Nigeria Content Online

When, a year ago,
our national team was struggling to qualify for the 201O World Cup, our
late President, Musa Yar’Adua, set up a body of experts to assist the
football association in this regard.

This presidential
task force was made of experts in football administration like John
Mastoroudes the founder of Leventis United of Ibadan, one of our great
football teams of the 1980s. Former players Segun Odegbami, Austin
Okocha and Patrick Ekeji, currently Director-General of the National
Sports Commission, NSC, were also members of the task force. It was
headed by Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, of whom, I confess, I
know little. We finally qualified for the World Cup on the last
possible day.

After we were
eliminated from the World Cup in the first round, the task force
submitted its report to President Goodluck Jonathan. On July 2nd, Mr
Jonathan announced to the world that, on the recommendation of the task
force, he was disbanding the football association and suspending all
our national football teams from international tournaments for two
years. The whole world was shocked, as was Dickson Etuhu, our defensive
midfielder, when Pedro Pinto of CNN interviewed him that evening. Some
people equated the president’s decision to withdrawing from school for
two years a child for failing an exam. Others said it was like cutting
off ones head to cure a headache. Thank God, our president listened to
the pleas of our countrymen and women and rescinded the decision.

Beyond incompetent officials

No one is saying
that our football association is not corrupt or incompetent. However,
our problems could never be solved by insulating ourselves for two
years. FIFA, the world football governing body, would have gladly added
another two years, like the Confederation of African Football did when
Sani Abacha withdrew our team from the Cup of African Nations in 1996.
By the time we come back to the international scene, our football will
be worse off because, due to our low ranking, we will be grouped with
strong teams like Egypt, Ivory-Coast and Ghana for World Cup places.

Imagine how tough
that would be, considering that Tunisia almost snatched the 2010 ticket
from us, like Angola did in 2005. Did the presidential task force
consider who the coach of our national team would be during our
suspension? We would be pariah and any team which played us would be
suspended by FIFA. Which coach worth his salt will like to coach a team
that plays no competitive match for at least two years?

What about our
players who already are going in search of the golden fleece to such
lowly-ranked countries as India and Sudan? Would you blame them if they
shuttled across the border and took up nationalities of countries like
Benin or Niger? How would teams like Enyimba cope with the loss of
revenue from the Champions League? By the way, English clubs were
forced into this position when they were suspended from European
competitions as a result of the hooliganism of Liverpool supporters in
1985. Before then, English sides Liverpool, Nottingham Forest and Aston
Villa had won the Champions Cup every year from 1978 to 1984, except
1983. They were recalled after more than five years on the sidelines
but didn’t win the Champions League until Manchester United did so in
1999. Is it possible that the honourable men of our task force did not
know these possible outcomes of withdrawing our teams from
international competitions? After all, we could reform our football
without pulling out of international competitions for two years. France
did it successfully after they failed to qualify for the 1994 World Cup
and won the next one on home soil, before winning the European
Championship in 2000 for good measure.

No member of the
presidential task force has resigned as result of, or disavowed, their
radical recommendation, so it is safe to say that the decision was
unanimous. So, why would such honourable men mislead our president?

Somehow, I am
reminded of the day we woke up in the late 1980s to read that the great
Leventis United football club had been disbanded. No one saw it coming.
Is John Mastoroudes an impulsive man or does he just like the shock
effect? Did Segun Odegbami and Austin Okocha see it as the quickest way
to achieve their ambition of a place on the board of the football
association? The person most favoured by all the brouhaha is Patrick
Ekeji because the media are not talking about the ministerial visit to
the dilapidated National Stadium earlier in the year and the sorry
state of our National Institute for Sport and other national edifices
under him.

Ekeji’s responsibility

Patrick Ekeji,
playing for Enugu Rangers, was the by far the best right-back in
Nigeria in the late 1970s and was expected to play in that position for
us at the Cup of African Nations which we were to host in 1980. No one
accused him of a lack of patriotism when he suddenly left to better
himself by going abroad to study. It was the same Ekeji who, in 2002,
engineered the removal of the coaching crew of the national team due to
the insubordination of the players. Or was it because they were not
patriotic enough to beat Senegal in the semi-final?

