Today’s Eagles are wiser, says Peter Ogaba

As new Eagles chief coach Samson Siasia continues with the rebuilding of the senior national team, Nigerian football fans have continued to urge him to go for only those players who are committed and dedicated. In a chat with Trustsports, Ogaba, a member of the 1989 Flying Eagles who came from four goals down to […]

As new Eagles chief coach Samson Siasia continues with the rebuilding of the senior national team, Nigerian football fans have continued to urge him to go for only those players who are committed and dedicated.

In a chat with Trustsports, Ogaba, a member of the 1989 Flying Eagles who came from four goals down to beat Russia at the quarter final stage of the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Saudi Arabia to achieve what is now referred to as Damaan miracle said those of them who served the country in the past have nothing to show for their selfless service.

He said in the past, they were driven by patriotism to serve their fatherland believing that they would be taken care of when they retire from active football but what they got in the end is complete disappointment.

Ogaba, a member of the Canada ‘87 Silver winning Golden Eaglets said as long as players are used and dumped with reckless abandon, the younger generation will continue to hold the country to ransom.

The ex-international whose career took him to over twelve countries said at the moment, players no longer give even thirty percent of the kind of commitment they show to their clubs because they know that the country has no good plans for them.

He said those who accuse the players of showing greater loyalty to their clubs should not forget the saying that he who pays the piper dictates the tune.

“I want those who accuse present day Eagles of not showing enough commitment to national teams to know that the players are wiser than some of us who served the country in the past. Today’s Eagles are wiser. They do not want to fall victim of the uncaring system we have.

“In our days, we were pushed by patriotism. We believed that when we retire, our country will take good care of us. Unfortunately, our dreams have come to naught. We have nothing to show for serving this country. In some cases, they do not like to see our faces.

“As long as players are used and discarded without any form of compensation, players will not show the desired commitment”, he said.

Ogaba said those of them who are still alive and willing to serve Nigeria is different capacities should be given a chance as he reiterated that this is the only way to motivate in order to get the best out of the present generation of players.