The Moment (London)
Martin Odiete
28 December 2011
Abuja — THE former Super Eagles defender says he has the capacity to transform the Flying Eagles. Ben Iroha has applied to the Nigeria Football Federation for a coaching job with the national Under-20 side.
Iroha was part of the Austin Eguavoen-led technical crew that failed to qualify the national Under-23 team for the London 2012 Olympics.
In an interview with The Moment, he said he has garnered enough experience after assisting several coaches to take up the full responsibilities of a team.
‘I believe in my ability to ably handle the U-20 team and make them great.
After having played at the highest level and assisted several coaches, I think it is now the right time for me to step up for the higher responsibility,’ he said.
The former Vittesse Arnhem of Holland left back noted that Nigeria still has football talent that should do well at the international level, if given the right coaching.
He also lamented the inability of the U-23 team to qualify for the London Olympics, saying that it was really unfortunate that it happened.
‘Our players peaked so late in the tournament. You saw the way they played against Algeria, that was what they were capable of doing, but we were really surprised at what happened with them in the first two matches.
‘Even without the foreign professionals the team would have progressed,’ he said.
He maintained that, if given the opportunity, he would raise a great team that would bring back the glorious days of Nigerian football at the age grade cadre.
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