OKOCHA BACKS NFF ON CUT MEASURES
Posted: May 18, 2013
By David meshioye:
Says: ‘Decision Is In Order’
Love him or loathe him, Austine JayJay Okocha is considered by many as the Nigerian football’s most accomplished soccer star.
And this is the more reason why his voice counts anytime he decides to speak on Nigerian football issues.
In this exclusive interview, Okocha bares it all by hitting the nail on the head not minding whose ox is gored...
Enjoy...!
You must have been watching with keen interest Nigeria’s build-up as the FIFA Confederations Cup draws near. Emperor, where do you stand as regards Super Eagles chances in the pre-World Cup tourney?
I think we have a very good chance to excel at the Confederations Cup irrespective of our opponents in Brazil. Most of the teams coming to Brazil are in for serious business and Nigeria too stands a very good chance of doing Africa proud, if we can get our preparations right. Preparation is the bedrock of every success. I think African football has developed now and we need not panic over big names that will be coming to Brazil this June. The Super Eagles played against the Catalonian in one of their build-up to AFCON. You can say yes, that is not the full strength Spainish side but our players gave a good account of themselves in that friendly. Looking at the pedigree of players and our exposure, I don’t see Nigeria struggling to do well at the Confederations Cup. In football, pre match ratings do not really matter, it is all about getting it right on match day.
Talking about getting it right, a section of the fans feel Nigeria won’t have problems with Spain but special attention should be given to Uruguay and Tahiti. Do you agree with this school of thought?
Well, I think everyone is entitled to his opinion but I feel Nigeria need to be careful and not get carried away with too much focus on Spain while underrating the likes of Tahiti and Uruguay. It is even good Super Eagles would have played Uruguay and Tahiti before playing Spain. I think they should just go for a win so that the Spain game won’t come with it’s pressure. We stand a good chance of qualifying for the semi-finals, if we can get it right on match day. I think the only advantage we will have over there will be on the issue of fatigue; most of the Spanish players have played lots of matches and they could just be very tired to play at their full strength.
So in other words, you are tipping Nigeria to get to Confederations Cup semi-finals?
I think our most important game will come against Uruguay. That is one game we really need to take serious, if really Nigeria want to make any strong impact at the Confederations Cup. Once we can win that game then we would have qualified because I don’t expect us not to beat Tahiti even though no team is a pushover. Tahiti is not bad in all totality but with Nigeria’s exposure and pedigree as Africa Champions, we should just beat Tahiti and then work hard to beat Uruguay. Once we pick our six points, the last group match against Spain will be a mere formality.
How would you describe your experience as a member of the Technical Committee of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)? What changes would you like to see in the committee as regards fashioning lasting structures for Nigerian football?
I think the technical committee has really done well by my rating. Our desire and determination to excel gave us the right push to support every coach that came on board even though we have been getting several criticisms from different quarters. We have worked hard enough to get the plaudits of Nigerians, we won the Nations Cup but we were not even recognized as the brain behind that success. Things like this happen in football. I think the technical committee has not failed this nation, if winning the AFCON is anything to go by.
The future of Nigerian football is safe considering what the Glass House is doing at the grassroots. We will keep improving as a nation but I must confess the experience have been worthwhile.
What is your stance on NFF decision to prune down Super Eagles work force starting from the coaching crew to its backroom staff?
I think it’s high time we look at ourselves in the face and tell ourselves the bitter truth. If we keep the truth away from ourselves, then our football will suffer for it. If really we want to be successful as a football nation it’s about time we call a spade a spade. The way we run our football is nothing compared to what we have elsewhere. I don’t think any African country can compete with the kind of financial muscle we put into day to day running of our football. But that system is biting hard on the Glass House; you hear that NFF is broke today and tomorrow they run to the Presidency to source for funds and all that. I think it’s high time we look for a way to cut down our spending so that the national team won’t suffer the brunt. These and many more are what people don’t understand. Even though the board would have loved to see the crew and backroom staff continue their good job, they had to take that bold step because these expenses are beginning to eat deep into the NFF purse. People should try and reason along with NFF and give them the required support as Nigeria continue her search for Brazil 2014 World Cup ticket. We must avoid a situation where we won’t be able to give our national teams the best in terms of logistics, training and allowances. If we want our national teams to be the best in Africa, which of course they are now, then I think the players deserve the best treatment that can well augment their performances on the field of play. And the best way we can achieve that is to cut down on areas we think we are not happy with.
Bolton has continued to struggle even in the lower division, the club fell like a pack of cards when you left. Were there decisions that were wrongly taken which you feel in your best opinion led to their dwindling fortunes?
Well, Sam Allardyce came to Nigeria but honestly I have not been in close contact with the club since I left.
Besides, most of the players I played with have all left for different directions, they have all moved on with their lives. As for the current predicament of the club, I think it can happen to any club, there are good and bad times in football and Bolton are going through it’s rough patches now. I can only wish them all the best.
Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the final stage of 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil is hanging by a thread. How can Super Eagles overcome threats from Kenya and Malawi?
Nigeria need not panic at this stage of the qualifiers. African football has developed beyond what people think and I was not surprised Kenya ran away with a draw in Calabar. But all is not lost, all we need do is to remain focused and ensure Kenya is beaten in Nairobi. We have done it before and we can do it again this June. I remember in 2009, we needed to win and hoped that Mozambique didn’t lose to Tunisia, we did our part well by beating Kenya while Tunisia failed to win in Mozambique. I think with hard work and determination we can win our next two games and book our place in the final knockout stage.
As a former Super Eagles captain, do you think Coach Stephen Keshi and Joseph Yobo’s war of words was professionally handled. Has Yobo truly passed his prime? What is your take on this?
I think this is no serious issue at all. I see no reason why the whole issue was blown out of proportion, when it should have been resolved amicably. I don’t really know what happened but Yobo and Keshi have always got along well and that really showed at the Nations Cup; that is one of the reasons we won in South Africa. These things happen in football; I mean coach and captain misunderstanding is no big deal. The coach is the father of the team I think Keshi should just find a way to manage the situation professionally, so that it won’t cause any distraction to the team’s preparation for both World Cup qualifiers and the Confederations Cup. He (Keshi) played the game up to the highest level and captained the national team . As coach, he should know how to rub the egos of his players and ensure peace reigns in his camp.
How would you rate the performances of youngsters like Kenneth Omeruo, Ogenyi Onazi, Godfrey Oboabona, Ambrose Efe and other new faces who have evolved into the current Super Eagles?
I am very happy we have got new faces in the team, I think these youngsters have really showed that Nigerian football has a future. They just have to keep their heads low and never allow success to get into their heads. They must continue to work hard until Nigerian football get to its best.
Which is the greatest; Super Eagles of 1994 or Stephen Keshi’s tutored side?
(Laughs) You can never compare both. In 1994, Nigerian football was at it’s best, we won the Nations Cup and could have advanced to USA ‘94 quarter-finals. The present team has won the Nations Cup too and they are young and determined to qualify for 2014 World Cup. They are just two good sides with different talents. We shouldn’t compare them.
When will Nigeria have another Jay jay?
(General laughter) I am not God; he is the one who gives talents. Only God decides when another JayJay will emerge.
Thank you for your time Emperor!
You are welcome. ------------------------- Complete Sports
Love him or loathe him, Austine JayJay Okocha is considered by many as the Nigerian football’s most accomplished soccer star.
And this is the more reason why his voice counts anytime he decides to speak on Nigerian football issues.
In this exclusive interview, Okocha bares it all by hitting the nail on the head not minding whose ox is gored...
Enjoy...!
You must have been watching with keen interest Nigeria’s build-up as the FIFA Confederations Cup draws near. Emperor, where do you stand as regards Super Eagles chances in the pre-World Cup tourney?
I think we have a very good chance to excel at the Confederations Cup irrespective of our opponents in Brazil. Most of the teams coming to Brazil are in for serious business and Nigeria too stands a very good chance of doing Africa proud, if we can get our preparations right. Preparation is the bedrock of every success. I think African football has developed now and we need not panic over big names that will be coming to Brazil this June. The Super Eagles played against the Catalonian in one of their build-up to AFCON. You can say yes, that is not the full strength Spainish side but our players gave a good account of themselves in that friendly. Looking at the pedigree of players and our exposure, I don’t see Nigeria struggling to do well at the Confederations Cup. In football, pre match ratings do not really matter, it is all about getting it right on match day.
Talking about getting it right, a section of the fans feel Nigeria won’t have problems with Spain but special attention should be given to Uruguay and Tahiti. Do you agree with this school of thought?
Well, I think everyone is entitled to his opinion but I feel Nigeria need to be careful and not get carried away with too much focus on Spain while underrating the likes of Tahiti and Uruguay. It is even good Super Eagles would have played Uruguay and Tahiti before playing Spain. I think they should just go for a win so that the Spain game won’t come with it’s pressure. We stand a good chance of qualifying for the semi-finals, if we can get it right on match day. I think the only advantage we will have over there will be on the issue of fatigue; most of the Spanish players have played lots of matches and they could just be very tired to play at their full strength.
So in other words, you are tipping Nigeria to get to Confederations Cup semi-finals?
I think our most important game will come against Uruguay. That is one game we really need to take serious, if really Nigeria want to make any strong impact at the Confederations Cup. Once we can win that game then we would have qualified because I don’t expect us not to beat Tahiti even though no team is a pushover. Tahiti is not bad in all totality but with Nigeria’s exposure and pedigree as Africa Champions, we should just beat Tahiti and then work hard to beat Uruguay. Once we pick our six points, the last group match against Spain will be a mere formality.
