Nigeria's German Coach, Berti Vogts, would have no excuse
than to make good impression of himself to give Nigeria the best results
in all the matches already lined-up towards the African Cup of Nations
next year and the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification.
Director of Sports, Dr. Amos Adamu, said at the reception organised for
the new Super Eagles' coach on Thursday night that he expects nothing
less than outstanding results from the former Scotland coach, even as
he appealed to soccer lovers in Nigeria to give the German tactician their
total support so that he would succeed in his venture in the country.
He added that the National Sports Commission would not hesitate to sack
the German if he fails to deliver.
'We thank God that the new Eagles manager is here at last. He has to get
down to work immediately because there is no much time left on our side
again. The earlier we get started, the better,' Adamu began.
'I want to say that we would not be ready to compromise anything, and
there would be no sentiment about it. Berti Vogts must get good results,
because that is what most Nigerians want now, and we would not hesitate
to sack him if he fails to perform.
Continuing, the director of sports said: 'Vogts must know that he is not
here for any jamboree. He's employed to take our football to the next
level and anything short of that is not acceptable.
'It is not that our local coaches are not good, but we needed a more experienced
and competent manager, who is technically sound in the game. That is why
Nigerians have decided to go for Berti Vogts and he must prove to us that
he is capable of giving our football the needed renaissance to take our
game to the next level,' he said.
'I want to let Vogts know that for him to succeed in Nigeria, he must
be ready to inculcate discipline into the players, because for any coach
to do well in his duties, he must lead by example.
'I am happy that most of our players are established, they are adults,
and so, he should be prepared to handle them with iron hands,' he advised.
On the issue of the coach operating from Europe, Adamu said: 'I think
the issue of Vogts staying in Europe or Nigeria should not be our problem.
For me, where he stays does not matter, the most important thing is that
he should give us the best.
'But for the simple fact that most of the Super Eagles' players are based
in Europe, I think we should give him the benefit of doubt. I feel that
staying in Europe will make work easier for him, it will enable him to
monitor our players better.
'I want to assure Nigerians that Vogts would be giving all the necessary
tools and support that would help him in discharging his duties, but Nigerians
should join us in this bid to ensure that we achieve our goals. I think
with the backing of all, we will surely get there,' he said.
Dr. Adamu also made a frantic call on the players already invited for
the Uganda/Nigeria match to be committed.
'Our players should know that every sports-loving Nigerian is looking
up to them to deliver, and I think they have to use this match to redeem
their image.
'We need nothing from them but victory. And they should also be looking
beyond the Nations Cup. We should be eyeing the 2010 World Cup in South
Africa, because with the array of talents we parade in Nigeria, we can
conquer the world if only we work for it,' he said.
Speaking at the ceremony, Coach Vogts promised to encourage local players
in his team, saying that they would be prominent in his programme. He
said that he would rely on Coach Austin Eguavoen to monitor the progress
of the home-based players whenever he is away in Europe.
According to him, he's in Nigeria to succeed with the help of his sponsors,
Globacom and the Nigeria Football Association (NFA). He also charged Globacom
to do more for the national team.
