Who is Nigeria’s best indigenous coach ever?

Stephen Okechukwu Keshi

Stephen Okechukwu Keshi (born January 31, 1962 in Lagos) is a former football defender from Nigeria.

Nigeria Coaching career

Stephen Okechukwu Keshi became coach of the Nigerian National in 2011. He led Nigeria National Team to qualification for the 2013 African Cup of Nations, which they went to on to win, defeating Burkina Faso 1-0 in the final.

The following day Keshi handed his resignation letter, only to reverse his decision the day after.

Keshi led Nigeria to 2013 Confederations Cup, defeated Tahiti 6-1, lost 1-2 to Uruguay in the second game and also lost 0-3 to World Cup winners, Spain in their final group game.

On 16th of November 2013, Keshi secured qualification to the 2014 World Cup to Nigeria after beating Ethiopia 4-1 on aggregate in a play-off.

On November 18th 2013, Stephen Keshi set a record in African nations (Nigeria and Togo) to the World Cup finals. He also helped Nigeria become the first country to achieve an African Cup of Nations trophy and World Cup qualification, both in 2013.

On 25 June 2014, Keshi's Nigeria progressed to the knockout stage of 2014 World Cup. They started the tournament with a 0-0 draw against Iran, followed by a controversial 1-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. They lost the final group stage match 2-3 against Argentina, but progressed to the knockout stage, courtesy of a 3-1 win by Bosnia and Herzegovina over Iran.

On 30 June 2014, the Super Eagles lost to France in a 2014 World Cup Round of 16 matches. After the match, Keshi announced his resignation as Super Eagles coach [10] but later reversed the decision after the Nigerian Football Federation renewed his contract.

On 14 October 2014, his team failed to win a single game in the ongoing Morocco 2015 African Cup of Nations qualifying series and he announced he would move to another job if pressure continues to mount because of certain people, which he refused to call names, were trying to "sabotage" him. However, he stated that he will continue to coach the Super Eagles because he loves the team and he loves his country.

Stephen Keshi was sacked as the coach of the Nigeria National Team July 4, 2015. A statement by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) Executive Committee said the decision was made, having thoroughly reviewed the reports/findings of the NFF Disciplinary Committee and NFF Technical and Development Committee, as well as having reviewed the actions and inaction of Stephen Keshi, in the performance of his duties as Super Eagles’ Head Coach, which NFF found to lack the required commitment to achieve the Federation's objectives as set out in the Coach’s employment contract. Rating: 7/10

Samson Siasia

Nigeria Coaching career

In 2005, Samson Siasia coached the under 20 team (Flying Eagles), taking them to the finals of both the 2005 Under-20 World Cup and the U-20 African Youth Championship. He won the African Youth Championship and advanced all the way to the world final – before losing to Argentina 2–1. He also assisted Augustine Eguavoen in coaching the national team.

Samson Siasia was appointed national U-23 coach on January 2007. In 2008, he coached the Nigerian Under-23 Olympic squad to the final against Argentina. In a superbly played series of matches, Nigeria's team earned the Olympic Silver Medals.

Earlier in 2008, the U-23 team won the inaugural Intercontinental Cup in Malaysia. This fine team was composed entirely of domestic Nigerian players and won the Cup against many teams headed for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. In addition to his position as head coach of the U-23 Olympic Eagles, he developed a youth academy in the capital city Abuja, called SiaOne Soccer Academy.

On March 17, 2009, he was reappointed as the head coach of the under-20 team after the finished a disappointing 3rd in the 2009 African Youth Championship. He received a six-month contract to coach Heartland F.C. in July 2010. On November 4, 2010, he was named as the national team coach to succeed Swedish Lars Lagerbäck. He was fired on October 28, 2011 for failing to take the Nigeria team to the 2012 African Nations Cup in Gabon & Equatorial Guinea. Rating: 5/10

Augustine Owen Eguavoen

Eguavoen was appointed the caretaker coach of Nigeria in June, 2005 with his coaching staff including Samson Siasia, Daniel Amokachi and Ike Shorunmu.

