Super Eagles’ manager, Shuaibu Amodu could not have been more succinct, practical and realistic in his reaction to his wards’ hundred percent record in the second phase of Angola 2010 African Cup of Nations / South Africa 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers when he quipped shortly after the Eagles’ 4 – 1 defeat of hapless Leone Stars of Sierra Leone in Abuja that ‘one gone, one more to go’.
No matter what misgivings anybody may hold against the returnee coach, no one would be so mean as to deny him the respect and greeting usually extended to tested good coaches. Coaching job is all about results; no coach will retain his / her job or go by the acronym – good coach if there is no positive results to show for his efforts, or if he goes ahead losing matches after matches. Thus, Amodu winning six matches and garnering a maximum eighteen points conceding just an own-goal courtesy of Everton defence ace, Joseph Yobo in the Sierra Leonean encounter has proven himself to be a good coach, not even the insinuation of his critics that the oppositions he met were weak could dissuade me from according him his deserved chair in the honour list of good coaches.
His opponents may have been ‘weak’ in the arena of ‘who is who’ in African soccer scene, but prior to Germany 2006 FIFA World Cup, Angola was or still an upstart in the round leather game. However, as relatively new comers as they were they saw us off from the 2006 mundial. In the slam and dunk game, the Southern African state are giant and engine house, but definitely not football.
By the drawn of curtain for the second phase of the Angola / South Africa 2010 soccer fiestas, continent’s soccer Irokos – Senegal, Democratic Republic of Congo, host of the biennial football event, Angola, among others, have kissed the event bye, no thanks to the antics of some minnows. Not even the mercurial magic of Senegalese former African Footballer of the Year El – haj Diouf whose football wizardry dazed the world and consumed former colonial master, France at the Korea / Japan 2002 World Cup could steer off the West Africans from the hurricane blitz.
I am thrilled by Amodu’s austere remark to his successes, he showed himself to be a man in control of success, not one overwhelmed and that has strengthened my conviction that he has matured by age and looks a sure pilot to take us to South Africa 2010 and beyond.
As he reposition his team for the final showdown, those who are waiting in the wing for him to slip could do better to sheath their swords and offer him useful advices on how to deliver the goods entrusted on him.
Good enough many are lining up with suggestions. Some have boldly advised the Edo state born tactician to play down his over reliance on team captain Nwankwo Kanu, own-goal specialist Joseph Yobo, John Utaka, among other, and re-direct his attention toward pools of younger players.
Amodu may have his point, but I am worried, when he said that Kanu will remain a pivotal instrument in his South African 2010 campaign.
Give it to coaches, they have their preferred players, however such preferences must be weighed against its consequences. If you ask me my view, I would counsel that Kanu and Yobo have made their marks, and should honourably step aside for their younger and hungrier ones to step in.
Let us face it, the storm at the last lap of 2010 race expected to kick off next March will be tough, only players with big heart would withstand the gale. Nigerians are yet to overcome the shock absence from Germany 2006 World Cup and would surely call for the head of any coach who would too insensitive by act of omission or commission to see the country watch the fun from the spectators’ stand.
This is where Amodu needs to re-consider his stand and use the time off to shop for good legs as well as replacement for his valued players. Although, he started the test run during the last group match qualifiers against Sierra Leone with the introduction of a fewBeijing 2008 Games good legs – Obinna Nsofor, Sanni Kaita, Chinedu Ogbuke, among others, Dele Adeleye who sat on the bench during the 4 – 1 defeat of the Lone Stars is a cool guy that needs to be given a nod.
Having said that, good the football house has passed a vote of confidence on Amodu, it should not stop there,they should avail him with all the tools he needs to take us to South Africa 2010 and excel. Once again, good job, Amodu. - Humphrey Njoku, Vandykesport
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