Sports

October 9, 2011

Nations Cup: Siasia queried

The Technical Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation, at an emergency meeting on Saturday night issued a query to the Head Coach of Super Eagles, Mr. Samson Siasia over Saturday’s failure of Nigeria to reach the finals of the 2012 African Cup of Nations.

President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Aminu Maigari had on Saturday ordered that an emergency meeting of the committee be convened to address the way forward for the Senior National Team, Super Eagles.

This followed Saturday’s failure of the Nigerian team to qualify for the 2012 African Cup of Nations, after the Eagles allowed a late, late equalizer by Guinea that tied their final qualifying  match at 2-2.

The Eagles fluffed several scoring chances in the first half with Osaze Odemwingie, Chinedu Obasi and Emmanuel Emenike failing to show the urgency and precision needed in the make-or-break encounter.

Guinea scored 10 minutes into the second half before Obinna Nsofor lashed home the equalizer in the 64th minute, and Ikechukwu Uche put Nigeria ahead shortly after. A 2-1 win would have steered Nigeria to the finals in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon as one of the best second-placed teams but the Guineans equalized with only one minute left in added time to break Nigerian hearts.

The technical committee meeting, attended by Barrister Green, Mr. Felix Anyansi-Agwu, Mr. Deji Tinubu, Chief Adegboye Onigbinde, Coach Christian Chukwu, Mr. Austin Okocha, Mr. Victor Ikpeba, Mr. Garba Illa, Mr. Garba Lawal and Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme at the Glass House, queried Siasia to explain the Super Eagles’ poor performance in the qualifying series within 48 hours.