Jo Bonfrere the Dutch without no doubt have kept some history with the National team of Nigeria. He begin his stint with that Nigerian women team in 1999. After which he was employed as the head coach of the men’s team in 1995 to 1996. He however made his return in 1991 then he was axed in 2001 after recording horrendous failures within those periods.
Jo Bonfrere is responsible for Nigerians first ever Africa gold medals in the 1996 Olympics. He was the assistant to Clement Westerhoff in 1994, when Nigeria secured the first ever world cup Qualifiers in USA.
Jo Bonfrere continues prejudice on Genort Rohr style of play has been notable severally.
Around sometimes last year in an interview with The Cables Jo said “Nigeria football is not the quality that I think the Nation’s football should be in right now. Nigeria football must be represented across the continent. There are very good players in the National team but the thing is that, they used them wrongly on the pitch that’s the problem”
As pressure mounts on the incumbent Genort Rohr on his recent shambolic outings in his last two home games. Jo Bonfrere has taken advantage to once again reach out to the Nigeria Football Federation, stating reasons why he can successful put the team to other in less than two months should an opportunity be given.
“I can come on a rescue mission to resurrect the Super Eagles,” it was stated in the latter, which allegedly emanated from Jo Bonfrere on Thursday night.
“It doesn’t take up to two months to create a formidable team and make a winning pattern,” he said.
“I will be happy to have Daniel Amokachi or Emmanuel Amuneke to be part of my technical crew,” he said. “I will bring licensed and experienced coaches in addition to the mentioned names to be part of the team to train the players in their movement, fitness, positions and abilities. After this is executed, the whole of Nigeria will be watching the national team play while drinking champagne because it is guaranteed that Nigeria is winning the match.”
“The players can’t hold the ball to themselves for up to three seconds. I am not trying to castigate my colleague (Gernot Rohr), but his knowledge needs to be upgraded to the new modern football. In this era, the Super Eagles have to have a pattern. When I was the coach, it is guaranteed my players score a goal and more with respect to the kind of formation and pattern I use.
“There was no such thing as a tough team for Nigeria then. Rather, it was Nigeria who was the tough team, and I remember in 2002 Ghana versus Nigeria everyone could see the impact. Also, when Senegal was leading Nigeria by a goal, I brought in Julius Aghahowa and we were able to turn the scoreline against Senegal. In the U-23 national team, we played against and won teams who Nigeria Super Eagles today see as threats like Egypt, Senegal, Cameroon, etc.
“It was so embarrassing to see Central Africa Republic, a country that doesn’t have its own stadium, to come to Nigeria and win the Super Eagles. The kind of pattern the coach use matters a lot.
“For instance, in the last game against Cape Verde, the Super Eagles played the match like they were away. With the quality players present on that day for Nigeria, it was so sad the coach could not make good use of them,” Bonfrere stated.
