Mikel is a failure –Henry Nwosu

BY HENRY OKODUWA

He says there’s more to the number 10 jersey than just wearing it. As a player who dazzled in the same role in his days with the national team, the Super Eagles, Henry Nwosu (MON) is most competent to speak on what wearing the No 10 jersey means. In a most candid manner, the ex – Eagles captain says Chelsea star, John Obi Mikel has failed as the Eagles No. 10.. He also speaks on his coaching ca­reer, and a host of other issues relating to football development in Nigeria. Excerpts.

How would you describe your journey so far as a coach?

I must tell you, it has been quite hectic. I have had some good and bad times but it has been fun all the way. I should say its different experience from active footballing. In coaching, the buck stops on your desk as what you do or fail to do affects the fortune of a team. If the results matches the effort you put in, you are commended by your employers, while you are kicked out like trash when things don’t go right. Nobody wants to know whether the working conditions were right or not. In this part where football is still largely tied to the apron – strings of government, it is more challenging. However, like I said, we have always tried to contribute our quota to the development of the game each time we have been given the opportunity.

You were recently reported to have parted ways with the Gateway FC of Abeokuta, what happened?

Yes, I was with the Gateway FC of Abeokuta as head coach throughout last season. But I had to leave the club after my one – year contract expired. I had expected a review and prob­ably extension of the deal but a marked unwillingness of the club’s management to discuss terms forced me out. This is contrary to reports of non – performance being peddled by some mischief makers. Sir, what do you miss most about the African Cup of Nations?

I missed the Super Eagles. Infact, everyone who is keen watcher of African football did. But we have ourselves to blame for being careless and eventually failing to make it to the bien­nial tournament. I should say the protracted infighting in the rank of the NFF played a pivotal role in this impasse. Some people, rather than appreciate this fact, have been blaming coach Stephen Keshi alone for the failure. Even though I concede that as coach he is culpable in some areas, he alone must not be sacrificed for the Eagles inability to make it to Equitorial Guinea 2015.

But the argument is that Nige­ria’s football cannot be branded a failure all because the Super Eagles failed to make it to the Nations Cup? Do you agree?

Well, you could say that if you consider that we would be quite busy on the continental and on the world stage with other teams like the Super Falcons who would be campaigning in the FIFA / Women’s World Cup in Canada, the Flying Eagles in both the AYC and WYC, the Golden Eaglets in both the African U – 17 Cham­pionships and hopefully FIFA U – 17 World Cup and the Samson Siasia – led U – 23 Eagles which begin their campaign for both the All – African Games and Rio 2016 Olympics. With all these to look forward to, it is easy for one to be consoled. However, imagine what it would have been if our biggest brand, the Super Eagles had gone to at least defend their crown in Equitorial Guinea. Good as action from the women and age – grade teams may be, the Super Eagles remains our favourite team. Who knows, we just could have won the title again to start the year on a most memorable footing. It was really a miss, I must tell you!

Sir, there’s been this debate recently that there’s not enough player quality in the pres­ent Eagles compare to the ones you played in, for instance. Do you share this opinion?

