The egos have landed

Festus Onigbinde is clearly a man who enjoys a challenge. Not only was he given just three months to mould Nigeria into a team capable of challenging at the World Cup finals, but he inherits a side renowned for harbouring huge egos amid the undoubted talent.

The Super Eagles dispensed with the services of Shaibu Amodu shortly after Nigeria’s relative failure at the African Cup of Nations in Mali.

Amodu’s side finished third after losing to eventual runners-up Senegal in the semi-finals.

Following intense speculation regarding his successor, with high-profile coaches including Ruud Gullit thought to be under consideration, the Nigerian Football Association decided on Onigbinde.

He was promoted from technical director for his second spell in charge of the national side a decision which provoked strong opposition from fans and players alike.

Many of the squad that Onigbinde will be relying upon in Japan and South Korea voiced their displeasure, with several insisting they would have preferred to work under Gullit.

Onigbinde first held the role two decades ago, guiding Nigeria to second place at the 1984 African Nations Cup.

And he is firm in his belief that such successes can again be achieved if the squad pull together.

‘‘It’s a challenge and we have no alternative but to work hard and be committed to getting good results at the competition,’’ he said.

If attempting to manage a squad containing the exciting, yet temperamental, talents of such players as Jay Jay Okocha, Sunday Oliseh and Victor Ikpeba was not difficult enough, Onigbinde has to try and manoeuvre Nigeria to success in a the ‘Group of Death’ containing Argentina, England and Sweden.

Onigbinde, who has also coached Trinidad and Tobago, realises a poor World Cup could signal the end of his tenure before it has barely begun.

Indeed the former schoolteacher has yet to confirm he has even signed a contract, admitting his situation will be re-evaluated after the summer tournament.

‘‘My role as coach after the World Cup depends on the NFA and the general public’s reaction to my performance but I don’t want to cross a river until I get to it,’’ he said.

‘‘Let me concentrate on the job in hand and that will determine my future.’’

There is no doubt that the Super Eagles have the talent to make an impression in Japan and South Korea, but a lot rests on the shoulders of their experienced coach.

Man-management skills will be as important as tactical nous as Nigeria’s troublesome stars attempt to lift the gloom which currently hangs over the country’s football.