The Return of Amodu Shaibu

It is no longer news that the Nigerian Footlball Association has appointed a new Coach cum Tehnical Adviser for the Super Eagles of Nigeria by the name of Amodu Shaibu. The interesting thing about this appointment is that the man would be making a return to the national team for the third time having been appointed and sacked on two different occasions (1994-1997 and 2001-2002).

The two previous stints he has had with the super eagles ended in an acrimoniuos parting of ways with the Football Association. Amodu has by no means a very credible record, he was the first indigenous coach to qualify Nigeria to the world cup taking Nigeria from a seemingly hopeless situation to the Mundial in Korea/Japan. He was sacked just months before the tournament proper for what was considered his insurbodination to his employers and his ganging up with players against the FA over some issues.

From the list of candidates interviewed for the job, he just happens to be one with the most experience though a lot of people might have wanted a Stephen Keshi (former skipper of the super eagles) on the job.

A lot has been written and said about his temperament and the fact that he presently runs a management outfit involved with player dealings. In one of his speeches after the appointment, he talks of been more matured now than he was back then which he says would definately help in his working relationship with the FA and also that there would not be any conflict of interest in his job as a Coach and his recent player management venture http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/7345328.stm.

Will he be third time lucky? Only time will tell and that time begins at his first match in charge; a crucial world cup/nations cup qualifier against S.Africa in May.