Former Super Eagles Technical Adviser, Clemense Westerhof has counselled coach Samson Siasia to ensure that matters of discipline are not toyed with under his reign as the Nigeria senior national team coach.
The man who has been widely tipped as the best ever tactician to have handled the team after winning the African Nations Cup and also leading the team to its historical first appearance at the FIFA World Cup in USA 1994 opined that the former Nantes striker who himself blossomed under his tutelage should borrow a leaf from his style of leadership by making sure that no player takes him for granted no matter how talented or famous.
Citing the case of Etim Esin who failed to be part of the Tunisia ‘94 and USA World Cup train inspite of his enormous talent, the ex-Orlando Pirates of South Africa gaffer said:
The man who has been widely tipped as the best ever tactician to have handled the team after winning the African Nations Cup and also leading the team to its historical first appearance at the FIFA World Cup in USA 1994 opined that the former Nantes striker who himself blossomed under his tutelage should borrow a leaf from his style of leadership by making sure that no player takes him for granted no matter how talented or famous.
Citing the case of Etim Esin who failed to be part of the Tunisia ‘94 and USA World Cup train inspite of his enormous talent, the ex-Orlando Pirates of South Africa gaffer said:
“If Samson must succeed as a coach of the senior national team, he must ensure that no player breaks his camp rules.”
“That was my emphasis during my time because I had a case of player like Etim Esin. The only reason why I cannot allow him to be with the team had to do with matters of discipline.
“I talked always with Keshi, Samson and Daniel and they all adhere strictly with my directives. We have rules that must be kept by all and Etim seemed to be too diffuicult and I said no, not with me. A player cannot be bigger than the coach and than was my message to all of them and I held on to that all through.
“If any player fails to adhere, I kick him out,” he concluded.
It would be recalled that some football commentators are nursing reservations regarding the ability of the former U-20 and U-23 national teams coach to check the excesses of the so called “Big Boys” in the Super Eagles fold, a situation he said that he will have no problem to deal with it.
“That was my emphasis during my time because I had a case of player like Etim Esin. The only reason why I cannot allow him to be with the team had to do with matters of discipline.
“I talked always with Keshi, Samson and Daniel and they all adhere strictly with my directives. We have rules that must be kept by all and Etim seemed to be too diffuicult and I said no, not with me. A player cannot be bigger than the coach and than was my message to all of them and I held on to that all through.
“If any player fails to adhere, I kick him out,” he concluded.
It would be recalled that some football commentators are nursing reservations regarding the ability of the former U-20 and U-23 national teams coach to check the excesses of the so called “Big Boys” in the Super Eagles fold, a situation he said that he will have no problem to deal with it.
YOBO IS THE MAN FOR SIASIA
Eagles Captain Wins Coach’s Heart During Turkey Meeting
Super Eagles captain Joseph Yobo has won the heart of coach Samson Siasia after the defender revealed he wishes to win a trophy with the Super Eagles before he quits international football,reports MTNFootball.
Last week, Siasia met with Yobo as well as Karabukspor striker Emmanuel Emenike in Turkey as part of his working visit to Europe.
Eagles assistant coach, Simon Kalika, informed the website that they were taken in by the enthusiasm and ambition of the Fenerbache star.
“I must be sincere with you Samson (Siasia) and I were very impressed with the attitude of Yobo to help the team win laurels this time around,” Kalika disclosed.
“He told us that he was still very sad with the overall performance of Nigeria at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and so he is looking for a way of making the fans happy again.
“Samson presented our programme for the team and he listened patiently and was very happy to be a part of the campaign. He gave us his word that he is ready to lead the team to victory when the qualifying campaign resumes in March next year.
“He told us that he is committed and he will put in his all because he too would like to win something for Nigeria before he finally calls it quits with international football.”
“He told us that he was still very sad with the overall performance of Nigeria at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and so he is looking for a way of making the fans happy again.
“Samson presented our programme for the team and he listened patiently and was very happy to be a part of the campaign. He gave us his word that he is ready to lead the team to victory when the qualifying campaign resumes in March next year.
“He told us that he is committed and he will put in his all because he too would like to win something for Nigeria before he finally calls it quits with international football.”
Yobo was first capped at full international level in 2000. He featured for Nigeria at two World Cups, in 2002 and 2010, but has yet to win any major honour with the national team.
Kalika further said that Emenike, who is joint leading scorer in the Turkish top flight with 12 goals, accepted to feature for the Eagles after he was convinced about the new vision of the team.
“It was another positive journey to Emenike who was happy at the end of our visit. The boy told us what happened in the past, which I don’t want to talk about again, but after listening to the plans of the chief coach, he was happy to support the team,” said Kalika.
“Although Samson made it an open thing, which means that the discretion to play or not to play for Nigeria lies in the hands of the young player, the response of the player showed clearly that he will team up with the Eagles.
“Emenike said that Nigeria is in his heart and he is proud that a highly-rated coach like Samson has asked him to play for his fatherland.”
Kalika further said that Emenike, who is joint leading scorer in the Turkish top flight with 12 goals, accepted to feature for the Eagles after he was convinced about the new vision of the team.
“It was another positive journey to Emenike who was happy at the end of our visit. The boy told us what happened in the past, which I don’t want to talk about again, but after listening to the plans of the chief coach, he was happy to support the team,” said Kalika.
“Although Samson made it an open thing, which means that the discretion to play or not to play for Nigeria lies in the hands of the young player, the response of the player showed clearly that he will team up with the Eagles.
“Emenike said that Nigeria is in his heart and he is proud that a highly-rated coach like Samson has asked him to play for his fatherland.”
Siasia’s Assistants Emerge December Ending
NFF Technical Committee Boss Assures
The two assistant coaches to help Samson Siasia to tinker the Super Eagles will be announced at the end of this month.
Chairman of the Technical Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Chris Green confirmed this to Complete Sports on Tuesday.
Green said the two assistant coaches have already been picked by the committee in consultation with Super Eagles head coach, Samson Siasia.
“By the end of this month, Nigerians will know the two indigenous coaches that will help Siasia to handle the Super Eagles,” Green said.Chairman of the Technical Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Chris Green confirmed this to Complete Sports on Tuesday.
Green said the two assistant coaches have already been picked by the committee in consultation with Super Eagles head coach, Samson Siasia.
“The coaches have already been picked, and of course that was done in full consultation with Siasia himself.
“Forget all the names of coaches being brandished around. I have the names of the two coaches myself.
“To tell you who they are, No, I cannot do that. Only me knows and by December ending, Nigerians will get to know who they are”.
Appointment of Super Eagles second assistant coach and goalkeeper trainer for the national team has remained a contentious issue.
Several prominent coaches in the land have at one time or the other been linked with the job.
Ben Iroha, Emeka Ezeugo, Peter Rufai, Monday Odigie are some of the coaches whose names have appeared on the wish-list of Nigerians for the national team job
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