New Eagles’ coach must be given free hand to pick players, says Adelabu

With three coaches now shortlisted by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for the Super Eagles job ahead of the Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers, former Green Eagles winger, Adegoke Adelabu, says the team would only achieve result if those calling the shots at the Glass House allowed the coach to select his players.

Former Super Eagles handler, Sunday Oliseh, had accused some NFF officials, particularly those in the Technical and Development Committee, of selecting players for coaches.

Even before Oliseh’s outbursts and his eventual resignation, some Nigerian football lovers had pointed accusing fingers at members of his committee, alleging that they had a way of frustrating coaches in the various national teams who refuse to ‘use their preferred candidates’ during crucial matches.

The man who took over from Oliseh, Coach Samson Siasia was roundly condemned by Nigerians after the team crashed out of the 2017 AFCON for keeping his blind eyes to key players like Ogenyi Onazi and instead, featured those said to be recommended by some individuals.

The focus now is on the 2018 World Cup ticket, and the NFF has shortlisted former Ethiopian coach Tom Sainfiet, Super Eagles’ caretaker coach Salisu Yusuf and Frenchman Paul Le Guen, who once coached Cameroun, for the position of Super Eagles’ Head Coach.

Adelabu is of the opinion that giving the coach free hand in players’ selection will play a key role in Nigeria’s qualification to Russia 2018.

In a message to The Guardian yesterday, the former IICC Shooting Stars of Ibadan winger said: “Competency in coaching is developed through constant association with physical evidences and the readiness to learn. The foreign Coach we plan to employ must be allowed to drop any player who cannot fit into his template. He may not win any competition, but it may be possible for him to help us build a team.”

According to Adelabu, giving the foreign coach free hand would enable him pick players who are willing to play and not necessarily the expected ones. “And it may take time for them to get any tangible result. A lot of our players are fixated; hence, they are using more of strength than intelligence both at the national level and club sides. If the said coach is good enough, he will notice it as early as possible and work on their mindset.”