The imminent appointment of Sunday Oliseh as the Head Coach of the Super Eagles by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) seem to enjoy the support of many football stakeholders in the country but a key sports administrator, Amos Adamu believes that if he is to succeed in the job, he would require the services of a professional psychologist.
On Wednesday, NFF said they were in talks with Oliseh to replace the fired Stephen Keshi.
Sources within the NFF, however, say the deal is done bar the shouting, and Oliseh will be presented next week as the new Nigeria coach.
According to Colin Udoh, editor of KickOffNigeria.com “Principled, eloquent, strong-willed and passionate are all attributes that Oliseh has come to be known for. In addition, a keen analytical mind has also shone through in his appearances as a TV pundit for African pay TV channel SuperSport.
“More importantly, Oliseh has acquired UEFA’s Pro License, one of the highest and most respected coaching qualifications worldwide”.
According to Adamu, a former Director-General of National Sports Commission and Executive Committee member of FIFA, due to the circumstances surrounding the proposed selection of Oliseh, there was need to prepare Eagles players psychologically to come to terms with change.
His words: “There is no way the players won’t be affected with this change, it’s a major one, they need to come to terms with the change and prepare their minds.
“With qualification matches going on here and there, the (new) coach needs to select his players without fear or favour, and he should do away with players that would not give him his expected result.
“A good psychologist will play a vital role in the success of the team, and the support of Nigerians,’’ Adamu said.
“Oliseh has played Nigerian football and he is familiar with African football; so, I believe that he is aware of the enormous task, which is to qualify Nigeria for African Cup of Nations ,’’ he added.
In his reaction, the Akwa Ibom State Director of Sports, Coach Aniedi Dickson, described the planned appointment as a good development.
Dickson said that Oliseh had played football at the highest level and was well exposed to handle the Eagles given, his coaching training.
“It is good to develop what we have no matter the mistake that we make,” Dickson said.
On his part, a former Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) chairman in Akwa Ibom, Eno Udo, said Oliseh deserved the job having been equipped with professional coaching training.
Eno, who is the Production Manager of Akwa Ibom Newspaper Corporation, however advised Oliseh not to be confrontational on any issue in the discharge of his job.
“However, Oliseh’s biggest drawback is he is a little light in the actual experience department, having only ever coached in the Belgian lower tier.
But considering no African has managed a top-flight European team despite many acquiring badges, that is an achievement in its own.
In any case, the likes of Michel Platini, Franz Beckenbauer, Berti Vogts, Rudi Voller, Jurgen Klinsmann, Dunga and others went straight from playing to coaching with relative success.
Oliseh is acknowledged as one of the most cerebral players Nigeria have produced, a trait that is largely responsible for sparking the current wave of optimism”, Udoh said.
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