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Amodu commended, retained by NFF

Amodu commended, retained by NFF

Posted: 2009-11-25 22:40

Much-maligned Nigeria coach Shuaibu Amodu received some cheering news on Wednesday when the Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation passed a resolution to retain him, along with his technical staff.

Despite guiding the Super Eagles to World Cup qualification ahead of Tunisia, Amodu has had to face up to constant calls for him to be replaced by a 'foreign Technical Adviser'.

Critically however, he has continued to receive the backing of the NFF top brass, and on Wednesday, that position was made unequivocally official following a meeting in Abuja.

"The NFF Executive Committee commended all the Super Eagles’ players and Members of technical crew for the honour done Nigeria with the World Cup ticket," the Communiqué after the board meeting read.

"The Committee also unanimously adopted the position of its technical sub –committee and the Coaches Association of Nigeria, which on Tuesday, 24th November, 2009 recommended that Members of the Super Eagles’ technical crew should be kept in their post for the African Nations Cup Angola 2010 and FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010."

The board also approved Amodu's proposal to start camping of the Super Eagles for the African Nations Cup in Namibia from December 28.

This news will come as welcome relief to Amodu, but will by no means completely reassure him, as the main protagonists for a foreign coach are the Presidential Task Force, set up by Nigeria President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua to help ensure World Cup qualification.


The group appear to have the backing of the Presidency in their quest to make that appointment, and although a member of the PTF told KickOffNigeria.com that the body will respect the wishes of the NFF, it is not clear if this declaration will mean the end of the search.

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nelson: 2009-11-25 22:43

what else again?



nelson4u.

adebola: 2009-11-25 22:47

Thank you Lord for your faithfulness. we are slowly coming of age. congrats Amodu now go on and prove all of us who support you right. May God keep and guide you and may He give you the wisdom you need to succeed.

Prof.: 2009-11-25 23:13

Billion, Frank and co have succeded. Let's wait for the worst. We are used to it!

mike: 2009-11-25 23:39

ThankGod NFF got it right this time. Let our own man take us to the world cup. I am happy that they did not listen to those moroons who think they can judge the competence of another man by watching European football. They do not watch the domestic league because they say the standard is poor, but it is the same league that produce the stars that play in Europe. They are self haters. Amodu take us to Angola and SA, even if we fail to win both the world would not come to an end, besides England the birthplace of modern football last won the world cup in 1966. Football is just a game, it should not give you a psychological boost over anybody. It is just a mere game Goodluck Amodu.
Megison

Chacha: 2009-11-25 23:40

@ abule: This "idiot" won you a world cup ticket for crying out loud! Go back to the records of most of the foreign TAs we've had...their pays were never justified. I will vote for results ahead of "good football".

Talking about good football, at least Amodu showed us some of that too; remember the matches against S/Leone, Ireland, France. The one against Kenya was good too, and i think we played fairly well in Maputo too.

Instead of wasting money on expatriates, why don't we invest in our owns? NFF did the right thing.

etibensi: 2009-11-25 23:48

Good news that we have decided to keep Amodu.Now go on and win the the African and World cup.Do the double.To hell with Technical Adviser .

Ceeee 2: 2009-11-25 23:49

Amodu is the head coach, that is fine and wonderful,and his technical crew has been retained, that is something good but now am wondering if we have quality ambulance and good roads to transport patient of high blood pressure to the nearest hospitals whenever nigeria is playing cos there would be countless number of heart attack on those days.May God help nigeria to pull a draw against those teams in our group during the nations cup.

Start camping on december 28? are there kidding? The tournament start on the 10th of January and Nigeria first match is on the 12 of January which is 13 and 15 days respectively from the camp date.Is that a better preparation? How will the players be able to understand themselves when they begin arriving 2 to 5 days after the destined date. How about the friendlies that Nff talked about? When would that be played? i guess after the nations cup. Nobody did say that amodu should be sacked cos we all wanted him to reaped from his hard work but we wanted a good technical advicer to assist him.Even victor Ikpeba says he can't decipline his team that Nigeria needs a technical adviser that can help input decipline, he did not say a coach but a technical adviser so also the public.

A little advice to Nff, they should not organised a frienly with any african country that is not playing the Nations cup or else the whole teams would be with injuries becos the opposing team would be ready to break bones since they are not playing and would not want any other team to play as well.

Jude: 2009-11-25 23:57

His records speak for him. Only one loss in 29 competitive matches! 9 wins & 3 draws enroute to 2010 qualification. Not even France or Argentina have such records, yet they have kept faith with their respective coaches!
Let's support Amodu. He certainly knows Ngerian football & will build a formidable team over time.

P.D.P na Wayo: 2009-11-26 00:01

This is a bad news for NIGERIAN FOOTBALL!!!

LULU&co. must die with HEART ATTACK since they've decided to break our hearts in the future

oscar : 2009-11-26 00:10

@ Prof, what worst are you still waiting for? Most of you guys did not believe we will qualify, you already waited for your worst long time ago. Now is no time to revisit the issues leading to our qualifications. The worst that can ever happen is we do not go beyond the first round. Do you know how many countries with very good teams that did not qualify for the World cup?

However said, I would still wish that someone is brought in to assist Amodu. The same people that are praising Amodu today will turn against him after the nations cup if the team fail to win the cup. By bringing someone for the world cup alone will jeopardize our preparations. We need to use the Nations cup as a stepping stone to a better performance at the World cup. If we stick by Amodu now, we should also keep faith with him for the world cup, no matter what happens at the nations cup. But in all sincerity, I wish someone is brought into the team to help it improve.

taoreed: 2009-11-26 00:11

congrats coach amodu. in your invite player pls include this two player wilson oruma and seyi ogunsanya. this guy is playing in u s a right now is a very good defende,thank u.

Clovis: 2009-11-26 00:15

NFF good job. However, look to get him help with the tactical part of the game. Maybe some of his assistance can go and be replaced with better coaches who can actually coach.
God Bless Nigeria!

