skill, Austin Ejide would have had it basketfull. To be sincere, I see no contribution of Berti Vogts to the present national team. Football is more than kicking ball or distributing passes without sense of purpose. I think he should be reminded that African football is different from the European. The ruggedness, commitment and resilience that charcterize the SUPER EAGLE are missing in the paraded super chicken. No reasonable person would employ somebody on a monthly wage of $50,000 with nothing to show for it - except that the country would have to celebrate hard-struggle win over Benin republic and playing four matches with only one win. NFA should work hard else Nigeria should forget South Africa 2010. Posted by Profegee| 04.02.2008 04:39

Gentle Angel  Villager

# 6 The super eagles that played in Ghana were very disappointing. It was only in the game against Benin, they showed some promise. The coach unfortunately could not prove his mettle alongside with his boys. As for winning a service medal from bars and clubs, they are more likely to stone him for lost business at the semi-final and final stages. The Nigerian coaches have proved they can do better and should be given the chance in future. Posted by Gentle Angel| 04.02.2008 06:30

Tsohon Soja  Villager

# 7 'You cannot sour with the Eagles, while you scratch with the Hens'. We Nigerians have wallowed long in the vain-glory of inconsequential soccer victories of the little international championships, like the world under-17, et la. I recall in the 70s and into the 80s, how one GOTHIA or DANA cup was heavily celebrated. What to celebrate of these kinds of tournaments is that they provide the avenue to the achievement of an ultimate goal. In soccer, that will be the WORLD CUP. In senior football, even continental tournaments are not an end in themselves. They are grounds to prepare for the WORLD CUP. We should ask ourselves why the SOUTH AFRICAN coach, who is a WORLD CUP winner expressed in clear terms his not-to-win purpose of going for the AFRICAN NATIONS CUP. His target is to test the waters for the WORLD CUP. He came , he played, lost and LEARNED. He is back at home gleening through his experience and with the nation behind him, preparing for the WORLD CUP. Lets be fair to ourselves as Nigerians. We probably presented the youngest team in terms of football international/national playing experience. The team indeed has a lot of potential. To reach the quarter-final is much an achievement. Do you want to beat Ghana, Ivory Coast, Egypt or even Angola? That will be a vain wish. Our coach Berti Vogt is the best we can get, given our environment and time. He has already established his own experience with the Nigerian system and players (Even where some say he has no credentials - even as WORLD CUP winner in his playing days and coach of national teams). Any person you are bringing in now, will have to start his own. That will certainly be too close to 2010 qualification rounds. So you just take it or leave it. Berti or no 2010 qualification. Am surprised that Nigerians decide to forget the hand of NFA in this muddle, when rather than focus on development, they decided to spend over a year squabbling with NFL; a more visionary and progressive organisation. May I conclude that I do not find the satire in this thread funny. It is the typical ' Nigerian - Reap where we did not sow mentality'. I think the team and the coach played the highest of their capacity. We should commend and applaud them. As a matter of fact and also on a serious note, Samson Siaisia should be directed to work under Berti Vogt as he prepares for the Under-23 championship. Our preparations for the 2010 WORLD CUP and beyond must be visionary and comprehensive. Long live Nigeria! Posted by Tsohon Soja| 04.02.2008 08:20

enyioma  JJC

# 8 U guys should take heart i beg, i go tell NFA wetin una don talk, i beg una, we go try again in 2010. Support our local coaches, support made in nigeria goods. Posted by enyioma| 04.02.2008 08:43

Mikky jaga  Villager

# 9 Those that employed Vogts know why they employed him. I do not think one of the reasons for employing him is to develop the Senior National Team otherwise, they would not have agreed to the clause in his contract that he should reside in Germany to coach Nigerian National Team. As long as Globacom is prepared to dash out its money to an under achiever like Vogts, Nigerians should be ready to tolerate him. It is a shame that Benin, Ghana etc could afford to hire their coaches while Nigeria has to depend on a private citizen to give it one. Posted by Mikky jaga| 04.02.2008 10:04

OluSegun  Villager

# 10 Okay the article is Hilarious:the situation far from funny! I watched as we simply bungled the chance of a lifetime. At this point, i think we should drive Berti Volks out of this country! He is a misadventure, i tell you! Imagine, even a day old baby knows that when the Black Stars were one man down, we should have delivered a sucker punch! No, he stood there, waiting for any of the players to drop dead before effecting a change...How he doesn'nt know that already, at that point, all the attackers would simply want to register thier names on the scorer's chart beat me more than hollow! I know he is simply driving me to the point where i awill throw up my hands and say i am tired of these Unsuper Fowls jare...No, i wont, No i wont... As for the players. They all got thier report sheet. i know at least they will feel the impact of these underpar on thier career, that much i know. Posted by OluSegun| 04.02.2008 10:04

---

The conversation continues in our forum. Click here to read all comments

---