Humility017:

that 3rd points of yours does not hold water...just a fiction of your imagination.

Joebie:
No harm in trying lol

Joebie:
No harm in trying lol

TheGoodJoe:


First of all. Not to create a misconception, Coach Monday Sinclair never told me. I highlighted discussing with his boys. However, I was in Port Harcourt in 1997 and Sinclair is a football icon in the City. So him handling the National team at that time sparked a lot of debate.

A lot of footballers from amateur teams to local pro teams like Eagle Cement then and Sharks FC spent a lot of time at Sinclair's house. Sometimes we used to sit in front of his house talking football.

That aside.

Gotti:
Coach Monday Sinclair took the Eagles to the 1997 LG Cup in Tunisia, shortly after Phillipe Troussier was fired and before Bora was appointed. Pius Ikedia made his Eagles' debut as a substitute in both matches of the tourney, and the team also included the since-infamous Francis Kumbur.

This was before the game against Guinea. Do you think Troussier was dropped after the 3-0 demolition of Kenya?

So copying links which could be written in 2006/7 era as proof does not count.

The LG Cup was in August before the Guinea game.

Joebie:
Let's expect a few surprises from Rohr.
Owubokiri was performing at the club level I assume. Comparison with Aluko is unfair.
is Aluko peforming? Also consider that there have been several coaches since then.

Joebie:
na only she come in? lol

Joebie:
Let's expect a few surprises from Rohr.
Owubokiri was performing at the club level I assume. Comparison with Aluko is unfair.
is Aluko peforming? Also consider that there have been several coaches since then.

Joebie:
Let's expect a few surprises from Rohr.
Owubokiri was performing at the club level I assume. Comparison with Aluko is unfair.
is Aluko peforming? Also consider that there have been several coaches since then.

Icon4s:


When we mention some of these players, we also have to remember the crop of players they had to contend with.

Was Richard Owubokiri better than Yekini, Amokachi and Siasia?

Joebie:
Sir the NFA already had a series of problems with Troussier, one of which was his refusing to return to Lagos (maybe for the LG cup?)
There is no news about Troussier's firing before the LG cup. It's not out of place for Sinclair to lead Nigeria there, especially if Sinclair was his assistant.

The 3rd place match of the LG cup was held on August 9th (http://www.rsssf.com/tablesl/lgcup97.html).
So most likely the finals between Nigeria and Tunisia was held the same day.

Our DEAD-RUBBER game against Guinea took place August 16th. Take note, it was a dead rubber, Nigeria had already qualified.
Now did Troussier retuturn to prosecute that match? I will research further. Firstly, I want to check who Trousier's assistants were.

ANSWERS TO THE ABOVE: https://www.supersport.com/football/football-features/news/110415/QA_with_Monday_Sinclair

Nnamdi Njoku asked:
How did you deel when you were not allowed to take the Super Eagles to the France 98 world cup after you and Phillipe Trousier qualified the team for the world cup?
Sinclair answered answered:
Thanks Nnamdi.

Well, people who were closer to the 'powers that be" took our jobs and we were asked to step out!

I was disappointed, naturally because Coaching at the World Cup is the apex of Coaching and to be denied was quite a blow but then life goes on.

Icon4s:
Why we failed at the 2002 WC.

1. Change of coaching crew. We made this mistake in 1998 we did not learn.
Thank God we are not doing that this time. NFF don't try it o.

2. Axing of Senior players by the coach in collaboration with the NFA.
Lesson to those that want experienced players like Echiejile and Onazi out of the team

3. Parading too many inexperienced players plus some players only took part in one or two friendlies. Batholomew Ogbeche, Femi Opabunmi, Justice Christopher, Efe Sodje. They were not tested but were trusted and lo they failed us.
What happened to their careers after that World cup?
Lesson, every player that will make the next world cup squad be tested and trusted.

4. Lack of tactical inputs to games. Onigbinde sat on the bench with his hands under his chin in all the 3 games irrespective of how the games were progressing. He never got up for once to shout instructions to the boys. When asked he said he had already told them what to do from the dressing room. Is it that he didn't understand that game dynamics change and you could switch formation to counter or to follow these changes in dynamics? And that you can do this by passing instructions by voice or by hand signals?
Rohr is a very active coach we have no worries about that. Although I think Rohr needs a special tactician even if it is just for the world cup. Eg Westerhof had Jo Bonfere.

5. That 'up NEPA' jersey. Commentators could not even read the numbers and names on the jerseys as the Lemon green over shadowed the white prints on it. Some press men even mentioned that players found it difficult distinguishing some of their key players that they needed to get more involved in the game. Funny but could be possible.
Lesson learnt: The NFF should give us one very fine nice Jersey.

Joebie:
Sir the NFA already had a series of problems with Troussier, one of which was his refusing to return to Lagos (maybe for the LG cup?)
There is no news about Troussier's firing before the LG cup. It's not out of place for Sinclair to lead Nigeria there, especially if Sinclair was his assistant.

The 3rd place match of the LG cup was held on August 9th (http://www.rsssf.com/tablesl/lgcup97.html).
So most likely the finals between Nigeria and Tunisia was held the same day.

