Going Down The Valley
http://www.newswatchngr.com/editoria...0211105745.htm

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Sunday, February 11, 2007

Godwin Uwua, coach of the Flying Eagles now risks losing his job following the poor outing of his team in Congo

By Victor Ugborgu and Anthony Akaeze

Godwin Uwua, coach of the Flying Eagles, may not lead the team to the World Youth Championship, WYC, scheduled for Canada if allegations of bribery and fielding of over-aged players are established against him.

The Nigerian Football Association, NFA, is currently looking into the circumstances that led to the poor performance of the Under-20 team at the Africa Youth Championship which ended February 3, in Brazzaville. The Eagles failed to give a good account of themselves when they met the Red Devils of Congo in the final. The Red Devils won1-0 to snatch the AYC title the Eagles won in 2005.

There have been allegations by sports administrators and players against Uwua in the way he handled the team which led to the Eagles' failure in Congo. Uwua was alleged to have demanded and collected huge sums of money from players to give them places in the Eagles squad. He was also accused of fielding over-aged players who could not make any difference in the championship.

Not only that, the players also alleged that Uwua forced them to embark on fasting during the championship which affected their performance. "We were told to fast in Congo. It was unbelievable and it had a bad effect on some of us. We were shocked when the coach ordered us to fast when we needed all our strength for the match against Congo," one of the players who would not want his name mentioned said.

Newswatch learnt that the NFA has constituted a panel to look into these complaints with a view to establishing the truth which could affect many players and the coaching crew.

Sources said the NFA was contemplating replacing Uwua with Stanley Eguma, coach of Sharks FC of Port Harcourt. The young coach is respected in football circles for his ability to put up a balanced team in any given competition. In 2001, he led the Dolphins F.C of Port Harcourt, River State, to the FA cup victory. He also worked with Iwuanyanwu Nationale, now Heartland of Owerri, before moving to Sharks of Port Harcourt.

He is expected to overhaul the entire team and present a formidable squad that would dazzle other teams. The team will participate in Canada 2007 World Youth Championship in June.

Bolaji Ojo-Oba, NFA secretary-general said the association would effect some changes in the coaching crew and team. "How can any reasonable person allow any member of that team to be an automatic player in the WYC? They will have to fight for their places and prove that they have grown up to play at the World Youth Championship," he said.

A gale of criticisms had trailed the Flying Eagles' performance at the AYC, prompting many football analysts to call for Uwua's removal and total overhaul of the team. Van Eke, a footballer, said the best that could happen in the Under-20 team would be total re-organisation beginning from the coaching crew to the players. "Certainly, the Flying Eagles did not perform well which led to the loss of the trophy. Our youth teams are known for their flair and free flow football, but the Flying Eagles that went to Congo wobbled and fumbled to the final and eventually crashed. The NFA should do something about the players before they disgrace us in Canada," he said.

Gideon Emelife, a soccer analyst, said the Under-20 team that went to Congo was the worst team ever produced by Nigeria. "Ordinarily, I would have given credit to the team for reaching the final of the championship, but it was like a miracle getting there. Without mincing words, this is the worst Nigerian team I have ever seen in all my years of following football," he said.

Dawodu Haruna, an undergraduate and football enthusiast, agreed: "The team lacked coordination and owed their progress to mother luck. If the performance of a team, rather than, result should be used to judge it, then, I can conveniently say that Godwin Uwua is as good as his team. The coach and his boys don't have what it takes to compete at the global level," he submitted.

Some Nigerians believe that having qualified for the World Youth Championship, attention should now shift to building a formidable team instead of effecting changes in the coaching crew. Abdulmumuni Aminu, former NFA chairman, said the time for such re-organisation was too short and could affect the performance of the team. "Instead, the NFA should address the inadequacies of the team and position it ahead for Canada 2007 championship. The time for the WYC is too short to change the whole team," he said.

Adeyemi Lawson, a football enthusiast, also argued that there is no need to sack the coach. What is required is to introduce new talents to beef up the team. "Many people are clamouring for the sacking of the coach or disbandment of the team. That is not the solution to the problem. The NFA should bring in new hands to assist the coach instead of throwing away the baby with the bath water," he argued.

Before the commencement of the AYC in Congo, Uwua enjoyed a fairly good rating in the estimation of many Nigerian soccer analysts. This was based on his pedigree as one of the successful coaches Nigeria ever produced. He led Enyimba of Aba to premier league victory in 2001 and Lobi Stars of Makurdi to FA cup in 2003. Many soccer fans believe that Uwua has proved his mettle over the years, and they expected a repeat of the 2005 feat when the Flying Eagles under Samson Siasia dusted the opposition to win the AYC in Benin Republic. They later came second in the WYC held in Holland.

But the story changed in Congo 2007 AYC following the lack-lustre performance of the Flying Eagles. The first match against Zambia ended 4-2 in Eagles favour. They forced Egypt to a 1-1 draw before losing 0-2 to Cameroon. Although the Flying Eagles reached the finals, they lost 0-1 to the Red Devils of Congo, who were not given a chance in the championship.

If Uwua eventually loses his job, it would be a mere repetition of history. In 1999, Tunde Disu, former coach of the Flying Eagles, was sacked following his team's 1-2 loss to Paraguay in the WYC held in Nigeria. Austin Mgbolu, former spokesman of the NFA, had explained that Disu was sacked because of his inability to manage the team very well. He said Disu had proved by the loss to Paraguay that he was not capable of handling the team even when he was given a free hand to choose his players.

Some players who were indicted for their poor performance at Ghana '99 and others whom Disu had sent packing from the team during the qualifiers found their way back into the team.

Disu, in his defence said he was not in control of the team. He also claimed that the players acted contrary to the instructions he gave them which led to their early ouster from the championship.

Additional report by Naomo Musa.

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....Perception Is Everything....

Pa