After several weeks of wait, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) finally unveiled its new head coach for its men’s national team, Samson Siasia, in a ceremony held at the Abuja National Stadium on Wednesday.
President of the football federation, Aminu Maigari, told the gathering of administrators and journalists that the process that threw up Siasia as the country’s national team coach was transparent.
“We adopted the best process to make sure that the best man was picked for the job. And I must tell you that we picked the man that clearly demonstrated our vision, plan and target for the national team.
We believe that he (Siasia) is capable and experienced to handle the national team and take us to the next level,” said the Nigerian FA chief.
However, Nigeria’s new coach when given the floor to speak on his appointment and unveiling went into praise-singing with a popular Christian song in Yoruba language.
But the new Super Eagles’ gaffer, who has been reported to have quit Nigeria Premier League (NPL) side, Heartland, thanked the NFF and the sports ministry as well as Nigerians for handing him the opportunity to be the country’s head coach.
He also said becoming the head coach of the Nigerian men’s team is a lifelong dream that has been achieved.
Siasia, however, acknowledged that he is aware of the task of building a formidable team and called on the country’s FA and other stakeholders to give him their backing as he needs time to achieve that aim.
“I am happy with this appointment because this is a day that the Lord has made. I promise that I will give my best and I promise that the next time you see the Eagles they will be a different team. Also, it will take the support of everyone to build this dream and we need time also. I promise to do everything humanly possible to make the Eagles fly again,” he said.
Siasia also signed the contract papers that will see him earn N5 million monthly for the next four years.