{"id":444274,"date":"2011-06-20T10:32:49","date_gmt":"2011-06-20T10:32:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ghanamma.net\/2011\/06\/20\/nigeria-pleading-for-the-prodigal-son\/"},"modified":"2011-06-20T10:32:49","modified_gmt":"2011-06-20T10:32:49","slug":"nigeria-pleading-for-the-prodigal-son","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/06\/20\/nigeria-pleading-for-the-prodigal-son\/","title":{"rendered":"Nigeria: Pleading for the Prodigal Son"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Daily<\/a><\/p>\n

Okanu Emelumba<\/p>\n

19 June 2011<\/p>\n

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SOME Nigeria football lovers have spoken largely for the recall of West Brom and Nigerian forward, Osaze Odemwingie to the senior national team, the Super Eagles.<\/p>\n

Others have cautioned against a recall without proper apology to both the coach and the players. This they argued should be the proper thing to do to avoid a repeat of such an act by him or any other player.<\/p>\n

Those who argue that Osaze should have been part of the team no matter what his “sins’ are, insist that a serious coach does not drop his best player when he has crucial matches to prosecute. They point to Osaze’s majestic form as a compelling reason for his inclusion. Also the fact that he is seen by many as Nigeria’s best player currently makes wrong to exclude him in important matches. They further argued that there are other ways a player can be whipped into line without necessarily taking the most drastic action. Conclusively they reasoned that the player in question had apologized especially after his rant on Twitter, which should be seen as a sign of sobriety.<\/p>\n

The counter argument is that discipline needs to be enforced in a team sport like football. Allowing infractions, no matter how innocuous to go unpunished, has the capacity to breed wholesale indiscipline which will ultimately affect the entire team at the long run. The other players will in time feel entitled to also walk way when they so desire even without the coach’s permission. And many players will wantonly break camp rules and the coaching crew will be incapacitated to enforce discipline.<\/p>\n

In spite of these divergent opinions, Eagles coach Samson Siasia has insisted that the forward’s way back to the team will be no other way than a public apology to both the coaches and players. This, some how is proving difficult for Osaze<\/p>\n

Already indications are that some players had made it clear to the coaching crew that they are watching with keen interest to see if Osaze will be disciplined or not. And this leaves the coach with no option than to suspend him to instill discipline in the team.”<\/p>\n

Osaze was axed from the squad for leaving without permission after the Ethiopian match in Abuja. The issue has since escalated following constant media reports of a rift between the coach and the player.<\/p>\n

Osaze has remained adamant over the request by the Eagles coach to apologize. And his action is some how making look like the prodigal son of Nigeria football. By his attitude he is determined to squander the nation’s opportunity to qualify for the Nations Cup next year. This is because Osaze is such an important player in the team. Many people expect him to apologize. If he fails to apologize and Nigeria fails to qualify many soccer fans will not forgive him in a hurry.<\/p>\n

He must learn how to control his self esteem which will enable him to do the right thing. One of the right things he should do now is to respond appropriately how his coach and team mates want him to respond. Indeed he should take a cue from the biblical prodigal son, who after much squander apologized and was pardoned.<\/p>\n

If he fails to do so soonest, he might soon be earning for himself a rebel tag as he has previous records of skirmishes with national team coaches. Under former coaches Amodu Shuaibu and Lars Largerback, the outspoken striker had publicly criticised their tactics and manner of handling the national team.<\/p>\n

Osaze should not forget that many Nigerians will not want a situation where any player will become bigger than his coach or the entire team. He should also realize that the relationship between a coach and his player is like father and son relationship. Therefore no player in his right sense should see himself as being bigger than the coach and the team. That is why it is imperative for Osaze to swallow his pride and apologize to both the coach and the players.<\/p>\n

Osaze should also know that he is not bigger than the team and therefore any reason he has for such action can not be more important than the national interest. Let it also be clear to him that it is not about an individual; rather it is all about the team, so he should know what to do if he wants to be part of the team.<\/p>\n

If Osaze wants to end his international career the proper way to do it is to end it honorably. At 30, he is certainly at the twilight of his career and if he ends his international career the way he is going about, it does not serve his age and exposure any good. That is why Osaze should not end his international career the way it is going right now.<\/p>\n

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\nNigeria: Pleading for the Prodigal Son<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Okanu Emelumba 19 June 2011 SOME Nigeria football lovers have spoken largely for the recall of West Brom and Nigerian forward, Osaze Odemwingie to the senior national team, the Super Eagles. 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