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Sunday Oliseh Optimism Has No Root in Rationality
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There has been a groundswell of support for the Super Eagles coach-in-waiting, but perhaps it is necessary to ask what exactly the optimism is based on?
By Solace Chukwu
The composition (and name) of the NFF is a lot different now than it was 13 years ago when Sunday Oliseh’s playing days with the national team came to an end.
Though at the time a veteran of two World Cups and erstwhile captain, there was no fanfare, no commemoration.
There was just a cut to black, and roll credits.
The in-fighting in the Super Eagles camp during the 2002 Nations Cup brought a lot of things to the fore, and its fall-out has resonated deafeningly ever since. As a direct result, Nigeria went into the World Cup that year with no expectations, and this not in a liberating way. As an indirect result, Nigeria failed to qualify for the very next edition for the first – and only – time since making her debut in 1994.
At the heart of it was Oliseh, branded the head of a perceived mafia and persecuted for his implied megalomania.
That team was disbanded, its more experienced players cast into the undertow, and condemned to the scrap heap of history. The official version of the story is one that has never been forcefully refuted; there is a reluctance, even on the part of the principal actors, to make a clean breast of that time. However, it is safe to assume the account of the (then) NFA was hardly definitive.
The passage of time and prudent use of it has put Oliseh in a very unique position: he can now, once for all time, rewrite the narrative surrounding him. No, the NFF have not acquired a vehicle for time travel. However, they have done the next best thing: the former Super Eagles captain will, in the coming days, resume his new position as head coach of the national team.
The immediate question involves his suitability, or otherwise, for the job. For that though, there is no simple answer. It may sound like an evasion, but a lot of factors come into play when it comes to appraising a prospective national team handler. Considering where Oliseh stands in this light, it is a lot easier to be sceptical than positive.
Oliseh |Can the former defensive midfielder rewrite his own narrative with the national side?
The former Juventus and Borussia Dortmund midfielder comes with top-level UEFA coaching badges; this might not sound like much, but within the context of Nigeria’s football coaches, it is a big deal. However, as we are aware, certification is no guarantee of competence, especially in a job as hands-on as coaching.
The present situation is the equivalent of having an M.Sc. holder apply for a Managing Director position at a powerful multinational with next-to-no working experience. He could be a genius mind, but there is no way to know.
In defence, many are quick to point to Pep Guardiola, whose coaching experience upon taking over at Barcelona was a (successful) stint at Barcelona B. This misses the point: in the first place, club football differs from international football for obvious reasons. In any case, Pep was already in the system, and basically got promoted. Obscure Belgian side Vervietois are certainly not a satellite or affiliate of the NFF!
Precedent also does not work in Oliseh’s favour with regard to rookie international managers, but there is a certain comfort to be had in the knowledge that the Pinnick-led Federation are using the exception to the rule as a template.
Jürgen Klinsmann helmed the overhaul of German football following the debacle of the 2004 Euros. He midwifed the process, blooding in youth and instilling a style based on technical expressionism rather than physical superiority and efficiency. After winning third place at the 2006 World Cup on home soil, he handed over the reins to assistant Joachim Low, who last year reaped the ultimate reward: a fourth World title.
With an eye to the success of that approach, the NFF have tasked Oliseh with drawing up a blueprint for a total revamp of the country’s football, right down to the youth teams. Still, there are no guarantees; not every nation is entitled to a ‘Klinsmann’.
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m.goal.com/x/en-ng/news/13425022
To be continued in the next post....

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Can Oliseh Become Nigeria's Version of Jurgen Klinsmann?
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Can Oliseh become Nigeria's version of Jurgen Klinsmann?
Cote d’Ivoire were guilty of discounting the importance of experience when hiring Sabri Lamouchi, green around the ears but eminently qualified on paper. Stellar as a player, he failed catastrophically as a manager – tellingly, the Ivorians ended their long wait for a continental trophy following his sack.
Much in the same way Oliseh can recast himself in a favourable light, his failure could also taint him irredeemably. His mystique has been enhanced by his aloofness. The more he did and said to distance himself from the national team job, the more Nigerians wanted him. However, a player of the ilk of Hristo Stoichkov, revered as Bulgaria’s greatest-ever footballer, suffered a demystification so debilitating that players refused to represent the national team with him in charge.
This makes the NFF’s rationale of him being able to command respect by virtue of his career seem hollow. Nothing earns deep and enduring respect as much as competence, and this is a commodity which, for all his eloquence, we cannot unequivocally say Oliseh possesses...at least not yet.
The rectitude of this decision will be apparent in the fullness of time, but any proclamations of Oliseh as the saviour of Nigerian football have no basis in hard logic. In gorging ourselves full of optimism, an accompanying dose of caution is in order. It is a choice that can neither be hailed as good, or condemned outright.
All we can do is wait.
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m.goal.com/x/en-ng/news/13425022

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Nigeria: Keshi's Sack - The Way Forward
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The Nigerian Football Federation, (NFF) on Monday announced that it would appoint a new coach of the National Team in two weeks time following its recent sack of the Super Eagles coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi.
The NFF had reviewed the findings of its Disciplinary and Technical Committees as well as actions and inactions of Keshi in the performance of his duties as the head coach and adopted their recommendation to sack him for lack of "required commitment to achieve the Federation's objectives as set out in the coach's employment contract". Although the development has raised a lot of unanswered questions bordering on the circumstances that led to his sack, this newspaper believes that coaches could perform a lot better if the enabling structures are deployed.
Recall that Keshi led the Supper Eagles to the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) title in 2013 in South Africa. He also took the team to the 2013 Confederation Cup and subsequently, to the 2014 FIFA World Cup both in Brazil. In 2014, Keshi led the home based Eagles to the African Nations Championship (CHAN) to a bronze medal in their maiden appearance in South Africa. This would be the first time the country would pick a ticket for the competition after the last two editions. Unfortunately, the high hopes reposed on Keshi to build a world-class team began to go awry as the team's performance at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil was abysmal. Worse still, he could not qualify the Supper Eagles for the 2015 edition of AFCON in Equatorial Guinea.
Not a few Nigerians believe that the woes currently experienced in the Supper Eagles team are hydra-headed. In the first place, there were concerns in certain quarters that Keshi's engagements of players for major tournaments were no longer based on merit. This indeed created lack of competition for shirts in the team. On the part of NFF, internal wrangling in the federation which created a vacuum in the Board until a new administration was put in place in September last year, that saw to the emergence of Amaju Pinnick as the President of NFF also affected the Supper Eagles' performance. More so, since the election of the new board, Keshi never really enjoyed a good working relationship with it even as he was earlier sacked and later recalled for a two year contract with a seeming not too favourable conditions attached to it.
Perhaps the NFF needs to create an enabling environment for coaches to perform their functions as a way out for future development of Nigerian football. This is because the success of any national coach employed by the NFF is a function of his working relationship the Federation. Beyond this, it is important that whoever is going to occupy the coaching position of the Super Eagles henceforth must recognise the NFF as his employer and be ready to submit to the rules and regulations of the Nigerian football body. The NFF has taken what it considered the best decision to sack Keshi, but as the senior male national team prepares for the rest of their Morocco AFCON 2017 qualifier, it is vital for both the football administrators and the envisaged new coach to understand that without proper inputs in line with international best practices, all efforts towards returning the Nigerian National Team to its former glory would come to naught.
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allafrica.com/stories/201507091282.html?viewall=1

