Posted by By RICHARD JIDEAKA, Abuja on
Daniel Amokachi has without any doubt, paid his due as a player. He played for some of the best club sides in the world and won several laurels for both clubs and country.
Daniel Amokachi has without any doubt, paid his due as a player. He played for some of the best club sides in the world and won several laurels for both clubs and country. But whether he earned his right to coach the national team as chief coach, is what Nigerians would be looking out for in the months ahead.
The former Club Brugge of Belgium, Everton of England and Besiktas of Turkey forward was recently appointed chief coach of the national Under-23 team for the Olympic and All Africa Games next year in China and Algiers, Algeria.
Da Bull, as he is popularly called, told Daily Sunsport soon after his appointment was announced by the Acting Secretary General of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA), Fanny Amun, that there's no big deal about handling Nigeria's national team, adding that his exposure would definitely see him through.
"I've always wanted to be in charge of one of our national teams, and now that I have the opportunity, I want to make the best use of it by proving to the world that I can deliver the goods when the chips are down.
"Honestly, I had always dreamt of the day I would be given a chance to be in charge of the national team at any level, and the Under-23 team chance came. So, I knew the time has come for me to prove my worth," the former Super Eagles' assistant coach said.
DID HE LOBBY?
"It does not really matter now whether I lobbied for the job or not, but to tell you the truth, I only expressed my readiness to lead a team and it was granted. If that's what you call lobbying, then I'll tell you that I wanted to be in charge and I got it. And by the grace of God, I'll not fail.
MY TEAM
"I will raise my team from the domestic and foreign leagues. You know that I am also the coach of Nasarawa United FC of Lafia, and I see a lot of young talents on weekly bases in our Premier League. So, I'll pick them easily while relying on reports and viewing the satellite cable to monitor our players abroad.
"But the core of my team will come from the Flying Eagles squad that won silver at the World Youth Championship (WYC) in Holland last year. With those boys and a few from both Europe and our local league we will present a formidable team."
ATLANTA '96 REPEAT
"It's too early to start making promises, but I am very sure that if we could come out as one of Africa's representatives, it would be very difficult for any team to stop us. Of course, I'd want to win another Olympic medal as a coach, after winning it as a player in 1996 in Atlanta USA. Come to think of it, I'll also be making history as a coach, who has Olympic gold both as a player and as a coach.
"I'd like to go all out to achieve the best, not only at the All Africa Games, but also at the Olympics.
"It's, of course, a good opportunity for me to prove myself in coaching. I've had a lot of experience from my club (Nasarawa United) and the Super Eagles at the Nations Cup. So, there won't be any problem," he declared.
Amokachi further declared that achieving gold at the 2007 All Africa Games in Algiers and the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China would mark the biggest achievements of his coaching career.
When reminded that he had problems controlling some players when he was the Welfare Officer to the same team in 2003, Da Bull said he had put the experience behind him, and was ready to do a better job this time as the main man.
Amokachi had said he was more satisfied with his appointment with the junior team than being called for the Super Eagles' job.
The Nasarawa United assistant coach said he saw the job with the Olympic team as more challenging compared to that of the senior team, where he was an assistant coach before his latest appointment.
"Although it's all the same because you are serving the country on both sides, however, I believe when you are on your own, it's much better, and I prefer it.
"And as you know, the Under-23 team will work towards qualifying for the All Africa Games next year and the Olympic Games; these jobs are more challenging," he said.