Nigerian Football
ENYEAMA IS STILL RELEVANT, ROHR ROARS
BY BOLAJI OKUNOLA.
As controversy rages on the probability of former Super Eagles skipper and goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, returning to the team thus ending his self-imposed exile, the man on whose the decision to welcome him back lies has made the situation clear.
The decision lies solely on Gernot Rohr, the head coach as the Nigeria Football Federation has often declared that it was not responsible for the international retirement of Enyeama.
Sports Village Square monitored the Franco-German coach of Super Eagles as he told the first television station in Africa, NTA Ibadan that he will still welcome the former Lille of France goalkeeper.
He told his audience that Enyeama’s experience cannot be washed away and would be valuable to the national team at Russia 2018. But he will want Enyeama to get a club during the January transfer window and also remain injury free ahead of the squad selection period.
Despite the good form exhibited by Ikechukwu Ezenwa, in Nigeria’s last three World Cup qualifying matches, Rohr still believes he needed more experience to grace the biggest football stage.
Besides, he feels he needed a reliable back-up. “Ezenwa has proved me wrong in my previous assessment of him. He is improving day by day and the left and right footed goalkeeper trainer has given him a nice remark’, said Rohr.
“He is a very good goalkeeper but I still believe he needs big stage experience like the World Cup. Sincerely speaking, I would have loved to have ailing Carl Ikeme who started the qualifying series on a bright note. I hope he regains strength before the tournament.
“Unfortunately, experienced Vincent Enyeama is currently injured, but we have kept a good communication with him. The most important thing is for him to first get a club in January window to be fit”, said Rohr.
Remo Stars on Saturday made it two straight wins in the Nigeria Premier League after labouring to a 1-0 defeat of Sunshine Stars of Akure to follow-up their last weekend 2-0 away win over Abia Warriors.
On Saturday, under eight minutes they shot ahead through Shuaibu Ibrahim. That was where the story ended as Sunshine Stars came up strongly and almost stalemated scores.
The win, though narrow, is enough to temporarily take Remo Stars to the top of the log after two games.
They are followed by Rivers United who beat Heartland 3-1. It is the second consecutive 3-1 loss that Heartland are getting in the two-week old season.
The situation could change on Sunday when other matches are played.
On the card are: Akwa United hosting Abia Warriors while Kano Pillars will be away to Bayelsa United.
Katsina United host Bendel Insurance and Niger Tornadoes will be home to Nasarawa United. Shooting Stars will host Plateau United.
BY KUNLE SOLAJA, who was in Arnhem, Netherlands.
Former Nigeria manager, Clemens Westerhof has recommended one of his former players, Samson Siasia as the substantial coach for the Super Eagles.
Siasia was one of his players of the famed golden generation of the Super Eagles.
“I called him last month to greet him for his birthday and also to celebrate with him for the end of his five-year ban”, Westerhof told Sports Village Square at his house in Arnhem in the Netherlands.
According to him, Siasia is just like Keshi and that he has the capacity to turn the Super Eagles around for the better. Westerhof, the author of the famed ‘Golden Generation’ of the Super Eagles made his suggestion shortly after Germany’s Bruce Labbadia turned down the Nigerian job offer.
Westerhof remarked that he was surprised about the choice of Labbadia in the first instance and that the now Mali coach, Tom Saintfiet who is his friend could have been a better choice.
Saintfiet, a Belgian, was speculated among the coaches initially short-listed for the Super Eagles’ job. But Westerhof, before the naming of Austin Eguavoen, another member of his famous 1994 squad, strongly back Siasia for the job.
He remarked that he was in touch with the former striker as well as Austin Okocha whom he met with in London recently.
To Westerhof, Siasia has the same quality like Stephen Keshi to handle the Super Eagles. “He has done it before and I think he can still do it.”
The balls hit the nets 17 times this Sunday as the Nigeria Premier League Season 2024/25 burst into life this Sunday.
The first of the goals was from Plateau United’s Olawale Doyeni who converted a 24th minute penalty kick against Katsina United in an eventual 1-0 home win.
Another star-man of the the day is Enyimba’s Clinton Jephta who has become the season’s first hat-trickster. His three goals in the 65th , 70th and 73rd minutes sank heartland 3-1 in their home match.
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