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Akpokona slams Eagles ‘big men’

Akpokona slams Eagles ‘big men’

Posted: 2009-09-21 08:50

Warri Wolves coach Lawrence Akpokona says he is uncertain the Super Eagles can take advantage, even if Tunisia's Carthage Eagles slip up in any of their last two 2010 World Cup qualifying games.

The two sides drew 2-2 in Abuja a forthnight ago, a result that keeps the north Africans firmly in the driving seat, and Akpokona says there are too many ‘big men’ in the Eagles side.

“As it is, we have a mathematical chance if we can win those two matches and Tunisia drop points. But can we pick our own points if that happens? I am not sure. I doubt we can do it because we have too many big men strolling around the pitch,” he says.
 
Akpokona, a former Super Eagles assistant coach, says the solution might be for Nigeria to start rebuilding from home.
 
“I think maybe it is time for us to come home and pick players from the league because it appears the commitment is no longer there from these ones.
 
“I believe there are players in our domestic league who will beat Tunisia. Ghana started by rebuilding with home-based players before they became stars. Maybe that is what we should do in order to bring back pride to the national team.”

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The word.: 2009-09-21 14:59

Mr. Akpokona, how many home-based players did u picked for SE when you are the coach? You people should be ashame of yourselves for running this country football down. No tangible improvement was made during your tenure, now you want to blame someone else for what you did not do during your shift.
We know how you people behaved, you want to warm yourself back to SE's job incase Amodu fails.
Go and coach another lesser country , make sure you use their home based players and let us see how far you can go.

Leonard: 2009-09-21 22:31

Good talk Akpokona,they fill so relaxed b/c it seems somehow they are guaranteed of their wings by Mr.Amodu. Bring in sharp players to compete these boys,that would either bring out the best in them or they'll obviousely loose their various positions!

Kobby: 2009-09-21 23:11

Naija, stop throwing up your arms in the air as if its all over.What happens if you miraculously qualify?Amodu will be better than Capello.Tunisia was never going to be easy,Nigeria should have strategised like Tunisia did, winning the relatively easier games and making sure they didn't lose to Nigeria.Tunisia can fail(though very unlikely),Nigeria should stop the blame game and get on winning the remaining games.The world cup will never be the same with the colourful naija supporters.

Knowledge: 2009-09-21 23:45

Mr.Akpokona has said it all and thanks for your piece of advice...
There is no fighting spirit with the present breeds of SE, and we no more have expensive players in the Euro league or in any big clubs, compare to other small African nations. So it long over due that we need to assemble the home based players under a discipline coach, and that’s just the solution and not big names, it does not necessarily mean Mr.Akpokona have to be the coach.
@Moneyman, please try to read the handwriting on the wall and your criticism need to be constructive, not just contributing or insulting. What would you now say should be to solution?

Obi: 2009-09-22 09:03

I think Akpokona got the diagnosis correct. However, I don't agree with the cure. What happens when the so-called home-based players get professional contracts abroad? They become similarly lacking in commitment abi?

My thinking is that we should simply create competition in that team! We should get boys (home or abroad) who want to play with their whole heart, and fill the team with them....the rest will sit up!

Moses: 2009-09-22 10:19

Akpokona is right! The green eagles are too rich to be patriotic. They can do without us anyday anytime. They cannot sustain any injury playing for Nigeria. Amodu is financially poor compared to the players. What do we expect? Lack of command of course and lack of respect from the players to the country as well from the President and commander-in-chief to the rest of 140 million of us.

ik: 2009-09-22 10:25

I am totally in disagreement with the so called akpokona on home base players capability. The so called home based failed to qualify for home based nations cup, then how do you think they have the quality to play against a superb team like tunisia.Amodu really used they best we have as at that time, but technical ineptitude cost us that game, beside looking at it spiritually, the Tunisians were guarded adequately after weeks of fasting, do you think God does not answer prayers? Our Muslims prayed and they too prayed and God is an impartial and generous God, that is why we shared the spoil.He does not want grudges after weeks of fasting. The main thing now is how to beat Kenyan in Nairobi, because definitely Tunisia must slip up against mozambique in maputo, what is the guarantee Tunisia can beat kenya in tunis, kenyan are going there for a revenge, my prediction 1- 1. But the question remains, can our lazy and inexperience super eagles win our next games?. Nigerians should be blamed not AMODU, especially IKPEBA for clamoring the inclusion of inexperience ADELEYE AND ADEFEMI, If they are good, why are they not playing for any of the notable clubs in Europe? At the moment, we do not have the players. Can't we ask ourselves this question, WHY OUR SUPER EAGLE PLAYERS NOT INVOLVED IN SUMMER TRANSFERS? The only seeming transfer then was Kalu UCHE, How much 2m pounds, and this is one of our key players, when adebayor, kolo toure and co sold for 25 million and 20 m pounds respectively, this explain it all that we do not have the quality players in exemption of Osaze Odenwingie and John mikel Obi. If obasi is good, why didn't he pass the trial at a low rated portsmouth?

