Daily Independent (Lagos)
Tony Ezimakor
28 March 2011
Abuja — After several seasons of goal draught at the senior national team level Coach Samson Siasia has asked Nigerian fans to savour the 4-0 defeat of Ethiopia even as he acknowledged need for the team to improve in key areas of the game.
Fieldinga questions from reporters shortly after the encounter Siasia noted that pulling four past the tireless Ethiopians was not easy feat adding that the team would need to improve especially in the midfield in subsequent matches.
“Scoring four goals is not easy especially that this is the first competitive with the team. The boys should be commended; we have to celebrate the goals” he stated.
Siasia insisted that the victory was had earned considering the resilience of the visitors after the early goal. He added that he decided not to change the pattern in second half by increasing the numbers in the eagles midfield.
The coach, who acknowledged that there was problem especially in the midfield, assured that more would be done to improve situation in that area. He however praised the duo of John Mikel Obi and Joel Obi, who he said showed a lot of understanding even though they were playing for the first in the super eagles midfield.
“I am satisfied with the performance of Mikel, he played to instructions though he could not score. I know we had some difficulties in the midfield and that was why we had to play a different formation in the second. Obinna had to move in there to increase the number and we got the result. Siasia assured that the team will do better in subsequent matches.
Siasia also hailed the Ethiopians for the resilience despite their limited exposure to the big leagues of Europe.
AllAfrica – All the Time
Link:
Nigeria: We Need to Improve, But Let’s Savour This One – Siasia