By Emeka Obasi
Former Bloemfontein Celtic manager, Kola Adebayo, believes the job of coaching the Super Eagles is too big for the stars who graduated from the senior national team even if they were outstanding as players.
Adebayo emphasised that it takes more than winning trophies as a player to become a good coach, advising Super Eagles Veterans not to see coaching the team as a birthright simply because they represented Nigeria.
He said : “The senior team is too big for these ex – players. Many of them lack what it takes to handle a big brand like the Super Eagles. That one played good football does not necessarily mean that he will transform to a great coach.”
The coach, who has worked in South Africa, Benin Republic, the United Arab Emirates and, of course, in Nigeria, pointed out that some candidates remember to apply for the big job as a last resort.
“You can see that they apply to coach the Super Eagles when there is nothing else to do. You never saw Segun Odegbami or Adokiye Amiesimaka attend any coaching interview. They are professionals outside football and have made contributions in retirement.
“Jay Jay Okocha and Nwankwo Kanu are still benefitting and adding to the game without looking for coaching offers. As coach of Sharks, I worked with Amiesimaka. He was chairman of the club and understands soccer but faced his job,” Adebayo added.
“Coaching is a calling. It is not a profession you dabble into. Let me give an instance, three hours to a match, one of your reliable players gets a call that his wife has gone to the labour room. As he enters the pitch, there is no news yet.
“In that state of mind, he can’t give his best and it will affect team’s performance. Then in the next training session, you ask the players to run round the field ten times. That’s off the mark. A good coach must be a good psychologist. If he understands his players, they can die for him.”
However, Adebayo singled out Keshi as a former player who distinguished himself managing the Eagles.
“Yes, Keshi was exceptional but don’t forget that he was not desperate. He worked in the United States and when he returned to Nigeria, understudied other coaches. The same man qualified Togo for the 2006 World Cup, took Mali to the 2010 African Nations Cup before being employed as Eagles gaffer,” Adebayo said.
He went on to prove that some of the country’s good outings happened under those who did not play for the Eagles.
“Amodu Shuaibu qualified the team for the World Cup twice, he did not play for Nigeria. The first time Eagles won African Nations Cup silver, Adegboye Onigbinde, a former Games Master and good tactician, was in charge.
“Apart from Keshi, the other ex – Eagles could not go beyond the African Nations Cup semi finals. Christian Chukwu won bronze in 2004. Austin Eguavoen followed with another bronze in 2006.”
Kolawole Lateef Adebayo played as an Academical and was part of the St. Gregory’s College, Obalende team that won the Lagos State Principal’s Cup in 1980. Other players included Tarila Okoronwanta, Sam Owo, Muyiwa Oguntolu, Richmond Gbontir and Joachim Aronu.
He was in the Youths Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON) squad that lifted the Gothia Cup, Sweden in 1980. His team mates were Tarila, Paul Okoku, Tajudeen Disu, Patrick Udoh, Gafar Ijaya, Saliu Isiaka and Loveday Omoruyi.
As a player, he roved from NNPC to Mandilas, Police Machine and Housing Corporation. Adebayo has managed teams like Stationery Stores, Sharks, Mobil Pegasus and Offa United. As coach of DHL Nigeria, his team has won the DHL Africa championships more than once. They defended the trophy up to the grand finale in 2024.
Adebayo was a gold medalist with Yaba College of Technology in 2007 when he led them to the West African Polytechnics Games Association (WAPOGA). Yabatech defeated Ibadan Polytechnic, coached by Moses Otolorin, 1-0.
That year, Yabatech battered continental flag bearers, Warri Wolves, 3-0 in a friendly. Shooting Stars got a barren draw while Union Bank lost 2-0.
Outside the country, he was in charge of South African club, Bloemfontein Celtic before flying back West to lead Tofa of Benin Republic. Adebayo moved beyond Africa to coach Fujirah Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates.
He was one of those who applied to manage the Super Eagles following the exit of Sunday Oliseh. The job eluded him. The NFF settled for Gernot Rohr.
