I see Eagles lifting the trophy on Sunday – Bosso

Against all odds, the Eagles have reached the finals of the 2013 AFCON in South Africa. Are you one of those surprised by this achievement?I cannot say I am surprised by this achievement because I never doubted the ability of the Eagles to achieve results in South Africa. The players have been very committed and […]

Against all odds, the Eagles have reached the finals of the 2013 AFCON in South Africa. Are you one of those surprised by this achievement?
I cannot say I am surprised by this achievement because I never doubted the ability of the Eagles to achieve results in South Africa. The players have been very committed and the coaching crew knows what it is doing so nothing that has happened so far is by accident.
What would you say are the chances of the Eagles against the Stallions of Burkina Faso in the finals on Sunday?
I can confidently say that the Eagles are good for their third title in South Africa. I see them lifting that trophy on Sunday. At the beginning of the tournament, the Eagles could not beat this same Burkina Faso in their opening match and as expected, Nigerians were not happy. Everybody rose to condemn the team and that proved to be the much needed tonic. The team has continued to improve match after match and if the players can keep their head, they will beat Burkina Faso convincingly.
Is this to suggest that it will be a stroll in the park for the Super Eagles against Burkina Faso?
As a professional coach I cannot say such a thing. Moreover saying such would be detrimental to the interest of the Eagles. Eagles and the Stallions met before in preliminary round and it was not an easy match for either of the teams. Even as the Super Eagles had an upper hand, the Burkinables kept mounting pressure until they got that vital equaliser. So they are meeting again in the finals and it will not be easy. I can say the players know one another and this will make it a difficult match.
What would you say is responsible for the sudden resurgence in the Eagles?
As you are aware, Keshi is called the ‘big boss’ and he has been able to stamp his authority on the team without causing any fear in the minds of the players. He has returned discipline to the team. He has done it in such a manner that the players have embraced him as their father. They are ready to die for him. I am not surprised because I have attended so many seminars with him and he proved to be highly professional in his thinking and approach to issues.
Many people are of the opinion that Eagles have come alive because of the insults from Nigerians and the taunting they have faced in recent times from opponents. What is your take on this?
What I know for sure is that there is no amount of taunting or insults that can make a team come alive the way the Eagles have done. The players have seen the need to play for themselves and their fatherland. It is a personal conviction, the one that can make a man to lay down his life for a good cause.
For the first time six players in the domestic league made the team to the 2013 Africa Cup of nations. As one of the renowned coaches in the NPL, what can you say about this development?
I have not hidden my position on the issue of domestic players and the need for those who have excelled to be given a chance to play for the Super Eagles. I am an advocate and today I am vindicated. When Keshi decided to work with the local players, many people condemned him but some of us stood by him and today look at what these boys are doing. It’s hard to believe that Godfrey Oboabona and Sunday Mba are from the local league. I want to use this opportunity to call on the relevant authorities to make the Nigerian Premier League more glamorous. If the glamour is brought back, more players would be discovered for the national teams. Those of us working in the league would be motivated to comb the nooks and crannies of the country for talents.
Elderson Echijele who opened the gate of goals for the Eagles against Mali on Wednesday was a member of the U-20 team you led to Canada in 2007. How happy are you with his performance?
Thank you for this question. In fact I am on cloud nine. I lack words to express my happiness. I can say that I have contributed enormously to the success story of this team. Don’t forget that it is not only Echijele that played under me in 2007. I have players like Brown Ideye who scored the second goal in that match and Efe Ambrose who is a regular in the present Eagles. They were part of that team. Obiora Nwankwo was part of the 2009 squad to Egypt. There is no coach that will not be happy with such achievement.