A popular Proverb says and I quote "it doesn't 't matter if you achieve success before anyone,because the world allows competition and it's like an express lane which allows overtaking.
This seems to be the case with the Super Eagles of Nigeria, as the once Africa Power house in football has been left behind by other lesser countries she once had dominance over. This has made the Super Eagles look like a lost Puppy that drank a poisoned chalice.
The recently released FIFA ranking sees Nigeria sitting commodiously in 14th position in Africa and 67th position in the world. This is an Optimum negative contrariety when compared to how Nigeria ranked previously.
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| The FIFA Ranking in 1994. When Nigeria was among the Top 5 in the world |
Just recently the Super Eagles of Nigeria (are they really super?) failed once again to qualify for the biggest gathering in Africa, which is the Africa cup of Nations (AFCON) scheduled to hold in Gabon from 14th January to 5th February, 2017.
Over 170 million Nigerians still have bleeding hearts over this. Some still long for the days when the likes of coach Shaibu Amodu, Christian Chukwu and Augustine Eguavoen won Nigeria 'the golden bronze medal" which was disliked and criticized then. Now we can't even qualify.
A peep into the ranking table shows that countries such as Cape Verde, Congo DR, Guinea and Congo are ahead of Nigeria in Africa. While countries such as Panama, Congo DR, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Serbia, Guinea, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan are ahead of Nigeria. These are countries Nigeria was way ahead of in the past. The reaction to this change in position ranges from bemusement to indifference and revisionism.
The effect of this, is that the Super Eagles of Nigeria may not be among the seeded teams when the draw for the third round qualifying campaign for the 2018 world cup scheduled to hold in Russia is made. Teams such as Algeria, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Senegal, Egypt, are likely to be seeded. This means that Nigeria could fall into a difficult group with any of the countries listed above as potential worthy opponents.
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| Nigeria will not be in the Nations cup next year after failing to qualify for the second time |
Who is to blame ?, one may ask. Personally I think majority of the blame should go to the Nigeria football administration (NFF). Nigerians now see the Nigeria football federation as a continuous Grinch. The NFF seems to be only concerned with personal gains rather than national interest.
The Amaju Pinnick led Nigeria football federation looks like a divided house which lacks focus and leadership quality. One of such poor attributes was the hiring of erstwhile Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh.
Also the controversy surrounding the election of Amaju Pinnick as NFF chairman which led to the great power tussle between Mr Pinnick and Mr Chris Giwa has really affected the administrative function of the NFF negatively. While other countries where preparing for the AFCON qualifiers the Nigeria Football Federation was facing success damaging power tussle between Mr Pinnick and Mr Chris Giwa. Mr Giwa has always claimed that the September, 2014 election which put Pinnick in office was faulty but his case has been ruled out by FIFA and the Court of Arbitration for Sports.
The case was reopened by Youth and Sports Minister Solomon Dalung who is a longtime friend of Giwa. A high court sitting in Jos, Plateau State Nigeria on Friday, April 8, 2016 nullified the elections that brought Pinnick as president and other board members of the NFF. The court has now ruled in favour of Giwa faction and instructed the Federal Government of Nigeria to recognize him as the president of the NFF.
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| The recently released FIFA and CAF ranking |
Also the constant cry of lack of funds by the NFF which has led to coaches being owed salaries is worrisome in this modern era of football administration. As of the start of 2015, all FIFA's 209 member countries were paid a one off fee of $1.3 million. The original fee was $1.05 million, while $250,000 was added as bonus FIFA got from the 2014 world cup (which was a good financial year for FIFA) in Brazil.
The question is how was this money used by the Nigeria football federation. What about the reported Nike kit deal signed last year worth $3.75 million, which sees Nigeria earning $750,000 yearly, and $1 million in the second year (2016). With all this money, why can't coaches of the Super Eagles receive salaries as at when due. The NFF is a big brand and should stop disgracing Nigeria and Africa. Take a trip to Google and search for "coaches owed salaries ", you will be amazed at what you see. The Nigeria football federation owes soccer loving Nigerians vast explanations.
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| Oliseh was tagged the Pep Guardiola of Africa. |
With the third round world cup qualifier fast approaching, the way forward is restructuring the NFF. The constant talk of employing a foreign coach should be shredded and thrown into the trash can. Any foreign coach brought in at this time cannot settle down and hit the ground immediately.
Coach Samson Siasia should be allowed to steady the ship and lead Nigeria from now on. He should be given all the necessary support he needs to succeed.
Judging from the two matches played against Egypt recently, we can deduce that the country has an array of young and hungry players that can take Nigeria football back to the highest pinnacle, just like the class of 94 did.
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| Mr Amaju Pinnick and Mr Chris Giwa |
If we fail to qualify for the 2018 FIFA world cup in Russia, Posterity will not look upon all those involved kindly but rather with a smirch grin.
By Chinedu Laurel Okorodike