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In Losciuto Oliseh Has His Own 'Witch Doctor'
By: Iwedi Ojinmah
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As Nigerians wait en masse for the much anticipated announcement from the NFF naming Sunday Oliseh as their new coach, little is known in the football crazy country of his assistant.
Yet he is no stranger to Africa.
His name is Jean Francois Losciuto, a Belgian who also holds a UEFA license and was assistant to Oliseh during his time coaching RCS Verviers before he became a director of the youth academy at Belgian club RFC Liege.
The Belgian first coached Anges de Notsè FC of Togo assisting them to become one of the best clubs on the continent before continuing at Wegnez, Halthier club and RFC Liege as pointed out above.
Losciuto putting Anges players through an agility drill
In Africa he then moved on to Coach the Nyanza-based Rayon Sport in Rwanda before finally settling at Burkina Faso’s ASFA Yennenga where they promptly became champions.
In addition to hopefully kick starting the of recent not so Super Eagles, Oliseh is being tasked with setting up a proper feeder system within Nigeria and Jean Francois Losciuto with his keen eye will be in charge of that effort.
Those who know him are quick to compare him to Claude LeRoy the fabled white witch doctor and current coach of the Congo.
Considering that LeRoy has always been a thorn in their side of Nigerians most recently ending their 54 year unbeaten streak in Calabar, Nigerian fans will be praying that the comparison, even if ever so slightly holds true.
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mobi.supersport.com/football/super-eagles/news/150709/In_Losciuto_Oliseh_has_hisown_witch_doctor

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Nigeria: Don't Take NFF to CAS, DOSU Pleads With Keshi
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By Chibuike Chukwu
Lagos — Former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Joseph Dosu, has pleaded with the team's sacked coach, Stephen Keshi, not to drag the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS).
He said on Wednesday that there was no need taking up issues against the football house, maintaining that the work of a coach was riddled with hiring and sacking.
The Olympic gold medalist averred that Keshi could always return to the post whenever he was called upon, citing that the interim coach, Shuaibu Amodu, was making his third return to the team, having been sacked thrice and coming back thrice.
"Being sacked does not mean he can't come back to the team in future. You don't make enemies in life, you make friends.
"If I were to be Keshi, I will overlook it and move forward. You can still come back in future when the people that sacked you are no more there.
"We have seeing Shaibu going and coming. He has been there more than once, not twice but thrice. He had been sacked three times, but he has been called back on several occasions. If I were him, I will move ahead and not consider going to CAS.
"I think he will get job from another country; he should just move on and forget the sack. The decision depends on him, his lawyer and people that surround him.
"If he wants to go to court, fine for him, but if I were him; if I have the opportunity to talk to him, I will advise him to just move ahead."
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allafrica.com/stories/201507090933.html?viewall=1

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Nigeria: 'Oliseh Not Good Enough for Super Eagles'
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By David Ngobua
Former katsina State Director of Sports, Alhaji Aliyu Kofar Soro has kicked against moves by the Nigeria Football federation to appoint Sunday Oliseh as Super Eagles coach saying the former Eagles captain does not have the required experience to coach the senior national team.
After sacking Keshi, the NFF president is said to be discussing with the former Super Eagles captain for him to take charge of the national team.
In a telephone chat with daily Trust on Wednesday, the football administrator said only a foreign coach will succeed with the Super Eagles.
According to him, apart from the respect that comes to them naturally from the players, expatriate coaches are not biased in their selection of players for the national team.
He therefore reiterated that appointing Oliseh to handle the Super Eagles is like going back to square one because even as he was a good player in his playing days, he does not possess the prerequisite experience to coach the national team.
"NFF must make sure they bring in a grade A coach, a foreigner to handle the Eagles. My belief is that only a foreign coach can instill discipline into the players," he said.
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allafrica.com/stories/201507090491.html?viewall=1

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NFF board member faces impeachment
by: Ejiro Femi-Babafemi
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With the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) expected to meet to approve the appointment of Sunday Oliseh as the next Super Eagles coach, all is not well within the executive committee.
Four out of 13 board members have secretly commenced moves to impeach one of its own Felix Anyansi who is also the NFF technical and development committee chairman. The angry members are working in concert with an ex-board member.
Anyansi has been alerted of the move and he is making efforts to scuttle it.
“I spoke to him (Anyansi) who is in London and he told me that he is on top of the situation,” said the source.
SportingLife understands that Anyansi drew the ire of his colleagues for distancing himself from the sack of ex-Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi which was the recommendation of the NFF disciplinary committee chaired by Chris Green.
The members who hail from the North West, North Central, North East, South South and South East geo-political zones have also not forgotten the role Anyansi played in the last board when he moved against the impeachment of former NFF president, Aminu Maigari.
It was gathered that the members have been enlisting the support of their colleagues for their plans to sail through.
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thenationonlineng.net/new/nff-board-member-faces-impeachment/

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Victor Obinna eyes Serie A return
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Victor Obinna has revealed that he rejected advances from teams based in China and the MLS because he has unfinished business in theSerie A.
The out-of-favour Nigeria international ran out of contract with Lokomotiv Moscow at the end of last month but he didn’t get to play an official game for the Railwaymen all through his last season.
“Italy has remained in my heart, I’d go back again and in a position to give the best,” said Victor Obinna told ianlucadimarzio.com.
“I said no to China and MLS, I want to play in Europe and to show that I can still give my best. Who takes me is a bargain, I am charged and eager to score, maybe coming in double figures. ”
The former Inter Milan striker returned for a second stint with Chievo Verona in January 2014 but he was not acquired outright when the agreement with Lokomotiv Moscow ran out.

thenationonlineng.net/new/victor-obinna-eyes-serie-a-return/

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Akpeyi lands in South Africa for medical, personal terms
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Warri Wolves have permitted their goalkeeper, Daniel Akpeyi to speak with Chippa United towards sealing a move to the South African Premier League(SPL) and the goaltender has travelled to the Southern African region for his medical and to discuss his personal terms.
Chippa United recently expressed their resolve to sign the Super Eagles’ back-up goalkeeper but after initial denial from Warri Wolves, the Media Manager of the club, Moses Etu toldSportingLife that they have allowed Akpeyi to travel to South Africa.
Etu said that the club would not stand in the way of any of their players that seeks greener pasture but that both clubs would still have to agree on his transfer fees before a deal can be sanctioned.
The soft-spoken goalkeeper is in his second season with Warri Wolves having left Heartland at the beginning of last season and he has carved a niche for himself among the quality goaltenders in the league and has also been capped by the senior national team.
“Akpeyi has left for South Africa. We have allowed him to travel and he has gone there for medical and to also agree personal terms.
“We are not known for standing in the way of any of our players and Akpeyi won’t be disallowed from getting his wishes if Chippa United agree on our valuation of the goalkeeper,” Etu told SportingLife.
Meanwhile, a South Africa based Nigerian football agent, Mohammed Lawal who is at the heart of discussion between both Chippa United and Warri Wolves has authoritatively told SportingLife yesterday that Akpeyi would become a Chippa United player in the coming days.
He said both clubs have started negotiations and that Chippa United are willing to tie up Akpeyi to a very long contract after he impressed in the few training sessions he has had.
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thenationonlineng.net/new/akpeyi-lands-in-south-africa-for-medical-personal-terms/

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Anzhi Makhachkala sign Lukman Haruna on loan
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Russian Premier League newcomers FC Anzhi Makhachkala have secured the signature of Nigeria international Lukman on loan from Dynamo Kiev.
The former Golden Eaglets maestro has put pen to paper on a six – month contract which will see him remain at Anzhi Arena until December 31, 2015.
This is a reunion of sorts for Lukman Haruna and manager Semin , who tutored him at Dynamo Kiev from 2011-2012.
In his first words after the deal was completed, the central midfielder told his club’s official website: “I am very grateful to Yuri because he invited me to Anzhi , I really like to work with him.
“Glad to be here , and intend to do everything in my power to make the team finish the season in the top five . I hope that the upcoming season will be the best in my career.”
The 24-year-old Lukman Haruna is tied to Dynamo Kiev until June 30, 2016.

