Assessment of top members of the House of Reps gunning for return I’ll make Eagles Africa’s pride, Siasia vows

Coach Samson Siasia has promised to make the Super Eagles a highly competitive brand that will be the pride of every African in the next few years.

DIRECTION.. Super Eagles coach, Samson Siasia pointing the way forward to some of his players during a match. He has promised to make the team a super brand in Africa.

Siasia, who led the Eagles to two successive wins over Ethiopia and Kenya on Sunday and Tuesday, respectively, said during an interview at the Abuja National Stadium, that all that he needed was time for him to get the right mix of players capable of taking the world by storm.
“Our national team can become the pride of Africa in the nest few years if the process that I have started is allowed to continue. We have the players but what we need is time to find the perfect blend that would make us the best team on the continent”, said the former Eagles striker.
The Bayelsa-born gaffer said that he was still experimenting with different tactical formations in his quest to get the best bet for the success of the team. He showed his hand when he played what appeared an odd 4-2-4 formation against Ethiopia, during a 2012 Nations Cup qualifier on Sunday.
Four players comprising Chibuzor Okonkwo, Taye Taiwo, Joseph Yobo and Efe Ambrose in defence, another four, including Obinna Nsofor, Ahmed Musa, Victor Anichebe and Peter Utaka as strikers, with Nsofor and Musa operating from the wings while the duo of Mikel Obi and Joel Obi, were the  two midfielders on the night.

Even when the likes of Osaze Odemwingie, Ikechukwu Uche  and Kalu Uche were introduced as substitutes in the second half, Siasia still stuck with his 4-2-4 formation, a tactic which he strongly defended  for the results that it gave the team, when he faced the press at the post-match conference.
“Winning 4-0 is not an easy thing. We are winning and moving forward and we all know we are working on a lot of tactical changes and if fans are singing and dancing at the end of the match, then I think we are making progress. We are still experimenting with things.
“We have to strengthen the midfield . The idea was to move forward and we scored more goals that was better than playing with many midfielders, who would be holding on to the ball. It is a work in progress. If we keep doing the same thing , we will get better. If we keep our tactical discipline and make sure that the midfield is moving forward, we would get there.
“Our goal is to improve with each game and I promise Nigerians that we would shape up for each game as they come”, said the former Dream Team coach.