by Ifreke Inyang

The Super Eagles handler, Samson Siasia, has been the target of abuse and criticism after the National team failed to qualify for the 2012 African Cup of Nations. And the voices from most quarters have called for his sack.

The Nigerian Football Federation however says a decision will not be taken till next week. Yesterday, the technical committee of the NFF discussed Siasia’s fate and will forward its recommendations to the Executive Committee which meets next week.

Siasia was at the Glass House yesterday. And after being thoroughly quizzed, he pleaded for forgiveness.

“Let me use this opportunity once again to apologize to the Nigerian people over our failure to qualify for the 2012 Nations Cup,” he apologized. “In fact I never believed we will not book that ticket but when things go wrong, you have to accept the blame because when they call me the ‘World Cup Coach’ I answered and now it is the other side of it. I should also accept it”.

One of the questions critics asked after the game against Guinea was why he dropped Vincent Enyeama. He also used the opportunity to address the issue of discipline in the team. “Without discipline, there is nothing one can achieve. I have been called names unfortunately because I wanted to instil discipline into the team but that will not make the national team camp to be a lawless place since it is obvious that when we are disciplined, we tend to achieve more,” the embattled coach said.

Samson Siasia took over as the coach for the Super Eagles just last year November.