Siji Lagunju - "I can help improve the fortunes of Nigeria football"
Former IICC Shooting Stars, Leventis United, International Breweries, Ilesha, Bendel Insurance, Iwuanyanwu Nationale and Stationery Stores winger, Siji Lagunju has offered himself to Nigeria football as he reveals that he can help to change the fortunes of the country's position in the round leather game, Nigeriasoccernet.com writes.
This graduate of University of Ife, who holds the only CAF Pro License in Nigeria, was a member of the technical department of the NFF from 2010 till his retirement late late year. Fondly called the 'Best', due to his vast knowledge and experience in the game. Lagunju, in an interview with Nigeria Sport Center Akeem Busari pointed the ways forward for Nigeria football, even as he believes he has the experience and technical capabilities to help reposition football in Nigeria.
"Foremost, I would say our training and playing pitches are very bad. And would not allow skillful players exhibit their true potentials. Much more, a team cannot move or retain the ball conveniently, like they would on a good pitch".
"I recognize that I am a very experienced and knowledgeable coach. However, I thank God for making me come in contact with some of the best coaches in Nigeria and Africa. I learned and worked closely with the likes of late Coach Kashimawo Laloko, late Amodu Shuaibu, as well as James Peters and High Chief Adeboye Onigbinde".
"Like late Amodu Shuaibu who was extremely intelligent, Chief Onigbinde has over 100 slides of his football notes. He taught us how to write technical reports of matches. He always emphasize on taking care of little, but equally important details in the game. I learned and my ideology is never to lose a game. I believe, if you have to beat a team by as much as 40-0, please do it", he explained.
"Nigeria football is no longer as good as it used to be. In the technical department of the NFF, when Coach Eguavoen came in as head, myself, Paul Aigbogun, Rafiu Yusuf and Garba Lawal, sat down to chart a way forward for Nigerian football. We came up with a philosophy called ITS; Intelligence, Techniques, Strengths and Skills".
"You have to put all of these into the players. We have to be consistent about our plans for football. For example, in 2008-2010, the former NFF President Sani Lulu, had a vision about the youth development and started the U13, that had the likes of Iheanacho, Akpan, Lazarus and others".
"These and other young players were regularly camped during holidays and the coaches were Ilerika and Danladi, while myself and Rafiu Yusuf were the technical officials. We need to bring these young lads to camp regularly, to teach them our football philosophy at the early stages".
On Nigeria's lack of continental success; "Our teams are not doing well on the continent. I think we need better organizational structures, that includes a good scouting of players. However, beyond scouting of players, we need to have a playing philosophy and make the players follow it with discipline".
"Training a team also goes beyond the regular 11v 11 games. In football, you need all-round fitness; technical fitness, intellectual fitness, psychological fitness, medical and tactical fitness. Importantly, too, preparation is key. According to late Coach Kashimawo, preparation is key to success. You must prepare the players well and properly", he stated.
By Olaleye Oluwadamilola
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