Why Oliseh, others failed – Bonfrere

Bonfrere

Former Super Eagles coach Johannes Bonfrere has argued that it was only Coach Stephen Keshi that had what it took to coach the national team. Bonfrere, was in charge when Nigeria won the Atlanta’96 Olympics gold medal, beating Argentina in the final for the gold, Africa’s first.

Bonfrere also led Nigeria into the final of the Africa Cup of Nations in 2000. He stated that other local coaches failed because they could not give what they didn’t have in their handling of the team.

The Dutchman brought to Nigeria in 1994 by compatriot Clemens Westerhof was speaking against the background of Sunday Oliseh’s shock resignation and the subsequent appointment of Coach Samson Siasia as interim coach.

“Apart from Stephen [Keshi], the other local coaches have not succeeded because they cannot give what they don’t have to take the team higher.

“Other foreign coaches have also failed because they come with the arrogant attitude of being a world class coach and a big name to perform magic there, and that wrong notion meant they had no passion, desire and the required knowledge to succeed on the job,” Bonfrere told BBC sport.

The 69-year-old Bonfrere was sacked when Nigeria’s qualification for the 2002 World Cup was in jeopardy. He was replaced by Shaibu Amodu who successfully guided the team to the World Cup.

But he claimed that he was the best man to revive Nigeria’s soccer fortunes. “I have worked in Nigeria for a long time in the past and I know what to do to get the Super Eagles flying again.

“I love Nigeria because that is where my football mentality is most at home and I have a fantastic relationship with the people there.

Vanguard