Uyo – Football enthusiasts in Akwa Ibom State have called on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and other stakeholders to give the new Super Eagles coach a free hand in running the team.
In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Uyo, the fans said the new coach would need free atmosphere to operate to the best of his ability.
A sport analyst with Radio Nigeria, Altantic FM, Uyo, Aniekan Udofia, who commended NFF for considering a new coach for the Eagles, advised against undue interference in his work.
Udofia said the consideration of Sunday Oliseh as the new Eagles coach was a welcome development and urged football administrators to go for merit in selection of players.
“Sometimes, the coaches are not given enough opportunity to succeed, when they fail, we lay all the blame on them.
“We are looking up to him, to surpass the achievements of his predecessor, Stephen Keshi by once more makiing Nigerians proud of their darling team, Eagles.
“What we are praying is that what he knows technically should be translated into better game on the field of play,” Udofia said.
He expressed optimism that Oliseh would bring back the glory days of football in the country.
Another football enthusiast, Amos Etuk, called on the NFF to desist from interfering in the job of the coach.
Etuk expressed optimism that Oliseh would succeed if allowed a free hand to act, based on merit and with the right intuition.
“I think Oliseh’s coming will engender confidence in the Eagles and bring back fans to the stadiums,” Etuk said.
Uwem Ekoh, a journalist advised administrators to allow honesty, justice and accountability to determine their daily conduct in order to get it right with the game.
Ekoh, who is the chairman of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Akwa Ibom Chapter, described Oliseh as possessing the right pedigree to coach the Eagles.
He said that the new coach could analyse football and he had the experience to lead the team.
“The Eagles are a big team, if you don’t have the experience, you will not be able to handle the team.
“It takes a bigger heart and experienced coach and somebody who is well exposed to handle a team like the Eagles,” Ekoh said.
Ekoh, called for cooperation and prayers for the new coach.
He, however, said Oliseh was not perfect but could only meet the expectations of Nigerians, if given the right working tools and environment.