I think some members of the NFF leaked the appointment to a section of the media before it was made formally public. I doubt if all the i’s were dotted nor the t’s crossed at the time. There was definitely still time for the Swedish tactician to pull out of the deal.
So, there’s prudence in some other media outlets biding their time before running the story. But in Afrofooty, I was assured of the veracity of the story before wider knowledge so I chose to run with it early.
Love Amaju Pinnick or hate him, the former NFF being boss never wanted to sack Gernot Rohr at the time.
But he eventually collapsed under the sheer relentless weight of pressure from the Odegbamis and Sunday Dares of this world. If not for Pinnick's strong will and powerful personality, Rohr would never have been appointed and he would have been sacked many months before Pinnick caved in.
My point?
There appears to be power struggle between the NFF Chieftain, the NFF Technical Committee and the Sports Ministry.
The disagreement, dysfunction and disunity between these 3 powerful stakeholders led to the employment of an unsuitable coach in Finidi and disgraceful failure to appoint a suitable replacement in a timely manner after Finidi predictably failed.
The Swedish coach is now rumoured to be the choice of NFF Chairman only with the other three options touted in the media thus far preferred by either the Sports Ministry or the NFF Technical Committee.
Now, here is the problem: I won’t be surprised if the other 2 stakeholders frustrate the efforts of the coach; I won’t be surprised if journalists are paid in some quarters to thrash this coach with Odegbami leading the charge.
I apologise but Alhaji Gusau is a bit weak at times. Will he be able to withstand pressure as long as Pinnick did? Will the new Swedish coach (with zero experience of working under such disgusting conditions) be strong enough to tough it out?
Will the new coach be able to accommodate undue interference in team selection whilst achieving his objectives on the pitch?
The coach plays 4-4-2 with just 2 centre backs and 2 centre midfielders. He failed with this formation between 2021 and 2023. We know that from Omeruo to Ekong and Ajayi to Bassey, all our centers backs are error prone. Even our much heralded centre forwards fire blanks in Super Eagles colours.
Even our midfielders struggle creatively in centre midfield positions.
How come this coach will use these same players to perform wonders with a formation that recently failed him and Jose Peseiro?
I maintain my support for this appointment based on the calibre of the coach and his 2017-2020 success record with Sweden.
But it remains to be seen whether he can overcome very many obstacles and navigate through bureaucratic sludge to emerge victorious with a very troubled Super Eagles set up.
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