BY JOHN EGBOKHAN
Super Eagles Coach, Samson Siasia is expected to return from his vacation in the United States of America next week to begin final preparations for the friendly match against Ghana in August and the crucial African Cup of Nations qualifying fixtures against Madagascar and Guinea in September.

Disclosing this to Sports Vanguard, a source in the Nigeria Football Federation, said that Siasia, who watched the FIFA Women’s World Cup match between the Super Falcons and Germany live in Frankfurt, Germany, said that baring any last minute hitches, that the former under-20 coach was going to hit Abuja next week.

“Coach Siasia plans to resume work next week for the final lap of preparations for the games against Madagascar and Guinea”, said the source.

But in a later chat with Sports Vanguard, Spokesman of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ademola Olajire, who was unable to confirm the exact return date of Siasia, said that the football ruling body in the country was the coach any moment from now.

Nigeria, with seven points, trail Guinea, with three points in Group B and must win their next two games to assure themselves of qualification..

“We are expecting the return of Coach Samson Siasia. But I do not know when he is coming. He is on holidays and it is only when he returns that we can start talking about preparing for the tasks ahead. On his return, we expect him to brief us on his plans for the friendly game against Ghana in England.

“He is also expected to submit his programme for the very important African Nations Cup qualifying matches against Madagascar and Guinea. These matches are so crucial for Nigeria and we expect Siasia to hit the ground running as soon as he gets to Abuja”, added Olajire, who said that the NFF would offer Siasia all he needs to qualify the team for the tournament.

“Siasia has the full support of the NFF in his bid to successfully guide the Super Eagles to the Nations Cup finals in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. All that he needs to show us his plan and we would back him with the necessary aid to help actualise the Nigerian dream”, said Olajire.