NFF appoint assistant without informing Lagerback

The Nigeria Football Federation will never change, they've again shown
why the standard of the game in the country is deteriorating at such
an alarming rate.

After searching the "nooks and crannies" of this vast planet, they
found in 61-year-old Swede, Lars Lagerback the perfect gaffer to lead
the Eagles to the promised land.
They agreed to his terms and conditions and he conformed to theirs.
Only for them to renege on their agreement by appointing former Super
Eagles coach Austin Eguavoen, as his assistant without consulting the
newly appointed coach.

The Swede whose 5 months contract is worth a staggering =N= 250
Million (almost $2m) has already concluded plans to bring in an
assistant coach, physical trainer and a match analyst to help him
carry out his duties effectively.
Lagerback has promised to ensure the mistake or intentional act is
clarified as soon as he unveils his plan tomorrow.

"I am not aware of any assistant coach from Nigeria as secondment to the team.
I have my technical crew and after the unveiling ceremony tomorrow, I
will announce their names.
"My assistant coach, a physical trainer, and a match analyst will be
joining from Europe and that is what the technical bench will look
like," he enthused.

I asked in my last post concerning the appointment of Lagerback, if
the NFF have done away with their domineering attitude?
Well this'll go a long way to prove they haven't.
We were utterly dissapointed with the Eagles performance at Angola,
and the NFF contributed hugely to that disaster - it's time they
veered off the scene in order to avoid a similar fate at the World Cup
in South Africa.
That will be an almost impossible pill to swallow. So let's give
Lagerback our unflinching support by ensuring his working environment
is conducive. . .

Nigeria appoint Lagerback as Technical Adviser

The Nigeria Football Federation's interviews have finally yielded
results with the announcement of ex Sweden handler Lars Lagerback as
the Super Eagles Technical Adviser.

Lagerback has been confirmed as Shaibu Amodu's successor and is
expected to lead Nigeria to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Lagerback got the nod ahead of Glenn Hoddle and Sven-Goran Ericsson,
who were both considered as favourites for the job.

He's gifted with a vast amount of experience and esposure and
we all are hoping our new boss will turn our nightmares into joy, come
the next FIFA showpiece.
He busted into the international stage 19 years ago, concentrating on
the Swedish Football Association's younger team.
In 1996, he was appointed head of Sweden's team B until 1998 when he
was elevated to the position of an assistant coach.

Two years later, he was appointed as Sweden's joint coach, and shared
this position with Soderberg until 2004.
Under his tutelage, Sweden qualified for Euro 2000, but didn't make it
past the group stage.
In 2002, his World Cup ambitions were cut short by Senegal, yet he
managed to qualify Sweden for Euro 2004, where he was stopped by
Netherlands in the quarter-finals.
Two years later he made history by leading them to their fourth
consecutive Championship.

Lagerback quit after failing to qualify Sweden for the 2010 mundial
and will now have the opportunity to taste the action courtesy the
Super Eagles of Nigeria.

The NFF spokesman Ademola Olajire said: Hoddle and ex Senegal coach
Bruno Metsu were impressive in their interviews.
But he added "Lagerback has signed a five-month contract to take
Nigeria to the World Cup."

Lars Lagerback will be coaching the Eagles with effect from next month and
he'll be based in Nigeria.
The question is will the NFF create a conducive working atmosphere for
the manager?

Updates on Walcott, Gibbs and Clichy

Theo for friendly:

Theo Walcott, might be returning to the first team earlier than
expected, courtesy of his recent performances that haven't escaped
Fabio Capello's attention.

Walcott, whose display against Sunderland was reminiscent of the
Walcott we knew - was rewarded for his effort in shrugging off his
injury set-backs, by been included in the Gaffer's
provisional plans and the 20-year-old winger has a good opportunity
of stamping his authority on the right wing.

