Nigeria Content Online

Rotimi Amaechi, the
Governor of Rivers State, on Tuesday took a swipe at some members of
the Super Eagles describing them as disrespectful.

Amaechi, who spoke
during the 2nd edition of the Africa Independent Television (AIT)
Football Awards, which was held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, said
the players, who he did not name, lacked manners.

He singled out
Westbrom striker, Osaze Odemwingie (winner of the AIT Footballer of the
Year for 2009) and Hapoel Tel Aviv goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, who won
the award at Tuesday’s event, as two players who apart from being very
patriotic, show respect to both their colleagues and officials.

“A lot of the
Eagles players are disrespectful. Vincent and Osaze were among the few
that would talk to us at the PTF (Presidential Task Force — for the
Eagles 2010 World Cup preparations),” Amaechi said. The governor was
the president of the task force, which has now been disbanded.

“I like Osaze and Vincent for their patriotism. If the country doesn’t pay you, God will pay you,” he said.

The governor
praised the organisers of the awards noting that there had been a
marked improvement in the organisation of the event, which he said was
laudable.

He said his administration is working towards completing the Games
Village including the 25,000 capacity Stadium named after Adokiye
Amiesimaka, a former Nigeria international. The stadium is expected to
be used for the National Sports Festival taking place in the state this
June.