New Super Eagles coach Samson Yebowei Siasia Monday received full marks from Pillar of Sports Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu even as one -time skipper Segun Odegbami gained prominence for predicting unfolding events nine years ago in Ghana.
Kalu  credited Odegbami with having a strong belief in Siasia’s ability to chart a new course for the Eagles long before the coach returned to the country in search of a job.

odegbami

“This happened in Ghana,precicesly in 2001 at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel Accra. Odegbami was with the Shell Nigeria Academicals team that trounced Ghana Valco 4_1.At the same time the Flying Eagles were crawling at the Africa Youth Championships, while the Eagles were struggling in their World Cup qualifying group with Liberia, Sierra_Leone, Sudan and Ghana. In a chat with concerned Nigerians that included Admiral Augustus Aikhomu and late sports minister Ishaya

Mark Aku, Odegbami singled out Siasia as the only Nigerian who could manage the Eagles to greater heights in the near future”,the former Abia state Governor said.

According to Kalu, Odegbami was convinced that Siasia had a way of earning the confidence of his peers and would also take same quality along as a coach. At that time, Aikhomu declared that he would not fold his hands and allow the Eagles miss the Korea\Japan World Cup. It did not take long for Jo Bonfrere to lose his job thereafter as Eagles Manager.

Looking back today, the Pillar of Sports believes Odegbami and Ghana had an unseen hand in Siasia’s new role.
“You know Siasia was born in Ghana, and Odegbami’s prophecy also came in Accra.”Mathematical is highly worshiped in Ghana because of the 1978 Nations Cup where cup winners Black Stars struggled to get a 1-1 draw from the Eagles.” Kalu added.

His take on Siasia —”As the first Nigerian to play professional soccer in four continents — Africa, Europe, Asia, Oceania, the first to touch Sam Okwaraji as he slumped in the field of play, a player who scored four goals the very first day he wore the Eagles Captain’s band in the 5-1 demolition of Goteborg, Sweden in 1993, much has been given. And of course, much is expected.”