Nigerian Football
STANLEY EGUMA CALLS FOR SUPPORT FOR RIVERS UNITED AHEAD OF MFM TEST
BY SAMMY WEJINYA.
The most experienced head coach in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), Stanley Eguma paces across the changing room at the Akure Township Stadium,taking in short shallow breaths of air.
He looked angry.
This was shortly after his charges drew 1-1 against the home side, Sunshine Stars on Wednesday, January 23, 2019.
One would expect the gaffer to wear a satisfied grin on his face after his side claimed a point at one of the most notoriously difficult grounds in the division but there is a frown on his face instead.
“We should have won this game,” Eguma says as he finally settles in a chair looking straight into the eyes of the media chief of the club who had been waiting patiently for a post-match interview to be published on www.riversunitedfc.com.ng.
Such is the competitive fire in Eguma’s belly that even a game of cards is competed for with the intensity of a Cup final.
“I hate making excuses so it’s hard to come to terms with why we failed to win this game.
“We also came close (to winning) our opening game of the season against Niger Tornadoes in Minna but missed three excellent chances in the second half.
“Now, we must get it right against MFM in Port Harcourt in our next game,” he said.
Eguma’s obsession with perfection has seen him set lofty targets for his side this season.
“We want to win everything this season. That is the target.
“I told the boys before we played our first game (of the season against Niger Tornadoes) that the mindset has to be getting a win in Minna, a very difficult place and we almost did it.
“It was the same (mindset) before we faced Sunshine Stars and we were even closer to winning against a very good opponent at a very tough place,” he said.
Putting up a show and going for the jugular
Port Harcourt fans love aesthetic football and have been known to support visiting teams if they produce football that is pleasing to the eyes.
Eguma knows this well and wants his charges to “put up a show” when they face the MFM club on Sunday.
“MFM is currently the best team in our group of the abridged league as they have won their last two games (against Kwara United and Enugu Rangers) after losing to Enyimba in Aba on the opening weekend of the league.
“We know what to expect. We are not going to try to win 1-0. No, that’s not what we want to do.
“We respect MFM FC, we know it will be a hard match but we want to win comprehensively and put up a show because it is our first game of the season.
“We want to entertain our fans.
“It is (going to be) a tricky match because MFM have also done well.
“Most of our players have never played (competitively in Port Harcourt) before so we have to be at our best for us to win that game.
“It is not a game to toy with because MFM have proven that they are a good side,” he said.
MFM currently occupy top spot in group A of the 2018/19 NPFL season with six points with Rivers United in sixth place after amassing two points.
Nigerian Football
Nigerian women coaches conclude first module of CAF C-License course
A total of 30 women coaches have concluded the first of a three-module CAF C-License program in the Federal Capital, Abuja and are expected to commence a two-week internship with different teams in a few days.
Peopled largely by former Nigerian internationals and other serving coaches, the group was taken through a full week of rigorous classroom and practical sessions by a team of coach educators and resource persons, in a baptism of what the next two modules are likely to entail,
NFF Technical Director, Coach Augustine Eguavoen, told thenff.com that the first module has shown that the women coaches are actually desirous of learning.
“I am very much impressed with their attitude, mannerisms and conduct through the first module. They impressed everyone, and the coach educators also told me they were impressed, and are looking forward to having them back for the second and concluding modules.
“We are grateful for the leadership of the NFF for the support and encouragement for coach-education programmes all the time.”
The participants will return to Abuja for the second module that is scheduled for 12th – 20th August, after which they will go on another two-week internship, 23rd August – 4th September. The third module, which comes with examinations for the participants, will take place 9th – 19th September.
Dr. Terry Babatunde Eguaoje, NFF’s Head of Education, is among the coach educators’ team, which also includes Coaches Isah Ladan Bosso, Wemimo Olanrewaju and Lanrence Ndaks.
Among the 30 participants are former Super Falcons’ stars Precious Dede, Joy Jegede, Esther Michael, Maureen Eke, Otas Ogbonmwan, Vera Okolo, Cecilia Nku, Taiwo Ajobiewe, Gloria Ofoegbu and Amenze Aighewi. There are also Barr. Victoria Nlemigbo and retired FIFA referee Folusho Ajayi.
Nigerian Football
Osimhen’s outburst was a moment of madness, says Amaju
Former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President and a FIFA Council member, Amaju Pinnick has expressed shock at last month’s outburst by Super Eagles’ striker, Victor Osimhen against Finidi George.
“It is very unfortunate”, Amaju Pinnick remarked on an Arise Television programme. The former NFF president said he had put a call to Osimhen who was very remorseful while the telephone conversation lasted.
“I told him he has to apologise, and I am sure he will if he has not yet done so.” Amaju remarked that he could not comprehend what went wrong as Osimhen was the most cool-headed player in the national team.
He went on to remark that Finidi George was not a personality to be disregarded like that. He has won virtually every honour available during his playing days and was a member of the Super Eagles at their peak when Nigeria ranked fifth in the world.
“I believe players should learn to respect their coaches”, said the former NFF boss.
Nigerian Football
I prefer a foreign coach for the Super Eagles, says Amaju
Nigeria’s FIFA Council member, Amaju Pinnick has told the world that he has always been an advocate of foreign coaches for the Super Eagles. He spoke on Arise Television while fielding questions with Reuben Abati, Rufai Oseni and Ayo Mairo-Ese.
His reason for being averse to indigenous coaches stemmed from lack of respect for them by the players.
“Yes, the Nigerian coaches have the requisite knowledge and the technical ability, but modern football is beyond that in managing players.
“Will the national team players respect the coach? The sad thing is that they don’t”, said Amaju Pinnick.
He however revealed that he supported the appointment of Finidi George owing to the circumstances that the NFF found itself after the exit of Jose Peseiro.
The NFF, he revealed, had no money to hire a foreign coach. The body therefore went for the most available option, Finidi to ensure a smooth transition.
“Finidi was part of the coaching crew of Peseiro and it was therefore logical to ask him to continue.
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