Nigeria Content Online

Super
Eagles coach, Samson Siasia says that in order for him to succeed in
the task of transforming the senior national team into one of the most
formidable squads in the world, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)
needs to organise friendly matches on a regular basis.

Siasia spoke yesterday in Lagos during the TomTom Roundtable with Sports Editors organised by Cadbury Nigeria.

Siasia’s call came
on the heels of the cancellation of an international friendly match
scheduled with the national team of Guatemala and the choice of Sierra
Leone as its replacement.

“We need to play a
lot of friendly matches. That is one was we can assess the progress of
the team. I would like for us to avail ourselves of the opportunity
presented by the FIFA free days to engage teams,” Siasia said.

Siasia, who
expressed regret that the proposed match with Guatemala had been called
off, said it was encouraging to know that a replacement has been lined
up. He debunked claims that he had objected to moves by the football
federation to get Benin Republic as replacement before a deal was
finally struck with Sierra Leone:

“I did not reject
any team. That report is untrue. It is the responsibility of the
football federation to ensure that the team is kept busy through the
organisation of friendly matches. I do not dictate to the NFF what to
do,” Siasia said.

Mountain climbing

On his assignment
as coach of the Eagles, Siasia says it is akin to climbing a mountain,
noting that there is a long way to go to getting the Super Eagles
Flying again.

“It is not an easy task but it is doable. It requires hard work and commitment on the part of all,” Siasia said.

One of the ways
Siasia believes this can be done is by having the right calibre of
players. He said no player who is not enjoying regular playing time
with his club, will be extended an invitation let alone play for the
team.

“There will be no
shortcuts to the Eagles. It is either a player is in form or he is not.
There’ll be no room for unfit players in the squad,” the Super Eagles
coach said.

He warned that
though he is determined to make a success of his present assignment by
ensuring that only the best players are assembled for the national
team, he will not beg any player, no matter how good he is, to play for
Nigeria.

“If a player feels he doesn’t want to play for his country, there is
nothing anyone can do about it. We have good players spread around the
world, we will turn to those that are interested,” he said.