Berti Vogts decided not resign despite...........

Super Eagles manager Berti Vogts has vowed not resign despite his much publicised team recording another boring goalless draw in Ghana against Mali

The draw effectively ruled Nigeria out of the competition and gives Mali a massive advantage to go through with Cote d'Ivoire.


At a post match press conference yesterday the German tactician told angry Nigerian journalists that massed at the press conference that he would not resign and that he has a contract with Nigeria till 2010.

Former Super Eagles players like Segun Odegbami had predicted before the commencement of the competition that it would be difficult for Nigeria to scale the first round hurdle because the players had not gelled as team.

Yesterday's drab match incensed journalists in Accra who repeatedly asked the German coach what he taught the players at their training camp in Malaga, Spain.Vogts' only response yesterday was that he was disappointed by the players. He said that he expected more from the players he took to the competition.

Another former Eagles star Adokie Amiesimaka in a text message to Vanguard yesterday said that the German coach has scored another first by taking Nigeria to the "dark ages".

"The worst Nigeria coach is better than Vogts. As for the NFA, I won't waste any word on them," he said.

Eagles mapped out plan to demolish Malians

Nigerians will see a completely new team when Super Eagles file out against Eagles of Mali in today’s match. Reliable camp sources informed our correspondent that Eagles manager Berti Vogts will rest captain Kanu Nwankwo who opped an injury during Nigeria ’s opening match against Ivory Coast . Energetic and versatile Dickson Etuhu has been selected to command the mid field which collapsed completely when Kanu was substituted last Monday. Equally, Obinna Nwaneri will man the right back position which was suspect throughout Eagles match against the Elephants on Monday. Vogts had special session with Nwaneri whom he sought his confidence to revert his usual central back position. Nwaneri subsequently agreed to take up the responsibility to facilitate Nigeria ’s chances of qualifying to the next round of the tournament.
In the same manner, Vogts has also resolved to rest John Utaka and Stephen Makinwa while in their places, Obinna Nsofor and Osaze Udemwingie have been prepared to overrun Mali in today’s match.
The source said “Both the technical crew and the players had separate meetings where it was resolved that the best and inform players should be fielded against Mali . Nobody wants to gamble over anything now. It is true that we lost the first match but we have the opportunity to redeem the country’s image. However, that cannot be achieved except if proper things are done and there is no way that could be done without presenting the best team.”
The source further informed that the German manager regretted the inclusion of some players whom he said always shone like the northern stars during training sessions but would always eclipse during matches. He said the manager had already decided that the players will not be part of his campaign in future competitions.
“Vogts is not happy with some of the players and he had made it clear that they will not be part of his future campaigns.

These players perform like warriors and dazzle everyone at training but when the chips are down during matches, they fizzle out.”