Fashanu Lauds Siasia

Nigerian-born John Fashanu, who represented England at International level, has commended the manner in which the chief coach of the Super Eagles, Samson Siasia, is handling the senior national team, saying if he had been at the helm of affairs he wouldn’t have done the job differently.

Fashanu, a key member of the Presidential Task Force set up by President Goodluck Jonathan to help the Eagles in their 2010 World Cup quest, described Siasia as an excellent coach and that if he could continue to instill discipline in the team in the long run the Super Eagles will regains its lost glory.

“There are no two ways to it, Siasia is on the right track and I am absolutely confident he is going to bring glory to this country if he does not waver along the line,” he said.

The 48-year old former Wimbledon and Aston Villa forward added that “discipline and organisation are what the present players in the team need,” saying “some years back whenever our boys got together on international duty, I did not see discipline and organsation but now Siasia has brought new order into the fold,”he said.

The UNICEF Ambassador also reflected on the chance of Nigeria qualifying for the African Nations Cup.

“I think they are going to make it there, one way or the other, they just need to stay focus and keep believing in themselves and the handlers of the team,” he said.

Born on 18 September, 1962 in Kensington, London, Fashanu is a British television presenter and ex-footballer of Nigerian (paternal) and Guyanese (maternal) descent. He played most of his career in the United Kingdom.

—Bamidele Olowosagba