Birikiti: 2009-11-26 00:22

@Billion et others,

I know many have gone too far with their criticisms & many have not displayed an iota of decency in voicing their opinions. However, I think all those running our football (Administrators & coaches alike) should see this as an indication of the high expectations of Nigerians.

Football is not a matter of life & death; it's more serious than that!

What happened in the aftermath of Egypt vs Algeria in Sudan & France vs Ireland has proven this. So what our people should be thinking of is how to put up a great show in Angola & S. Africa.
Personally, anything short of a final appearance in Angola & a Q/Final berth in SA is not good enough, This is becos i know we have the players to do it but the technical aspect is the issue.

Honestly, I would like Amodu to go to the ANC & WC but he has to drop ego & sentiments & go for the best backroom staff he can get. Brazil has an amazing array of coaches, scouts, spies, fitness trainers, statisticians, diet specialists, psychologists etc as their backroom staff. All these are managed for effective result by the head coach.
So I advise Amodu to go for an expanded backroom staff that will help his cause. Top on his list should be Simon Kalika (becos he's both a fitness trainer & great tactical coach), then maybe people like Emenalo as scouts, Siasia, Oliseh as spies & match readers & a great psychologist added to the mix.

Believe me with a great backroom staff, Amodu will turn to a hero overnight! But does he have the big heart to do this? Time will tell. But someone (esp. Billion, Ken Ghadaffi, et al) shuld please remind him that:

"Football is not a matter of life & death; it's more serious than that!"

Niceguy: 2009-11-26 00:23

Useless NFF still retain this old fashion called Amodu, they will live to regret it.

Kerewa: 2009-11-26 00:32

aha case rested, ppl can now leave amodu alone. assuming now na white skin he has ppl will be shouting his praises. nff got it right this time. long live naija.
more lucks to amodu
angola here we come

ozo: 2009-11-26 00:42

I dey NFF side for dis decision. Now is up to Mr. Amodu to continue his heroic fits. E no easy to qualify one country twice for world cup.

SON OF MAN: 2009-11-26 00:46

THIS STUPID MAN SHOULD CHANGE HIS NAME FROM LULU TO MUMU.IF NOTHING IS DONE AS PER THE COACHING CREW OF THE SUPER EAGLE, NIGERIA WILL BE DISGRACE IN BOTH THE NATION CUP AND THE WORLD CUP.LULU IS AN IDIOT.

king: 2009-11-26 01:58

@Billion, Ghaddafi, victory at last... yes Amodu Remains. What a glorious moment, for us to finally respect and value our own!!

Soccer: 2009-11-26 02:06

SoccerProf.

TO ALL FORUMITES:

Because of the Foul Languages, Abuses, Curses, etc,
that have permeated this Forum, I have decided to stay
off from commenting and sharing ideas on issues here.
I still visit to read news on KON, but not to post any
comments.

However, I noticed that there is another Forumite by the
name of "Professor" here. I want to make it clear that the
new "Professor" is not me. I always sign all my missives
as "SoccerProf." Please take good note of this.

I pray and hope that the situation can be better and all
members who have been forced away because of the
foul languages and indecent comments can return and
share valuable inputs to move Nigerian football forward.
Blessings to you all.

Regards,
SoccerProf.

Soccer: 2009-11-26 02:22

SoccerProf.

Before signing off, I pray that The Good Lord give every
one of us the wisdom and guidance to do what is right......
to respect others' views and to resolve differences of
opinions amicably. May God help guide Nigerian Soccer
in the right direction and make us successful in all our
undertakings! May we all get along in the spirit of unity
and brotherhood. May we witness huge success and
victories by all our sports teams, particularly the SE in the
ACN and The World Cup in 2010. AMEN!! Blessings to you all.

Regards,
SoccerProf.

elzo: 2009-11-26 02:29

Congrats to Amodu and his coaching crew for being retained for a job well done. Now go out and prove your doubters wrong. Amodu, please read The Sun, UK. Nedum Onouha says he has not ruled out the possiblity of playing for Nigeria. It won't hurt if you could measure his fitness level with the nations cup in Angola. Also, please extend an invitation to Angelo Ogbonna of Torino FC in Italy. I mention both guys because we truly need help in defence. I saw the AC Milan versus Olympic M****ile game today. Taye Taiwo should be a starter for the super eagles. The guy is good when he plays to his coach's instruction. He had a solid performance today. Again, congrats to Amodu and the coaching crew. Make naija proud in Angola and South Africa 2010.

Richard: 2009-11-26 03:25

@elzo, not sure you watched M****lle Vs Milan, Taiwo was so awful, Pato made a mess of him. His poor positional play was apparent again today which is why he's one of the players in super eagles that should be made to ''earn'' his shirt. Checkout his ratings on goal.com


Taiwo 4 Poor positionally and was given a hard time by Pato. Milan tried to locate the Brazilian at every opportunity and when isolated, Taiwo provided easy pickings.

TAWFEEQ: 2009-11-26 05:46

Congratulations to Amodu and the consortium of his technical assistants! When will fellow Nigerians learn to give kudos to whom it is due? We should look at Amodu's records and see how many matches he lead Nigeria to, won, draw and loss. He has a perfect record that some of the so-called overrated white men have not even achieved for our dear motherland! Tunisia lost in Mozambique and the foreign coach was fired shortly. What we need to do right now dear comrades is to give support to our local coaches to excel. A local coach won us the U-16! A local coach took to finals of the Olympic and U-21! A Nigerian coach is making name in Mali! Nigerians are great people if giving the support and conducive atmosphere to perform. I am here in Saudi Arabia where Nigerian doctors are highly paid and most respected above other European nationalities. Same in other GULF and European countries including the United States. It is time we must learn to speak positively of our comrades and appreciate what they might have contributed irrespective of size. Early preparation and right selection. I see no team beating us easily!! Long live the Super Eagles! Long live our dear motherland!

