It seems stranger than fiction but it is true. The Nigeria Football Association seems to be turning over a new leaf. To attest to what is hopefully a new order that will endure is the fact that for some time now the pages of our newspapers have not been replete with a barrage of criticisms and complaints that have become synonymous with the Glass House.
Unlike the trend in the past, we are now hearing stories of serious meetings for plans to ensure that we qualify for the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa, as well as the Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Angola, the same year. Also on NFA’s front burner is the issue of adequacy of preparation by our Dream Team IV for the 2008 Beijing Olympics for which Samson Siasia has already secured a ticket for us.
Even for the match in Calabar today between our so-called “home-based” Eagles and Stallions of Burkina Faso being the first leg of the qualifiers for the newly introduced CAF Africa Nations Championships to the hosted by Cote d’Ivoire in 2009, there is an unprecedented level of enthusiasm and commitment that is a refreshing difference from the past.
In the same vein, the Alphonsus Dike led U-17 team’s preparation for the FIFA U-17 World Championship next year is reportedly in top gear. That team is currently on a tour of the country in an effort to select the best Nigerians in that category that will be eligible to represent us in the tournament that we are hosting.
It is certainly heart warming to know that our Super Falcons are not neglected in this new direction and renewed focus. For a team that is traditionally an institution of complaints, even in victory, there is far less noise of disaffection and dissatisfaction emanating there from.
In fact, former Super Falcons forward, Okunwa Igunbor-Sowewimo has been so pleased with the prevailing state of affairs that she has confidently boasted that “Nigeria has nothing to fear about the opponents” at the Olympics.
The keen interest that is being shown by the NFA in the activities of the respective coaches in the spirit of cooperation rather than condemnation is so remarkable. It is reported that sessions are being held with the coaches to review plans and programs of their respective teams in order to quickly identify and provide much needed support.
A few days ago, the 1st Vice Chairman of the NFA, Amanze Uchegbulam, extolled the virtues of Super Eagles coach, Shaibu Amodu, surprisingly listing “stubbornness” as one of them. “I believe he will perform,” he continued. “So, I want Nigerians to exercise patience with him, support him and give him a chance to achieve something meaningful with the Eagles,” he concluded.
Against the backdrop that barely a month ago, the same NFA saw nothing good in Nigerian coaches that are “stubborn and independent-minded” only to acknowledge now that such traits are indeed “good for our national team”, what can be a better indication of a new dawn in the NFA?
Apart from the fact that this newfound cordiality is with Nigerian coaches who are now in charge of each and every one of our national teams, what is also of special note is the spirited attempt by the NFA to give publicity and fanfare to the “unveiling” of these new coaches.
Last Friday, I spoke on the phone with Christian Chukwu, a former Super Eagles coach. He made the point that he was happy with NFA’s enthusiasm to unveil Nigerian coaches with fanfare, a development that he considered a new and positive trend. He went on to recall that when he was appointed coach of the Super Eagles a few years ago, the NFA hardly made it a news event, preferring to focus its attention on its preference for a non-Nigerian coach.
Happily, this time around, the NFA seems to be in empathy with our domestic coaches, showing unusual excitement in unveiling Shaibu Amodu as coach of the Super Eagles, with Daniel Amokachi, Fatai Amoo and Aloy Agwu as his assistants, while Okey Emordi is the confirmed handler of the “home based” version of the team.
Much as one would want to forget Berti Vogts’ “all expenses paid holiday” in the guise of managing our Super Eagles, it is difficult not to remember that in contrast, his unveiling ceremony was an extraordinary spectacle. It was, indeed, an event for the World Press.
What was particularly nauseating about that event was how at the subsequent dinner party hosted by the German Ambassador to Nigeria, our officials from the Sports Ministry and the NFA virtually stumbled over one another to stand next to Vogts for photo opportunities. How ironic that when the magnitude of his failure extracted scorching critical comments from FIFA President, Sepp Blatter, the same officials tried desperately to distance themselves from him. That episode was quite an experience from which it is hoped that all concerned have learnt a lesson.
But our own coaches too need to learn a lesson. In my view, they should be less boastful and let their performance speak for them, like Avram Grant of Chelsea FC of England.
The reported statement by Shaibu Amodu that he will prove his critics wrong and take the Super Eagles to unprecedented heights is unnecessary. Shaibu should know that by virtue of his position, he would always have critics. But he should not consider himself to be at war with them. He should simply concern himself with his assignment and ensure that he gets all the needed cooperation from the NFA to bring his expertise to bear on his job.
If he excels, he will receive necessary acclaim from most, not all, but that will be enough. A rule of thumb that should not be forgotten is that a coach is only as good as his last result.
Talking about Avram Grant, very few fans knew of his presence in Chelsea prior to Mourinho’s departure. Fewer fans still, knew much about his career as a coach. Not even his assumption of the mantle of leadership after Mourinho’s exit made him any less anonymous, until recently.
Without being boastful or bothering himself about an imaginary horde of enemies, he is quietly taking Chelsea to heights not attained by his more famous predecessors in the persons of Jose Mourinho and Claudio Ranieri. Not only is his team a serious contender for the prestigious Premier League title in England, Chelsea is also on the threshold of winning the more coveted UEFA Champions League. Instructively, he is now receiving all the attention and accolade by letting his performance speak for him.
Coming back home, it is gratifying to know that the NFA is now posturing as a body that would speak out in defence of its coaches if the need arises, rather than one that would eagerly disparage them as in the past. It is to be hoped however that this trend will take firm root and not simply fade away with time.
