Photo: Dutchman Simon Kalika
Gabriel Chijioke
Dutchman Simon Kalika, who was Coach Samson Siasia’s assistant during Nigeria’s campaign at the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup in the Netherlands and the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, has berated the Super Eagles for playing a 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe in Tuesday’s FIFA World Cup qualifier in Uyo, calling it disgraceful.
Kalika went further to criticize the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) over its choice of coach for the Super Eagles.
Wondering what went wrong for the West African giants, whom he ranks among the top five teams in the world, Kalika argued that there are capable Nigerian coaches with deep knowledge of the players and strong coaching credentials, yet they continue to be overlooked by the NFF.
“I’ve worked in Nigeria for close to two decades. I worked with Samson Siasia in 2005 and through 2008. I know what he has achieved, and the Federation knows this,” Kalika stated.
“In the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup here in the Netherlands, under Siasia, Nigeria finished second. In the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, Nigeria reached the final.
“His record also extends to the Super Eagles, yet the NFF refuses to give him the job. He is one of the most respected coaches, not just in Nigeria but even here in Europe. I don’t understand why he’s being ignored,” Kalika added while listing Siasia’s coaching credentials.
