SIASIA DISAPPOINTS OWERRI FANS

Siasia
The fans of Heartland of Oweri have continued to express disappointment with Samson Siasia's performance since he took over as the team's chief coach a couple of weeks ago.

'We are not against Siasia. As a matter of fct, he is one of the best coaches in the country at least, at the national level. The issue is the timing of his coming. The way and manner his contract was contracted was absolutely wrong.

As experienced and widely travelled as he is, Siasia ought to have rejected Heartland's management temptation. This is where he is blemish in the poor results that have trailed the team since he assumed duties,' Thomas Anyanwu, an avid supporter of Heartland complained angrily.

Speaking in the same vein, another aggrieved fan, Uche Nwakanma, revealed that Siasia had been a total disappointment because he was not cut-out for club football, at least, not with Heartland at this stage the team was campaigning in the CAF Champions League.

He said: 'As far as I m concerned, Siasia has no club record that qualified him as the best man for the Heartland job. He is at best a national team coach. National team assignment and club duties are two different ball games. So far, Siasia has been a complete disaster but I think he can still reinvent himself.'

Probably, Uzoma Anoruo provided what could be described as the most thought provocating argument on the Siasia saga. He explained that the Heartland management committed professional injustice by sacking the duo of Kelechi Emeteole and Ben Iroha, insisting that the former coaches were not the problem of the team.

According to him: 'To be honest with you, Emeteole and Iroha did their best for the team as they finished second twice with the Naze Warriors on the Premier League table; lifted last two seasons Super Four and played in the final of the CAF Champions League last year. These achievements were achieved when the management was owing them backlog of salaries, allowances and sign-on fees. Yet, they were sacked.'

Anoruo added: 'Another point to ponder is that both Siasia and the chairman, Ignatius Okeahialam are coach and administrator in exile. After Al Ahly forced Heartland to a 1-1 draw in Owerri, Siasia boarded an early morning flight to Abuja to discuss his Super Eagles contract with NFF, while the chairman headed for Port Harcourt to supervise his chain of business.

This kind of arrangement cannot produce any good result for Heartland. As a matter of fact, Siasia is a distraction to Heartland just as Okeahialam has outlived his usefulness in the team.'

It will be recalled that Heartland is occupying the last position in the group that comprises Al Ahly, JS Kabylie and Ismaili. The team has only a point from three continental games and this is why the fans are labeling Siasia as a disappointment.