thenationonlineng.net/new/anzhi-makhachkala-sign-lukman-haruna-on-loan/

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Oliseh wants N60m per annum
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• Demands same N5m monthly pay as Keshi
• Expected in Abuja next Tuesday evening
AfricanFootball.com has again scooped that in-coming Nigeria coach Sunday Oliseh has told officials he is comfortable to be paid the same five million Naira (more than $21,000) a month his predecessor Stephen Keshi earned.
The former Nigeria skipper is due to fly into Abuja on Tuesday evening and hours later meet with the NFF technical committee headed by Felix Anyansi-Agwu.
“Oliseh is ready to earn the same pay Keshi was on. This again shows he is ready to serve his fatherland and money is not what is driving him. This is another good sign with the decision to give him the job without much fanfare,” a top official told AfricanFootball.com.
The NFF have confirmed Oliseh, 40, will replace Keshi and he will be handed a five-year contract.
His backroom staff will include a Dutch assistant coach, Salisu Yusuf as well as Ike Shorunmu, who will remain as goalkeeper trainer. His most immediate task will be a 2017 AFCON qualifier in Tanzania.
The Super Eagles beat Chad 2-0 in Kaduna earlier last month to get their qualifying campaign for Gabon 2017 off to a winning start. Egypt are also in the same qualifying pool.
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thenationonlineng.net/new/oliseh-wants-n60m-per-annum/

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Oliseh lacks experience to handle Eagles, says Laloko
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The former Gambia national team handler has thumbed down the choice of the ex-Eagles skipper to replace Keshi as Nigeria’s coach
By Shina Oludare
Former Nigeria Football Federation Technical Director Kashimawo Laloko has insisted that Sunday Oliseh have not got the experience to handle the Super Eagles. The Nigeria Football Federation confirmed it is in talks with former Super Eagles’ captain with regards to the vacant position of the team’s Head Coach having terminated the appointment of another former captain, Stephen Keshi, over breaches of core terms of his contract.
According to Laloko, the former Borussia Dortmund whose only managerial experience was at Belgian third division side Verviétois in 2008 is not ripe enough to handle the senior national team.
"I don’t think he has the necessary experience to be Super Eagles coach. He is educated and very organised as a player, but his success will depend on how organised he is as a coach,” Laloko told Punch.
"Managing a national team is very different from coaching a club. Besides, being a good footballer and analyst does not automatically make you a fantastic coach.
"But one thing I can be sure of is that he will introduce a new structure in the team; Keshi never had any structure, and that was what affected the team last year.
"Oliseh might have the Uefa pro licence but it is required that he has a Caf licence, that is what we have on ground as the rule,” he concluded.
The seasoned tactician who also doubles as the Director of Pepsi Football Academy also expressed his dissatisfaction with the idea of having a Dutch coach as Oliseh’s assistant, insisting that more experienced local coaches are available for the position.
“What is the experience of the Dutch coach and who is bringing him? The NFF should be the one to appoint his assistants, not the other way round,” he continued.
“Many of these foreign coaches know nothing about African football. Besides, this is not the time to spend our little resources on foreign coaches. We can call on coaches like Bitrus Bewarang, who also have Uefa licences and necessary experience,” he concluded.
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m.goal.com/x/en-ng/news/13466482

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Eagles’ tumble on Fifa ranking saddens Amoo
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The Dream Team VI assistant coach has spoken about his displeasure at the current Fifa rankings which put Nigeria as the 57th best football playing nation in the world
By Kolade Oni
Nigeria U23 assistant coach Fatai Amoo has stated that the current rating of the Super Eagles in the latest Fifa rankings is disheartening.
The country’s senior national team dropped 14 places to 57th in the world and tenth in the world, and Amoo pointed out that the country’s absence from the 2015 Africa Cup of Nation played a key role in the fall while seeking for more friendly games for the Eagles against top football playing nations to rise again.
"My heart bleeds when I see the present rating of the Super Eagles in the latest Fifa rankings. It is unheard of that Nigeria will be so poorly placed,” Amoo lamented to Goal.
“We need to put our act in order and also ensure that we make use of the international breaks to play countries that are better on the rankings than us for us to rise.
"We need to do something urgent to address the situation to stop it from getting worse than this. We also need to take all games seriously including qualifiers for major competitions. Our inability to play in 2015 Afcon could have also been a factor too," he concluded.
The Eagles were ranked the fifth best in the world after the 1994 Fifa World Cup and have never attained that height since then.
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m.goal.com/x/en-ng/news/13450732

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Omeruo, Traore & Boga - The youngsters ready to challenge for a place in Mourinho's Chelsea first-team squad
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With the Blues recently placing an emphasis on developing young players, we take a look at the youngsters ready to challenge for a first team spot in Mourinho’s squad
By Moagi Tladinyane

BERTRAND TRAORE



Born in Burkina Faso, Traore joined Chelsea from Auxerre in 2013 having reportedly spurned the advances of Manchester United. While he is highly regarded at Chelsea, Traore has not yet appeared competitively for the Stamford Bridge outfit.
While he has yet to appear competitively for Chelsea, the 19-year-old shone in the club’s 2013/14 pre-season tour, with Mourinho said to be very impressed with both his ability and attitude. However, due to not having played the required amount of national team games at the time, Traore was denied a work permit and was unable to feature competitively for the Blues. As a result, Chelsea sent the young Burkinabe on loan to ‘sister team’ Vitesse Arnhem, where Traore would go on to shine.
While the Burkinabe took time to settle into the 2013/2014 season, scoring 3 goals in 15 appearances, it was in this past season that he really came to prominence.
A powerful, strong runner with an eye for goal; Traore, having been signed as a winger, has since been shifted to centre forward, where he has taken to the position like a duck to water. This past season, Traore scored 15 goals in 37 appearances, in the process helping Vitesse qualify for the Europa League.
Such has been his progress that it is believed that Mourinho was one of the drivers behind the push to obtain a work permit for Traore, which has recently been granted. Traore has now played the required amount of national team games and has been given a work permit to play in England, with murmurs around Stamford Bridge claiming that Mourinho would like to include the winger sooner rather than later, and integrate him into the first team squad.
It is thought that Mourinho believes the youngster is ready to contend for a place in the first team and may be looking to add the forward to the squad in order to provide depth in attacking positions.
Despite only being 19-years-old, Traore has international experience having made his international bow aged 15 and has represented his country 23 times, scoring twice in the process.

KENNETH OMERUO

A tall and powerful defender, Omeruo has been with the Blues since 2012, having signed from Belgian club Standard Liege in 2012.
Since joining, Omeruo has been farmed out on loan and gained invaluable experience that has seen him become a regular in the Nigerian national team. Over the past two seasons, the Nigerian has amassed 36 and 33 club appearances whilst out on loan with ADO Den Haag and Middlesbrough respectively, not to mention having made his international debut aged 19. A full Nigerian international, Omeruo has appeared 28 times for Nigeria despite only being 21, and has shone on the international stage, particularly the 2013 AFCON tournament where Nigeria went on to win a third African title.
Omeruo, a commanding and organised defender, is an asset at both ends of the pitch and is widely regarded as the natural successor to John Terry according to those inside the club. It is also thought that, given his versatility, he could become a useful player for the West Londoners, with the centre-back also able to slot in at right back. While Chelsea have been linked to a host of defenders and are actively seeking defensive reinforcements, they may not need to look farther as they have a ready-made defender in Omeruo.
While he is yet to make an appearance for the Blues, the powerful centre-back is tipped to go on and become a regular for Chelsea with the Nigerian seemingly ready to challenge for a place in Mourinho’s squad.
[/b]
m.goal.com/x/en-ng/news/13448952
To be continued in the next post....

