Paschal Super Eagles under pressure because of Flying Eagles

How does it feel being the Coordinator of the Super Eagles?Well, it is a different ball game but first I thank God for the opportunity to work as the Coordinator of the senior national team. Remember, I played for the team and now I have been appointed to coordinate things there. So naturally, I am […]

How does it feel being the Coordinator of the Super Eagles?
Well, it is a different ball game but first I thank God for the opportunity to work as the Coordinator of the senior national team. Remember, I played for the team and now I have been appointed to coordinate things there. So naturally, I am happy.
How challenging is your present assignment?
It is not that difficult. It is for you to work between the coaches and the players. You ensure that everything between the coaches and players is going smoothly. As a matter of fact, you are not the coach so you don’t have to invite players. That is the job of the Head Coach. All you do is to ensure communication flows between the coach and the players. In addition, the NF has appointed a secretary who liaises between the team and the secretariat. Meanwhile, you can do some other things like encourage everybody to put in their best. I have since adapted and I am doing my best for the team.
As a new man in the team, would you say the players are at home with you?
First I am an ex international. I played for this country and I have made my mark as a football administrator. I served as Special Assistant on sports to Bauchi State governor and presently, I am the vice-chairman of Bauchi State Football Association. With such profile, I don’t think I will have any problem getting the respect of the players. There is mutual respect between us. I relate well with the coaches and the players. I tell the players what is good for them and the national team. I knew some of them right from when they were in the U20 national team. We are like friends. Nobody has raised any alarm over anything concerning me.
How cordial is your relationship with your predecessor, Emmanuel Attah?
Emma Attah is my friend but today I am the coordinator. He is not here. It is Paschal today, tomorrow it may be another person. No player can ask why it is not Attah. They worked with him and now they will work with me. Not that I am happy that the job has been collected from Attah and given to me but it is my time today, tomorrow it will be another person. I do not have any problem with him or any player.
Your debut as Eagles Coordinator ended in 0-1 loss to Uganda in Uyo. How disappointed were you?
Yeah, that was my first outing as the coordinator of the team so I expected victory but it didn’t happen that way. Well, as you are aware, the coaches said they are building a new team. Against Uganda in Uyo, most of the players were new faces. They were playing for Nigeria for the first time. So even as I was disappointed by the loss, I understood what happened. However, the team did better against a South African team that believed the Eagles are rebuilding so they can be beaten easily. The coaches are working hard to get quality players for the team. Nigerians want good results and they want to see players who are committed. The coaches want to make sure that they bring back the lost glory of the Eagles.
How soon do you think the coaches will assemble a team that would bring back the lost glory?
You know Nigeria is blessed with abundant talents and that explains why the coaches do not need hundred years to get good players for Super Eagles. There are talented players playing all over the world and some of them are doing well. However, at the moment only few are starting for their clubs, which is a source of concern. So the way out is to give chance to those committed professionals at home and abroad who would come into the team and give their hundred per cent. Nigeria is a big country with talented players.
Flying Eagles are on the lips of every football loving Nigerian. Don’t you think some of these players should be given a chance to vie for Super Eagles shirts?
I tell you Super Eagles are getting pressure because of Flying Eagles. The U20 team is playing well and Nigerians are rooting for them. They are getting results and each time they play, Nigerians say these are the future Eagles. So the pressure is on the Eagles because they know that some players are coming to take their positions. If they do not get results, Nigerians may decide to say Flying Eagles should come and play. So the pressure now is on the Super Eagles players that are being invited. They know that the junior players are doing well. So they have to know that it is time they give their hundred per cent.
In previous interviews, you had questioned the commitment of the present Super Eagles. Now that you are a backroom staff what are you doing to change the players’ attitude?
My brother it is the same thing. We shall continue until when the national team will give Nigerians what they have been clamouring for. It is a matter of giving hundred per cent and when you are not lucky, Nigerians will understand it was hard luck. The players should know they are coming to represent over 200 million people and should give their best. Super Eagles is not a training ground. It is a place for hundred per cent performance to make football loving Nigerians happy.
What is your take on the dismal performance of Nigerian clubs, Kano Pillars, Enyimba and Dolphins in this year’s continental competitions?
I want to appeal to Nigerians to tamper justice with mercy. We have to appreciate the fact that the clubs prosecuted the continental matches in an election year so that must have doubled their financial woes. Everybody was concerned about elections so to get money to prepare must have been a very difficult task. Even when there are no elections, getting approved funds is always a daunting task. So Nigerians should appreciate the fact that 2015 elections contributed to the dismal performances of the clubs. You will notice that even the Nigerian league has been shifted because of the elections. However, the clubs should go back and put their houses in order. They should use 2016 to prove to Nigerians that in 2015 something was wrong.
What is your vision for football in Bauchi where you are the vice-chairman of the state football association?
I am a product of grassroots football so I will support the FA to take the game back to the grassroots. If football is not developed at that level, there will be no serious progress at the national level. Before I played for the national team, I had played the U12, U13, U15 and U16 competitions. So I can assure you that grassroots football will come alive in Bauchi State within the shortest possible time.