Stan: 2009-11-26 05:52

Congratulations coach Amodu (and your staff).

It’s now time to get down to some serious preparation ahead of CAN in Angola. We know the WC is fast approaching, we’ll worry about that after CAN.
Coach,you and your team must now take it to a higher level. To be candid, the team has not been very inspiring and the plays not been very convincing either. Friendlies, friendlies, friendlies, to try new potentials please. So many talented once around. No age too young.

I read so much about Emmanuel Ekpo here, and finally got to watch him again on tv since the Olympics. The guy is as good as they said. He made you wonder why he’s not in anybody’s national team. Good attacking Mfielder.
Anyway, good luck, we’ll be supporting you all the way.

And for some of you foreign SE pros, if you think because you’ve played for all those foreign coaches and you can’t come home and have full 100% respect for Coach Amodu, shame on you, YOU ARE the problem.
You’re all supposed to be professionals, and yet you make the coach and yourselves look bad because most of you don’t play like the professionals that you are.
However, I must still say a big congratulations to you all on qualifying for the WC. In addition, you must all improve and show a different attitude in Angola. We must see some real football from everyone of you. Show us what you got.

Stan: 2009-11-26 06:20

Mr. President Yar Adua,

Thanks for the help with football. But where is the PTF that is looking into hunger, poverty, unemployment, and overall hardship? Too many people are suffering Mr. President. Can you do something about that too? Please? Thank you sir.

Xhuxhu: 2009-11-26 06:24

@Birikiti&elzo,wondaful comments apart 4rm elzo's view on Taye's 4points rated performance yesterday in Milan
@Soccerprof,pls I'm joining efforts wit allstars,we'r asking u to stick arnd this forum,e'jo,biko,mboh.
Congratulations Coach Amodu although I didn't support ur being retained bt I think it nice u'r allowed to"reap where u'v laboured",bt pls Sir,I hope u don't keep faith with the likes of Olofinjana(he'll b making his 1st appearance in Jan,afta a 1month injury lay-off),Yakubu(Moyes has said it'l take a whole yr 4 him 2 get back 2 full fitness),Ajilore(down wit Back injury,sorry though)etc.Pls ask NFF to employ Simon Kalika&Siasia to help u.
Pls Sir,every human has got some ego but you need to do away wit yours when making ya team selections,rmemba we need to present our best for the Nations & World cup,pls anything wey ETUHU,ODIAH,K.UCHE,TAYE&ADELEYE,abeg try 4giv.
Dear forumites this's my best XXIII for the S.E,pls u honorable men should help me scrutinize&if possible suggest other good players
GK-enyeama,aiyenugba,ejide(b/c of his body built)
DEF-odiah,apam,yobo,adeleye,taye,echiejile,****tu(b/c of his gr8 commitment to national assignments)
MID-mikel,etuhu,k.uche,ayila,r.ibrahim,uche agba(heartland f.c)
STR-martins,ogbuke,osaze,nsofor,peter utaka,j.akpala,eneramuo
Knocking @ d doors of S.E(should b considered)
DEF-nedum onuoha,angelo obinze,aogo(if they 3 will cherish wearing d S.E's shirt)&adebayo.
MID-solomon okoronkw,joel obi(inter milan)ibenegbu(heartland)sani kaita,Haruna(if he could b calm 4 d duration of play),onyekachi okonkwo(fc.zurich),obinna n****wo.
STR-stephano okaka(if he cherishes wearin the green white green jersey),stanley okoro(if he could b taught not to b selfish wit the ball),ik.uche(pray d@ GOD grants him speedy recovery),Yak(if he's fully fit oh)
GOD BLESS NIGERIA
GOD BLESS THE S.E.

Remy Martins : 2009-11-26 07:05

So many congratulatory messages to Amodu,that's good but not the best 4him.We will all come back here in January to read crucify Amodu,sack Amodu cuz he failed to make it to Quater finals.Good that Amodu was retained,what his supporters should have done now is to tell him the simple truth,his technical defficiency.To work on it and bring his technicallity up to meet world class coach.Followers of Nigeria football are not of the opinion of sacking Amodu but to hire a good technical adviser to work with him.Amodu should try and discover new players.Why is it that Amodu can not watch Nigeria local leagues and discover new players?,cuz he's inefficient.Inefficiency has been the bane in Nigeria,mediocrity is celebrated over merit and the country sinks.Inefficiency on the part of NFF is the reason why they couldn't see the reason to hire a technical adviser to assit Amodu.

Polly: 2009-11-26 07:57

Well, now that they have decided to retain Amodu against the wishes of the majority of Nigrian soccer lovers, we have no other option other than to give him and the team all the necessary support. After all, if they win, it is Nigeria that won and not Amodu or Billion. We should not pray that the team fails just to prove that we were right.

UP SUPER EAGLES.
NO MORE OVER-AGE.

UD: 2009-11-26 09:15

what does NFF knows about football. from glass hoouse officials to super chicken technical crews were the same.

It’s just like a blind man leading another blind man. If they do watch European football then they will know that they have not started. But they can’t watch it rather they are busy sharing our money.

The fact is that the NFF crews are not football loving people rather they are a group of business men who are there to grab their own shares while it last.
Otherwise they would have seen the need to bring in a sound coach long back.

Nigeria will not have a good team again until those groups of dummy occupying the glass are removed.

ken gadaffi: 2009-11-26 09:26

@king, thanks, THE JUST SHALL ALWAYS LIVE BY FAITH........
I am here reading and enjoying the comments and simply decided to keep mute for now.

THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH

JOHNSON: 2009-11-26 09:44

@Dornachy,

most of us are not advocating for sack of Amodu,we only need a beefed up bench.which i dont see as bad anyways,just get someone with the right chemistry to work with him.