....continue from the last post.
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Omeruo, Traore & Boga - The youngsters ready to challenge for a place in Mourinho's Chelsea first-team squad
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Having joined Chelsea as an under-12, Boga has risen through the ranks at Cobham and at 18-years-old is already seen to be on the periphery of the first team.
Born in Marseille, Boga can play a number of offensive positions. He has generally played as a creative attacking midfielder, but is also comfortable playing out wide or as a second striker due to his ability to create opportunities and beat opponents. Although Boga was born in France, he is of Ivorian descent and is eligible to represent the Ivory Coast on the international stage should he choose to spurnles Bleusadvances.
Often seen dazzling teams and splitting defences at youth level, Boga’s rapid and consistent development caught the eyes of management, which resulted in the young Frenchman being fast-tracked into the U21 squad aged 15, with a view to ease him into the first team. Mourinho is said to be particularly fond of the Frenchman’s ability stating that “When you want to look forward, look to the future and we have people like Fabregas, Matic and Jeremie Boga, which are the next 10 years of the club” - quite the vote of confidence from the Special One.
Still only 18, such has been his development that both Marseille and Monaco have contacted the Frenchman with both clubs ready to offer the youngster first team football. Despite these advances, Boga is so highly rated at Stamford Bridge that Chelsea are unwilling to release the youngster in a permanent deal and would only consider a loan deal.
Chelsea view Boga as a future first-team player and, according to sources close to Stamford Bridge, hope that he will be ready to challenge for a place in the first team squad in the upcoming season.
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m.goal.com/x/en-ng/news/13448952

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Nigeria wait on Fifa clearance for Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi
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The young Gunner is expected to make his Super Eagles bow once the NFF’s application for a nationality eligibility switch is complete
By Lolade Adewuyi
Nigeria expect to get Arsenal’s Alex Iwobito play for them as soon as possible, as they await word from Fifa over their application for a nationality switch.
The 19-year-old, who plays as a forward and captains the Gunners’ U21s, was born in Lagos but has represented the English youth teams at all levels.
However, he has decided to pitch his international future with the Super Eagles and was invited to the U23 squad but sat in the stands during an All African Games qualifying match against Gabon in Libreville in February.
Fifa rules require that an application be made from the interested association seeking for permission before a player switches his allegiance.
The Nigeria Football Federation is keen for Iwobi’s switch to be complete.



“We have since sent applications to Fifa on the boy’s intention of playing for his fatherland, Nigeria,” NFF general secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi told Goal.
“And like what happened in the case of Victor Moses and Shola Ameobi, it took time before Fifa replied to us that they had been cleared.
“You know that there are processes as regards this. Fifa will thoroughly assess [our application] before clearing the player for us to use.”
On Thursday, Iwobi was included in Arsenal’s 27-man squad for their Barclays Asia Trophy tour to Singapore.
He will hope to break into the Gunners first team this season after impressing in the youth side last term.
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m.goal.com/x/en-ng/news/13457812

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NFF defends Oliseh appointment
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Nigerian Football Federation technical committee chairman Felix Anyansi-Agwu is confident Sunday Oliseh is the right man to take the country's football "to a new height".
The former Super Eagles captain was confirmed as Stephen Keshi's successor this week, although the appointment has been met with mixed responses due to his lack of coaching experience.
However, Anyansi-Agwu is convinced the former Ajax, Juventus and Borussia Dortmund midfielder can make a success of his time with the Nigerian team.
"We have confidence in his capacity and we are confident he will take the Super Eagles and Nigerian football to a new height," he told Daily Independent.
"The technical committee which I am chairman of, recommended him and this would not have been possible without having strong convictions about his competence.
"Not just my personal conviction, but that of the members of the technical committee and we looked at all the issues on ground dispassionately and we came to a conclusion that he is the best choice."
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www.football411.com/story/0,22162,14340_61450,00.html

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Classic Azzurri Matches – Italy vs Nigeria 1994
As Italy teetered on the edge of elimination at the World Cup in 1994, arguably the greatest talent of his generation – Roberto Baggio– stepped forward and single handedly sent Nigeria packing with a majestic display of his talent on the global stage.
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July 5 seems to be a historical date for calcio fans. At the 1982 World Cup in Spain, Italy beat Brazil 3-2 and Paolo Rossi was the hero at the Estadio Sarria in Barcelona, scoring a hat-trick after failing to score in the first four matches.
The Azzurrifaced emerging African power Nigeria 12 years later in another classic encounter. The match against Nigeria might not have been as aesthetically pleasing but there was still plenty of drama at the Foxboro Stadium in Boston. This was the match in which Roberto Baggio came to life, scoring two goals in remarkable circumstances.
Things weren’t running so smoothly for Italy in the early stages of USA 94. A shock 1-0 defeat to the Republic of Ireland was followed by a hard-fought 1-0 win against Norway and a 1-1 draw with Mexico.
The Azzurri qualified out of Group E in third place, behind Mexico and the Irish. Fortunately for Italy, the 1994 World Cup featured 24 teams and under that system, four of the best teams who finished third in their group could progress to the second round.
Italy’s unconvincing performances were blamed at coach Arrigo Sacchi. As AC Milan coach, he won back-to-back European Cups using the 4-4-2 formation and implemented a style which involved zonal defending and pressing over the pitch.
He tried to do the same with the Azzurri and the Italian press were not thrilled, especially because he eliminated the libero position. The players also were placed in roles that didn’t suit them and the squad was rotated match after match.


In contrast to Italy, newcomers Nigeria were the media darlings and early pacesetters at USA 94. A 2-1 loss to Argentina was sandwiched in between two wins against Balkan countries. Their first win was a 3-0 win against Bulgaria and the Africans topped their group thanks to a 2-0 win against fellow debutants Greece.
Spain were awaiting the winners of this match after they beat Switzerland 3-0 three days prior. The Spaniards’ next opponent wouldn’t need to travel far because the quarter-final against Spain would also be in Boston. For the time being, Italy didn’t look like a team that would progress very far.
The Azzurri started off well enough, playing a short passing game and with a high back line. Nigeria were happy to counterattack and hit long-balls to their burly centre-forward Rashidi Yekini. Even though the Azzurri were good in their ball retention, they were lacking something in the final third of the pitch.
Daniele Massaro was Baggio’s partner in attack and he showed that he could drop back into midfield or move to the right-wing when possible. He needed to do that because Nicola Berti wasn’t fit and couldn’t run his socks off and Roberto Mussi wasn’t making overlapping runs from right-back.
Giuseppe Signori crossed from the left-wing for Baggio, who had his shot blocked by Michael Emenalo. Signori made his presence felt in the attack and he curled a low left-footed free-kick into the penalty box, only for the ball to fall to Paolo Maldini. He failed to get a clean touch and Nigerian goalkeeper Peter Rufai collected the ball.



The Nigerians finally got into the game and the short passing game seemed to suit them too. Yekini was still the target man for Clemens Westerhof’s team but the forward was well-marshalled by Maldini. The wings provided better options.
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Classic Azzurri Matches – Italy vs Nigeria 1994
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Emmanuel Amunike received a long pass from Finidi George and his cross from the left was headed into the stands by Berti. George took the corner from the right and Maldini headed the ball into the air. It was poorly judged and as a result, Nigeria took the lead.
Amunike read Maldini’s looping header and with one touch, he flicked it in with the outside of his left boot. Italian goalkeeper Luca Marchegiani had not been forced into a save for over 25 minutes and suddenly he had to pick the ball out of the net.
The Italian players got a bit rough for a while before searching for an equaliser. Demetrio Albertini tried to win the ball back in midfield and kicked Amunike, which resulted in a stretcher being brought on. Alessandro Costacurta received a yellow card for fouling Yekini in a challenge that was less reckless than Albertini’s.
Italy had a shout for a penalty but play was waved on. Signori crossed to Massaro, who then headed the ball to Roberto Baggio. Chidi Nwanu roughly nudged the Divine Ponytail before heading the ball away. No penalty given. Signori went on a dribble afterwards and despite a rough challenge on him, there was no foul or free-kick given.