If we are to
rebound like the French football team of 1998, a lot depends on the
national sport commission. The French did it by setting up a training
centre which the English and the rest of Europe are trying to emulate.
They did it by improving the standard of their coaching. The ball is in
Ekeji’s court. He should read the French blueprint. Is he up to the
task? So far Ekeji has proved to be more interested in interfering in
other people’s jobs, like that of national team coach Shuaibu Amodu’s,
than doing his. The success of our sports, not just football, depends
on you.

Eguavoen is based in Belgium.

The 2010 World Cup
has come and gone but the repercussions of a bad outing for the
national team continues to reverberate through the fabric of the game.

With the transfer
window wide open, the best we have seen in terms of the movement of our
players is Obafemi Martins’ transfer to Rubin Kazan. While Kazan are
Russian league champions, they are paperweights in Europe with their
biggest achievement being a 1-0 defeat of Barcelona at the Nou Camp.

With league season
reason in the next two to three weeks in Europe, Nigerian players are
in the transfer lurch. Compared to other great African football
countries, Nigeria’s stock is about the lowest but that was not always
the case. Today, our sister country, Ghana, has her football stars are
getting better deals. With the way things are going we may not have to
wait long before lowly rated football countries like Benin Republic
starts having players in bigger clubs than our players.

Journey to the bottom

After every World
Cup since 1994, Super Eagles players always attracted the attention of
European suitors. One that readily comes to mind is the multi-million
dollar deal that Austin Okocha snagged even when the Eagles were
decimated by Denmark 4-1 in the second round of the 2002 World Cup in
France. His virtuoso display at that tournament earned him a $24
million deal with French club, Paris Saint Germain (PSG) making him the
most expensive African footballer at the time.

Garba Lawal fondly
called “Mr. Consistency” in his time in the Super Eagles was another
player whose value rose in 1998 following an impressive performance at
the 1998 World Cup against Spain in Nigeria’s opening match of the
tournament. He spoke to NEXT on the dip in the value Nigerian football
players globally and what should be done to address the situation.

“They are not
playing well and there is nothing anybody can do about that,” Lawal
said “Look at their performance at the World Cup; it is nothing to
write home about so you won’t expect any serious team to go after them.
They are the ones that want to make name and money for themselves so
they have to improve their game to achieve the best. As a player, you
don’t have all the time in the world to yourself but when the
opportunity of playing in the World Cup comes your way, you have to
grab it with your two hands but most of them failed to do that.” Lawal
then lays the blame squarely on the players’ shoulders. “No matter what
we say, they are the actors and they are the only ones that can
determine when their stock will appreciate or go down depending on the
performance they put in.”

List of transfers

The best news of the summer could yet be Vincent Enyeama’s proposed move to Portuguese giants, FC Porto.

According to
reports in Israel, Enyeama’s club, Hapoel Tel Aviv, received a
€1-million offer for the Nigerian goalkeeper, who has a just year to
run on his contract. The other good news; and some people could argue
this, could be the retention of Yakubu Ayegbeni at Everton after the
club turned down a bid of £6million, plus £1million if they avoid
relegation, for striker Yakubu. Everton boss David Moyes has insisted
that the burly striker will not be let go for any amount less than the
£11 million they paid Middlesbrough.

On the back of an
average showing in South Africa, Lukman Haruna has been touted to be on
Inter Milan’s radar, but that surely will not be a good move as he is
most likely to be frozen on the substitutes’ bench. He will be better
advised to stay put at Monaco of France and continue his improvement
curve. Haruna caught the eye of Inter chief Marco Branca during the
World Cup campaign and they have moved quickly to slap in an early bid
for the 20 year-old.

Olubayo Adefemi is
leaving relegated French side Boulogne and moving to Greece side, Skoda
Xanthi, for the 2010/2011 football season. Another of Nigeria’s former
promising star, Stephen Makinwa, has also recently moved to the
backwaters of the Greece League to join Larissa on loan from Lazio. The
26-year-old met has stagnated in his career and that could also stop as
it has been released that he is suffering from a serious knee injury
that could stop him playing football.

