Head coach of the national Under-23 football team, Samson Siasia, has been enjoined to be focused and ready to listen to objective criticism, if he wants to succeed in his new task.
In a telephone interview with TheNiche, former Team Manager of the defunct Julius Berger FC of Lagos, MacTony Taiwo, said Siasia is not a new-comer in the coaching circle, as he is familiar with the terrain and knows his onions.
“I see him doing well and achieving success in his new task, but he should be focused and ready to listen to objective criticisms.
“He should not be rigid in his decisions, but should be open and fair to all the players invited to camp irrespective of where they come from.
“He should give every player a chance to prove themselves. If they are actually good enough, they should be given a place in the team in the interest of the country,” Taiwo said.
Meanwhile, Siasia has warned players who intend to play for the team not to bribe anybody in a bid to secure a place in the team.
His words: “Do not give money to either my assistants or any agent with the hope of making this team. If I find out, the player(s) will be dismissed from camp. I did not mandate anybody to collect money on my behalf. Anyone who falls prey to such cheats will be sent out of camp forthwith. Money cannot buy you a place in my team. Instead, your talent and discipline will take you to the top of your career.
“As long as you hold the passport of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, you are eligible to play for this country. I was spotted and selected through this type of process. I’ll also like to give young ones like you the chance to play for our country. It is your country, too.”
Siasia said he has been fair to all who have taken time to try out their luck with the team, adding that Nigeria is blessed with so much talent.
“I’m overwhelmed with the turnout of players for the screening exercise,” he disclosed.
Turning to the invited foreign-based players, Siasia said there would be no sacred players, as only their fitness and form would determine their stay in camp.
According to him, “You can only secure a place in the team with dedication, hard work and discipline. Nobody is superior to another player in this camp.”
He applauded all the players and advised those who could not make the team to try harder, as not all players who turned up would be selected.
So far, Aminu Umar of Samsunspor FC (Turkey) and Samuel Ayinoko of Angelholms FC (Sweden) have arrived the Dream Team VI camp for screening.
The team will go on break for the yuletide on December 20 and will reconvene on January 4, 2015.
Siasia has the assignment to raise a squad that will qualify Nigeria for the men’s football event of the 11th All Africa Games (taking place in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo in July 2015) as well as the CAF U-23 Championship (taking place in DR Congo, also next year). The team is also expected to represent the country in the men’s football event of the 2016 Olympic Games through the CAF U-23 Championship.
The first hurdle is an All Africa Games qualifying fixture against Gabon, with the first leg away in Libreville towards the end of February, and the return leg in Nigeria early March. The winner of that fixture squares up against the winner between Zambia and Madagascar in late March.
The U-23 team failed to qualify for the London 2012 Olympic Games, but did grab a silver medal in 2008 in China under the supervision of Siasia.
