Nigeria Content Online

Samson
Siasia was on Wednesday officially presented to the public as the new
coach of the Super Eagles by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

The ceremony, which
took place at the Press Centre of the Abuja National Stadium, had
earlier been scheduled to take place on November 10 but had to be
called at the last minute due to a nationwide strike by the country’s
labour unions.

A new date for the
unveiling could not be fixed earlier than now as the president of the
NFF, Aminu Maigari travelled to South Africa, where he underwent
corrective surgery on an injured knee.

December 1 was
thereafter picked by the NFF as the new date for Siasia’s unveiling
ceremony and Maigari, who only returned to the country over the
weekend, was present at Wednesday’s ceremony.

“I must tell you
that we picked the man that clearly demonstrated our vision, plan and
target for the national team. We believe that he is capable and
experienced enough to handle the national team and take us to the next
level,” Maigari told reporters at the ceremony.

Siasia’s delight

In reaction to his
appointment, Siasia, who got most people at the venue up on their feet
with his rendition of a popular Yoruba gospel song, expressed his
gratitude to the NFF and the supervisory Sports Ministry for handing
him the opportunity to coach the Super Eagles.

Nigerian football
followers were also not left out as Siasia also expressed his gratitude
to them for helping him actualise what he described as “a lifelong
dream.” He however called on Nigerian football followers to be patient
as he sets about the task of building a national team that will be the
pride of every Nigerian.

“It will take the
support of everyone to build this dream,” Siasia said. “We need time
also, but I promise to do everything humanly possible to make the
Eagles fly again.”

The new Super
Eagles coach also promised to produce a new Super Eagles that will be
more offensive minded, as well as industrious.

“I want to produce
a Super Eagles that will be more attack-minded, very good at using the
wings, as well as defending too,” he said.

The Super Eagles
have been far from impressive in recent times and are at the moment
struggling to qualify for the 2012 African Cup of Nations after
October’s lone goal defeat at the hands of table-topping Guinea in
Conakry.

That defeat to the
Syli Stars leaves the Super Eagles with no choice but to win their
remaining four matches in Group B – beginning with their next
encounter, coming up in March, against Ethiopia.

Siasia, who will
earn N5 million monthly over the next four years, believes he has an
enormous task ahead of him but is confident in his ability to deliver.

“My four years
contract is an enormous task and the first thing to do is to ensure
that we raise a credible squad that can qualify the country for the
2012 Nations Cup,” Siasia said.

“I know the Super Eagles can achieve this.”

With regards to the
chances of players plying their trade in the domestic league, Siasia
explained that those of them called up to the national team will
regularly be camped in Abuja, sometimes for as much as three weeks, and
will only be allowed to rejoin their club sides a few days before
league engagements.

He however
disclosed that he will be travelling out to Europe to meet with some of
the country’s top players as well as his plans to introduce players of
Nigerian origin who have not featured for the senior sides of their
European country of birth into the national team.

Contrary to reports, Siasia denied having any problems with
midfielder, Mikel Obi. Reports claim there is a rift between the two,
dating back to the midfielder’s failure to turn up for the Beijing 2008
Olympic Games. However, Siasia said Mikel will be part of the national
team so long as he keeps doing what was expected of him.