Joseph Yobo’s
defensive team mate at Everton, Phil Jagielka, is reportedly the target
of an improved bid of £18 million from Arsenal, but Yobo is a target
for newly promoted Newcastle. Bolton Wanderers defender Danny Shittu
could yet stay in the English Premiership, but the offer is from a
lowly Blackpool side that also just gained promotion to the top flight
after 40 years in the wilderness. Bolton’s boss, Owen Coyle, has told
the 29-year-old that he is surplus to requirement at the Reebok
Stadium, so a move to Blackpool may be appealing.

Another very
promising player, Christian Obodo, a pretender to the Austin Okocha
throne may have to move to Cesena to get games after being eclipsed by
Ghanaian Kwadwo Asamoah, who shone very brightly at the just concluded
World Cup. He will be teaming up with the captain of the U-20 national
team to Egypt 2009, Odion Ighalo. Ighalo is also on loan deal from
Udinese.

The captain of the silver winning squad to the Beijing Olympics,
Obinna Nsofor is being courted by Stoke City, who is neither in the
Champions League or the Europa Cup. We will like to ask Nsofor what the
allure is in asking for a move to Stoke City other than financial
gains. The £4 million-rated striker is also wanted by cashed-up Greek
duo AEK Athens and PAOK, which are both ready to bid immediately for
the Nigeria international; that is the level that our players have
fallen to.

While many
Nigerians only remember South Africa 2010 for the heartache caused by
the Super Eagles at the first World Cup on African soil, little did
they know that a set of young Nigerians were, at about the same time,
doing the country proud in the Football for Hope festival competition;
a tournament organised by FIFA as part of the activities for the
Mundial.

During the final
week of the World Cup, 32 teams representing the countries that
participated in the tournament converged on Alexandra in Johannesburg
for a very different football festival. Nigeria was represented by
Search and Groom organisation.

The festival
showcased and promoted best practice in the field of development
through the game of football. The teams, made up of boys and girls aged
between 15 and 18, represented local organisations and countries that
used football for positive social change in the areas of
anti-discrimination and social integration, children’s rights and
education, health promotion, peace-building and environment.

Team’s wish

Interestingly,
among the 32 teams on parade, Nigeria finished second on the log after
losing to Kenya in a pulsating final match which went on to be decided
by penalty shoot outs after both teams played out 0-0.

This second spot finish helped clear the shame the woeful performance the Eagles had earlier brought the country.

Sadly, however, the
youngsters that represented the country so well in South Africa have
not yet been accorded any form of recognition let alone reward. Only a
private citizen, Remi Ogunpitan, has recognised their effort by hosting
them upon their return from South Africa.

“We players
contributed amongst ourselves to buy the boots we used to play in the
competition” Afolabi Michael a key member of team said on arrival from
Johannesburg.

Afolabi, one of the
biggest revelations of the tournament with thirteen goals to his
credit, is currently out of school but hopes to be back if given the
needed support. Though he is hoping to get a chance meeting with the
authorities concerned, representing the country so well in a foreign
land was on its own a moment of joy for him.

“I was happy to fly
the flag of the country so high in South Africa. I, however, want to
appeal to the minister of sports, the President and to my governor,
Segun Oni, to assist my education.

“My experience in South Africa has really made me to want to return to school” he said.

The team, captained
by 15-year-old Suliat Yusuf (F), an SS 2 student of Hopebay College,
Alaba, included Akinwande Kehinde (F), Olatunbosun Kehinde (F), Ezeala
Nkem (F), Aderemi Ebenezer (M), Egege Emmanuel (M) and Uzoka Amaechi
(M).

The team, which was
left to run from pillar to post in order to participate in the
tournament, was only assisted by few individuals while FIFA paid for
its team’s tickets when it became clear that they would not make it to
the tournament without help.

