Siasia facing Nigeria axe

Nigeria coach Samson Siasia is appealing for more time to develop the team, despite failing to qualify them for the Africa Cup of Nations.

Former Nigeria striker Siasia is favoured to be sacked by the Nigeria Football Federation, whose members will meet on Thursday to determine his future.

Ahead of the NFF announcement, the coach has told the BBC that he still has what it takes to turn the team’s fortunes around.

“I love this job and I know what I’m doing – I just need some time,” Siasia said.

“Let them (Nigeria fans) look at what we have been doing, let them look at the games we have played and compare them with videos of before I took over – they can see improvements, they can see changes.”

“They can see the players running – not what we saw at the World Cup. I don’t need to tell them – let them go and look.”

“Most of the players causing the problems are the ones who have been there for more than 5 years – they just want to take over the camp and I won’t let them.”

He denied handling the team with tough hands.

“I am not a brutal person or a dictator, I try to compromise – but I am the head coach and whatever happens I will take responsibility.”

“It takes time to build a team – give us some time. We know Nigerians are hurting but give us some time.”