Antonio Benarrivo was starting to get into the match. He crossed for Massaro, who headed over the bar and then made an attempt at a bicycle kick. Surprisingly Rufai rushed off his line, charging to the top right corner of the 18-yard box and punched the ball away from Benarrivo.
After that, Signori bent another free-kick for Maldini and he headed the ball over the bar. Roberto Donadoni was playing as an attacking midfielder in the first half and his long-range shot was easily saved by Rufai.
The Azzurri were trailing 1-0 at half-time. Nigeria didn’t pose too much of a threat and the only other chance the Africans had was a shot that George ballooned over the bar. Happy to sit on their lead, they struggled to counter-attack each time they won the ball.
At half-time, Sacchi moved Donadoni to the right-wing and replaced the ineffective Berti with Dino Baggio. Baggio quickly made his presence felt, almost scoring with a volley and then creating a chance for Massaro. The striker ended up botching it after a heavy touch on the turn.
Signori tried to win a penalty but he received a yellow card after dribbling two players and then taking a dive. Sunday Oliseh touched him after the Italian started his fall. Signori was replaced by Gianfranco Zolaand the short Sardinian was involved in the match’s most controversial moment.
Zola had been on the field for over 10 minutes when he was battling with Augustine Eguavoen for the ball. The Nigerian right-back pushed Zola off the ball and when the Sardinian jumped in front of Eguavoen, the defender fell backwards and feigned an injury by holding his face.



To Zola’s disbelief, Mexican referee Arturo Brizio Carter showed a straight red card. The forward fell to his knees, folded his arms and dropped his head. Zola was a clean player with no reputation for cynical play or diving. Unfortunately, it was Zola’s solitary World Cup appearance.
The Italian camp was in shock and disgust. One fan in a Sampdoria jersey was so disgusted; he grabbed his genitals with one hand and shouted out a foul-mouthed remark at the referee. If anything, it should have been Maldini who should have been sent off minutes later.
Yekini was running clear and Maldini was the last man in defence. He grabbed the African forward and halted his run. Maldini only received a yellow card and from the resulting free-kick, Jay-Jay Okocha bending free-kick forced a save out of Marchegiani.
Italy had been creating opportunities, even with 10 men. The Azzurri looked predictable though and Nigeria were putting in a solid display. With less than five minutes to go, ITV commentator Gary Bloom came up with the commentator’s curse.
“The new power of world football has mastered the old,” said Bloom. Up stepped Roberto Mussi and Roberto Baggio. Mussi was playing much better in the second half, constantly making runs from right-back.



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Classic Azzurri Matches – Italy vs Nigeria 1994
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He received a through-ball on the right wing, stormed into the box and cut the ball back. Baggio shot from just inside the box and the angled drive went low into Rufai’s right corner. The scores were level and Bloom was quick to change his mind. He said: “The dying, flagging Italians are right back in it!”
Both teams had their chances to take the lead in the first period of extra-time. The Azzurri were the better team and after 100 minutes, Roberto Baggio scooped the ball over Eguavoen and Benarrivo. The Nigerian brought the Italian defender down and the Azzurri had won a penalty. Baggio stepped up to take the penalty and smashed a low shot past Rufai’s right corner.
The Azzurri took a 2-1 lead but straight after the goal, Emenalo centred for Yekini, who failed to get a clean touch but still beat Marchegiani. The ball was bouncing towards the net before Dino Baggio cleared the ball right on the line. Just before the first period ended, Roby Baggio went on a solo run but failed to get a hat-trick, shooting straight at Rufai.
The last 15 minutes of extra-time was dominated by Nigeria, who were on the back foot for once. Everyone except for Roberto Baggio stayed back and defended for Italy. The likes of Donadoni and Massaro had put in good tackles. Mussi was reduced to walking due to muscle strains in his leg.



In the last minute, Okocha created a chance for Yekini and his shot was blocked. The midfielder also tried to dribble past three Italians but his run was blocked too. Brizio Carter then blew the whistle for the end of the match.
The Azzurri got another unlikely win, Nigeria were out of their first World Cup and Brizio Carter was also heading home after his shambolic display. Baggio finally got his scoring boots on and delivered when his team needed him. He was embraced by his team-mates as well as Benarrivo, who fell and was in tears.
Both Baggios played vital roles for Italy at USA 94. Dino scored the winner against Norway and opened the scoring against Spain and the Divine Ponytail scored five goals en route to the final, which the Azzurri lost to Brazil.
Roberto missed his penalty in the World Cup final shoot-out but he played a vital role in getting Italy there in the first place, starting with his heroics against Nigeria.
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Nigeria: Eagles Too Big for Oliseh, Says Izilien
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By Alex Monye
Former Super Falcons coach, Godwin Izilien, has faulted the Nigeria Football Federation's (NFF) move to hire retired Super Eagles captain, Sunday Oliseh, as the senior national team coach.
His reason is that Oliseh has not handled any big team anywhere in the world since he became a coach. Izilien said that Super Eagles currently needs an exposed and intelligent tactician with a good track record, adding the federation should have advertised the job and allowed competent coaches to compete for the position.
The coach, who accused the federation of toeing the same line that saw former Super Eagles boss, Samson Siasia, hiring a foreign assistant, Simon Kalika, during his tenure, said the current experiment with Oliseh would only lead to another failure.
Izilien said the NFF should have prepared the former Juventus of Italy player for the big time by grooming him through one of the cadet teams, adding that the current idea would not help the country's quest to regain its eminence in football. "I wonder where the name of Oliseh emanated from after Keshi was sacked.
I think NFF is an organized body made up of experienced football administrators, but they got this one wrong. "Oliseh has never handled any known club or national team anywhere in the world to the best of my knowledge.
The only quality I know about him is that he was an intelligent player, who represented his teammates in the Super Eagles. I also know that he was a member of FIFA technical study group. But that is not enough reason for the NFF to give him the Super Eagles job.
"I don't have anything against Oliseh, but I must say that the NFF are taking the wrong step in the manner they want to appoint a new coach for the Eagles. "For the federation to also allow him to get a foreign assistant is another ploy to pave way for the foreign coaches to share from the national cake.
Siasia worked with a foreign assistant before and the result we got is not qualifying for the 2012 Nations Cup. NFF should rescind this decision and advertise the Super Eagles coaching position; this is how it is done in other climes."
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allafrica.com/stories/201507100669.html?viewall=1

United States coach Jürgen Klinsmann said this to a New York Times reporter before the 2014 World Cup in Brazil: “We cannot win this World Cup, because we are not at that level yet. For us, we have to play the game of our lives seven times to win the tournament”.

This was a brutally honest quote which the Americans are not used to in the field of sports; in fact, the USA was one of four countries that believed that they would win the World Cup in a pre-tournament poll.

Our presumptive coach of the Super Eagles Sunday Oliseh might well be bold in his introductory press conference to blurt this out: “We cannot win the next World Cup. The reasons are not farfetched; we don’t have the players that can win the Cup in four years. We do not even have any players in the very lucrative European league market this off-season.”

In sports or in football, you win with talent and not coaches. Your coach is your gateway for a good and talented team of players, and that is what Oliseh’s job description should be.

Klinsmann’s job in the US is to turn the football programme around. He is to build a team that can contend every four years. He is also the technical director of USA football and he must develop a coherent style of play that will be employed at all levels of US teams. However, Klinsmann is hated by MLS teams because he sends all talented young Americans into Europe instead of going to university and he proactively identifies and recruits dual nationals.

Before Oliseh’s coming, here is what the new NFF has been doing – actively recruiting dual nationals to play for Nigeria, and installing a committee within the Federation to identify and send abroad our young talented Nigerians. What we read about the present negotiations between the NFF and Oliseh is that the former Super Eagles captain will have the duty of crafting playing style for Nigerian football, a playing and coaching philosophy.

He will be assisted by a Belgian technical coach whose functions will be to tutor our young players and coaches. Oliseh will draw a five year plan for Nigerian football and will be actively involved in the development of players within our system.

You can see that the roles of Klinsman and Oliseh are very similar; but Oliseh does not carry the same coaching experience that Klinsman has.

Besides a UEFA Pro license, Oliseh has not coached any team of importance. Though he seems to be very good in his football speaking and writing engagements, his understanding of the game on paper cannot be disputed. His understanding of the game as a player cannot also be disputed but our only concern is his lack of coaching experience at top club level or country.