“We sent several
letters to corporate companies and the likes for over one year and we
were not able to raise a dime from them but we just had to push harder
and make the sacrifices because it had to do with future of some young
Nigerians who had been given the honour to represent their fatherland,”
Yomi Kuku the director of Search and Groom explained.

Little support

Some of the
individuals that rendered some sort of assistance include Sanya
Ehinmidu, a Nigerian based in Pretoria, South Africa, who donated money
to support the team’s efforts. Modupe Ariyo, who is based in the United
Kingdom, also supported the team. Deroju Ademoroti Chief Executive
officer of AstroTurf 2000, and others also contributed to the team’s
preparation for the tourney.

While commending
the efforts of the individuals at helping them participate in the
tournament, Suliat is hoping that government will look in their
direction and pat them on the back:

“We hope to
present our medals to the minister of sports who we believe has a good
agenda for the development of sports from the grassroots and also wish
that we can get the needed support for our education and family,” she
said.

Commenting on the
cold shoulder given the team, Bayo-Olowo Ake, a board member of Search
and Groom, said the country rarely pays attention to the development of
talents.

“Unless we start paying attention to genuine grassroots development we might just continue to move in circles,” he said.

“Of a truth, the Nigeria Football Federation is not supposed to be
saddled solely with talent development but it is expected to provide an
enabling environment for talents to emerge by supporting projects like
this and other academies around the country.”

Following the Super Eagles’ group stage
exit at the last World Cup, Lars Lagerback embarked on a two-week leave
that was approved by the Nigeria Football Federation.

Weeks after the tournament in South
Africa, the Swede is yet to return to Nigeria, much less give a report
on the national team’s performance at the tournament.

The question now on everybody’s mind is whether the 62-year-old has dumped Nigeria for good.

On Friday, it was reported in some
Nigerian newspapers that Lagerback had turned down an offer to continue
as Nigeria’s coach. The reports, which quoted acting Nigeria Football
Federation (NFF) boss Aminu Maigari, said the Swede had informed him
that he did not wish to continue in his post despite being offered a
four-year deal by the federation.

When contacted, Lagerback’s agent,
Emeka Enechi, who handled the Nigeria deal, said the status of the
Swede’s job is unclear to him. Mr. Enechi, however, promised to speak
on the matter when he visits Nigeria on July 31.

Mixed reactions

The Eagles’ performance under the Swede
has evoked mixed reactions with most Nigerians casting the NFF for
spending so much on a coach who delivered so little. Many say the
Eagles’ performance in South Africa was no different from that of the
squad under Adegboye Onigbinde at the 2002 World Cup in Korea/Japan.

They insist the Eagles should have done
better given that the usually vexatious issue of match bonuses and
allowances for players had been sorted out in advance by the NFF.

However, there are those who believe
that Lagerback did his best given circumstances that prevailed in the
build up to the tournament. These circumstances included a number of
issues notably the inability of the football federation to organise
matches early enough for Lagerback to get a feel of his squad and
bickering over a camp base for the Eagles in South Africa.

“We did not prepare well for the World
Cup,” said former Super Eagles defender Nduka Ugbade, who holds a UEFA
Grade-A coaching license.

“The preparation was terrible but if
Lagerback could handle the team for 30 days and do the job he did I
think he deserves a second chance.”

Indeed, the Eagles were pathetic in
South Africa playing second fiddle and depending on goalkeeper Vincent
Enyeama for the greater part of their game against Argentina, before
handing Greece a historic win in a game that saw Sani Kaita losing his
cool when it mattered most.

Their profligacy in front of goal also
cost them a second round ticket in their last group match against
Korea, a development supporters of Lagerback believe resulted from his
not having enough time to tinker with the squad.

“I wanted Lagerback to stay for the
sake of continuity,” said Chukwuma Akuneto, who is the coach of the
U-18 side of FC United, the side that broke away from Manchester United
a few years ago.

“Argentina, despite their poor outing,
are retaining Diego Maradona, England are keeping Fabio Capello, so
continuity is the word that is synonymous with success.

