Odemwingie Blasts Amodu, As NFF Plans Changes in Super Eagles

OSAZE Odemwingie, who was one of the few bright spots in the Super Eagles' campaign at the Angola 2010 African Nations Cup, has blamed the team's coach, Shaibu Amodu for Nigeria's 0-1 loss to Ghana in the semifinal of the competition on Thursday.

The Locomotive Moscow star says the tactics adopted by Amodu for the game cost Nigeria the match, saying that the Eagles were too negative against a team lacking many of its main players.

An early goal from Asamoah Gyan left the Super Eagles on the back foot, and although they mustered a second half cavalry charge, it came too late to break down their ailing opponents.

"We started with a lone striker, just like the Ghanaian team. This did not help us because we had too few chances. He should have changed things quickly but he did nothing, yet we knew Ghana would play with their backs to goal.

"We had three defensive midfielders who don't create goals. In these circumstances, we couldn't cross or create chances. There was no logic in our game and that's why we could not win, " he said.

Meanwhile, going by the words of some NFF board members, it is almost certain that Amodu would not lead Nigeria to the World Cup coming up in South Africa in June.

Chairman of the NFF Technical Committee, Taiwo Ogunjobi, hinted yesterday that the Super Eagles would be reorganised to position it for a credible performance in South Africa.

"We will take a critical look and make changes to the technical team and the players," Ogunjobi said.

He revealed that the "NFF Executive Committee has already directed the technical committee to submit a comprehensive report of the team's performance here, in a matter of days. This report will guide the Executive Committee in making pertinent changes."

Ogunjobi added: "There is also the need to inject fresh legs into the team in order to engender keen competition for places. Our goal is to make necessary changes that will lead us to a creditable performance at the FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa this summer."