The former Super Eagles defender who had been Chukwu’s assistant took over from his boss midway into the qualifying series for the 2006 Wrold Cup. He has record books. Eguavoen has been the first Nigerian coach to handle a European club when he, as coach/player, let Selima Wanderers to second place in the league of Malta. Rating: 3/10

Christian Chukwu (2002-2005)

As in the past World Cup finals, the end of Japan/Korea World Cup 2002 saw another change in the Technical Crew of the Super Eagles. After President Olusegun Obasanjo had initially endorsed Adegboye Onigbinde to continue to handle the Super Eagles, he was pressurised to stamp the idea of bringing technical adviser, which Onigbinde goes back to the office as head of technical crew. Rating: 4/10

Monday Sinclair (2007)

Monday Sinclair on played two games for Nigeria Super Eagles in 1997 when Philippe Troussier was sacked by the Nigeria Football Federation. Rating: 1/10

Shuab Amodu (1994-1997, 2001/02, 2008/10)

His success with BBC Lion made him Amodu Shaibu the first choice coach to take from Clemens Westerhof who abandoned the nigeria team the same night the team got eliminated from from the 1994 World Cup.

For his achievement in the days learning to the 2002 World Cup, Amodu undoubtedly fits into the definition of ultimate tacticians as propounded by Luis Menotti, the chain smoking and World Cup-winning coach of Argentina in 1978.

His scorecard was impressive; Shuabu maintained an unbeaten record as a coach of the Super Eagles than his colleagues that have handled the national team.

He played 53 games, won 26, drew 15 and lost only 12 games. Rating: 5/10

Paul Hamilton (1987/89)

Fondly called ‘Wonder Boy’ during his playing days, he took over from Manfred Hoener, a German Coach. Rating: 1/10

He came in after the NFA had experimented with coaches Adegboyega Onigbinde, Chris Udemezue, Patrick Ekeji and Paul Hamilton who had failed to win any major tournament.

Hamilton returned to the beat in 1989 untill the final qualifying round for the Italian ’90 World Cup. Two Dutch coaches, Clemense Westerhof and Jense Udense were brought in with just a game with Camerron to wrap up the group stages.

Hamilton was sidelined while the Dutch due with little knowledge of Nigerian players took over the team.

He able to win 12 games out of 27 matches he played drew eight and lost seven games. . Rating: 2/10

Patrick Ekeji (1985)

Patrick Ekeji’s record can be compared to Monday Sinclair who was names as Eagles Coach took over from his Nigerian counterparts, Paul Hamilton before German foreign coach Manfred was employed as the national team coach.

He played only two games for Super Eagles drew one and lost one. Rating: 1/10

Christopher Udemezue (1984-85)

Christopher Udemezue became the first indigenous coach to qualify Nigeria for the finals of a global tournament when he led the Flying Eagles to the 1983 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Mexico.

He played ten games for Nigeria, won six, drew two, lost two respectively. Rating: 2/10

Adegboye Onigbinde (1983-1984, 2002)

In the years preceding Onigbinde’s employment as national team manager, there had been agitation for a Nigerian coach to handle the national team.

He coached Nigeria national team at the 2002 FIFA World Cup,[2] an achievement he had already gotten, between 1982 and 1984. In 1984, Mr. Onigbinde took Nigeria into the final match of the 1984 Africa Nations Cup. Nigeria lost 1-3 to Cameroun in that match.

Mr Onigbinde took over the Nigerian national team after the sack of the coaching crew of Shuaibu Amodu following what was considered a disgraceful performance of the Super Eagles at the 2002 Africa Nations Cup.

Mr Onigbinde took a team that consisted largely of young and inexperienced players. But the Japan/South Korea edition was the worst Nigerian performance in the World Cup history: for the first time in this competition, Nigeria did not win a single match and was knocked out of the tournament in the first round.

In the first game they lost 0-1 to Argentina, after a goal of Gabriel Batistuta. In the second match, against Sweden, Nigeria lost 1-2 after leading 1-0, meaning the elimination of the World Cup. The third game was a goalless draw to England.

After the World Cup, some Nigerian players, like Jay-Jay Okocha and Julius Aghahowa, criticized Onigbinde for nominating the wrong players.