“He is a well respected guy and the
World Cup had given him an opportunity to understand the Nigerian
football player culturally, psychologically, mentally, technically and
tactically,” added Akuneto, who has in the past four years also led
Manchester College to nine national titles.

Looking inwards

Ugbade disagrees with Akuneto on the
propriety of retaining the Swede. Despite his view that Nigeria’s
failure in South Africa should not be blamed on Lagerback, he feels
that given Nigeria’s style of play differs substantially from the
European style, we need to look inwards for a coach for the Eagles.

“Nigerians must learn to take their
fate in their own hands. Even Lagerback said this after our exit in
South Africa,” continued Ugbade, recalling the Swede’s statements
urging African countries to have indigenous coaches rather than
expatriates in charge of their national teams.

“All the African countries that were at
the World Cup with foreign coaches, with the exception of Ghana, all
crashed out in the first round,” he added.

Former Super Eagles defender Andrew
Uwe, also now a coach, has never been in support of a foreigner
handling the Nigerian national team despite spending the better part of
his Super Eagles career playing under the likes of German national
Manfred Hoener and Dutchman Clemens Westerhof.

“Germany had a German coach and his
assistants consisted of former national team players,” said Uwe. “It
was also the same for the Dutch team who had the likes of Frank De Boer
and Philip Cocu assisting the coach.

“Most of these big countries made it
big in football because they developed their own coaches and we can’t
afford to be any different,” added Uwe, who captained the Flying Eagles
to a third-place finish at the 1985 FIFA U-20 World Cup in the former
USSR.

Siasia resurfaces

In the period that Lagerback has been
away, pressure has mounted on the leadership of the NFF to pick a
Nigerian coach for the Eagles.

Many names have been bandied in the
media in the last few weeks. The names include Augustine Eguavoen, who
was Lagerback’s Nigerian assistant in South Africa, Samson Siasia and
John Obuh, present coach of the Flying Eagles.

In the last few days, however, Siasia
has shot to the top of the list with former teammates in the Eagles
calling on the NFF to hire him.

“I don’t know why people keep asking
who should be given the Super Eagles job when we have somebody who has
been tested to handle the job without any problem,” said Tijani
Babangida, Siasia’s former teammate.

Another former teammate, Thompson
Oliha, added: “We all know the qualities in Siasia and everyone who
really wants the best for Nigeria will know that he has what it takes
to coach the Super Eagles.”

By Friday it was looking like Siasia
may clinch the job as NFF boss Maigari was quoted as saying that: “We
have had talks with Siasia. The talks have been fruitful and all things
being equal, he will put pen to paper next month subject to
negotiations,” said Maigari.

“Siasia is the coach Nigerians want and we shall give him all the support to succeed in this new job.”

Whether this will materialise remains
to be seen as Siasia is seen as thorn in the flesh of federation
officials for his stubbornness. Two years ago when a new coach was
sought for the Eagles following the exit of German Bert Vogts, Siasia
was in pole position to clinch the job after emerging top candidate
following interviews conducted by the federation. At the last minute,
the job was handed to Shuaibu Amodu, the coach replaced by Lagerback in
February.

Siasia, currently technical adviser of
Heartland FC of Owerri confirmed he has had discussions with the NFF
over the Eagles job: “I have had discussions with them but we can only
wait and see,” said Siasia. “It will be a great honour handling my
country’s national team. It is the biggest job in the world as far as I
am concerned but if I do get it I will do my best not to disappoint
Nigerians who have placed so much trust in me.”

If Siasia, as expected, becomes the
next Super Eagles coach, his service will be divided between club and
country as he still has a deal with his current employers Heartland.

The former Nantes forward, who won a
French league title with the side back in 1995, however, disclosed that
he had the Super Eagles job in mind when negotiating with the
management of the Naze Millionaires.

“I will be able to divide my time
between the club and the national team,” he continued. “I knew at the
back of my mind that there was always going to be the possibility of
that happening and that was why I told the club to bring in Emeka
Ezeugo.” Ezeugo, who played with Siasia at the 1994 World Cup, is
Siasia’s assistant at the Owerri based side and had previously coached
in India.