As Lagerback Takes over the Super Eagles…
One of the topical issues that had made national headlines in recent months was the sack of the coach of the Super Eagles, Mr. Amodu Shuaibu. Even throughout the Nations’ Cup in Angola, the coaching crew had no respite as pressure was mounted for improved performance of the team.
A week ago, the new helmsman of the national team, Lars Lagerback was unveiled to the Nigerian press. The appointment of the former national coach of Swedish team took many sports followers by surprise, especially as he has little or no knowledge of African football.
The employment of Lagerback also ended weeks of global shopping by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for a ‘soccer wizard’ expected to turn around the waning fortunes of the Super Eagles ahead of the World Cup scheduled to take place in South Africa.
Lagerback who led Sweden to the 2002 World Cup is on a five-month contract in the first instance to be worth $1.7m (N255m) according to officials of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF).
To many soccer pundits and indeed soccer loving Nigerians, the selection of Lagerback did not follow the mood of soccer pundits. Others say that it has not justified the enormous expenses incurred in the process of searching for a new Chief Coach. Some Nigerians expected that consideration should have been given to some of the coaches that had coached African countries like Ghana and Senegal who also attended the interview.
It is obvious that Lagerback’s wealth of experience is likely to make a radical change in the composition and the philosophy of the team. Nigerians expect the chief coach to put in place a result-oriented team that could be the pride of the nation.
The Chief Coach is expected to swing into action immediately, as it is less than 100 days to the Mundial.
There is no question about it, the Chief coach has all it takes to handle the Super Eagles, whether or not he has experience of African football.
Lagerback should be able to accommodate the fanatical fans of the Super Eagles who are largely impatient, when results do not come early enough. He should close his ears to criticisms that are capable of derailing his focus and concentration.
The Swede has been given a go ahead to lead the Super Eagles to the semi-final of the world cup. This in fact, is a tall order for Lagerback. It is good to set target, but we should bear in mind that Nigeria has never played in the semi quarter-final of the Mundial. The coach should not be crucified if eventually the Nigerian team could reach the semi-final.
Nigerian soccer fans should be patient with the coach. To fashion out a world beater in just five months is not an easy task. He has no choice but to use the already existing materials. All he needs is a good blend of the team that played in Angola and infusion of new legs from the local league.
The friendly match with Congo on 3rd March 2010, no doubt revealed some players that could be given a chance. The Nigerian team with only about four foreign based players gave a good account of themselves, as they walloped their opponent 5 – 2. It was clear from the match that the players fielded were hungry. Nigeria needs hungry players to prosecute the World Cup successfully. We should not depend on the usual casual, heavy and lackadaisical foreign based players that are not ready to struggle for the ball.
The NFF needs to put in place all the logistics that can make the coach comfortable. I am sure; Lagerback has been briefed about the expectations of a typical Nigerian fan. He knows the zest of a typical Super Eagle supporter. He has also laid a plan to stay in Nigeria and do the job he has been saddled with.
All that Lagerback needs from Nigerians and in fact NFF is free hand to do the job he has been employed to do. Players should not be imposed on him as it may have happened in the past.
Lagerback cultivates a personality that can deliver the goods. He may not be advised to throw away the old players at this stage of our preparation for the World Cup. A blend of the old and the young could be the tonic needed to reach the semi final as expected and eventual win the cup.