In conclusion, Amodu reverse to your compact squad that prosecuted the first phase of the on going qualifiers, a squad that did not concede a single goal, they are experienced, forget the france victory that was played by crop of players who wants to deceive Nigeria, france is now struggling and we should not be carried away by such deceitful match, Use same squad and formation that beat Austria in graz.We will surely qualify. That is not to say ADELEYE AND ADEFEMI are not good players, but their time is not ripe to join super eagles.

May God help us to qualify by favoring us, Tunisians are not pagan though.

eteng: 2009-09-22 12:37

una dey make me laugh well well,which team una want take go world cup? if miracle happen that is my question and concern.

Knowledge: 2009-09-22 12:43

@IK: You said we should not used our home based players and yet come to say again that our current SE players are inexperienced, lazy, bla bla bla..
In all, it appears you don't know what you are saying and you are unable to figure out where the problem lies.
Finally Mr.Akpokona is right!!And all we need do is to select determined and soccer hungry home based under a discipline coach and expose them; don't forget that the current breeds of this super eagles now turned lazy, were all local players in our home league.Peace!!!

eteng: 2009-09-22 12:43

if we go rebuild then it must be given to a trusted hand like siasia and we must be patient to give him like 4 to 5 years no matter the result then we can reap. otherwise we go dey cry every year.
if we look at it very well rebuilding is the only alternative we have.

objective bibby: 2009-09-22 13:26

Guys, pls check this revelation out on today's Thisday. Imagine what NFF and Sports writers did to our 2010 ambition!


It was a very angry Senate Committee Chairman on Sports and Social Development, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri that charged on Sportswriters at the weekend as he accused their various editors in the country’s media houses of bringing Nigeria and Nigerians to the shameful pass they have found themselves in the matter of the FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010 ticket pursuit.
Unequivocal in his finger-pointing, the senator said since it has now become a known fact in the corridors of political power, as the information had got declassified at last, as to how these hyped sports editors had foisted the ‘rubbish’ in the technical department that the Super Eagles is now of the benefit of, it behoves on every patriotic citizen to tell them they are the cause of the country’s international football headache. The fact that sports editors in the country, in a move that is as unique as it sounded dumb, had been the ones that were brought in to decide the fate of those in contention for the number one post of football in Nigeria, was declassified to the senators recently.
“These our technical men in the art of publishing and sports writing, had been asked in to vote for the national team coach. They had voted Shuaibu Amodu instead of Samson Siasia as Super Eagles Coach. Since they had done this, I believe they no longer have the right to grumble about performances. In fact, they must henceforth stop grumbling on the pages of their papers.
Lokpobiri then added a sort of caveat emptor, which goes in the form of; should Nigeria fail to qualify for the World Cup, the Nigerian media should be ready to share a large chunk of the blame.
Senator Lokpobiri, who also blamed Amodu for failing to live up to expectations, said the bigger chunk of the blame should go to the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for the Eagles’ dwindling performance in the qualifying series.
“Despite all support; especially from the Presidential Task Force to ensure that the Super Eagles qualify for the World Cup Finals to be held on the African soil for the first time, the team have failed to fly. The Nigeria Football Federation has also not shown that it is in control of football administration.
“The media did not help matters as the sports editors were the ones that voted Amodu as the Super Eagles’ coach. Here again the NFF exposed its inadequacies as they orchestrated the voting of Amodu by the editors after the NFF Technical Committee had listed Siasia as the rightful coach for the Super Eagles job. “We have been told that Taiwo Ogunjobi’s Technical Committee at the NFF, made a recommendation that Siasia should be made the coach of the team, but that the recommendation was not accepted. The price of that decision is now haunting us and we are paying it.
“It’s indeed a sorry development in our football, and it will be a big shame if it so happens that we would not be taking part in the World Cup Finals for the second time in a row. Or has anyone found a person who would be happy to see that happen,” he asked, seeming angry.
He however added that the country, being a prayerful one, should embark on prayers for the Eagles to win the remaining two matches against Mozambique and Kenya while Tunisia should lose one, as this seems to be the only way the country can make it over her main rivals for the single ticket of the group, Tunisia.




