How not to coach Super Eagles

After series of meetings, the Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, took what is said to be the popular decision by sacking the former Eagles gaffer based on the recommendation of its technical committee headed by Barrister Chris Green. Siasia was appointed Eagles coach in November 4 and was unveiled in Abuja on […]

After series of meetings, the Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, took what is said to be the popular decision by sacking the former Eagles gaffer based on the recommendation of its technical committee headed by Barrister Chris Green.

Siasia was appointed Eagles coach in November 4 and was unveiled in Abuja on December 1 2010. He signed a contract which clearly stated his obligation to the country’s football. Prominent among the tasks assigned to him was to qualify and take the Eagles to at least the semi-final of the 2012 Nations Cup in Angola.

Following his exploits with the Flying Eagles and the National U-23 teams, Siasia was the favourite for the plum job of coaching the Super Eagles. Consequently, almost all Nigerian football fans stood behind him and threatened to pull down the NFF secretariat if he was not appointed to handle the Eagles.

But it must be recalled that it was not every Nigerian that accepted the choice of Siasia as Eagles coach. While many believed he was the right man for the job, others doubted his managerial ability. His critics said he lacks the maturity to manage the players’ excesses as they said he still behaves like a player.

However, when he was to be unveiled, the ceremony which held at the media centre of the Abuja National Stadium attracted a huge crowd that came to catch a glimpse of their coach. The NFF president Aminu Maigari made a brief speech but it was strong. Although he did not come out clearly to say it, the implied meaning of his speech was that Siasia was the choice of Nigerians. “We have given you your coach”, he said.

On his part the coach did not hide his happiness and enthusiasm. He made pledges which included transforming the Eagles and making them fly again. Siasia promised to inject new blood into the team and create a more competitive atmosphere.

In all fairness to him, he did try to keep to his pledge by going after Nigerian youngsters abroad to convince them to come and play for their fatherland. Even in this area, he did not achieve much as apart from Joel Obi, he could not get the likes of Victor Moses and Shola Amoebi to play for Nigeria.

On the local scene, Siasia experimented with some of the local players but ended up settling for those who never convinced Nigerian football fans. His critics still believe the league boasts of more quality players who could have done better than those who carried along consistently. For such people, Chibuzor Okonkwo is not the best right full back in the Nigerian league just as Chigozie Agbim is not the best goal keeper around.

Although he failed in his contractual agreement with the Nigerian Football Federation, it cannot be said he performed dismally. Between December 1 2010 to October 29 2012, Siasia recorded five wins, three draws and a loss to Argentina in a rematch in September. But it is on record that he also failed to successfully guide Team B Eagles to defend the WAFU Cup they had won in 2009 under Amokachie.

While in charge of the team, Siasia had running battles with both the NFF technical committee and some of his key players. His clashes with members of the technical committee which included four ex-Eagles were better managed as none was allowed to escalate.

The same cannot be said of his endless ‘wars’ with some of his key players. He fought with Osaze Odemwingie and before the dust raised could settle, he took on Vincent Enyeama. In all the squabbles, the coach said he only wanted to stamp his authority on the team. According to him, such acts of indiscipline had been the bane of the Super Eagles.

Siasia’s attempt to enforce discipline in the team hit the rock because he did not enjoy the desired support from Nigerians who believed he was high handed. It was said he had good intentions but went about things the wrong way. For instance, his refusal to genuinely forgive Enyeama who had come out openly to apologize to him did not go down well with many people.

Thus, as the days rolled by, Siasia’s popularity among his players and other Nigerians continued to dwindle as he obviously could not manage his dressing room upheavals. Matters degenerated and it became a case of cat and mouse relationship. Divisions ensued and it was difficult for the coach to ascertain the loyalty of his players.

Apart from the players, his back-room staff was affected by the crisis as it is said some of them did not enjoy a harmonious working relationship with him. It is said he snubbed most advices from his assistants just the way he sneezed as unsolicited counsels emanating for some of his older colleagues.

In all these, it is an open secret that the last straw that broke the camel’s back was the 2—2 draw against Syli Nationale of Guinea in Abuja. In the match the coach and his players combined technical ineptitude and mediocrity to deny the country the 2012 AFCON ticket.

Well, as far as coaching the Super Eagles is concerned Siasia and members of his coaching crew comprising of Kalika, Salisu Yusuf and Ike Shorumun are now history but there are enough lessons for his predecessor who may be announced on Wednesday to learn.

Siasia’s fall from grace to grace is indeed a lesson on how not to manage the Super Eagles. Lesson number one: Don’t wage open war against your key players no matter the level of temptation and provocation because they may sabotage you when it matters most. It is said the coach should have left out certain players in the match against Guinea.

Lesson number two: Don’t snub the experiences and words of advice coming from more experienced coaches. It was said Siasia ran a one man show leaving no space for the likes of Chief Onigbinde and Laloko to make inputs.

Lesson three: Don’t be haughty as you go about your duties. For many, Siasia failed because he did not humble himself enough. Whoever is going to succeed him must have learnt that I too know spirit leads to catastrophe.

Lesson four: Never forget that a coach is as good as his last match. Nigerians clamoured for Siasia’s appointment based on his past records but the same people led the campaign for his sack because Eagles failed to beat Guinea. As far as they are concerned the coach is as good as his last game in charge of the team.

These are some of the lessons that are there for Siasia’s successor to learn. The former Super Eagles coach came, saw but could not conquer and has finally gone the way of his predecessors like Amodu Shaibu, Christian Chukwu, Austin Egueavoen and Dan Amokachie who got fired at different times.