How would you describe your experience as a member of the Technical Committee of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)? What changes would you like to see in the committee as regards fashioning lasting structures for Nigerian football?
I think the technical committee has really done well by my rating. Our desire and determination to excel gave us the right push to support every coach that came on board even though we have been getting several criticisms from different quarters. We have worked hard enough to get the plaudits of Nigerians, we won the Nations Cup but we were not even recognized as the brain behind that success. Things like this happen in football. I think the technical committee has not failed this nation, if winning the AFCON is anything to go by.
The future of Nigerian football is safe considering what the Glass House is doing at the grassroots. We will keep improving as a nation but I must confess the experience have been worthwhile.
What is your stance on NFF decision to prune down Super Eagles work force starting from the coaching crew to its backroom staff?
I think it’s high time we look at ourselves in the face and tell ourselves the bitter truth. If we keep the truth away from ourselves, then our football will suffer for it. If really we want to be successful as a football nation it’s about time we call a spade a spade. The way we run our football is nothing compared to what we have elsewhere. I don’t think any African country can compete with the kind of financial muscle we put into day to day running of our football. But that system is biting hard on the Glass House; you hear that NFF is broke today and tomorrow they run to the Presidency to source for funds and all that. I think it’s high time we look for a way to cut down our spending so that the national team won’t suffer the brunt. These and many more are what people don’t understand. Even though the board would have loved to see the crew and backroom staff continue their good job, they had to take that bold step because these expenses are beginning to eat deep into the NFF purse. People should try and reason along with NFF and give them the required support as Nigeria continue her search for Brazil 2014 World Cup ticket. We must avoid a situation where we won’t be able to give our national teams the best in terms of logistics, training and allowances. If we want our national teams to be the best in Africa, which of course they are now, then I think the players deserve the best treatment that can well augment their performances on the field of play. And the best way we can achieve that is to cut down on areas we think we are not happy with.
Bolton has continued to struggle even in the lower division, the club fell like a pack of cards when you left. Were there decisions that were wrongly taken which you feel in your best opinion led to their dwindling fortunes?
Well, Sam Allardyce came to Nigeria but honestly I have not been in close contact with the club since I left.
Besides, most of the players I played with have all left for different directions, they have all moved on with their lives. As for the current predicament of the club, I think it can happen to any club, there are good and bad times in football and Bolton are going through it’s rough patches now. I can only wish them all the best.
Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the final stage of 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil is hanging by a thread. How can Super Eagles overcome threats from Kenya and Malawi?
Nigeria need not panic at this stage of the qualifiers. African football has developed beyond what people think and I was not surprised Kenya ran away with a draw in Calabar. But all is not lost, all we need do is to remain focused and ensure Kenya is beaten in Nairobi. We have done it before and we can do it again this June. I remember in 2009, we needed to win and hoped that Mozambique didn’t lose to Tunisia, we did our part well by beating Kenya while Tunisia failed to win in Mozambique. I think with hard work and determination we can win our next two games and book our place in the final knockout stage.
As a former Super Eagles captain, do you think Coach Stephen Keshi and Joseph Yobo’s war of words was professionally handled. Has Yobo truly passed his prime? What is your take on this?
I think this is no serious issue at all. I see no reason why the whole issue was blown out of proportion, when it should have been resolved amicably. I don’t really know what happened but Yobo and Keshi have always got along well and that really showed at the Nations Cup; that is one of the reasons we won in South Africa. These things happen in football; I mean coach and captain misunderstanding is no big deal. The coach is the father of the team I think Keshi should just find a way to manage the situation professionally, so that it won’t cause any distraction to the team’s preparation for both World Cup qualifiers and the Confederations Cup. He (Keshi) played the game up to the highest level and captained the national team . As coach, he should know how to rub the egos of his players and ensure peace reigns in his camp.
How would you rate the performances of youngsters like Kenneth Omeruo, Ogenyi Onazi, Godfrey Oboabona, Ambrose Efe and other new faces who have evolved into the current Super Eagles?
I am very happy we have got new faces in the team, I think these youngsters have really showed that Nigerian football has a future. They just have to keep their heads low and never allow success to get into their heads. They must continue to work hard until Nigerian football get to its best.
Which is the greatest; Super Eagles of 1994 or Stephen Keshi’s tutored side?
(Laughs) You can never compare both. In 1994, Nigerian football was at it’s best, we won the Nations Cup and could have advanced to USA ‘94 quarter-finals. The present team has won the Nations Cup too and they are young and determined to qualify for 2014 World Cup. They are just two good sides with different talents. We shouldn’t compare them.
When will Nigeria have another Jay jay?
(General laughter) I am not God; he is the one who gives talents. Only God decides when another JayJay will emerge.
Thank you for your time Emperor!
You are welcome. ------------------------- Complete Sports
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