@Polly,i second,we should all pray that our eagles wins d nations cup and go all d way to d worldcup finals..its not impossible.At this stage,we are working wit a team selector,and d eagles can perform wit or without a coach(dats my faith,not my head talking)

JOHNSON: 2009-11-26 09:44

oh Stan,

I hope there is no hate in ur post..i still wud carry on with my friendly and very enlightening discussion with you.Infact this is d part of football that most dont talk about,but one of d most interesting..i like it.

Personality is governed by a universal principle.Some call it charm,others aura.U have it or u dont,Kapish!

Either u accept it or not that will be a different matter entirely,its for u to battle with urself,not me to convince u.

Hey d players respect the office of d coach..and d fact that they are wearing d national team jersey.Infact there is a saying "u are dressed to be addressed".

A coach who is not forthright will never gain d respect of his team.

U are blessed if d authority u are given is matched with the personality to carry it out..thats where u talk of great leaders.

we have leaders,borne by the authority bestowed on them either by providence(including paddy paddy)election or ..etc while great leaders, on attaining this authority,their personality(which is always positive)matches d authority and then they are recorded in history..sometimes for no mean achievement i.e Obama.I leave u to deal with ur intelligent mind.

I am not ethnocentric,I am proud Nigerian living in a world i call my own.I will not sacrifice excellence on the alter of etnicity.

Good u are proud of Amodu,but pls dont, bcos he is a nigerian,rather, because he is d best in d position some corrupt few have given him.

I am a man of d world,not a small man.I will celebrate anybody in any part of d world who provides joy for d majority of d people..u can go on celebrating ethnicity.

And bro,pls my stand is not based on hate,lol.I have never met Amodu one on one.I have only based my judgement on my ****ysis of d office he has been given.And i am smart enuff to speak my mind irrespective of how u might perceive it..even dat wont gag me.

He assumes a national office.dat puts him in d eyes of d storm.If he cant stand d heat then he should leave d kitchen.

U might go on tinking "hate".But if he is half as smart as u portray him to be,he wud rather i am closer to him,than u.cos he will not benefit anytin from ur friendship,everytin he does seems right to u already.But me,i will criticise his every action,albeit objectively.Till he shapes up into d position he is occupying.Who gains?

And as per Hiddink and d other coaches dat didnt make it,it will be shallow for any one to compare both coaches..they operated in d peculiarity of thier environment..so dat too is shallow tinking..talking of shallow.

Being fooled,well.thats to tell u how open and objective i am.I dont condemn bcos i hate ur face..i follow u,hold u to ur word and hope u deliver..i guess dats y i was "fooled all these time".

And if u speak d mind of amodu,by saying he doesnt care what i think...well i will be ashamed of him.it just goes to confirm how dumb he is.I hope he is not,at least he is our coach.And i will support my eagles all d time.


Bask to d story..so what happened to d female league?so u want a private organisation to dash u d money ,becausev of ur lack of organisational skills.return d cheque if u didnt run d league,before throwing nasty accusation.Nff,ur house is too dirty.clean it up before casting aspersions.

DON: 2009-11-26 09:54

FROM HENCEFORTH LULU NAME HAS BEEN CHANGED TO MUMU

Edd: 2009-11-26 10:15

Why are my not surprised?We cease to be Nigerians d day we start doing the right thing.If you ask me,NFF don package their scape goat-Amodu finish cos they know he will fail&thats not their interest.Their interest is not even the winning Nations either;I no even wan talk about winning the W/cup!!!Their interest na that allocation money that comes wit qualifying for these tournaments.Afterall na my papa get 9ja?Relax!Make una open una ears wella cos una go soon begin hear stories shey na Jan,10!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bigfoot: 2009-11-26 10:16

I am not a fan of Amodu. But i do feel the NFF has now matured as they have leant from past experinces. Which is good. So right now if we go ahead and fail let us fail together but the most important thing is we would have leant how to do it our way and we can then plan how to do better, Hopfully. Lets surpport Amodu even if he is not the best.

ken gadaffi: 2009-11-26 10:20

@Johnson, you are beginning to sound like a preacher in the wilderness. Bringing in another person the the bench will be more like too many cooks spoiling the broth.
Sweden went to the WC in 1994 with two joint coaches Lars Lagerback and Tommy Soderbergh, while Tunisia was in Korea Japan 2002 with two coaches Ammar Souyah and Khemaies Laabidi yet that did not stop them from early exit.

When people keep saying Amodu needs help, yeah I agree he needs help just like each one of us in our various endevour, But what capacity of help are we advocating? Employing a foreign coach will undermine his position, and adding another local coach will only complicate issues.

I don't think running him down like most people have done is the kind of help he deserves. Amodu definitely is not running the show alone, he has people around him and adding more will only make things much difficult to handle.
This debate should end with the NFF declaration of full support and lets get on with the preparation.

He who pays the piper has dictated the tune, shikena.

THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH

ken gadaffi: 2009-11-26 10:26

I didn't realize that AMODU has a lot of backers here in this forum. This goes a long way to show that the so called propanganda by the press claiming that most nigerians want amodu out has always never been true.

Well, KUDOS to all those who have kept faith with AMODU and the SUPER eagles. Yeah, the worst is over as nothing could have been worse than Nigeria not qualifying under AMODU. Lets keep our expectations for the nations cup and world cup modest. Lets take every game at a time and surely we might just be the dark horse.

THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH

ken gadaffi: 2009-11-26 10:28

@johnson, your rhetorics is beginning to become undecipherable, I have tried to read and re read over again and again but still cannot fathom your main points or what you are driving at.

THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH

Edd: 2009-11-26 10:28

Danarchy4 no take am personal oh!!!Wit d person wey 9ja de parade,dat result na rubbish!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!U de play E.Guinea,Gabon,S.Leone,Liberia,etc.1-0,U de happy?Go back&watch any of those matches again&see badly we even strugled fro those score lines.D Man is stil on the job bcos im neva default on his "tithe".

ken gadaffi: 2009-11-26 11:07

Thank you @bigfoot, The great statistician Danarchy4, welldone for bringing to light once again AMODU's great records. Many will still not appreciate it all in the name of good football.
I am yet to know what exactly is "good football" Ask ****NAL fans what they go thru week in week out watching the gunners play the best football ever yet no end results to show for it. Some gunners fans may have jumped ship except for those who still have faith in them.
People seem to forget the time we played good football without results. Maroc 88, Ghana Nig 02, for example, we out played Cameroon in the finals of the AFCON yet we lost. Nobody remembers how well the Eagles played, those two trophies we lost added to the two we have won so far would have put NIGERIA closer to Egypt in the all time record.
I really don't care how well we play so long we get the desired result. i am sure many SE fans will think the same way.

THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH

JOHNSON: 2009-11-26 11:34

@Ken,

I only answered Stans mail,point by point.and i write d way i talk,since dis is not an official platform.But i guess to some its pretty clear.It depends on how u read it..lol.take ur time read stans mail and read my response it will make more sense

Infact sef,i don tire for Amodu bizness,its making dis whole tin uninteresting,lets find another area of disagreement.I am bored stiff now.

kenten: 2009-11-26 12:10

Well, let us repect the opinion of the NFF - I hope this is not more of a show of pride than absolute confidence in the technical competence of Amodu and his crew. I know we have not had the last of this issue.
@Soccer Prof, its really nice to hear from you once again. I was also on a partial sabatical from the forum though due to some commitments.It will be nice to have you back contributing in the forum.

Garvey: 2009-11-26 12:16

Lol @ Johnson. I was just starting to wonder how long you want to continue this argument about Amodu. It's good you are now bored. It's not worth it anymore. You and some forumites have tried their best but NFF have decided Amodu does not need any help. Let's just take and pray their decision will be justified at the end.

nelson: 2009-11-26 12:45

to all those cowards that hide behind computers to insult and curse anothers,i must say you not man enough and must learn how to be decent in public forum its not motor parks debate.

nelson4u.

Obi: 2009-11-26 12:53

@darnachy4.... Those results express the quantitative dimension of amodu's performance over the years, but not the qualitative dimension!

In his first incarnation as coach in 1994, he inherited a team that was already well structured, and had all positions well defined. Westerhof had already done most of the work for him. So he went to the Confederations Cup and won one match in three (we also lost to Mexico on penalties after a 2-2 draw after extra time in the 3rd place match). By then his inadequacies had started to manifest, and he was given the boot.

In his second incarnation as coach, he came on a rescue mission after the Eagles had stuttered and sputtered in the 2002 WC Qualifiers. And, as with 2009, a fortunate mix of results ensured qualification for us. After beating Liberia 2-0 in Port Harcourt, we needed to beat Sudan at away while hoping that Ghana would do us a favour against Liberia in Monrovia. It happened exactly as desired with us trouncing Sudan 4-0 in Omdurman, while Ghana pipped Liberia 2-0 in Monrovia. The final match against Ghana in Port Harcourt was a formality. The salient point here is that in 2001, Nigeria still had key players from Westerhof's USA94 team active, including Okocha, Ikpeba, Finidi, Oliseh, Babangida plus useful additions from Bonfrere's Atlanta 96 team including Kanu, Babayaro, Taribo available. In short, with a little effort he had a more or less settled team. Even then, the performance of his team, in spite of the results were awful at Mali 2002 culminating in his ouster. If his team played well, how did the NFA take the decision to sack him? There was a realization that we were getting poorer quality than we deserved!

My grouse Amodu are as follows:

1. Poor motivational skills! A man that can attack his players at Press Conferences can never extract the desired commitment from them.

2. Poor selection. How has Olofinjana claimed pole position ahead of Ayila and Etuhu? In the Nairobi match, did you see Ayila's impact when he came in for Olofinjana? How in the name of logic is Yusuf Mohammed better than Odiah? In a midfield crying for creativity, how come Obodo is missing, despite scoring a goal in his only invitation to camp (against Sierra Leone in Abuja) so far? What is Nwaneri still doing in that team? How could Adeleye suddenly revert to the bench after only two errors against Tunisia? How can he discard Ogbuke summarily after playing him in only one game, despite playing him out of position?

3. No playing Philosophy. Westerhof played 4-4-2, Troussier played 3-5-2, Bonfrere favoured 4-4-2. Pray Forumites, what does Amodu favour? And I think this lies at the heart of Amodu's present problems. The Eagles not only lack a consistent playing pattern, they also lack a clear definition of roles! In no match during these qualifiers was this made more apparent than against Tunisia in Abuja. Comparing the two teams on display, it was clear which side had the better coach, and which side had the better players! Even the best players play very badly when they are not sure of what they should be doing on the field!

I could go on and on because I have many more reasons to give. But even the few above are enough to seal the man's exit. If I had the say, the moment he returned from Kenya, he would have been asked to go.

The NFF have made a definitive statement on Amodu. Let them take him to the Nations Cup, but let them also not expect us to win the cup. He doesn't have what it takes!

ken gadaffi: 2009-11-26 12:58

@Johnson, i think that will be better before you are taken as a rebel. The NFF has decided to stick with AMODU, its pointless beating a dead horse.

For sure, i feel you and I know what u stand for. I have always seen critics as patriots and i sont see u being different from a real Patriot.

