Will Siasia strike Gold in Africa again?
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Will Siasia strike Gold in Africa again?
by Samm Audu
Friday Dec 11, 2015. 14:43
Ten years ago after he led Nigeria to win the African Youth Championship in Cotonou, Samson Siasia is on the cusp of becoming a champion coach at U23 level on the continent.
The 48-year-old Siasia has during this past 10 years led Nigeria to the final of the 2005 FIFA U20 World Cup as well as the final of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
On both occasions, only the genius of Lionel Messi and Angel de Maria both of Argentina had denied his team historic victories.
Even before the U23 AFCON kicked off on November 28 in Dakar, Siasia, nicknamed ‘Eusebio’ in his playing days after the legendary Portugal World Cup star, had hogged the headlines after his aged mother was kidnapped in his village in oil-rich southern Nigeria.
His family had to cough out a ransom for his mother to regain her freedom.
On Wednesday, he led his Dream Team VI to upset hosts and favourites Senegal to qualify for next year’s Rio Olympics as well as the final of the U23 AFCON.
He will be up against a team who held them to a scoreless draw in a group game and who many believe are the most complete team in Senegal.
The North Africans, who like Nigeria crashed out in the group stage of the inaugural U23 AFCON in Morocco four years ago, have scored five goals and let in only a goal thus far in Senegal.
Zinedine Ferhat, Meziane Ben Tharham and Oussama Darfalou, who scored with a clever lob in the semi-final against South Africa, have shone on their latest campaign.
“Algeria are most probably the best team in this tournament going by their impressive record – five goals scored and one against,” admitted Nigeria defender Zaharadeen Bello.
“We watched their video before our group game and we will watch that game on video again before the final.
“They not only have a good defence, but also a good attack with their No.7 (Ferhat), No. 10 (Meziane) and No. 9 (Darfalou) very important players, but we have the players to shut them out on Saturday.”
Nigeria’s confidence has been further boosted with the return of suspended skipper Azubike Okechukwu as well as Germany-based striker Taiwo Awoniyi, who missed the semi-final against Senegal on account of an ankle injury.
However, the team’s most dangerous attacking option Stanley Dimgba will again not be available for selection after he suffered an ankle injury in a 2-2 draw with Egypt.
Siasia’s team have shown great character despite going without any cash right from a 10-day pre-tournament training camp in the Gambia last month.
They raised a lot of concerns after they capitulated in the second half of their first two Group B matches against Mali and Egypt, but they have since posted two clean sheets thereafter with Enugu Rangers goalkeeper Emmanuel Daniel emerging as one of the team’s stars especially after his eye-catching display against the home team in midweek.
Warri Wolves midfielder Etebo Oghenekaro, who has scored three goals from the penalty spot in Senegal, has been another consistent top performer for the Dream Team.
His class will again be crucial for Nigeria on Saturday as it was against Senegal on Wednesday.
http://africanfootball.com/news/592873/ ... rica-again
Friday Dec 11, 2015. 14:43
Ten years ago after he led Nigeria to win the African Youth Championship in Cotonou, Samson Siasia is on the cusp of becoming a champion coach at U23 level on the continent.
The 48-year-old Siasia has during this past 10 years led Nigeria to the final of the 2005 FIFA U20 World Cup as well as the final of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
On both occasions, only the genius of Lionel Messi and Angel de Maria both of Argentina had denied his team historic victories.
Even before the U23 AFCON kicked off on November 28 in Dakar, Siasia, nicknamed ‘Eusebio’ in his playing days after the legendary Portugal World Cup star, had hogged the headlines after his aged mother was kidnapped in his village in oil-rich southern Nigeria.
His family had to cough out a ransom for his mother to regain her freedom.
On Wednesday, he led his Dream Team VI to upset hosts and favourites Senegal to qualify for next year’s Rio Olympics as well as the final of the U23 AFCON.
He will be up against a team who held them to a scoreless draw in a group game and who many believe are the most complete team in Senegal.
The North Africans, who like Nigeria crashed out in the group stage of the inaugural U23 AFCON in Morocco four years ago, have scored five goals and let in only a goal thus far in Senegal.
Zinedine Ferhat, Meziane Ben Tharham and Oussama Darfalou, who scored with a clever lob in the semi-final against South Africa, have shone on their latest campaign.
“Algeria are most probably the best team in this tournament going by their impressive record – five goals scored and one against,” admitted Nigeria defender Zaharadeen Bello.
“We watched their video before our group game and we will watch that game on video again before the final.
“They not only have a good defence, but also a good attack with their No.7 (Ferhat), No. 10 (Meziane) and No. 9 (Darfalou) very important players, but we have the players to shut them out on Saturday.”
Nigeria’s confidence has been further boosted with the return of suspended skipper Azubike Okechukwu as well as Germany-based striker Taiwo Awoniyi, who missed the semi-final against Senegal on account of an ankle injury.
However, the team’s most dangerous attacking option Stanley Dimgba will again not be available for selection after he suffered an ankle injury in a 2-2 draw with Egypt.
Siasia’s team have shown great character despite going without any cash right from a 10-day pre-tournament training camp in the Gambia last month.
They raised a lot of concerns after they capitulated in the second half of their first two Group B matches against Mali and Egypt, but they have since posted two clean sheets thereafter with Enugu Rangers goalkeeper Emmanuel Daniel emerging as one of the team’s stars especially after his eye-catching display against the home team in midweek.
Warri Wolves midfielder Etebo Oghenekaro, who has scored three goals from the penalty spot in Senegal, has been another consistent top performer for the Dream Team.
His class will again be crucial for Nigeria on Saturday as it was against Senegal on Wednesday.
http://africanfootball.com/news/592873/ ... rica-again