Yes, I agree totally with those who say that the present Super Eagles lack players with the essen­tial quality to come to the party when the team is in dire straits. What we have are average players who strength lies only in unit and not individual class. That is why when that unity is affected in any way through dressing room disharmo­ny, they come unstuck. In our days, we had players who can do some­thing extra – or­dinary in a bid to rescue their team from immi­nent defeat. I was one of such players. The late Muda Lawal was another. Segun Odebgami was also another. So was Adokie Amiesae­maka, the late Aloysius Atuegbu, Humphrery Edobor, Friday Elahor etc to mention but a few. Then, we valued donning the country’s green and white jerseys over and above monetary gains. Yes, money is good but the inordinate pursuit of it has somewhat killed the flair and enterprise of our players. The result is that we no longer see players who can dare, torment and break down defences of op­ponents, for instance, who decide to pack the bus. These days you see an Eagles team huffing and puffing to wins over opponents once regarded as whipping boys on the continent. These days you see and Eagle team without a leader, a motivator. In our days, you either had a Christian Chukwu commanding the team from the rear. In later years you either had a Stephen Keshi or a Peter Rufai, a Sunday Oliseh or an Nwankwo Kanu. Now, just look at the pres­ent team, apart from a Vincent Enyeama doing a yeo man’s job from the back, we don’t have any player to fill that role. Then, you also look at the level of commit­ment. Our players go into a match with the mindset of “we win, good, if we don’t, no big deal.” It is most unfortunate that our players go into important games with this attitude. Now, can you compare the team’s level of commitment when they played a – mission – impossible Nations Cup qualifying game against Congo in Brazaville to the one exhibited when they encountered South Africa in their last game in Uyo? There was a marked difference. For the future, we must build a team with deter­mination, zeal, courage and com­mitment. Otherwise, we‘d continue to experience the heartbreaks of not qualifying for the Nations Cup every two years.

Talking about your playing days. The Eagles have had a tradition of great players wear­ing the No 10 jersey for Nigeria. A large number of football fans believe John Obi Mikel has so far not justified wearing the shirt in the present era. What’s your take?

Let me use this opportunity to make this clear. Mikel is and has never been a Number 10 player. So, I am miffed to continually see him wearing the number and pretending to do the job the shirt confers on him in the Eagles. To me, Mikel has not shown the stuff of a Number 10 player.

What’s the stuff of a Number 10 player?

A Number 10 player is one who can conjure the magic to rescue a team when the chips are down in a tight game when chances are supposedly at a premium. A Number 10 player is one who does something extra with flair, skill and vision to give his team the edge in a game. A Number 10 player if necessary, must carry the team on his shoulders as they seek result on the field of play. A Num­ber 10 is the one who marshals the midfield, he is like troops to victory in a battle. He is visible, energetic and ever – present. He is not anonymous, he can’t afford to give less than 100% especially in a high – stakes, competitive encoun­ter. And some times, a Number 10 must be a little bit flamboyant. He should be able to entertain the crowd once in a while. You will agree with me that these qualities are missing in Mikel. He’s neither a full- fledged attacking midfielder nor a defensive midfielder. He’s just there. Well, I do agree that sometimes jersey numbers these days don’t necessarily justify the role one plays in a team as even some defenders have been known to wear the Number 10. However, strictly in its actual sense, Mikel is not a Number 10 player.

Is there therefore any need to get one for the team then?

The need for a proper No 10 player for the Super Eagles cannot be over – emphasized. I am not the team’s handler but I do know a few players coming through the ranks who can develop and even­tually fill this yawning vacuum in the team. One of such players is the fast – rising Kelechi Iheana­cho.

But he was said to be too young to break into the Eagles squad?

Young, yes. But not too young. All Iheanachco needs is another two years maybe and he’d be ready for the Eagles. I see him tak­ing over from Mikel sooner than even envisaged.

Reports have it that you have not been happy about your Silver – winning Dream Team of Beijing 2008 were treated?

Yes, it isn’t a hidden fact that I have repeatedly registered my displeasure with the authorities for failing to honour the Dream Team to the Beijing 2008 Olympics despite winning the only medal for Nigeria in that Games. I was assis­tant coach to coach Samson Siasia who led the team and knowing the odds we conquered to reach the fi­nals, I felt it unfair for us not to be honoured. Although we were told that due to the illness of the late President Yar’ Adua, our reception at the Aso Rock Villa was post­poned, I expected that his vice, Dr Gooduck Jonathan who succeeded him as President should have finished the task which his boss could not by officially honouring the team. Since government is a continuum, we expect the present administration of Dr Jonathan to toe the path of integrity by calling our team, even if belatedly, to a re­ception. We did the country proud at that Olympics and we should be appreciated for it, at least.

 

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