Austin Eguavoen aka Cerezo has been coach of Super Eagles and this is his third outing on interim arrangement.
The interim arrangements which are always on short notice and a sort of stopgap exercise cannot give the man in-charge ample time to plan ahead. So it could be difficult to judge him on the basis of this interim job.
Be that as it may, Eguavoen isn’t a stranger to this job or ad hoc task having done it twice in the past. He is the Head of the Technical Department of the Football House which arms him with enough facts, figures, experience, privileges and support from his bosses to succeed.
This is why stakeholders opine that he can’t be a third time failure in this task otherwise he shouldn’t have agreed to accept the interim job even if it was for two games.
He should politely tell his bosses if possible that he should be excused from the task. In other words, Cerezo seems prepared for the present job…talking about these games against Benin Republic and Rwanda.
There shouldn’t be any excuse going forward. He should give it his best shot. Winning both games should be his focus and priority. He drew up the list of players invited. That confirms that he knows the capacity of the invited players. He knows the strength and weakness of the players and team at large.
He knew before now that he would take charge of the team in both games. He probably got the technical reports of the team’s performance in AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire and the last few games under Finidi George. He is loaded with enough information.
He was informed by his superiors in the NFF that if they can’t secure the services of a foreign coach before both games he should be on standby to draw up the list and handle the team.
Suffice this to mean that Cerezo is aware over a month ago that he would take charge of the team and the assignments at hand. So, Nigerians want to see what Cerezo would make out of these games.
Remember the buck stops on your desk. You’re in charge. You have experience as an ex-international, ex-captain and ex-coach of this team. The trio of Fidelis Ilechukwu, Daniel Ogunmodede and Olatunji Baruwa are your subordinates. If the team succeeds, you get a pat on the back and if it fails you get the knocks.
The ball is in your court Cerezo. No excuses. Six points is possible. After this opportunity, there may not be another. It’s your third time, kindly make good use of it. Arguably you’re the only coach and ex-international who has enjoyed the privileges and opportunities.
Count your years in office. If you’re not counting them, some person are. Make hay while the sun shines. Leave a legacy. Make an impact. Remember you won’t remain in that office as Technical Director forever. It is not enough to be a pro-establishment man or coach. Carve a niche for yourself. Achieve something that you will be remembered for.
Don’t be the Super Eagles version of the man formerly in Flying Eagles. A certain coach led Flying Eagles to two World Cups yet had nothing to show for it. You led Super Eagles to AFCON in Cameroun aside a couple of other tasks like the one at hand. These form part of your record.
Best wishes.