Cheers

THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH

r.baggio: 2009-11-26 13:22

Ken gaddafi

Please do leave us Gunners alone, we love our brand of football and we r still competing despite not spending the money of money citeh, chelski, manure, pool and galaticos. as for ur all other contributions am right behind u. Amodu may not be our best option but he is effective and have served us well. and if the powers that be say its Amodu we all should rally round and support 1 of our own for the good of our football. onye obuna were ire ya guo eze ya onu. to before warned is........ In Amodu we trust, Amodu stays and alone.

tyano: 2009-11-26 13:58

this is the worst preparation nigerian will be making, just look at our past record and you will understand what am saying it is better we look for a foreign coach it is simple he is not good for the job

Flex: 2009-11-26 14:07

Let him continue paying his tithe to BANAT, the goddess of luck 'cos he has been riding on that 4 a long time. Its not that we don't like Amodu because he is a Nigerian but our annoyance is just that the Eagles are no longer as graceful as they used to be despite that intimidating records they have under him. WE r sitting under a keg of Gun powder and only time will tell what the result will be.

emeka: 2009-11-26 14:15

@ Obi, at the end of the qualifiers, it was clear which country qualified for the world cup and which country did not...(lol)

Honestly,I like ur ****ysis, but let me fault some points u raised, the 1994 team,as u said was a finished team by Westerhof, I agree. But remember that at that time Keshi, Yekini, Emenalo, Okafor and were already out when Amodu took over. He was thus bringing a new philosophy into the team,hence the players must adjust to it. U shouldnt expect instant hit. Remember, too, that many of the players were not at King Fahd Cup,hence Iorfa, Momodu Mutari n Sam Pam made the team. Recal that Siasia played only one match n returned to his base in France. Amodu was only re-building a team which had reached its peak.What happend to that team could be likend to what happend to the French team in 2002 World Cup. Few year earlier they were beating every country in the world but in Japan/South Korea, they lost to Senegal n failed to score a goal. Now, he was not sacked for his inadequacies in 1995. He was sacked because of his disagreement with the then sports minister,Jim Nwobodo.

According to you, Amodu qualified Nigeria 4 the 2002 world cup with little effert because "Nigeria still had key players from Westerhof's USA94 team active, including Okocha, Ikpeba, Finidi, Oliseh, Babangida plus useful additions from Bonfrere's Atlanta 96 team including Kanu, Babayaro, Taribo available", but you failed to tell us that an Oyibo man, Bonfrere Jo almost derailed our world cup dreams with those same players. If u had followed that qualification well, U will recall that while Bonfere's team was wobbling n fumbling, Amodu injected life into the team. He introduced Justice Christopher n Eric Ejiofor into the team and they played a wonderful brand of football aginst Sudan in Omburaman n against Liberia n Ghana in Port Harcourt. His sack after the 2002 Nations Cup was not due to incompetence. He was accused by the then sports minister.

And at just concluded qualifiers, between Nigeria n Tunsia, it was clear, at the end of the whole race, which team qualified for the world cup n which team did not.

Now, I believe that Amodu needs help technically. But nobody should be imposed on him. He should be asked to pick anybody who can assist him the way Westerhof did wt Bonfrere n Siasia wt Kalika.

Let's show some respect to this man, I think he has performed. When he was employed, the mandate given to him was not to play attractive football but to qualify us for the world cup.And he has done that.So he has passed. the two times we abandoned coaches who qualified us for the world cup n employed some other coaches,the consequences were dire.

Omo Naija: 2009-11-26 14:32

All I can say is that this is the sanest decision taken by the NFA this year! Yes Amodu stays cos he deserves it and his record speaks for him!

All we owe him now is to throw our weight behind him for him to do the nation proud at CAN and WOZA 2010.

Kudos to all those who believed and stood for fairness, justice and merit.

Baba: 2009-11-26 16:21

Sani Lulu is a ******* for retaining Amodu. Nigerians will ask you Sani if we fail to perfom well in the coming nations and world cup. Amodu is unqualified, lazy, and stupid coach. Sincerely speaking, he lacks the technical-know-how to lead the Super Eagles, the work is too big for him.

ibrahim: 2009-11-26 16:50

this is another dream and it is real this time, nff has decide to kept and support Amodu, but for me i think the nff should try and understand and bring in TA to help him, but Amodu can still remain the head coach, cos he has tried alot.but since the people in power said there is no room for any coach or TA, then we all should just starting praying for our team and the coach to succeed,cos all this word we are metions is for real, cos anything that u wish urself that is what u will get,and many of us here have been saying many bad things about the team and coach, but we should remember something, if we dont want to have heart attack we should be praying for them from now so they can come out there with favour, we cant be a world number one football country with this kind of curse on our team and coach, my lovely brothers we should try and support them from this moment, since the nff said there is no change of Amodu, so if u can beat them u join them, please my brothers let which our super eagle success, and i know that our heaven God that give us the grace to reach S/F 2010 will help too. God bless SE, God blessed Nigeria.

SIRBODE: 2009-11-26 18:28

GOD FORBID BAD THING SUPER EAGLES TO START CAMPING ON THE 28TH DECEMBER WHILE NATIONS CUP START 10TH JANUARY.HEY NFF AMODU , AND SANI MUMU WHAT DID YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING? WHEN GHANA HAS STARTED CAMPING IN SOUTH AFRICA NIGERIA CAMP IS OPENING ON THE 28TH DECEMBER AND PLAYERS WILL REPORT TO CAMP WHEN ,

WHERE IS THE FRIENDLIES , IS THIS THE EARLY PREPARATION YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT AMODU AND SANI MOMO, OJO OBA.

HEY AMODU AND YOU AGREE TO THIS ? HEY YOU ARE DIGGING YOUR GRAVE FOR FAILURE, BY THIS YOU MUST GO . FOR NIGERIA TO QUALIFY WE PRAY AND FASTED, ITS NOT BY YOUR TECHNICAL KNOW NOW , IS BY THE GRACE OF GOD. NOW YOU ARE TELLING US THAT CAMP WILL OPEN ON THE 28TH DECEMBER WHEN OTHER COUNTRIES ARE ALREADY IN ANGOLA BY DECEMBER 28TH

I REST MY CASE

SIRBODE KOTOGBE

SOUTH AFRICA
JOHANNESBURG
SIRBODE@YAHOO.CO.UK
+27782667566

ken gadaffi: 2009-11-26 19:21

@rrbaggio You are not a gunner than I do. Yeah we love the gunners game however we will be much happier if they start grinding out results and winning matches even without playing so well. at the end its what you win that counts. The truth must be said.

