His countenance alone told the story and portrayed his mind.But Samson Siasia was so angry he had to say a few things about players of the national team.
“I would have loved to play this match and the result would not have mattered to me but the attitude of the players. This must not go on. No, not when I’m in charge.”
Shortly before this, news had filtered into the Eagles hotel that the international match between the Eagles and Ghana has been called off due to the violence in London. Riots have been on for the past three days and for security reasons the police called off the match.
Carling Cup matches and the international friendly between England and Holland were also called off.
Calling off the match was a disappointment to Siasia but what angered him was the attitude of the players who didn’t show up for some reasons he felt were flimsy.
There were those who said that they were injured and those who couldn’t come because of visa hiccups. Siasia reasoned that attitude was the problem otherwise the players could have done better.
“There are certain things we must not accommodate if we must be sincere to ourselves about building a new team. There must be changes, changes in the attitude of everybody and changes that will bring in other players. I’ll not tolerate indiscipline.
If a player is not hungry and committed to the national team no need to invite him, no matter the pressure. Nigerians must understand what is going on. There are players who feel that they are bigger than the team. Such players must change. If they do not change they are out of the team.
I must take responsibility of things that go on in the team just as I must take responsibility of results of matches. What I’m seeing in the Eagles is not good enough. Players must be hungry to play for their country. It is a thing of honour, a thing of pride to play for your country. That’s the way it is all over the world. Nigeria should not be different.”
Siasia had a depleted team before the cancellation of the match yesterday. About seven top players did not show up for the match. Even Obinna Nsofor who played for West Ham in England last season could not be in England because of visa hitches. He apparently did not start processing his visa application in time. It was same with Vincent Enyeama, Fegor Ogude, Ekigho Ehiosu and Ambrose Efe.
The players who said they had injuries included Mikel Obi and Osaze Odewengie. They did not even visit the Eagles camp in London to report their injuries and meet with their teammates to show solidarity.
Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday“I would have loved to play this match and the result would not have mattered to me but the attitude of the players. This must not go on. No, not when I’m in charge.”
Shortly before this, news had filtered into the Eagles hotel that the international match between the Eagles and Ghana has been called off due to the violence in London. Riots have been on for the past three days and for security reasons the police called off the match.
Carling Cup matches and the international friendly between England and Holland were also called off.
Calling off the match was a disappointment to Siasia but what angered him was the attitude of the players who didn’t show up for some reasons he felt were flimsy.
There were those who said that they were injured and those who couldn’t come because of visa hiccups. Siasia reasoned that attitude was the problem otherwise the players could have done better.
“There are certain things we must not accommodate if we must be sincere to ourselves about building a new team. There must be changes, changes in the attitude of everybody and changes that will bring in other players. I’ll not tolerate indiscipline.
If a player is not hungry and committed to the national team no need to invite him, no matter the pressure. Nigerians must understand what is going on. There are players who feel that they are bigger than the team. Such players must change. If they do not change they are out of the team.
I must take responsibility of things that go on in the team just as I must take responsibility of results of matches. What I’m seeing in the Eagles is not good enough. Players must be hungry to play for their country. It is a thing of honour, a thing of pride to play for your country. That’s the way it is all over the world. Nigeria should not be different.”
Siasia had a depleted team before the cancellation of the match yesterday. About seven top players did not show up for the match. Even Obinna Nsofor who played for West Ham in England last season could not be in England because of visa hitches. He apparently did not start processing his visa application in time. It was same with Vincent Enyeama, Fegor Ogude, Ekigho Ehiosu and Ambrose Efe.
The players who said they had injuries included Mikel Obi and Osaze Odewengie. They did not even visit the Eagles camp in London to report their injuries and meet with their teammates to show solidarity.
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