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Nigerian striker, Obinna Nsofor,
believes that Coach Samson Siasia is capable of transforming the Super
Eagles into a world-class team and in the process secure qualification
for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.

Siasia prosecuted his first match as
Super Eagles head coach in Wednesday’s 2-1 win over Sierra Leone at the
Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos. The new coach also handed debut caps to
Joel Obi, Michael Odibe, and Nigerian Premier League top scorer, Ekigho
Ehiosun, who capped a memorable debut with a well executed goal. Nsofor
didn’t get to play as he was carrying a slight knock but he is pleased
with the start the Super Eagles have made under Siasia. “There is a new
atmosphere, a new backroom staff, new players and a new manager. This
is a fresh start for all of us,” said Nsofor on the official website of
football’s world body, FIFA. “Siasia is one of the best coaches I have
worked under, and he has already proved himself by getting to the
finals of both the U-20 World Cup in Holland in 2005 and the Beijing
Olympics in 2008.”

Confidence and fan’s boos

Wednesday’s win
over the Leone Stars was however sullied by Lagos fans booing the team;
a behaviour that was described as a ‘Lagos template’.

Akeem Akinwale, a
sociologist said: “Lagos is a place where everything goes. And the
culture of respect for those in authority or government has been eroded
over time. It is a modernised way of living but it does not mean that
it is the best way to go. The fans were expecting more from the players
and even though were leading 2-0 wanted more goals but when they did
not get it, they displayed their frustration by booing the team.”
However, the same fans lined up to praise the players when they were
leaving in the team bus afterwards.

Going forward

Siasia declared
himself satisfied with the first outing. “They did well overall,” he
said. “The bottom line is winning and we won. I never expected an easy
game and the Sierra Leoneans did give a good account of themselves. We
will look at where we made mistakes and do the necessary changes.”

The 2-1 win will
give Siasia a framework to prepare for the bigger test coming up at the
end of March when Nigeria play hosts to Ethiopia in a crucial Africa
Cup of Nations qualifier. The Eagles presently trail Guinea by three
points in Group B but still have four games to remedy the situation and
secure the group’s automatic qualification slot for the tournament. And
Nsofor is optimistic that the Super Eagles, under Siasia, will qualify
for the continental championship Nigeria last won back in 1994.

“I strongly believe that we will qualify because we still have four
matches to play,” said the striker who is currently on loan at West Ham
United from Inter Milan in Italy. “We will make sure that when we play
the other games against Guinea at home and the remaining home and away
matches against Madagascar and Ethiopia, we will win very well. I am
confident we will win these matches to reach the Nations Cup.”