Nigeria at 54: The Game so Far

Annually, the first of October means so much to the most populous black nation on the surface of the earth. This time of the year is used to reflect on how far we have gone in our journey to nationhood after we got free from the clutches of colonialism. Usually we do a reality check to see if we have done well or otherwise. And if we dare to tell ourselves the truth, the verdict year in, year out is that so many things are not going on as they ought to.

For example, power supply is still epileptic in our 54 years of existence and most of our youths, who are referred to as the leaders of tomorrow, have still not found their bearing (politically,socially and economically) so there is no need to even go further.

However, surviving despite all odds has been the Nigerian way and one of the ways in which surviving has been easy for us is our obvious love for the beautiful game of football. Men women and children alike in Nigeria are passionate about this game.

In 54 years, Nigerian has not fared badly in the comity of sporting nations. We have won the Confederation of African Football(CAF) Nations cup thrice, 1980, 1994 and 2013. The Super Falcons hasn't fared badly same goes to the other age grade competition like the U-17 winning FIFA U-17 competition four times 1985, 1993, 2007 and 2013. Also, not pushing aside the gold medal received in Atlanta 96 by the Olympic dream team. Not forgetting Eyimba FC of Aba’s back to back winning of the CAF championship in 2004 and 2005.

However, these achievements are occasional flashed which we have been unable to sustain. Even now at 54, we do not see ready or even willing to work towards the sustainability of gains that we have made. Although the problems bedeviling the development of football are glaring and clear to us, we have not reached a point in which stakeholder agree to work to deal with these problems once and for all. I have identified some of the problems with suggestions on dealing with them as follows:

Mal-Administration

Over the years, we have put people without any knowledge of the game in charge of football administration in Nigeria. Nigeria is perhaps the only place where you find people who have never kicked the ball or even studied the game taking the reins of affairs at the Federation level. In serious countries, people in football admin are those who must have adequate knowledge of the game either as former players or coaches.

The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has had a series of crisis
 year in year out nearly leading to courting a ban by FIFA. The most recent crisis in which Mr. Christopher Giwa, who emerged in an election organised by a faction of stakeholders has refused to leave office in spite of a much popular congress held at the beginning of this week where Mr. Amaju Pinnick as the new President.

Government Interference

I choose not to start by saying government is one of our problems, because FIFA has stipulated in its rules that every government stay out of the administration of football.
But that's just funny and unrealistic. This is because he who plays the piper usually dictates the tunes. And the government in Nigeria will continue to interfere in the affairs of the NFF until the federation can give a good account of themselves.

In the just concluded FIFA World Cup, there were allegations upon immediate past President of NFF, Alhaji Aminu Maigari for misappropriation of funds, on returning from Rio, he was arrested at the airport, FIFA then told the Government to stay out of it or we face a ban.

As long as government is funding the football federation, it will continue to interfere as bad as this is for the development of football.

No-Planning

When they are saying "the young shall grow" was made, Nigeria was definitely not part of the deal. As far as I understood, it is only in Nigeria that an U-17 player would not be able graduate into the senior team and when , he would have become a tired leg before too long.

The Germans who won the World Cup in Rio, didn't just stumble on this success. They planned it well by giving themselves a 10-year plan having been ousted disgracefully in the group stages of Euro 2004, thus, investing in their youth academies. The likes of Marco Rues,Toni Kroos and Mario Gotze were introduced to the World in FIFA U-17 championship held in Netherlands in 2007. Funny enough, Nigeria clinched the gold medal in this tournament, but where are the youths of that tournament in our football today?

 

Equally the situation with our leagues is appalling. A league that ought to prepare and produce players for international tournaments is so poor and marred by poor officiating, match postponements, poor playing pitches, transfer problems and violence to the extent that it is stagnated.

The Nigeria Football Federation therefore has a long way to go, if they give a give a good account of themselves, the government has no business interfering. , Nigeria is bigger than anybody thus Nigeria must come first before personal pride. NFF should put their house in order and preserve our image that is just improving after a long while. Part of the plan for the development of football should be to see that Youth Academies are able to compete with the best in the world. And this league, should be taken care of by the NFF, its their duty to do so.