What Sunday Oliseh Must Do To Be Successful As Coach Of Super Eagles

To win a game or find great success in football, it’s important to build a team that works together. One problem our national team is facing today is the problem of team selection, we have many players scattered all over europe playing the round leather game, but the problem is who and who is monitoring their progress and performance? If we can effectively monitor these players then the super eagles can have upto 4 teams (A,B,C,D) with the home based players included. This will enable oliseh to select the best players without being biased.


Prior to the start of a football tournament, players are tested, evaluated and reviewed to see who is coming into the team in the best shape and ready to play. We should have at least a free-kick,corner and set piece specialist.

Review and make adjustments regularly. Constant evaluations on performance of both teams and players enable good coaches to make adjustments.

Finding what truly motivates each player and how to cultivate that into great work is key to a successful game and i think that is what Manu Garba lacks. Great coaches know when to take a big picture approach and when, instead, to think of player as unique individuals each responding to different motivatation. Even the player who is sitting on the bench should be made to understand that he has alot to contribute to the team. Bringing these differences among players together and creating a cohesive motivational environment is a key to a teams success.

Cultivate the strongest future for each player. He needs to develop the players into world class stars by bringing discipline and humility into the team and by giving every selected player an opportunity to show case his talent. Be a source of morale booster to the player.  

Coach Sunday Oliseh should develop a well defined game plan for the eagles so that the team will develop more cohesion. because the players are not used to play together, so if they have a standard game plan, it will enable them to adapt and flow together and as well make the fans happy. This is why people love Barça and Real Madrid today because of their game plan.

Evaluating the general performance of the super eagles players at the end of each game. This needs to be considered with regards to several situational variables such as quality of opponent, location of match, type of competition and game period.  In addition, first goal and in general score-line and dismissals will also have an effect on performance. As a result, key performance index seemed to change during the game. It seems that teams need to develop a specific performance index such as how to enter the attacking third for a specific opponent, at a specific location, in a specific type of competition for a specific time during the match.

Furthermore, the  performance index might be individual to specific positions as the technical  and physical demands differ. For example, target strikers have different movements,flexibility and intensity, different technical skills such as ball possession compared to central midfielders. However, their shots on goal will be more crucial as they are usually positioned closer to the goal and therefore have greater chance to score.

Generally, efficacy  seems to be key offensively goals per shots as well as defensively gaining re-possession quickly. Ball possession to us seems to be important in controlling the game, however, not necessarily as an important performance indicator. As it seems having ball possession for a long time does not ensure goals scoring, however is very effective way to control the game when winning.

Creating/cover spaces  over large distance on the pitch offensively seems to create opportunities for individual players and therefore lowers chances for interceptions, however, simultaneously increase the demand and the complexity of re-organizing the defense when losing the ball. As a result, counterattacking is a very effective way to win a game, especially for “lower-ranked” in certain situations away games, less comfortable with ball possession etc.

Set pieces are very important and can decide about winning or loosing as well. it seems warrant to scout the opponent and not only to research our own team. Oliseh should not be too strict or exhibit too much discipline because this is the problem with Samson Siasia when he handled the team last, and Keshi too who was too mean on Ikechukwu Uche. Oliseh should spot new talents and give some of the young players from the flying eagles and Dream team a chance to show case their talent in the team. Oliseh should not hesitate to explain to nigerians in cases of mismanagement from the NFF. He should cultivate love and Unity in the team.

 By Chidiebere Okechukwu, CEO Unique Sports Management