Why Eagles Settled For Sierra Leon

Coach of the senior national team, the Super Eagles, Samson Siasia has given reason he settled to play Sierra Leone in 9 February’s FIFA free day at the Abuja National Stadium.

While speaking at the roundtable parley with Sports Editor at the Cadbury Nig. Plc Headquarters in Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria yesterday, the Eagles coach disclosed that when Nigeria Football Federation, NFF brought the idea of his team playing Benin Republic when it became glaring that the international friendly against Guatemala won’t see the light of the day again, he has to reject it because he was not favourably disposed to playing a lowly rated team.

“My vision with the Eagles is to expose them to quality friendly games anytime we have the opportunity in FIFA free days. I don’t need to hide my feeling with the NFF. I told the technical committee that I won’t play Benin. This is because I want to play a team that would give my team a tough time, as this would expose the weaknesses of my players. I won’t like to play a match that I will win easy. I believe that Sierra Leone national team are a better to play after the botched friendly with Guatemala,” said the former Nigerian international.

Yesterday, the NFF told Nigerians of the change in play to play Sierra Leone following a last minute cancellation of the game with Guatemala, the Central Americans.

Chairman of the NFF’s technical department, Barrister Christopher Green revealed that the federation was unhappy with the failure of the Guatemala game to see the light of the day, but hoped that the Sierra Leone friendly would provide a stern test for the Eagles.

“Obviously, we are not happy that the Guatemala game has been called off. We did all from our own end, unfortunately this is the reality but the positive thing is that our boys will still be busy on that date which is a FIFA free day,” Green told SuperSport.com.