Daily Independent Online.
*
Friday, July 02, 2004.
Chukwu gives self pass mark, awaits new boss
By Ejiro
Femi-Babafemi
Reporter, Lagos
Super Eagles Chief
Coach, Christian Chukwu who will
tomorrow lead his boys out against
the Desert Foxes of Algeria in what might be his last match before the arrival
of the new Technical Adviser, says he is satisfied with his stewardship.
Chukwu said he was
not going to use the match to prove to his superiors that he deserved to be in charge, instead,
it should be seen as his contribution to Nigerian football.
“The success
of the Eagles is a collective effort and not that of Chukwu. So let nobody think I would use the match to
score any cheap political point”, he said. Scribe of the Nigeria Football
Association, Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi had told newsmen last Sunday in Abeokuta
during the U-19 world cup qualifier between Nigeria/Equatorial Guinea that a
foreign coach would be in charge before the Eagles next match against Zimbabwe
in September.
Smarting under severe criticism from sports
enthusiasts, Chukwu revealed that the critics incidentally made him sit up,
stressing that he only frowned when it is targeted at his image.
He reiterated his earlier position and expressed his
desire to work under a foreign coach, if the NFA so directs.
Chukwu whose
contract ends in August was appointed in 2002 shortly after the Korea/Japan
World Cup to take over from Festus Onigbinde.
He may not continue with the Eagles job if NFA
fails to renew his contract although the minister had on several occasions
promised that he would still be part of the national team even when a new coach is hired.
