LULU, ODEGBAMI AGREE ON KEEPING LAGERBACK

Lulu
Segun Odegbami and Sani Lulu do not usually agree on issues, but one thing both men are in agreement about is that Lars Lagerback should stay on after his contract runs out next month.

The Swede signed a five-month deal which expires at the end of the World Cup and has chalked up only one win in four games so far.

That has, however, not prevented both men from giving him their vote of confidence, believing that he has brought improvements to the team that finished third at the Africa Nations Cup early this year.

“We don't have an option, we have to trust him,” Odegbami, a member of the Presidential Task Force which pays Lagerback's wages, told KickOffNigeria.com.

“If the team continues to show this kind of progress; if we are developing, going back to our attacking traditions and back to open play, then yes, we should stick with Lagerback.”

Nigeria Football Federation's (NFF) President, Sani Lulu, who is Lagerback's direct employer, said he would be happy to keep the Swede. “If I have the resources, I have no reason not to continue with his services,” Lulu said. “What is important is the happiness of the players and you can see the joy on the faces of these boys. You can see their spirit of happiness. You can see them willing to go to the field of play and play in accordance to the instruction of the coaches.

“There is obviously an improvement. The man has done so much within this short time and I feel satisfied. And I feel he has exhibited true professionalism in the course of his work.”