@Allstars, I don't agree that AMODU is being forced on us, that will be undermining everyone. The NFF gave AMODU a passmark because he was contracted to qualify the SE for the WC which he has done, they dont mind if its wuruwuru to the answer and honestly I dont see anything bad in their decision. Its not just a matter of blind support, AMODU has done really well and must be commended. Period

THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH

ken gadaffi: 2009-11-26 19:27

@sirbode kotogbe, its better you rest your case. Which Ghana team is already in camp in SA? Which teams are in camp now? Which of our players do you want AMODU to invite to camp at this point in time when the league in Europe is heating up or is it the Home based Eagles you want him to camp now and at the end non may make up the squad. Oga mi, please lets face the reality, with the FIFA rules, no club will release their players except two weeks to the commencement of the AFCON thus the 28th Dec date is realistic.
For now, all AMODU and his crew can do is to monitor this players as well as our opponents and begin to draw his plans.

THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH

ken gadaffi: 2009-11-26 19:37

@allatars and rrbagio I am a die hard Gunner to the core for your information but let me ask you a question.

Which will you prefer! which will give you more heartbreak, a gunner team coached by Wenger that will entertain you very well but at the end loose to a lowly rated team like fulham, sunderland, or Stoke or a super eagles team coached by AMODU that will play badly buy win against lowly rated team like E.guinea sierra leone, South Africa?


THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH

ken gadaffi: 2009-11-26 19:38

@allatars and rrbagio I am a die hard Gunner to the core for your information but let me ask you a question.

Which will you prefer! which will give you more heartbreak, a gunner team coached by Wenger that will entertain you very well but at the end loose to a lowly rated team like fulham, sunderland, or Stoke or a super eagles team coached by AMODU that will play badly buy win against lowly rated team like E.guinea sierra leone, South Africa?


THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH

Osayo: 2009-11-26 19:51

A Message to Ken Gaddafi

Hello Ken, I have been in this forum for some time. I am not so frequent like you, though.
I think with your contributions, ubiquity and response to every theme, you might be a member of kickoff or Nigeria official of some sort.
Like you, I read the topics here and the various responses. You have responded many times with maturity.
However, your response to Johnson in the other post under the caption: “NFF hit back at Globacom” is over the line. You wrote this:
“@Johnson, i like your spirit and patriotism, thats what is really lacking in many Nigerians, I dont know where u are based, but in most places i have been to i see many Nigerians using other country's pee to the extent that when they wanna go home, they start looking for ETC from the embassy to return home...... It's a shame that many people are not proud of NIGERIA. It’s the need for us to appreciate what is ours that is making most of us stand behind AMODU, come rain or sun rather than clamouring for the white man who most dont value we NIGERIANS yet they wanna sap us dry.”
Those Nigerian are going “home” aren´t they? Because they don´t have other home than Nigeria. Nobody is happy of the things you wrote about: it is a matter of concern which should be examined to the core. You just wrote about the tip of the iceberg.
Secondly, either you missed the response of Johnson or you decided to ignore it. Whichever way, I think he made a brilliant point. We should look beyond color or ethnicity if we want to advance as a nation. However, I do not ignore the fact that racism exist. I think it is utter foolishness because most of the people who support racism can´t do much without the other race. That is why we should not embrace it.
Furthermore, those people you referred to in your write up are mostly victims of neglect in their Fatherland who are struggling to survive just like their fellows in Nigeria. The only different is, that they ventured outside their country of birth in search of (better) perspective. Patriotism has many facets.
Like you, I too support continuity and progress of Nigerian football. I am neither for nor against the appointment of Amodu. The reason I can´t be for or against is quite simple: That is not where our problems lie. Our problem is the NFF. Of all the successes or failures we have had in the past or will have in the Future, depend vastly on the deeds of the Federation.

ken gadaffi: 2009-11-26 20:07

Thank you @osayo, I am neither a staff of KON nor a Nigerian Official. I am just a soccer enthusiast and a patriotic Nigeria to the core. I am sorry if i let the cat out of the bag in the post you mentioned, but to be honest the truth has to be said and the issue i raised is becoming a menace to many NIGERIANS. Lets not flog it too much, i am sure you understand better.

The issue of racism also is a broad and complex one. It is not absolute rather i see it as relative. I personally have never been racially abused but where ever i am, i fight against it vehemently. But as long as you are from NIGERIA like @johnson stated in one of his posts, You are often stigmatized and you need to prove yourself beyond reasonable doubt. This of course is a bug concern but unfortunately what can we do to launder our image than to continue to be good ambassador of ourselves and country whereever we may find ourselves.

Well, all those are issues outside the main topic here so lets not flog it too much like i said.

ken gadaffi: 2009-11-26 20:07

Thank you @osayo, I am neither a staff of KON nor a Nigerian Official. I am just a soccer enthusiast and a patriotic Nigeria to the core. I am sorry if i let the cat out of the bag in the post you mentioned, but to be honest the truth has to be said and the issue i raised is becoming a menace to many NIGERIANS. Lets not flog it too much, i am sure you understand better.

The issue of racism also is a broad and complex one. It is not absolute rather i see it as relative. I personally have never been racially abused but where ever i am, i fight against it vehemently. But as long as you are from NIGERIA like @johnson stated in one of his posts, You are often stigmatized and you need to prove yourself beyond reasonable doubt. This of course is a bug concern but unfortunately what can we do to launder our image than to continue to be good ambassador of ourselves and country whereever we may find ourselves.

