--Super Eagles coach tells his success story...DISCOVERY FOR THE MUNDIAL
Yeah, I was in my club then doing the right thing expected of me before the call came in from Clemens Westerhof. Our initial setback of missing out of Italia 90 World Cup really propelled us during the qualifiers. I was in RC Strasbourg France in 1993 when the qualifiers started before moving back to RWD Molenbeek in Belgium. As you are aware, I was injured for most of the Nations Cup in Tunisia but Clemens said “Stephen I need a leader in this team and you’re going with me to USA 94.” I knew that was a great opportunity and I was willing to play for my country.
I was happy the injury healed early enough for me to join the team in the Papendal camp then. My discovery had been obvious for a while, having played for the Green Eagles since 84. I knew it was just a matter of time before Nigeria qualified for World Cup. I thank God it happened in my lifetime.
MEMORABLE MOMENTS
I think one of my memorable moments was when Nigeria played a 1-1 draw against Algeria in Algiers, to qualify for USA 94 World Cup ahead of Cote D’Ivoire. I was filled with tears when we drew to qualify for the Mundial for the very first time. I had so many happy moments at the World Cup; playing my first World Cup game against Greece was a moment of joy for me. I had not really achieved my full fitness when I went to the World Cup but I was happy to feature in the game against Greece which we won comfortably. The 94 squad was great and the team did so well without me against Bulgaria and Argentina, because those were difficult games.
SADDEST MOMENT AND REGRETS
Crashing out of the World Cup against Italy was tough for me. That was a game we should have won easily and moved on to the next round but we lost that due to inexperience. We would have won that game but our inexperience cost us that game. It was a moment of grief for me but that is football. Secondly, it was painful I could not play more roles in the team due to my injury. As captain, you are expected to play a huge role of coordinating the team but my injury stopped me from doing that. I was not completely fit at that time. That really hurt but I really thank Clemens for giving me that chance to play at the World Cup. He is one of the best managers I have ever worked with; he can make you become the best player in the world even if you are not good enough. He will talk you into self belief and with that you can go places. I really appreciate his positive impact in my life.
UNJUST OR UNFAIR EPISODE (BY OFFICIALS, REFEREE, FIFA)
Well I don’t like to complain or question the decision of the referee or match officials. I think we had good officiating at the World Cup in USA; we were just a bit unlucky against Italy. May the penalty was a bit harsh but it’s one of those things in football. We have moved on from that.
MOST DIFFICULT OPPONENTS
Yeah! I think it was Argentina and Italy because those were the two matches that we lost. Argentina were a goal down before they bounced back to win by two goals to one. Then Italy; a very experienced side that had Roberto Baggio and other top players in their team but we gave a very good account of ourselves. Amuneke put us ahead and we defended like Trojans until that equalizer came and then the winning penalty. Those were my two tough opponents at the World Cup.
UNFORGETTABLE MATCHES
My unforgettable matches were all the games Nigeria played at USA 94 World Cup, the game against Bulgaria was great because we won it by three goals to nil while Argentina was a good test. I had my chance to play my first World Cup game against Greece which we also won. But our loss to Italy broke my heart terribly. We felt we could have progressed to the semi-final but it all came crashing down. That is part of football.
MATCH SUPERSTITION
None that I can think of. All I do before games is to pray to God and expect the best. If it goes as planned, fine and if otherwise, I still thank God. I believe hard work and prayer go hand in hand in life.
BIGGEST LESSON LEARNT AT THE MUNDIAL
That there is no alternative for experience in football! Everybody agreed that Nigeria had one of the best teams in USA ‘94 and we could have beaten anybody. From defence to attack the team was loaded to the hilt but our inexperience cost us our progression in the World Cup. Italy was more experienced but it was our first World Cup and that experience was missing. But thank God Nigeria will be attending her fifth World Cup in Brazil. We will be fully prepared for it and work hard in that tournament.
EFFECT OF PRE WORLD CUP SACRIFICES ON FAMILY
It was not that easy leaving your family behind for weeks, but it was worth all the stress because playing at the World Cup itself is a career building experience. Who would have thought I will be a coach? When Westerhof told me I would be a manager, I just looked at him and laughed it off, because it was never in my plans to become a coach. But my kid came to me and said a coach is needed in her school and asked if I could come and train them. It was funny but that was how it all started. I took up the challenge and here I am today, handling the national team of a great nation called Nigeria.
CHANCES OF PRESENT TEAM
Our chances are bright. All we need to do now is to keep working hard until we begin the World Cup proper. I just pray against any injury in the team and with prayers and your support, we can go places. We will take each match as it comes and none of our opponents will be underrated.
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