By Tony Ubani and Jacob Ajom
ALL eyes would be in Abuja, the Federal capital Territory today, where the technical committee of the Nigeria Football Association would interview and select the coach of the Super Eagles.

Siasia

Two ex-internationals, Stephen Keshi and Samson Siasia are the candidates gunning for the job last held by Swede Lars Lagerback.

The two have incredible records to coach the Eagles which went out of the World Cup in South Africa through the back door. And interestingly, too, the choice of the two coaches have split opinions in football circles including the legion of Nigeria’s ex-internationals.

In our characteristic manner, we bring you the opinions of some of the ex-players and Journalists as the nation awaits the next coach of the national team.

Kadiri Ikhana: I think that Keshi stands out when it comes to coaching. He has experience. What he did with Togo taking them to World Cup is awesome and with Mali in the Nations Cup. Siasia is equally good but I prefer Keshi. But if there is a way that the NFA can make them work together, that will be excellent.

Peter Rufai:(Former Nigeria international and one time captain of the national team. Team mate to both Keshi and Siasia)

It is just a pity that Nigeria lacks a structure and as a result simple evaluation is impossible. If we had the structure and data, it would have been easier to say give it to this person or that person. As far as I am concerned, Keshi is capable, Siasia is capable and, Eguavoen too is capable. Unfortunately, Nigeria has no discernible pattern of play you can say this coach or that coach would be best suited for.

If we were Italians or Spaniards one could have been able to speak out as you can say which of the two coaches would suit a particular pattern. We do not have one. Here, everybody plays his own strategy. We do not have a formation, so you cannot say Siasia or Keshi’s formation is best for Nigeria. We want result, not names.

Etim Esin: The two coaches are great people but I think that Samson Siasia is more grounded with Nigerian football than Keshi. He can develop our football having coached U-20 and U-23 teams. But I doubt if they can ever work together because they have ego. I will go for Siasia.

Thompson Oliha: The two are indeed very good coaches but without much ado, Keshi is a better coach because of his overwhelming and intimidating records both as player and coach.

Victor Ikpeba, former African football award winner: It will be very interesting and difficult facing my former captain Keshi and teammate Siasia. They are both good and the better candidate will get the job. Ikpeba is a member of the Technical Committee that will interview the two coaches.

Tijani Babangida, David Ngodigha are also queuing behind Stephen Keshi for the job based on his maturity, experience, charisma and exposure saying that his amazing effects on players would make the Eagles deliver under him.
Paul Hamilton:(Former Nigeria international, former Eagles coach and once the head of NFA technical department)

The two men have been short-listed and any one of them can make a good coach. It is not my place to say who has an edge over the other. It is the responsibility of the technical committee to give us the best.

I cannot even advice them until they make me their adviser. For now, we  are expecting the committee which is made up of respectable technocrats, former footballers and journalists to give us their verdict.

Kashimawo Laloko: (Director, Pepsi Football Academy, former head of the NFA technical committee and former coach of the Gambian national team.)

I stick my neck out for Siasia for what I know he can do. Remember his exploits with the junior national team, the Flying Eagles in Holland, his Olympic silver winning effort and all he has achieved as a player and a coach. I believe he is better than Keshi and I will go for him.

Journalists too are not left out from airing their views on the burning issue of choosing between Keshi and Siasia.
Mitchel Obi: There are so many questions surrounding choosing a coach for the Eagles.

You want to ask who are the characters interviewing the two coaches? Besides that, we need a youthful coach and that man is Siasia. Talking about Keshi is like saying that youths are leaders of tomorrow.

And yet, the old politicians continue to come back to lead. When will the youths get their time? We have seen Keshi, a good player in his days, no doubt, but Siasia is the answer.
Ade Ojeikere: Keshi’s record speaks for him. But we are in country where people are blinded by sentiments. If we want results, Keshi is the man.

Ben Memuletiwon : Any of the two is good for the job. Honestly, we are passing through a crisis period in Nigerian football and because of the present situation, I will go for Keshi. He is a politician who can confront anybody, including the government to get whatever he wants for the team. If you talk of developing players, then Siasia is it. But Keshi is the man for the job because of his personality traits, his push and forcefulness.

Adekunle Salami: The two coaches are good to move the country’s football forward but I will go for Samson Siasia because that is the kind of coach we need now. He is a developmental coach who is grassroots oriented. The person we need now is somebody who will develop the abundant talent Nigeria has. Siasia has been working with these boys and he has shown that he can work with these young players. We need to have installed him ever since we lost out in the World Cup in South Africa.

Frank Ilaboya: Both coaches are well respected and can deliver. It is clear today that Siasia is the people’s choice. Because football is a game of the people why not go with the people and give the job to Siasia. Afterall, it is said, the voice of the people is the voice of God. Earnestly, between Siasia and Keshi, there is nothing one can point out that makes Keshi a superior candidate to Siasia. If Siasia has the goodwill of the people, why not give it to him?