But our concern will be valid if we think that we have the players that can win the World Cup in 2018; then we can complain about his lack of practical coaching experience at this level but if as I believe that we are nowhere near getting a quarter final berth at the World Cup, then a man like Oliseh is the best shot at improving our football. He has the paper qualification, he is charismatic enough to be a good leader; he has already shown that he has exceptional communication skills (oral and written) and his technical understanding cannot also be overlooked, for he was on the FIFA Technical Study Group at the 2014 World Cup Brazil.

Oliseh coming on board only shows that the NFF sees our football problems, our lack of good players who can compete at the highest levels of the game.

Sunday Oliseh must be given a chance, he must be provided with all the resources needed and he must not be ‘hounded’ for results.



http://m.goal.com/x/en-ng/news/13485582

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Nigeria: Analysis - Sunday Oliseh and the Super Eagles Resurrection
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Former Super Eagles captain Sunday Oliseh.
By Jide Alaka
From all indications, the Nigeria Football Federation will name Sunday Oliseh the next Super Eagles coach.
The ex-Ajax and Juventus midfielder will always be fondly remembered for that match-winning thunderbolt goal against Spain.
It was at the 1998 World Cup and Andoni Zubizareta, La Furia Roja's legendary goalkeeper will remember the match with pain as Nigeria came from behind twice before Oliseh's goal sealed a 3-2 victory.
The Nigeria Football Federation revealed on Wednesday that its president, Amaju Pinnick, met with Oliseh in London to set up a contract.
"An offer has been made, and there is understanding, but we have to work out the final details of the agreement in a few days," the NFF wrote.
Oliseh did not 'chase' the job
Oliseh has publicly scoffed at the job but Pinnick met with him on Wednesday, after a previous meeting in November 2014, to finalise plans for his unveiling.
As part of the proposal, "Oliseh is expected to come up with a five-year developmental plan to fashion a unique playing and coaching philosophy."
Well, there we have it.
The question that many who have heard Oliseh speak in the years gone by will be asking now is: "Why did he change his mind concerning the national team job and why now?"
Oliseh, in January 2015, at a TED lecture, revealed that so many people have asked him why he does not want to coach the Super Eagles and his reply has always been, "I wanna live long."
So what changed between January and July? It may be that he has decided that it is better to live a short impactful life than one that is long but with a lot of regrets.
"A man who wants to succeed should not do a lot to be loved but should do a lot to be respected." Oliseh had said in an interview in 2010.
Oliseh prides himself as an analyst
Another question that quickly follows is, will he be able to solve the tactical and technical void that the Super Eagles have been bereft of in the last couple of years?
In that same lecture, Oliseh said: "Education from my school days was the difference in my life. It made it easy for me to analyse."
An analysis of the challenges that face the growth of the game in Nigeria will show they are numerous. Worse still, the challenges have now gone 'viral'.
Oliseh revealed in one of his interviews that what happens in the football house is 'organised chaos'. "If things are done properly - in the right way, there will be no avenue for corruption."
So, as an analytical person, has he found a way to negate this 'organised chaos' that he will definitely encounter on the job?
Yes, he has a UEFA Pro license, and he was in the same class with Manchester United legend, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, but has that prepared him for the unpredictability of his employers and is that enough to guarantee success in the Super Eagles job?
Renowned football commentator, Colin Udoh, believes the present NFF board led by Pinnick is doing things differently.
"This change in the way the NFF went about their business reflects a growing if so far largely unacknowledged trend with this current leadership."
The NFF say they are ready to help him succeed
"A lot of the work being done has been geared toward long-term capacity building and improvement of structures," Udoh wrote on espnsoccernet.com.
And the NFF are actually making all the right noises about implementing a plan for long-term gains.
So Oliseh should be backed to the hilt to succeed as summarised in Shehu Dikko's comment, "He [Oliseh] will receive every bit of support he needs to make this work, because if he fails, we all fail."
At this moment Oliseh must believe this statement that he made at the TED lecture so hard that he could damn all the consequences. "If we decide as a race that we want to succeed, nobody can stop us."
Nobody can stop him but what the average Nigerian football fan desires for the Super Eagles and all the national teams is success by playing a fine brand of football.
Whether Oliseh, in his new capacity, will be able to deliver this is another matter. If he does, it might well be that the 'change' Nigerians seek in all spheres would also be visiting the football house.

