Nwosu, Oliha fear for Eagles

Former Super Eagles midfielders Henry Nwosu and Thompson Oliha have expressed their disappointment over the sacking of coach Stephen Keshi’s backroom staff.

Nigeria ’80 Africa Cup of Nations winner Sylvanus Okpala and ex-Lagos ACB player Valere Houandinou were sent packing along with the team’s psychologist, coordinator, media officer, camp commandant and curator by the Nigeria Football Federation following a rationalisation exercise at the national football house last week.

NFF member Emeka Inyama said the board decided to dispense with the services of assistant coaches Okpala  and Houandinou,  as well as others  who helped Keshi win the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa  due to financial problems.

However, an unnamed NFF member was quoted by a section of the media as saying Okpala was sacked “for gross misconduct and disrespect towards the President of the federation”.

With the ex-Enugu Rangers star and Houandinou relived of their jobs, Keshi  will  be in the dugout during Nigeria’s remaining World Cup qualifiers and the Confederations Cup in Brazil in June with fellow  Tunisia ’94 Africa Cup of Nations winner Daniel Amokachi and goalkeeping coach Ike Shorunmu, who both survived the purge.

The football body, which also axed the backroom staff  of other national teams, said  Togolese Houandinou would only retain his place in the team if Keshi  was ready to pay him.

But in separate telephone interviews with our correspondent on the telephone during the week, Nwosu and Oliha decried the development, saying “it’s unwise”.

Erstwhile Nigeria captain Nwosu feared the development could affect the country’s chances of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The Eagles, who are tied on five points with the Flames of Malawi  in Group F African World Cup qualifying table, face make-or- break  return leg clash against  the Harambee Stars of Kenya in Nairobi on June 5. Their first meeting in Calabar on March 23 ended 1-1.

“If they   were sacked due to indiscipline, I’m in support of the NFF’s decision,” the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations winner said.

“But if the excuse for sacking them is due to overstaffing or a lack of fund, it’s unacceptable.

“Why are they sacking people and creating confusion when all attention should be on the World Cup qualifiers?

“They should concentrate on winning a ticket to the World Cup and stop creating confusion.

“If the NFF doesn’t resolve the matter urgently, it could affect our chances of World Cup qualification.”

Former Turkey-based Oliha wondered why the NFF chose to sack Okpala and Houandinou when the Eagles face a crucial encounter with Kenya.

“The NFF should be careful in handling issues concerning the national team at this period,” the Tunisia ‘94 winner said.

“The NFF should settle whatever problems they have with coaches before our game against Kenya.

“It’s going to be a tough match for us, and I fear the crisis could affect  our preparation for the game.

“The Kenyans could take advantage of the problems in our team to pick up three points in the match.

“Kenya have always been a problem for us, and that’s why we should put our house in order before meeting them.”