Kingsley Onye, you remember him? He was a former Super Eagles defender and also a member of the bronze winning Flying Eagles team at Soviet Union ’85 World Youth Championship.
Onye, speaking from London believed Golden Eaglets’ Victor Osimhen would step into the big shoes left by the goal father, Rashidi Yekini. Onye however cautioned the country’s football body that the young lad is guided to achieve his dreams in the game.
The football scout also implored President Mohammadu Buhari to include the USSR ’85 Flying Eagles squad in his reward list.
Onye, speaking from London believed Golden Eaglets’ Victor Osimhen would step into the big shoes left by the goal father, Rashidi Yekini. Onye however cautioned the country’s football body that the young lad is guided to achieve his dreams in the game.
The football scout also implored President Mohammadu Buhari to include the USSR ’85 Flying Eagles squad in his reward list.
The interview…
Having played at the age grade competitions and also at the highest level of football, do you think world conquering Golden Eagles are the future of the game in this country?
First and foremost, kudos must go to the team’s handler, Emmanuel Amuneke for putting together a great side that made us proud. Amuneke proved all doubting Thomases wrong by winning the trophy in Chile. Because nobody including the Nigeria Football Federation that the team would go all the way to the final and win. So, we must salute the team’s resilient and doggedness at the global stage.
Having played at the age grade competitions and also at the highest level of football, do you think world conquering Golden Eagles are the future of the game in this country?
First and foremost, kudos must go to the team’s handler, Emmanuel Amuneke for putting together a great side that made us proud. Amuneke proved all doubting Thomases wrong by winning the trophy in Chile. Because nobody including the Nigeria Football Federation that the team would go all the way to the final and win. So, we must salute the team’s resilient and doggedness at the global stage.
In your opinion, should Amuneke remain as the Golden Eaglets’ coach or be promoted?
You will agree with me that Amuneke deserves to along with the crop of boys to the Flying Eagles. He brought the boys together and understands the team’s chemistry.
Secondly, he could be retained as the Eaglets handler to discover more talents that would be transformed to the next stage of the game. There are lots of budding talents in the grassroots and we need somebody in the mode of Amuneke to provide them the opportunity to showcase their talents.
You will agree with me that Amuneke deserves to along with the crop of boys to the Flying Eagles. He brought the boys together and understands the team’s chemistry.
Secondly, he could be retained as the Eaglets handler to discover more talents that would be transformed to the next stage of the game. There are lots of budding talents in the grassroots and we need somebody in the mode of Amuneke to provide them the opportunity to showcase their talents.
What is your take on Victor Osimhen and Chidiebere Nwakali who were outstanding at the tournament?
Yeah, those boys were wonderful in Chile and I have no doubt in mind that they would go places in the game. But they need to be guided in taking major decisions as regards club they want to play for and their life style.
Football has gone scientific and those boys should be exposed to it in order march up with their contemporaries in the game.
I watched both players in Chile and I saw Osimhen showing some traits of Rashidi Yekini but a bit more refined. He scored great goals and his positioning on the pitch is per excellent.
Some other members of the team like the goalkeeper Akpan Udoh, Chukwueze and Funsho Bamgboye also showed great qualities during the tournament.
Yeah, those boys were wonderful in Chile and I have no doubt in mind that they would go places in the game. But they need to be guided in taking major decisions as regards club they want to play for and their life style.
Football has gone scientific and those boys should be exposed to it in order march up with their contemporaries in the game.
I watched both players in Chile and I saw Osimhen showing some traits of Rashidi Yekini but a bit more refined. He scored great goals and his positioning on the pitch is per excellent.
Some other members of the team like the goalkeeper Akpan Udoh, Chukwueze and Funsho Bamgboye also showed great qualities during the tournament.
But why is it that Nigeria has failed to transform these qualities at the senior level?
It is unfortunate that this has being the story with Nigerian football. I think we need to look inwards and ensure that we present the players with the right age at age grade competitions.
However, I believe that is in place now as we were able to parade relatively young players in Chile. With time we would start to benefit from being truthful with age of our players at competitions.
It is unfortunate that this has being the story with Nigerian football. I think we need to look inwards and ensure that we present the players with the right age at age grade competitions.
However, I believe that is in place now as we were able to parade relatively young players in Chile. With time we would start to benefit from being truthful with age of our players at competitions.
What sort of reward is appropriate for the Golden Eaglets?
That’s a good question. I believe we need to be dynamic in rewarding our athletes. We should ensure that their present life and future are secured. So I will advise that scholarship, housing and health insurance should be provided for them. We can do some cash but their future is of utmost importance to us.
In this regard, I will also implore President Mohammadu Buhari to also reward the bronze medal winning Flying Eagles team at Soviet Union ’85 FIFA World Cup, just as intents for the Golden Eaglets team that won the first edition of the U-17 World Cup in China.
Let me drag you to issues on the Super Eagles. What is your assessment of Sunday Oliseh he took charge as the team’s gaffer?
It could difficult to assess the technical crew led by Oliseh as they have told us that the team is still rebuilding. So they need more time to gel and assemble the right players that would regain the country’s lost glory in the football. Should they fail from this assignment, I would advise Nigeria to hire a foreign coach for the Eagles.
That’s a good question. I believe we need to be dynamic in rewarding our athletes. We should ensure that their present life and future are secured. So I will advise that scholarship, housing and health insurance should be provided for them. We can do some cash but their future is of utmost importance to us.
In this regard, I will also implore President Mohammadu Buhari to also reward the bronze medal winning Flying Eagles team at Soviet Union ’85 FIFA World Cup, just as intents for the Golden Eaglets team that won the first edition of the U-17 World Cup in China.
Let me drag you to issues on the Super Eagles. What is your assessment of Sunday Oliseh he took charge as the team’s gaffer?
It could difficult to assess the technical crew led by Oliseh as they have told us that the team is still rebuilding. So they need more time to gel and assemble the right players that would regain the country’s lost glory in the football. Should they fail from this assignment, I would advise Nigeria to hire a foreign coach for the Eagles.
Which of the foreign coaches would you like to recommend?
Sam Alladyce is a good coach. I’ll suggest Nigeria should go for him. Ruud Gullit is another great tactician. There are many of them but for the African style of play and our football mentality, I believe strongly that any of those two will do well in the Nigerian national team. Nigeria needs a foreign coach if we want to win any major tournament and be reckoned with in World football. Keshi is not the answer now.
Sam Alladyce is a good coach. I’ll suggest Nigeria should go for him. Ruud Gullit is another great tactician. There are many of them but for the African style of play and our football mentality, I believe strongly that any of those two will do well in the Nigerian national team. Nigeria needs a foreign coach if we want to win any major tournament and be reckoned with in World football. Keshi is not the answer now.
Does it mean that you don’t believe in Nigerian coaches?
For me Tunde Disu is the best player manager in Nigeria. His man-management skill is undoubtedly great. I think, he should be the coach of the Super Eagles. He is good enough for the job.
For me Tunde Disu is the best player manager in Nigeria. His man-management skill is undoubtedly great. I think, he should be the coach of the Super Eagles. He is good enough for the job.
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