Our DEAD-RUBBER game against Guinea took place August 16th. Take note, it was a dead rubber, Nigeria had already qualified.
Now did Troussier retuturn to prosecute that match? I will research further. Firstly, I want to check who Trousier's assistants were.

ANSWERS TO THE ABOVE: https://www.supersport.com/football/football-features/news/110415/QA_with_Monday_Sinclair

Nnamdi Njoku asked:
How did you deel when you were not allowed to take the Super Eagles to the France 98 world cup after you and Phillipe Trousier qualified the team for the world cup?
Sinclair answered answered:
Thanks Nnamdi.

Well, people who were closer to the 'powers that be" took our jobs and we were asked to step out!

I was disappointed, naturally because Coaching at the World Cup is the apex of Coaching and to be denied was quite a blow but then life goes on.

TheGoodJoe:


First of all, thank you for your post. I am not trying to contradict your post. Unfortunately this was not in the internet era where we can pull out all the details.

1997 is not today.


SINCLAIR: If Troussier decides to quit (as he has earlier threatened),
Chief coach Monday Sinclair should take charge of the Eagles against the
Harambee Stars of Kenya. Are you panicked? Oh, it should be apprehension,
as according to Monaco striker, Victor Ikpeba:
"Nigerian Europe-based players don't respect local coaches."
https://groups.google.com/forum/m/#!topic/soc.culture.nigeria/2FWgj0HeWh4

There was a fall out in camp and Troussier was not in the country during the preparation. Maybe, he came back for the match, to be honest with you, I can not remember. I will dig too.

If Sinclair was Troussier's assistant? Yes. Just like the link shows.

Not trying to upset you in any way, if I am doing so.

Icon4s:
I know Godfatherism exists, but pointing at Garba Lawal as being in the team on political grounds is a big fat lie!

The same thing was said of Shehu Abdullahi until he shut people up.

Please my people, Nigeria belongs to all of us.

We need to take off Political/Regional sentiments for our football to move forward.

Garba Lawal was one of the major revelations at the 1996 Olympics.

He was such an exceptional player in that he could play as LB, DM, CM, and LWF. And he slotted in almost effortlessly in any of those positions. Plus his level of commitment was top notch. He was never a fanciful player but was so very efficient.

Such a player would always make any coaches squad.


What would Ikpe Ekong had offered the team different from what likes of Okocha, Oliseh and Oruma were offering. Lawal was that cherished utility player in that generation.

libero808:
ok
you have settled this matter
case closed
besides, interesting Sinclair interview!

Icon4s:


When we mention some of these players, we also have to remember the crop of players they had to contend with.

Was Richard Owubokiri better than Yekini, Amokachi and Siasia?

kingphilip:
na only you get the honor of showing her her room now

and na only you get the "my" status for now

Mickael2:
This Monday Sinclair argument no too make sense na

Kog45:
But better than Efan Ekoku

Joebie:
Really interesting my sister!.. I just got off from reading the interview myself. In one of Sinclair's responses which buttresses some points I've been making here. Talking about formation, he said back in the days you could tell the formation a team was playing by watching them play. But today it's only clear before the start of the match.

In fact, today, teams are more dynamic than ever. Only a few outfield players are a little rigid.

Joebie:
Only me?!? make she call you "my" make u free me oh.

kingphilip:
both of them are around now

so our thinking might not be right afterall

TheGoodJoe:


Owubokiri was second highest goal scorer in Europe. Give the young man credit. I doubt Amokachi, Siasia and the great Yekini could achieve that.

Mickael2:



This is actually only true for the Epl. Watch Spanish teams, infact Deportivo vs Girona and all the times you could see the formation clearly except during the last 5minutes which is acceptable. This is Girona and Deportivo, watch top Spanish teams and you will know their formation, even Barca B and Lugo keep to their formation all 90minutes.


Watch German teams too and French teams. Watch that match between PSG and Anderletch, despite the gulf in class PSG still maintained their 4-3-3 formation at all times, they only become dynamic in the final third and only their front three can switch position, and this is how it has always been, a formation is determined mainly from the shape the team has during their build-up, once you enter that final third you can go anywhere and stand so long as you score.

I will have to disagree with Coach Sinclair here except he meant the Epl alone

kingphilip:
both of them are around now

so our thinking might not be right afterall

Mickael2:



wow!!! So you got what I was saying. Sha I thought you didn't grab so I kukuma change the comment

kingphilip:
both of them are around now

so our thinking might not be right afterall

Mickael2:
This Monday Sinclair argument no too make sense na

kingphilip:
i even wanted to add it in my comment you quoted but i had to remove it before posting and after posting i saw both of them online.

and Joebie started cheering her for squaring up with TheGoodJoe

Icon4s:


There was no way Owubokiri would have displaced any of our strikers then.

Even the highly fancied Efan Ekoku could not.

Mickael2:



Me sha, not yet convinced. He come call am 'Sir', despite the clear indications say na 'Ma', I no know if you grab the idea