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Stephen Keshi: Finally, the Big Boss Goes Down
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Stephen Keshi
That Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi was sacked by the Nigeria Football Federation did not come as a surprise to many following the hullaballoo between him and the NFF eggheads since Nigeria’s victory at the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa. It was clear that Keshi’s reign as Eagles boss was just a matter of time. When he was reported to have applied for Cote D’Ivoire’s coaching job and the NFF said it would investigate it, it was obvious the end of the ‘Big Boss’ was near. And the NFF finally nailed the coffin last Saturday by confirming his sack. Kunle Adewale x-rays the crises between the two gladiators
His contract with the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, expired after the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and in spite of being linked with several other jobs outside the shores of Nigeria-notably South Africa, Equatorial Guinea and Burkina Faso, the 'Big Boss' carried on with the Super Eagles job even without a contract.
After erstwhile Super Eagles coach, Samson Siasia failed to qualify Nigeria for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations jointly hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, Stephen Keshi took over as the national team boss and part of his contract was to qualify Nigeria to the 2013 AFCON in South Africa and the 2014 World Cup in Brazil after which his contract expired. Keshi not only qualified the Eagles to AFCON 2013 but won the competition and was hugely celebrated. He also qualified the team to the second round of the Mundial in Brazil.
After the World Cup, it was clear that the NFF was not really interested in renewing the contract of the big boss and its chairman, Amaju Pinnick, then newly elected did not hide the fact that he was not a great fan of Keshi when he questioned his competence during the World Cup in Brazil.
“I like Keshi as a person, but the Eagles run-up to the World Cup and their first game against Iran has proved to me that Keshi has reached his limit. He is a national hero. I celebrate him for all he has achieved with the team in such a short time, but it appears he can’t move the Eagles forward unless he improves on his abilities. We failed to go further in Brazil because our coaches did not adopt the scientific approach to winning matches. Football has gone beyond having a coaching crew on the bench. The trend now is to have the technical back-room staff, peopled by expert coaches, who win matches from the bench," Pinnick had reportedly said in an interview after the last FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
But this was not enough warning for the former Togolese coach and he went on to tinker the Super Eagles through the 2015 AFCON qualifier matches without a contract and failed to qualify the team.
Keshi's contract expired on June 30 and he said afterwards that he had given up negotiations over a new deal, but only to rescind on his decision to walk away.
"I want to respect the wishes of Nigerians and the appeal by the Sports Minister to handle the team at least for the two games. The need to answer the patriotic call and respect the wishes of Nigerians informed my coming for the key games.
I'm going to see out these two games and we'll hopefully then sit down and talk about a new contract. We worked so hard to win the Nations Cup in South Africa, I think we should do all that we can to defend it," Keshi had said.
After failing to qualify Nigeria for the 2015 AFCON, Keshi was eventually appointed Nigeria coach for the third time and signed a two-year contract.
"It's a fresh start. We need the support of our fans, media and every Nigerian to return the team to where we truly belong. As a coach and former player I was also hurt that we failed to qualify for the last Nations Cup. I remain confident that this time around we will see an improvement, change in attitude and positive results. To succeed we all need to come together as one because Nigeria belongs to us - this is not Stephen Keshi's team but our national team," Keshi told BBC Sport.
Clause 4.1 of the contract however stated that:
“The NFF shall employ the head coach for a period of two (2) years. Provided in the unlikely event that the senior male national team (the Super Eagles) under the head coach fail to make it to the semifinals of the 2016 African Nations Championship (CHAN), the NFF in its absolute discretion may decide to terminate this present contract.”
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Stephen Keshi: Finally, the Big Boss Goes Down
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Clause 4.3 reads: “Notwithstanding the provisions set out above or any other provision in this contract, the federation shall retain the right to terminate this agreement at any time where it is of the opinion that the coach, as demonstrated by his performance does not possess the ability or competence to achieve the federation's objectives as set out in this contract. In such a case, the NFF shall summarily terminate this contract without prejudice to the settlement by the parties of any existing financial obligations between them.”
Clause 5.4 of the contract says: “The head coach shall select the best crop of players of the Super Eagles who are in his opinion ready to excel in friendly and competitive games in consultation with the technical committee and the technical study group of the NFF.”
After the termination of his appointment, a statement by the federation’s Executive Committee, said: “having thoroughly reviewed the reports/findings of the NFF Disciplinary Committee and NFF Technical and Development Committee, as well as having reviewed the actions and inactions of Mr. Stephen Keshi, in the performance of his duties as Super Eagles’ Head Coach, which we found to lack the required commitment to achieve the federation’s objectives as set out in the coach’s employment contract.
“To this end and pursuant to the provisions of Clause 4.3 of the Employment Contract between Mr. Stephen Keshi and the NFF (The Contract) and the various clauses therein, the Nigeria Football Federation has decided to exercise its option to summarily terminate the employment contract of Mr. Stephen Keshi with the Federation with immediate effect.”
NFF stated that the termination was “without prejudice to the settlement of any existing and due financial obligations between the NFF and Mr. Keshi.”
Speaking on behalf of the Executive Committee of NFF, 1st Vice President of the body, Seyi Akinwunmi assured Nigerians that the decision was not taken lightly or with any prejudice, but in the ultimate interest of Nigeria football.
Akinwunmi, who thanked Keshi for his services to the country and wished him the very best in his future endeavours also said: “In the interim, the Super Eagles’ team affairs will be jointly managed by Assistant Coach, Salisu Yusuf and the Technical Directorate of the NFF headed by Coach Shuaibu Amodu, until the Federation names in due course a new Head Coach, who, along with the NFF will chart a new direction for the Super Eagles to ensure credible participation in international competitions and assist in building a sustainable football culture for the country.”
Meanwhile, former Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Patrick Ekeji, has said that the NFF) was right by terminating the appointment of Super Eagles Head Coach, Stephen Keshi.
Ekeji argued that the federation had no confidence in the coach and the right thing to do was to part ways in the interest of the nation.
“The NFF have done what they should have done before. They have lost confidence in Keshi long time ago, and when you don’t have confidence in your employee, there is no way you can work together. I have said it before that they should take a decision on time and I am happy they have done that. They should start looking for a new coach immediately and if they already have one, he should resume without any delay,” Ekeji said.
In his reaction, former Green Eagles winger, Adokiye Amiesimaka, said he was not surprised at the removal of Keshi because the current NFF board never believed in him, saying the termination of Keshi’s two-year contract because he applied for the Ivorian job, would not come to many Nigerians as a surprise.
“It is clear that the moment he was employed and after winning the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament, they did not want him. Keshi was not wanted by the NFF. After winning the cup, Keshi ran into different problems with the federation. Some top NFF officials made it clear that they wanted a foreign coach; they were merely looking for excuse to throw him out,” Adokiye said.
The former Chairman of Sharks FC of Port Harcourt said it would have dawned on Keshi that his employers did not want him. “I saw it coming, Keshi should have seen it coming, I am sure other Nigerians too should have seen it coming, he was never their choice.”
To many therefore, Keshi only waited to be sacked as it was obvious from his many running battles with the NFF eggheads and some stringent conditions in his contract that was all the while sitting on a gun powder waiting to explode.
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*.Tells Dangote to invest in Nigerian club

BY GEORTE ALUO
Chief Gabriel Chuk­wuma (Gabros) needs no introduction when it comes to football mat­ters in Nigeria.
Before the coming of Dr Ifeanyi Uba, he was the sole financier of Gabros International FC now FC Ifaenyi Uba.
He has also served as the first vice president of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) now Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
In this interview, Chief Chuk­wuma says that the sack of for­mer Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi was long overdue and that most Nigerian coaches are the bane of the country’s football among other issues. Enjoy it.
SO FAR, WHAT IS YOUR ASSESS­MENT OF THE NFF PRESIDENT AMAJU PINNICK?
He is a good man. But so far he has performed below my expectation. The things our national team coaches used to do in the past are still happening even today. I thought the NFF president should have been able to stop them from collect­ing money from players. That is, he should have been able to introduce the culture of merit to our football like it used to be in the days of late Emeka Omerua. Most of our coaches are cash and carry. And they are players’ agents. This cannot help our football grow.
WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON KESHI’S SACK?
Frankly speaking, the sack of Coach Stephen Keshi was long overdue. Keshi should have been sacked long ago, but my friend, Pinnick was just afraid. You know the Coach was well connected and he was influential. He was always applying for jobs in other countries even before the time he was sacked.
However, am glad that my Pinnick finally got the courage to sack him.
There is nothing Keshi would have done again. For now we do not have a national team. And there is nothing anybody can do .What we have in the name of coaches are players’ agents. Before the coming of Ifeanyi Ubah, I was one of the high­est stakeholders in Nigeria football. And I have the requisite football experiences. I do not need to watch a team twice to commend or dismiss the team. Keshi was about four years old with the Super Eagles. But how super were they? Where were the Eagles? Who can close his eyes and name 10 quality players of the super Eagles under Keshi?
SO, WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE NOW THAT KESHI IS OUT?
Amodu and Yusuf as caretaker coaches should just start building a national team for us. They should lay a solid foundation for a true Super Eagles team.
Keshi tried, he did his best. But his return to the team was uncalled for. He came back because he had a godfather and he was influential. This is the time for the NFF to go for a reputable foreign coach. I do not mean the type of foreign coach the NFF bigwigs will be sharing his salary in London. The coach must not be player’s agent. And all football agents must be kept at bay. Look at the game against Chad,Keshi dressed a player that in all sincerity had no business with the Super Eagles. It was simply the handiwork of players’ agents.
WHAT OF THE U-20 TEAM THAT CRASHED AT THE LAST WORLD CUP?
It is the same problem. The last time the team crashed, I thought we should have learnt some lessons. For it to happen again there is no need asking question, we have not changed. And this is the change I expected Pinnick to have effected by now. The coach of the U-20 team that was star-studded needs to be sanctioned. In fact, coaches that fail dismally that way are sup­posed to be banned for at least ten years. Our problem is that shortly after some of these coaches fail, you see them return to some of the teams. They keep coming and going in a circle that is why they don’t learn any lesson. Anybody that watched the U-20 team will agree with me completely.
THE FALCONS ALSO CRASHED
That is the same problem. They equally paraded galaxy of stars, some of the best in the world but there was no coach.His sack was also a relief.
IN ALL WHAT IS YOUR RELA­TIONSHIP WITH THE NFF?
That is the problem. If it is cordial, I can say is it not cordial. You know if it is as cordial as it is supposed to be, I should have been talking to them directly rather than on the pages of the newspapers.
Perhaps they fear that I am too independent, straight-forward and I call spade-spade, all the time.
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KESHI’S SACK Long overdue –Gabros
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FROM GABROS INTER­NATIONAL TO FC IFEANYI UBA. WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED?
The moment we returned to the Premier League, I put together the amount that will be involved in the running of the team, the only person I was convinced that could do it was Ifeanyi Uba. He loves football and he has the means. I am not talking about experience. With time he will acquire the experience. The most important thing is that he is ca­pable. If there are ten Nigerians supporting Nigerian youths like Ifeanyi Uba, it would have been a lot better for the country.
He is currently building two stadia. On completion, they will be the best in the country. I im­plore the Anambra State govern­ment to give him support. I will be giving my own support in my own way. This is important be­cause he is building the facilities for Nigerian youths and Anambra youths in particular.
So far he has been very won­derful. The team demanded for four vehicles, he provided eight. As it stands now, we are not in competition with any club in the Premier League. I have watched all the clubs, I did not see any team that has the kind of players we have. We have super play­ers with age on their side. Even government approached me, but for me government will crash the team in no time. But for Ifeanyi Uba I have confidence the team will go places.
WHAT IS YOUR POSITION IN THE TEAM NOW?
I have retired. I now supervise and offer advice. I have run the club for close to twenty years and handed over to a younger person. People thought I was in football because of money, but today they have apologized to me haven seen actually what is involved, or what it takes to run a football club.
WHAT IS YOUR RATING OF THE LEAGUE MANAGE­MENT COMPANY (LMC)
I will give them kudos in the area of officiating. Officiating has improved very well.
Where I disagree with them is on the amount of money that they give to clubs, for me, each club deserves at least Fifty Million Naira (N 50,000,000) in sponsor­ship. And for the first team, one Hundred Million Naira Only (N100, 000.000) is Ok. For the four teams that go on relegation at least (N20, 000.000) each to enable them reorganize and return to where they belong.
Nigeria has a lot of stars; we should nurture them to stardom. Their only problem is that they do not have money to bribe their way into the national teams. What we see are agents craftily introduc­ing even amateur players to our coaches at the expense of over 170 million Nigerians. This is a mortal sin because in Nigeria, football is higher than Religion.
DANGOTE PLANS TO INVEST IN ARSENAL FC OF ENGLAND. WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE?
It is a welcome development. But it would have been better if he first acquires a club in Nigeria. Through the local club, Nigerian players can easily be moving to England to play for Arsenal and other Premiership clubs. It will make a wonderful partnership.
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sunnewsonline.com/new/keshis-sack-long-overdue-gabros/