Well, all those are issues outside the main topic here so lets not flog it too much like i said.

ken gadaffi: 2009-11-26 20:12

Meanwhile @Osayo, The bone of contention now is about AMODU, i dont think u have to sit on the fence, its good to take a stand. you are either for AMODU or Against him, i have observed lately that we have many people now sitting on the fence. Remember Posterity will forgive you if you make a wrong decision but posterity will never forgive you if you remain undecided. We just have to accept Amodu for the value of it and not simply with a feeling that he was imposed on us.

THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY TRUTH

ken gadaffi: 2009-11-26 20:18

@Mega i don't know when u became a gunner fan... I am not denying the fact that I am a gunner and i will always remain one forever. I dont need to blow my trumpet for your to know like many will do here with their up blues and up man utd to sign off their posts.

Just like i have remained faithful to our qualification under AMODU, i have always stood by Wenger and his policies even in the face of not winning trophies for us.

Nothing will happen, the PTF should leave football and go face the many problem facing the country. I just read now that the NA is split over 2010 budget i guess the PTF can better serve there and leave AMODU alone.

THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH

ken gadaffi: 2009-11-26 20:19

@Mega i don't know when u became a gunner fan... I am not denying the fact that I am a gunner and i will always remain one forever. I dont need to blow my trumpet for your to know like many will do here with their up blues and up man utd to sign off their posts.

Just like i have remained faithful to our qualification under AMODU, i have always stood by Wenger and his policies even in the face of not winning trophies for us.

Nothing will happen, the PTF should leave football and go face the many problem facing the country. I just read now that the NA is split over 2010 budget i guess the PTF can better serve there and leave AMODU alone.

THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH

psychu: 2009-11-26 20:33

4 the forumites threatening to pull out, its better u pour ur hearts out here than die quietly. Whether U like it or not we will still support SE 2010 and the NFF knows this, hence their attitude.
The NFF are just stubbornly refusing to do anything-they give Nigerians cause to doubt their sincerity and commitment. If they are retaining Amodu, the shud come out with a plan to balance up for his technical inefficiencies. We shud know what they are doing. It will be so sad if they come out after the nations cup 2 sack him. Evn a kid know he is lacking in that department and needs help. Its beta we use the ANC to experiment n prepare 4 the WC. If we keep Amodu what r the option available 2 us. Time to act is now not after ANC. This has always been our problem-delaying unnecessarily. Its high time we get pple that have passion 4 the game 2 run our football. Not everybody that keeps quiet is intelligent, I think the NFF are confused, they shud prove me wrong.

Osayo: 2009-11-26 21:02

Ken, didn´t you wrote: „no need flogging a dead horse “because the decision has been taken by the NFF? It might seem to you that I am sitting on the fence. I assure you that I would not shy away from taking a “necessary” stand if need be. Besides, I remembered using this same quotation “history will forgive those who….,” in the past. If my vote was called for I would have definitely exercised it. It was not a vote call. I had stated my stance above. I repeat: both sides of the aisle make sense to me. You may say that I am: “between the devil and the deep blue sea”
Even though the NFF is not the topic of discussion today, it is very much the main factor in this case and therefore, makes any decisions now, dead on arrival.

ken gadaffi: 2009-11-27 04:47

@ Osayo, Allstars Your comments are coded. I honestly understand your feelings and concern, I see the sincerity in your comments and position on this very sensitive issues. Your thoughts are highly commendable. I have said it time and time again, AMODU is obviously not perfect and surely needs whatever help he can get. But my take on this is simply the timing for now is not right for any one to be employed to boss him. That will be undermining him and it will be better he is relieved of his position for a new hand to come in.
What i really didn't subscribe to is the outright call for his sack by some people which goes a long way to show that AMODU's efforts are not appreciated even when it is obvious that he has done his best within his limited abilities so to say.

TO be candid, If I were to offer suggestions to the NFF, the best option now is not in employing a foreign TA rather it is better to work with what we have and for me, Siasia, can be brought in to work with the rest as assistants and with Amodu let them prosecute the Nations Cup in Angola.

The NFF can then go on to bring in Keshi after the Nations Cup since his contract with Mali will end then.

After the Nations Cup, let them elevate Amodu to technical Adviser and bring in Keshi.

The SE no doubt needs a strong team manager. If Keshi is in the team when we are preparing for the World Cup i tell you after drilling the players in three weeks or more, you will see the remarkable difference in the team combined with Siasia's inputs.

Apart from their abilities, taking Keshi and Amodu to go to the World Cup will be another way to make up for injustice Nigeria meted to them that haunted us for long. And if SIASIA will lower his ego to work with them for the benefit of NIGERIA, i tell you, pay them what would have been given to any world class foreign coach and you will see their impact in the World cup.

Like @Johnson has advocated for personality in the coaching crew, I think Keshi and Siasia's personalities will make up for Amodu's short comings in that area.


THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH

Steven: 2009-11-28 12:58

HELLO KICK OFF, YOU BETTER CHANGE THE TERMS OF YOUR USE TO ENABLE ME UNDERSTAND THAT ANYBODY CAN COME HERE AND SAY WHATEVER HE OR SHE LIKES TO SAY. YOU SAID YOU DON'T TOLERATE ANY ABUSIVE,RACIST OR INFLAMMATORY COMMENTS YET A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN BUSY INSULTING PEOPLE HERE. DON'T SLEEP WHEN YOU PUT UP WORD LIKE THAT BCUS A LOT OF PEOPLE LIKE ME WATCHES AND STUDY THEM VERY WELL..THANKS

Hopewell: 2009-11-29 14:09

@ Ken Gaddafi, I beg to differ that Amodu was not forced on the Nigerian populace. What was his position in the interview conducted for the position? Hence, the problem is with the NFF. Also, I don't see Siasia or Keshi working with this Amodu because they were ahead of him in the interview. So, it is absolute nonesense! If Amodu is a patriotic Nigerian, he should personally seek technical assistance from the NFF.