The impending “war” over Siasia’s assistants

Already, Siasia has appointed his friend, Dutchman Kalinka as his assistant. The Nigerian Football Federation has no problems with Siasia’s choice of the Dutchman as his number one assistant because he is not a new face in Nigerian football. Kalinka has over the years assisted Siasia is tinkering the junior national teams. He was with […]

Already, Siasia has appointed his friend, Dutchman Kalinka as his assistant. The Nigerian Football Federation has no problems with Siasia’s choice of the Dutchman as his number one assistant because he is not a new face in Nigerian football. Kalinka has over the years assisted Siasia is tinkering the junior national teams. He was with the Flying Eagles in 2005 and the national U-23 team in 2008 at the Beijing Olympics. According to reports gathered, the Eagles assistant coach will formally sign a contract with the NFF today in Abuja. If this happens, Kalinka’s position as Siasia first assistant would have been signed and sealed.

As it is the tradition with the NFF, the federation has made it abundantly clear that it will appoint the remaining assistant coaches for the new Super Eagles coach. Expectations are that the two assistants would be made known during the NFF AGM slated for Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.

However, Siasia at a press briefing made it clear that he would not fold his hands and watch NFF appoint just any coach to work with him. He said he would have to make some inputs. This made the NFF to quickly respond that in as much as it is willing to give Siasia a free hand, it would not compromise its decision to appoint assistants for him. According to the NFF, it has been the practice as all its past coaches had their assistants appointed for them by the football federation.

This portends danger in the sense that if not carefully handled, the issue as simple as it may appear on the surface will lay a foundation for future acrimony between the NFF and the new coach. Siasia wants to be taken along but from all indications, the NFF is not willing to succumb to his demand in this direction.

Meanwhile, as Nigerians wait the announcement of Siasia’s remaining assistants, subtle lobbying by some indigenous coaches has reached feverish point. Although none is ready to jeopardize his chances by speaking publicly on his ambition, Trustsports has gathered from impeccable sources that if Siasia has his way, he would certainly love to work with either his former team mate Emmanuel Amunike, his former assistant Monday Odigie or current Flying Eagles Chief Coach John Obuh.

For now it is an open secret that NFF is favourably disposed to Alloy Agu and Ben Iroha as Siasia’s assistants. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Siasia’s assistants would emerge from the names mentioned above.

Odigie worked with Siasia during his stint with the Flying Eagles and the national U-23 teams. In addition, he is said to be very close to the new Super Eagles coach and it would not surprise many if he is considered for the position.

Apart from working with Siasia, Odigie later assisted John Obuh  to prepare the U-17 team that clinched silver at the 2009 FIFA U-17 Championship which Nigeria hosted. With the promotion of Obuh to the Flying Eagles, Odigie was handed the job of tinkering the next Eaglets but could not qualify the team for the 2011 Africa cadet championship. He is not new to Nigerian football fans.

Also on queue is said to be former international, Emmanuel Amunike. Although he may not boast of any coaching pedigree, Amunike has never hidden his interest to contribute the experience he has garnered at club and international level to Nigerian football and considering the fact that he is close to Siasia, his interest in the job may be in whispers but cannot be dismissed with a wave of the hand.

For him to be promoted to the U-20 team after winning silver with the 2009 U-17 team, it is enough indication that Obuh has impressed the NFF bigwigs and may be one of those who may receive some attention for the position of Eagles assistant coach. He is presently occupied with the task of assembling a crack team to represent the country at the 2011 Africa Youth Championship but may not hesitate to move up to the senior national team if such an opportunity avails itself.

Both Ben Iroha and Alloy Agu, have been with the senior national team and do not need much introductions. Feelers have it that the duo is top on the list of NFF and would be announced as Eagles assistant coaches. The only barrier lies in Siasia who may have preference for other coaches.