OWUBOKIRI: DON'T BLAME SIASIA FOR FAILURE

FORMER Nigeria international, Richard Owubokiri, has told Nigerians not to blame the Super Eagles chief coach, Samson Siasia, for the team's failure.Despite the statement made by the Sports Minister, Yusuf Suleiman, last week cautioning Siasia's employers, the Nigeria Football Federation not to sack the coach, his future as the national team handler is in jeopardy following his failure to steer the Eagles to a place at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.However, Owubokiri who made 23 appearances for Nigeria between 1982 and 1992 believes easing Siasia out would be a wrong move."He should stay, ldo not think the whole thing was Siasia's fault and until we get Nigerian football organised, we will always be having the same problems," Owubokiri said.The 50-year-old who played professional football in Brazil, France, Portugal and Qatar also made an attempt to compare the present eraof the Eagles and his time at the national team."We had great players during my time at the national team with quality (players) everywhere."The present bunch is not too bad and I like Mikel Obi very much; he has been doing well," Owubokiri stated.The player who enjoyed the highlight of his career between 1991 and 1994 at Portuguese side. Boavista revealed that the city still holds a special place in his heart."It (Boavista) will hold a special place in my heart."When I scored 30 goals in a single season, I won the golden boot award."If I go to restaurants today in Boavista, they don't let me pay (for the food) and in malls and shops, it's the same; the people continue to remember what I did for them and that means a lot to me," he added.
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