Amodu’s fourth missionary journey with Eagles

With his latest appointment, the Edo State born football coach has become a kind of miracle worker for the Super Eagles. All his appointments came when the Eagles were in a very tight corner and needed a miracle to qualify for championships.Once again, the Eagles are working a tight rope as they battle to qualify […]

With his latest appointment, the Edo State born football coach has become a kind of miracle worker for the Super Eagles. All his appointments came when the Eagles were in a very tight corner and needed a miracle to qualify for championships.
Once again, the Eagles are working a tight rope as they battle to qualify for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Although the Eagles defeated Sudan on Wednesday to keep hope alive, the victory was not enough to keep Keshi in the saddle.
The Executive Committee of the NFF led by Amaju decided it was time for a new person to come and help salvage the situation. Consequently, the committee was said to have unanimously agreed that Amodu who had successfully carried out similar operations should be assigned the responsibility.
This time, he is going to be assisted by a former Super Eagles assistant coach, Salisu Yusuf as well as Sharks of Port-Harcourt Technical Adviser, Gbenga Ogunbote. His assistants are all known faces in the domestic league.
Amodu’s stint with the Super Eagles began in the late 90’s when he led the team to the fourth place in King Fahd Cup in Saudi Arabia in 1995. When he was relieved of his appointment, he went to South Africa where he coached South African giants, Orlando Pirates for one season.
In 2001 when the Super Eagles under Bonfere Jo were on the verge of not qualifying for the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations in Mali, Amodu was recalled. He along with Stephen Keshi qualified Nigeria for the Nations Cup and the 2002 World Cup in Japan/Korea.
Although he surpassed the target of semi-finals set for him, he was sacked and Chief Onigbinde was brought in to lead the Eagles to the 2002 World Cup in Japan-Korea. Under Onigbinde, Eagles could only manage one draw against England.
Amodu returned for the third time in April 2008 when the Sani Lulu Abdullahi NFF appointed him to lead the Eagles. Once again, he qualified Nigeria for both the 2010 Nations Cup in Angola and 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
He again led the Eagles to another third place finish but was sacked and replaced with Lars Lagerbeck who took the team to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Amodu’s sack did not go down well with most Nigerians who felt he was unjustly treated.
Before his latest appointment, the immediate past board of the NFF under Alhaji Aminu Maigari in May 2013 appointed him Technical Director of the national teams. He was also Technical Director of resuscitated Bendel Insurance Football Club.
The fourth missionary journey of Amodu is not less difficult. Although he succeeded in the past, this time he will need more than his wealth of experience and knowledge to do the magic he is known for.
Speaking through one of his longest serving aides who craved for anonymity, the astute football tactician said “I am humbled by this national assignment. Although it is a very difficult task, I believe with the support of everyone concerned, we would make it happen again.
“I have been down this way before and I know what is required to achieve the required result. I want to call on all Nigerians to be calm as we try to navigate this tricky bend.
“I know how they feel anytime the Eagles are not flying high but every nation has its moment in the sun and also dark days,” he said.