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| Super Eagles of Nigera |
Well to friends of the NFF especially Amaju Pinnick, it may not be a palatable news that former Super Eagles captain and coach, Sunday Oliseh has joined Eredevise side Fortuna Sittard as head coach….What is so special about coaching a Dutch First division side? Is he the first Nigerian to get such opportunity? Has he even started the job? What experience does he have to coach a European club? Won’t he end up the same way, he did with the Super Eagles? These and many more are the questions playing up in the minds of his critics…Perhaps, they should be reminded that the same potentials that Amaju saw when he named Oliseh, “Pep Guardiola” of our football are what informed the decision, choice and action of Fortuna Sittard to engage Oliseh who before this appointment has been with the FIFA Technical Study Group. The NFF and it’s foot-soldiers are experts in rubbishing and destroying our own….But no matter how rough, dirty and untidy a piece of gold is, it must surely shine after going through the heating process. Our products (ex-internationals) are shining whether anyone likes them or not. They have paid their dues in the game having played at the biggest stage and level. Daniel Amokachi is doing his thing and enjoying himself in Finland with JS Hercules, Michael Emenalo is having fun with Chelsea FC of England as Director of Football while Finidi George is holding a similar post in Spain with his former club, Real Betis. Now, I and not tying or linking Oliseh’s appointment with Fortuna Sittard to Super Eagles job….But I am suggesting that people like Amaju who didn’t kick a ball should not be allowed to rubbish our ex-internationals. He messed Late Stephen Keshi up, did same to Samson Siasia, Sunday Oliseh and Daniel Amokachi. Technically, he did it to Emmanuel Amuneke by failing to source for funds to pay the outstanding bonuses and allowances of his U-20 team which led to its failure to qualify for Zambia 2017 CAF U-20 Championship. It was a dent on the glittering young coaching career and record of the 1995 African Footballer of the Year. What of Florence Omagbemi and her glorious girls who threatened with life ban? Amaju played politics with Austin Okocha and tricked him into accepting the Delta FA chairmanship position, a seat he vacated. It was a ploy to checkmate the huge profile of Jay Jay and as well use him protect his (Amaju’s) interests in Delta State after selfishly holding the positions of Chairman Delta State Sports Commission, Chairman Delta State Football Association and Chairman Warri Wolves Football Club simultaneously. This is one of the reasons and power play that led to the relegation of Warri Wolves FC as soon as Tony Okowa was appointed to succeed Amaju. It became a matter of “I have left for a bigger position, NFF Presidency, let’s see what you can achieve without me in Delta.” Now Jay Jay has no option but to keep doing Amaju’s bidding when the need arises. If you ask me, here is a man who is bent on destroying our football. His plot is to start with our ex-internationals……and he seems to be winning. I hope we don’t fold our arms and turn blind eye to allow his selfish interest secure him the CAF Executive Committee seat. I hear the $1m allegedly budgeted for CAF election has been jerked up by 100% yet the NFF perpetually goes cap in hand begging for funds to prosecute games or pay players their entitlements. Today, as I write this post, Amaju is in control of the sporting media which he is effectively using to his selfish advantage. No one in the sporting media dare challenges him. He has the media in his pocket hence he can call the bluff of the Sports Minister, Barr. Solomon Dalung, who himself is helplessly confused. Nigerians arise!!! Nigerians wake-up!!!
BY: DESMOND EKWUEME
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