However, some of the players remained in the Super Eagles for many years. Mr. Onigbinde remains a highly respected Nigerian soccer tactician. He has served as CAF and FIFA Technical instructor. Rating: 5/10

Peter ‘Eto’ Amaechina

Peter ‘Eto’ Amaechina coached the national team from 1969 to 1970.

Carl O’ Dwyer (1970)

Dwyer also came in as Nigeria coach for shot period when the Yugoslavia man Jelisavic was relief of his job.

Tiko, the Slav narrowly missed taking the national team to the Argentina ‘78 World Cup after Godwin Odiye scored an own goal in the match against Tunisia to send Nigeria out of the race.

Dwyer took over and played just two games, which he eventually won one game and drew one. Rating: 1/10

Daniel ‘Dan’ Anyiam (1965)

Nigeria has been blessed with a lot of indigenous coaches such as Daniel ‘Dan’ Anyiam who, back in 1964, became the first Nigerian to take charge of the national team.

*Spotlight on performances of 18 foreign coaches who have managed Super Eagles

As the search for a foreign coach for the Super Eagles hots up, Pilot Sports examines the performance of 18 foreign coaches who have managed the Eagles previously.

1- John Finch (England) 1949

He led Nigeria to its first international game against Sierra Leone on October 8, 1949 when both countries were under British administration. Nigeria won 2-0. He handed over to Daniel Anyiam who

became the first indigenous coach of the national team. Rating: 7/10.

2-Les Courtier (England) 1956-1960

The biggest win Nigeria ever recorded took place under his guidance when the Red Devils beat Dahomey (now Benin) 10-1 on November 28, 1959. Rating: 6/10.

3-Moshe Jerry Beit haLevi (Israel) 1960 -61

In 1960, Jerry received an offer to coach the Nigerian national team. In his first match against Ghana, Nigeria was beaten 3-0 in Lagos and the press called for Beit haLevi to be fired. He decided to stick with the job and helped build a better Nigerian side. Rating: 5/10.

4- George Vardar (Hungary) 1961-1963

Under him, Nigeria suffered tremendously in the hands of Ghana and Sudan. He left the post for Daniel Anyiam who had his second stint with the team. Rating: 3/10.

5-Jorge Penna (Brazil) 1963, 1972-1973

His first coming was in 1963 when he managed the team for one year before he managed the team between 1972 and 1973. Rating: 5/10.

6-Joseph Ember (Hungary) 1965-1968

UNDER Ember, Nigeria failed to qualify for the Nations Cup in Tunisia in 1965 and in Ethiopia in 1968. His assistant, Peter ‘Eto‘ Amaechina, took over from him and was in charge of the team from 1969-1970. Rating: 2/10.

7-Karl-Heinz Marotzke (Germany) 1973-1974

He came to Nigeria after managing the Black Stars of Ghana between 1968 and 1970. His first major role with the team was between 1970 and 1972. But barely nine months after he had applied for the job on April 21, 1970, was he sidelined. He was redeployed to conduct coaching courses in the states of the federation while Penna returned to theteam. The Eagles were eliminated by Senegal in the preliminary competition for the 1972 Munich Olympic Games under the guidance of

Penna. He remained in the country until he was named a member of the NFA in 1973. Rating: 4/10.

8-Othman Calder (Germany) 1974

Following the sacking of the NFA board led by Edwin Kentebe and the disbandment of the team and its technical crew, the new administration hired Calder in December 1974 to prepare the team for the next Nations Cup. His first assignment was to screen the over 90 players that had been selected from the National Sports Festival held in August of the same year. But in the following year, the coach suddenly abandoned his post and left the country. His employers, the National Sports Commission, had been unable to meet his demands which included an official car, a house and a monthly salary of N1, 700. Rating: 2/10.

9-Jelisavic ‘Tiki’ Tihomir (Yugoslavia) 1974-1978

Popularly called Father Tiko, the Slav narrowly missed taking the national team to the Argentina ‘78 World Cup after Godwin Odiye scored an own goal in the match against Tunisia to send Nigeria out of the race. Rating: 7/10.

10-Otto Glória (Brazil) 1978-1982

The former Portugal coach guided Nigeria through the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations, which the team won in the final in Lagos with a 3-0 win over Algeria. He left this position after poor performances at the 1982 Nations Cup in Libya. Rating 7/10.

