WE MADE NO MISTAKE IN APPOINTING OLISEH- PINNICK
The NFF president has backed the Super Eagles coach
as he calls for Nigerians to support him by being patient with the team
amid other issues
Notwithstanding the fact that under the coach, the Super Eagles have seen the resignation of goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama and striker Emmanuel Emenike. They have won just one competitive game in three against lowly-ranked teams like Tanzania and Swaziland.
“We didn’t make mistakes in appointing Oliseh, he is considerate, he is capable, he is enthusiastic, he is a Nigerian and he is well respected all over the world. He is a true professional and we appeal to Nigerians to be patient with the coach,” Amaju Pinnick told the official Super Eagles Youtube channel
He talked about how Oliseh’s boys can secure a ticket for the 2018 Fifa World Cup in Russia, the present state of the team and highlighted the difficulty in scoring goals. He also pointed out that the Super Eagles will be playing A-list friendly matches against African champions, Cote d’Ivoire and Italy next year in build up to the crucial Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Egypt in March.
“We need to work harder, it goes beyond dedication and discipline. We need to be total to qualify as there are no minnows in football globally. I feel the Super Eagles lack courage, which is a global problem.
"We need to do more in goal scoring, we’re looking at some heavyweight coaches all over the world. As you can see, our coach is very proud and I’m very proud of him.
"Another aspect that has been developed is our set pieces, the team now scores with set pieces which is very destructive, which is very good, which also can be planned into a team.
“I have directed our technical consultant to make sure that every available Fifa window, we must avail ourselves in playing A-list friendly games. As I speak to you, we’ve spoken to the reigning African champions, and it’s likely we play Cote d’Ivoire in London but not conclusive yet. And we are also talking with Italy, to see how we can play them."
He disclosed that the African Nations Championship (CHAN) team will soon be in camp as preparation for the competition starts. He said the CHAN tournament is not to mount pressure on the players nor the coach
“The goal is to win the CHAN trophy, it’s not a condition there’s no pressure on anybody. CHAN is a preparatory tournament even though it is competitive; it’s a preparation for bigger things to come in football at that level,” he said.
Pinnick reiterated that the NFF's goal is creating the structure of sustainable football culture in rebuilding and rebranding of football in the country as it would lead the country's football teams to be more consistent.
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