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Oliseh Won’t Get 5-Year Contract –NFF
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The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) says the incoming Super Eagles Head Coach, Sunday Oliseh will not get a five-year contract.
There has been speculation that Oliseh will get a five-year contract next week.
But the NFF first Vice, Seyi Akinwumi, on Friday dispels such rumours, saying Oliseh would not be offered a five-year contract.
“No he won’t be offered a five-year deal. Oliseh will present five-year plan to us at the NFF and we will look at it.
“It does not mean that the person who starts the plan will finish it.
“It does not also mean that he (Oliseh) will not finish the plan. That plan will have to go through the technical director of the NFF (Amodu Shuaibu).
He said that what was most important to the NFF was “achieving a harmonious working relationship with everyone involved in this latest phase of our project.”
Oliseh will also “periodically organise clinics and seminars for coaches of Clubs in the Nigeria Professional Football League, probably once in a month, so as to strengthen the playing philosophy across board,” and Akinwumi says the plan is in order.
“Oliseh is a coach who goes all over the world coaching coaches so how can we employ such a man here and not have him help our coaches in the domestic league?
“This aspect will also go through the technical directorate and there will be an agreement on how it will work,” he said.
Akinwumi said that Oliseh was the right man for the Super Eagles’ job.
Given reasons why Oliseh was chosen, he said, “it was important to maintain a sustainable football culture in the country,” adding that he “fits the bill”.
“The plan is to win the next match we play all the time but it also goes beyond that.
“The NFF intends to follow its set objective of maintaining a sustainable football culture in the country.
“Our thinking was getting a man like Oliseh who understands the football culture, who could accomplish both plans simultaneously.
“We decided on Oliseh because we know he fits the bill,” Akinwumi said.
Oliseh is presently a FIFA instructor, and runs a consultancy that trains and assesses coaches worldwide. He is also a member of the FIFA Technical Study Group.
He was in the Nigeria squad that won the Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia in 1994, and played in the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cup finals, with the Super Eagles reaching the Round of 16 in both. He was also in the Nigeria U-23 side that won Africa’s first Olympic football gold in Atlanta 19 years ago.
Oliseh played for Reggiana, FC Cologne, Ajax Amsterdam, Juventus, Borussia Dortmund, VFL Bochum and RC Genk in a magnificent professional career, during which he played under some of the best coaches in the world.
He won 63 caps for Nigeria between 1993 and 2002, picking up Africa Cup of Nations gold, silver and bronze medals.
Oliseh holds a UEFA Pro License, and coached Belgian lower division club, Vervietois between 2008 and 2009.
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dailyindependentnig.com/2015/07/oliseh-wont-get-5-year-contract-nff/

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Task Before Oliseh
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By Chibuike Chukwu, Lagos
Barring any last minute change of mind, former Super Eagles captain, Sunday Ogochukwu Oliseh, will be named the new coach of the team. This is the aftermath of the meeting the former Borrusia Dortmund of Germany defensive midfielder had on Wednesday with the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, in London.
Oliseh
The anticipated appointment of Oliseh followed the sacking of erstwhile coach, Stephen Keshi, who was relieved of his duty following his alleged application to replace Herve Renard, who quit his post as Cote d’Ivoire coach.
On Oliseh, the NFF stated on its website thus: The Nigeria Football Federation has confirmed it is in talks with former Super Eagles’ captain, Sunday Oliseh, with regards to the vacant position of the team’s Head Coach.”
According to Head of NFF Technical Committee, Felix Anyansi Agwu, “An offer has been made, and there is understanding, but we have to work out the final details of the agreement in a few days. Of course, the Executive Board has to give approval for his appointment based on the final terms to be agreed.”
Also, the NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, said: “Sunday Oliseh has vast experience and immense knowledge of the game, and will certainly add value to what we are doing. He has bought into our vision and objectives towards the development of Nigeria football.
“He will command the respect of the players and we trust he has the temperament to work harmoniously with the Technical and Development Committee, the Technical Directorate and the Technical Study Group.
Having been virtually employed to manage the team, the Nigerian football public should expectedly see the birth of a new dawn in the team with emphasis on the hunger to win matches, higher morale of players and harmonious dressing room.
Just like the sacked coach, the former Ajax Amsterdam player is among the Super Eagles’ golden generation, who achieved so much with the team. Oliseh, on his own, played for some of the top clubs in Europe, with Juventus, Ajax and Borrusia Dortmund among the teams.
As a member of the FIFA Technical Committee at the last World Cup in Brazil and having acquired UEFA Pro License, Oliseh qualifies to handle the team, even as he was once its captain. Oliseh had also handled a Belgian lower division club, Vervietois, between 2008 and 2009.
The first target for Oliseh will be to draw a long-term master plan that will ensure the development of the game, while not losing sight on winning titles for the country. Such plan will take into account the gradual integration of younger players into the team and will be based on merit.
This is in sync with what former coach, Adegboye Onigbinde, has always clamoured for. According him, the problem of Nigerian football goes beyond mere coaching to include dearth of master plan for developing the game in the country.
Secondly, the coach is expected to build confidence in the team and return its winning mentality, which is virtually non-existent presently. This is where technical competence comes to bear. Oliseh is expected to employ his wealth of experience as a player, a coach and a pundit to return Eagles to winning ways.
According to the team’s captain, Segun Odegbami (MON), speaking before the NFF meeting with Oliseh, “We don’t need a foreign coach for the Eagles. If the NFF has plans to hire a foreign coach, it does not need to go abroad as we have a technically qualified, intellectually sound and world-acclaimed pundit in Sunday Oliseh.”
He continued after the highly publicised meeting between Pinnick and Oliseh: “It’s a fantastic choice. He’s the only one!” claimed Odegbami. He will lay a solid foundation for the development of Nigerian football.
“My only concern is that he will work with a foreign assistant when we have many very qualified Nigerians who can do this job as well.”
Also, former Eagles winger, Adokiye Amaesimaka, extolled the capabilities of Oliseh, saying: “I give my 100% for the appointment (of Oliseh).” Oliseh is most brilliant and articulate; he can handle the national team.
“Managing egos and identifying the players who can fit and execute your plans on the pitch is very vital. He can do that. Let them go out and get him.”
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dailyindependentnig.com/2015/07/task-oliseh/