EAGLES OF HOPE: THE NEED FOR AMODU TO CONTINUE

Nigeria’s qualification for the 2010 world cup is still a mystery to many people including non- Nigerians. There was a conversation I heard between a Nigerian man and a Ghanaian a few days ago on Nigeria’s qualification. Looking at the man’s face I could see amazement written on it, the man could not believe how Nigeria could have been so fortunate. The man’s words were like this “so Nigeria actually qualified? Tunisia lost”. As I heard this statement and saw the surprise on the man’s face, I was thinking to myself if they only knew it was GOD that did it. We Nigerians should see ourselves privileged that GOD answered our call. Jesus said in Matthew 18:20 "Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them” . It was not just the prayers of the team that got them through; it was the prayers of millions of people that got us through. Since GOD as chosen to come to our aid, it is save to say that he will be with us in future battles. However, it is crucial that we get our house in order if we are to be the head and not the tail. We have to at least dress for battle and are ready to fight. GOD has to see our preparation towards wining the Africa nation’s cup in Angola and the world cup in South Africa. Wining these tournaments is not too big a dream if we know the GOD we serve and the players that he has given us. I believe the players that we have now are capable of doing us proud. There is no need for us to start looking for something that is not lost. The current eagles can achieve a lot if given the right preparation and are been guided by the right coach. This coach should not be any other person than Shauibu Amodu, the man who is the only indigenous coach to qualify the country for the world cup. Looking at our qualification record for next year’s world cup, I cannot help but praise GOD and congratulate coach Amodu for the wonderful achievement. Going through the qualifiers without a defeat is a first in Nigeria’s qualification history, and it was done by a coach that many Nigerians do not see as been technical astute. I think it is time Nigerians start to look at Amodu and his coaching crew with a close eye, if not, they might miss something very important. I have a strong believe that if Nigeria is to achieve anything meaningful in both the Africa nation’s cup and the world cup it is going to be through Amodu. You do not remove a man that GOD has decided to work through to get us to the promise land. The moment a foreign coach is brought in to take over from Amodu is going to be the moment the Super Eagles will be diverting from GOD’S will. The best thing to do now is just to leave things as they are and give the necessary support to the present coaching crew prepare well for both tournament and continue to seek God’s favour. I recommended the addition of Samson Siasia to the coaching crew; this I believe will help both Amodu and Siasia as they stand to gain from each other. Amodu can gain from Siasia’s technical and motivational skills whilst Siasia can gain from the Amodu’s experience with working with our top players. There is no way the combination of Amodu, Siasia, Amokachi, Amoo, and Agu can fail if given the right support.

Super eagles: What’s is in a name?

I read Mr Segun Odegbami’s your article recently about changing the name of the national team back to the GREEN EAGLES. While I do support your reasons that you gave, I personally will like us to keep the name SUPER EAGLES. It is believed in Christianity that saying good things to oneself will make it come to pass. GOD wants us to say good things to ourselves, so I see the name as a prophecy of what is to come. Every Nigerian will like the eagles to be super and win any tournament there is, I believe we are on our way to this stage. All we need to do is believe in GOD and ourselves, a lot can be achieved if we give ourselves a chance. We need to claim that name SUPER EAGLES and pray to GOD that it comes to pass.