11-Gottlieb Göller (Germany) 1981

He came to Africa managing the Togolese national team in 1972. He was later hired by the German construction company, Julius Berger, to coach its football team in Lagos between 1979 and 1981. He was engaged to coach the Nigerian team after a 2-0 loss in Lagos to Algeria in the first leg at the last qualifying series for Spain ‘82 World Cup. Gloria had been sidelined in the return leg tie but the team lost again 2-1 in Constantine, Algeria. Goller later left the country to work in Mozambique and then Togo. Rating: 4/10.

12-Manfred Hoener (Germany) 1988-1989

He came in after the NFA had experimented with coaches Adegboyega Onigbinde, Chris Udemezue and Patrick Ekeji, who had failed to win any major tournament. He began his coaching career in 1972 and worked in Austria, Turkey, Egypt and Thailand before coming to Nigeria. His arrival in 1988 was as controversial as his disappearance later that year. He led Nigeria to a second place finish at Maroc‘88 Nations Cup. He was regarded more as a physical trainer than a tactician. Rating:6/10.

13-Clemens Westerhof (Holland) 1989-1994

Till date he is the most successful coach that has managed the team, winning the 1994 Nations Cup and helping the country qualify for its first World Cup. The team‘s success under his guidance led to its name to be changed from the Green Eagles to the Super Eagles in the build-up to the 1992 Nations Cup where Nigeria won bronze. He failed to lead the team in qualifying for Italia‘90 World Cup but he showed his determination to be at the next edition by rebuilding the team. His first remarkable success was reaching the Nations Cup final in 1990 in Algeria where Nigeria lost 1 – 0 to the host. Rating: 9/10.

14-Johannes Bonfrere (Holland) 1995-1996

The Dutchman came tothe country to assist Westerhof but he got his chance to be in charge of a team when in 1991 he was appointed to coach the Super Falcons. His achievement with the women‘s team gave him the opportunity to be in charge of the Olympic football team in 1995 and the following year led the team to win gold at Atlanta‘96 Olympic Games. He left the country unceremoniously after he was hired to manage Qatar between 1996 and 1997. When Thijs Libregts was fired in 1999, Bonfere was hired to manage the Eagles again and he led them to a second place finish at the 2000 Nations Cup co-hosted by Nigeria and Ghana. Nigeria lost to Cameroun via penalty shootout. He left the team to coach the national team of the United Arab Emirate in 2001 while his assistant, Shaibu Amodu, took over the team. Rating: 7/10.

15-Philippe Troussier (France) 1997

His success with African clubs earned him the nickname ‘White Witch Doctor‘. He was engaged by Nigeria in 1997 and guided the Super Eagles in qualifying for the 1998 World Cup. He left Nigeria the same year under controversial circ***tances, leaving the NFA to begin a search for another foreign coach. He managed three other national teams between 1997 and 2002. Rating: 5/10.

16- Bora Milutinovic (Serbia) 1998

The Serbian, popularly referred to as the Miracle Worker, had taken three teams to the World Cup before joining Nigeria in 1998. He later guided China to the Mundial in 2002. The coach was hired simply for his World Cup experience needed to guide the Eagles through France‘98. He hardly made any change to the squad he inherited from Troussier and it was not a surprise that the Eagles failed to go beyond the second round of the competition. Rating: 4/10.

17- Thijs Libregts (Holland) 1998-1999

He had managed nine other teams – including the Dutch national team – before taking charge of the Eagles in August 1998. He was dismissed by Olympiakos in 1995 and was jobless until he was hired by Nigeria. Having been dismissed by Olympiakos, Libregts took charge of the Eagles in August 1998 after a disappointing World Cup campaign by Milutinovic. He was relieved of his job after winning just two games in five matches in the build-up to the 2000 Nations Cup. Rating: 3/10.

18- Berti Vogts (Germany) 2007-2008

The German had vowed never to return to football management after dumping the Scotland team but a lucrative deal with Nigeria made him change his mind. His four-year contract abruptly came to an end 13

months later after he resigned following the poor performance of the Eagles at the 2008 Nations Cup in Ghana. Rating: 3/10.

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