THE RESCUE MAN: Why Shaibu Amodu is Called Out Again To Save Nigeria Eagles

 Have you ever watched Superman on TV? The story line is usually that someone or some people get into trouble; maybe, about to burn inside fire or drown in a big ocean or falling from a lofty height; suddenly Superman shows up and with ease, he break through the barrier and save them.

Shaibu Amodu seems to have taken the role to play the Rescue Man for the Nigeria national team – Super Eagles. He has been called up to take over from the sacked head coach, Stephen Keshi, after the later lost two crucial matches in the on-going African Nations Cup qualifiers. I can tell you, Amodu is an expert in rescue missions.

In similar stuation in 2001, when Nonfrere Jo began recording spates of poor results, and it was looking like Eagles wouldn’t qualify, Amodu took over and qualified Nigeria for 2002 FIFA world cup. Amodu had also qualified Nigeria for the 2010 FIFA world cup in South Africa. But in both occasions, Festus Onigbinde and Lars Lagerback were installed in his place before the 2002 and 2010 world cup respectively.

Amodu is tagged by some as the most unlucky coach, with the way NFF treated him each time he qualified the country in a major tournament. For instance, he was demoted to serve as the coach of Nigeria B-team (Home Based Eagles), after he qualified Super Eagles for 2010 FIFA World cup.

Indeed, Amodu hasn’t won any major tournament for Nigeria. He had only led Super Eagles to AFCON Bronze medal in Mali 2002 and Angola 2010. But he is a master when it comes to rescue mission or to qualify Nigeria for a major tournament.

Super Eagles need to win their next two games and garner the 6 points at stake, but NFF executive committee has lost faith in the ability of Keshi to secure those maximum points, hence they call out to Amodu once again to save Eagles. Nigeria should be in Morocco to defend the title and only Amodu can make it happen.

Amodu was appointed as a caretaker coach and will take charge of the team for the last two matches in the qualifying round for 2015 AFCON in Morocco. The decision was made on Wednesday night, October 15, by the executive committee of the newly constituted NFF, after Super Eagles defeated Sudan in a return leg match in Abuja.

One thing going for Amodu, which I think NFF considered before his appointment, is his ability to manage big players. He had been in charge of Keshi himself, Amokachie, Shorumu, the out-going coaching crew. Just name the player in Nigeria. Though, Amodu critics said he does it a little bit too much. He carry bags for his players for a few dollars. Don’t mind me.