It was a very angry Senate Committee Chairman on Sports and Social Development, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri that charged on Sportswriters at the weekend as he accused their various editors in the country’s media houses of bringing Nigeria and Nigerians to the shameful pass they have found themselves in the matter of the FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010 ticket pursuit.
Unequivocal in his finger-pointing, the senator said since it has now become a known fact in the corridors of political power, as the information had got declassified at last, as to how these hyped sports editors had foisted the ‘rubbish’ in the technical department that the Super Eagles is now of the benefit of, it behoves on every patriotic citizen to tell them they are the cause of the country’s international football headache. The fact that sports editors in the country, in a move that is as unique as it sounded dumb, had been the ones that were brought in to decide the fate of those in contention for the number one post of football in Nigeria, was declassified to the senators recently.
“These our technical men in the art of publishing and sports writing, had been asked in to vote for the national team coach. They had voted Shuaibu Amodu instead of Samson Siasia as Super Eagles Coach. Since they had done this, I believe they no longer have the right to grumble about performances. In fact, they must henceforth stop grumbling on the pages of their papers.
Lokpobiri then added a sort of caveat emptor, which goes in the form of; should Nigeria fail to qualify for the World Cup, the Nigerian media should be ready to share a large chunk of the blame.
Senator Lokpobiri, who also blamed Amodu for failing to live up to expectations, said the bigger chunk of the blame should go to the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for the Eagles’ dwindling performance in the qualifying series.
“Despite all support; especially from the Presidential Task Force to ensure that the Super Eagles qualify for the World Cup Finals to be held on the African soil for the first time, the team have failed to fly. The Nigeria Football Federation has also not shown that it is in control of football administration.
“The media did not help matters as the sports editors were the ones that voted Amodu as the Super Eagles’ coach. Here again the NFF exposed its inadequacies as they orchestrated the voting of Amodu by the editors after the NFF Technical Committee had listed Siasia as the rightful coach for the Super Eagles job. “We have been told that Taiwo Ogunjobi’s Technical Committee at the NFF, made a recommendation that Siasia should be made the coach of the team, but that the recommendation was not accepted. The price of that decision is now haunting us and we are paying it.
“It’s indeed a sorry development in our football, and it will be a big shame if it so happens that we would not be taking part in the World Cup Finals for the second time in a row. Or has anyone found a person who would be happy to see that happen,” he asked, seeming angry.
He however added that the country, being a prayerful one, should embark on prayers for the Eagles to win the remaining two matches against Mozambique and Kenya while Tunisia should lose one, as this seems to be the only way the country can make it over her main rivals for the single ticket of the group, Tunisia.






It was a very angry Senate Committee Chairman on Sports and Social Development, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri that charged on Sportswriters at the weekend as he accused their various editors in the country’s media houses of bringing Nigeria and Nigerians to the shameful pass they have found themselves in the matter of the FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010 ticket pursuit.
Unequivocal in his finger-pointing, the senator said since it has now become a known fact in the corridors of political power, as the information had got declassified at last, as to how these hyped sports editors had foisted the ‘rubbish’ in the technical department that the Super Eagles is now of the benefit of, it behoves on every patriotic citizen to tell them they are the cause of the country’s international football headache. The fact that sports editors in the country, in a move that is as unique as it sounded dumb, had been the ones that were brought in to decide the fate of those in contention for the number one post of football in Nigeria, was declassified to the senators recently.
“These our technical men in the art of publishing and sports writing, had been asked in to vote for the national team coach. They had voted Shuaibu Amodu instead of Samson Siasia as Super Eagles Coach. Since they had done this, I believe they no longer have the right to grumble about performances. In fact, they must henceforth stop grumbling on the pages of their papers.
Lokpobiri then added a sort of caveat emptor, which goes in the form of; should Nigeria fail to qualify for the World Cup, the Nigerian media should be ready to share a large chunk of the blame.
Senator Lokpobiri, who also blamed Amodu for failing to live up to expectations, said the bigger chunk of the blame should go to the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for the Eagles’ dwindling performance in the qualifying series.
“Despite all support; especially from the Presidential Task Force to ensure that the Super Eagles qualify for the World Cup Finals to be held on the African soil for the first time, the team have failed to fly. The Nigeria Football Federation has also not shown that it is in control of football administration.
“The media did not help matters as the sports editors were the ones that voted Amodu as the Super Eagles’ coach. Here again the NFF exposed its inadequacies as they orchestrated the voting of Amodu by the editors after the NFF Technical Committee had listed Siasia as the rightful coach for the Super Eagles job. “We have been told that Taiwo Ogunjobi’s Technical Committee at the NFF, made a recommendation that Siasia should be made the coach of the team, but that the recommendation was not accepted. The price of that decision is now haunting us and we are paying it.
“It’s indeed a sorry development in our football, and it will be a big shame if it so happens that we would not be taking part in the World Cup Finals for the second time in a row. Or has anyone found a person who would be happy to see that happen,” he asked, seeming angry.
He however added that the country, being a prayerful one, should embark on prayers for the Eagles to win the remaining two matches against Mozambique and Kenya while Tunisia should lose one, as this seems to be the only way the country can make it over her main rivals for the single ticket of the group, Tunisia.