Wenger - 2010 World Cup too early for Gibbs:

The fullback has been touted as Ashley Cole's likely successor in the
England team, following the latter's serious ankle injury and Wayne
Bridge's decision to watch at home.
"There's a little chance (that Gibbs will be fit before the end of the
season) if all goes well now," he told the official website.
"But I believe he will play one day for the National team, I am
convinced of that."

Wenger - Clichy will get better:

AW understands what the player is going through and insists he isn't
bothered by the player's inconsistency and believes Gael can weather
the storm.
Wenger says Gael Clichy's mistakes on the pitch are the end product of
his injury ridden season and does not expect the defender to overcome
the situation immediately.
"He was out for a long time and like every player at the start he was
not completely 100 per cent but I felt in the last two games he was
very convincing."

Walcott - we are still on track

Theo Walcott produced a scintillating display on Sunday against
Sunderland at the Emirates to hand the Gunners a well deserved win.

He was simply ecstatic to watch as he digged from his impressive bag
of tricks to enable the rekindling of Arsenal's title flame.

The winger believes Arsenal are still capable of mounting a last
minute title challenge. The young Gunner cited our proximity to
Chelsea as the basis for his assumption.

Walcott stated: "People tend to write us off. We stay in the
background and do our own thing.
We're just six points behind Chelsea. It's looking good.
"It was frustrating in the early stages of the season with results not
going our way, but it's coming together now."

The winger's plan for a World Cup place were boosted by his manager
Arsene Wenger, who has stated that Theo Walcott will be included in
England's World Cup squad but admits there is "terrible pressure" on
the 20-year-old winger ahead of the 2010 mundial.

Walcott who hasn't featured for England in a long time, admits his
injuries have curtailed his participation in England's quest for World Cup
glory.
And knows he has to stay injury-free and build on his fitness level if
he's to stand a chance of been included in Fabio Capello's
arrangements.

"I just need to stay fully fit and if I do, hopefully I'll have a
chance of getting on the plan."

Meanwhile, Wenger has admonished his lad to produce a stellar
performance for Arsenal as it could equip him with the much needed
confidence and experience the youngster currently lacks.

Nigeria yet to name coach as World Cup approaches

The charade called the Nigeria Football Federation is yet to announce
or appoint a Technical adviser for the Super Eagles as the 2010
mundial approaches.
The elite body of the nations most followed sport (football) has
clearly shown they lack commitment and vision in the manner they've
handled our dear country's football affairs.
Instead of solving our more pressing issues the occupants of the
glass-house continually deploy sophistry to bamboozle the teeming
population of unsatisfied supporters who want to see their darling
Super Eagles do better than what they did at Angola some weeks ago.
While they hide under a beautifully built facade pretending all is
well.
Our performance at Angola by the standards of many Nigerians including
me was dismal, appaling and unacceptable - yet instead of the NFF dealing decisively with the situation by hiring an adviser and
recruiting young and talented players from the domestic League to help
curtail the deteriorating standard of Nigeria's team. They keep
drafting and shortlisting names for the vacant position of Super
Eagles technical adviser, so far this plan has achieved its backers
aim - to keep the Masses optimistic while they carry on with their
plans.
They failed in their bid to lure Guus Hiddink who preferred Turkey to
a World Cup adventure with the Super Eagles.
I doubt if they were serious in their attempt to bring the highly
experienced Dutch-man to the country.

Recently they flew to England to interview five potential managers.
The outcome of the meeting hasn't been publicised.

On Amodu:

Former Super Eagles tactician Amodu, has been very unlucky in his
endeavours - he paved the way for Nigeria's World Cup ambitions twice
and on both occasions he has been plunged into the labour market.
Albeit he has made history but we want results not shaky, scrappy and
unconvincing performances as clearly exhibited by the millionaires who
disgraced the colours of Nigeria at the just concluded African Cup of
Nations tournament.

And it isn't a surprise to most soccer loving Nigerians to see Amodu
relieved of his duties.

With this edition of the showpiece been staged on African soil - it's
only pertinent we leave our mark on the indelible sands of time.

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