NFF throws weight behind coach
By George Aluo
Super Eagles interim manager, Samson Siasia started the team’s camping, ahead of the March 25 home clash against Egypt, in the AFCON 2017 qualifier, on a no nonsense note yesterday, when he issued what could pass for a straight red to three players, a move which the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) applauded.
Siasia barred the trio of Segun Oduduwa , a defender, Stanley Dimgba (midfielder) and Usman Mohammed from showing up at the Bolton White Apartments camp of the Super Eagles, after they reported late to the camp of the U-23 team without an earlier permission.
“We cannot have those three in camp anymore. This is a very serious business, and only serious –minded persons can be involved. They reported late to the camp, so they cannot be tolerated in the camp of the senior team.
“I have said it over the past few days that the right mentality would count big among the traits we are looking for in the players to feature against Egypt,” Siasia told NFF’s official website.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) promptly gave the coach a pat on the back for starting the camp on a note that clearly shows he is out to accomplish the soccer federation’s “operation Egypt must fall” mandate.
“What Siasia has done is the way to go. The job he has been given is one which he can only accomplish with players that are totally committed,” Demola Olajire, the NFF image maker told Daily Sunsports yesterday.
The Super Eagles’ new boss is known to be a disciplinarian. He threw out star midfielder Kingsley Sokari and talented forward Daniel Etor from his squad to the Africa U-23 Cup of Nations after the duo opted to play for their club, Enyimba FC, in a final NPFL season game in Lagos in November 2015, against his instructions.
With the exclusion of the trio, it mean only 40 players are now in contention for shirts in the all-important clash against Egypt.
19 home boys will train for two weeks before the arrival of 21 overseas –based players on the week of the first game in Kaduna.