Senate Committee chairman Lokpobiri fingers Nigerian sports editors in the bringing of the country to her present rough pass in the South Africa 2010 ticket pursuit

It was a very angry Senate Committee Chairman on Sports and Social Development, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri that charged on Sportswriters at the weekend as he accused their various editors in the country’s media houses of bringing Nigeria and Nigerians to the shameful pass they have found themselves in the matter of the FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010 ticket pursuit.
Unequivocal in his finger-pointing, the senator said since it has now become a known fact in the corridors of political power, as the information had got declassified at last, as to how these hyped sports editors had foisted the ‘rubbish’ in the technical department that the Super Eagles is now of the benefit of, it behoves on every patriotic citizen to tell them they are the cause of the country’s international football headache. The fact that sports editors in the country, in a move that is as unique as it sounded dumb, had been the ones that were brought in to decide the fate of those in contention for the number one post of football in Nigeria, was declassified to the senators recently.
“These our technical men in the art of publishing and sports writing, had been asked in to vote for the national team coach. They had voted Shuaibu Amodu instead of Samson Siasia as Super Eagles Coach. Since they had done this, I believe they no longer have the right to grumble about performances. In fact, they must henceforth stop grumbling on the pages of their papers.
Lokpobiri then added a sort of caveat emptor, which goes in the form of; should Nigeria fail to qualify for the World Cup, the Nigerian media should be ready to share a large chunk of the blame.
Senator Lokpobiri, who also blamed Amodu for failing to live up to expectations, said the bigger chunk of the blame should go to the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for the Eagles’ dwindling performance in the qualifying series.
“Despite all support; especially from the Presidential Task Force to ensure that the Super Eagles qualify for the World Cup Finals to be held on the African soil for the first time, the team have failed to fly. The Nigeria Football Federation has also not shown that it is in control of football administration.
“The media did not help matters as the sports editors were the ones that voted Amodu as the Super Eagles’ coach. Here again the NFF exposed its inadequacies as they orchestrated the voting of Amodu by the editors after the NFF Technical Committee had listed Siasia as the rightful coach for the Super Eagles job. “We have been told that Taiwo Ogunjobi’s Technical Committee at the NFF, made a recommendation that Siasia should be made the coach of the team, but that the recommendation was not accepted. The price of that decision is now haunting us and we are paying it.
“It’s indeed a sorry development in our football, and it will be a big shame if it so happens that we would not be taking part in the World Cup Finals for the second time in a row. Or has anyone found a person who would be happy to see that happen,” he asked, seeming angry.
He however added that the country, being a prayerful one, should embark on prayers for the Eagles to win the remaining two matches against Mozambique and Kenya while Tunisia should lose one, as this seems to be the only way the country can make it over her main rivals for the single ticket of the group, Tunisia.

mugu: 2009-09-22 14:17

Akpokona is talking rubbish, if a coach can not control his players his useless, he has the right to drop any indiscipline player

Prof.: 2009-09-22 16:01

Hi all. Please which TV station(s) is/are guaranteed to cover the Egypt 2009 U-20 championships? I live in the Netherlands. Definitely such stations should cover worldwide by satelite. Could anyone give me some info please?

ik: 2009-09-22 17:56

Otu mike, u are the type that plays football with an orange down there in okokomaiko,you are nothing but a big toilet ****roach.Go and eat **** and stop commenting on this site. You are a digrace to this website. Or you better go back to ur remote village to regain your position as the champion in palm fruit cutting and palm wine taping. You rotten **** of an insane woman.

Clovis: 2009-09-22 19:39

Mr. Akpokna, "To whom much is given much is expected." When you worked with those "big men" what trophy did you win outside of Africa? In today's world of sports the world is closer than you think. Home-based players are not the answer. Restructuring of NFF and NFA is the first step to our success and rise to dominance again in Africa.

ik: 2009-09-22 20:51

Kick off Nigeria I am reporting this fool purporting himself mike to you. You should barn him from commenting on this site. He seems a chronic illiterate who does not understand what this site is all about. Here is a forum to discuss and deliberate on the solution of our deplorable state of football, which several coments will serves as a clue to rejuvenating our football, but this non entity has turn it to some of a joke, barn him or we skip this site.