By Eddie Akalonu

Former, Flying Eagles and Green Eagles mid- fielder,  Sylvanus Okpala (MON) has expressed optimism that efforts of coach Samson Siasia in the re-building Super Eagles will yield fruits in no distant future.

The former Rangers and Enyimba Football Clubs handler has also urged Siasia to ensure Nigeria picks the maximum three points against Ethiopia next Sunday to earn a ticket for next year’s African Cup of Nations in Gabon/Equatorial Guinea.

“I have no doubt in my mind that Siasia is on the right track with the programmes for the team and he will succeed so long as he has the full backing of the NFF (Nigeria Football Federation) with all the ingredients needed to build a team and sustain it’s tempo.

Joel Obi (with the ball) in action against Serria Leone in a friendly match at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos.

Luckily most Nigerians are behind him and that’s an important value added to his work. So, in my mind, with time, we will have a team to be proud of going from what I have seen of his choice of players and composition of the squad,” Okpala said.

However,  he said the work being done now has to be complemented by  the NFF who are to create an enabling environment for the coach and team to succeed. Okpala, an ex-Enugu Rangers, who was captain of the national U-20 team in 1979 and member of the Green Eagles Nations Cup winning team in 1980, however cautioned Siasia that he must work exceedingly hard for results in the on-going Nations Cup qualifiers because football is all about performance and result.

“Siasia played the game and he will understand  if I restate the point that 90 percent of casualty figures of coaches in  sports is in football and that’s what he has to bear in mind, avoid distraction but face the job squarely because Nigerians expect him to succeed. Even without being told, that’s part of the reasons  I would urge Siasia to continue to look for the best talents anywhere, to put in the best of efforts and ensure that  Nigeria, with her strength and abundance of players, resources, picks a Nations Cup ticket from the qualifiers,” he said.

He added that “if it’s possible, he should not see it that  himself  alone can do the job but could from time to time consult one or two notable people for advice because too many inputs could derail his plan. From all indications, he has carried on well and I have no doubt we will get results,” Okpala added.