Sports

The Nigeria Team Boycott Everything You Need To Know So Far

Published

4 years ago

December 18, 2020

2020 has been a strange year for everyone as a majority of our lives have been put on hold as a result of the pandemic. However, with the return of sport well and truly underway across the globe, it is the Nigerian team that has been in the news regarding their frustrations with the NFF and the government. In this article, we will be providing you with insight into the Nigerian Team and the potential Boycott of their upcoming games.

A Proposed Boycott From The Nationals Team Before Away Fixture

The country of Africa has seen a huge amount of disruption within their government as well as several other pressing issues such as the ending Sars movement and the dealing of the Covid-19 pandemic this has led to a vast amount of disruption at this time. The first boycott that we have seen with the Nigerian football team is the African Nations Cup Finals in 2011. This was one of the many events at this time that kickstarted the beginning of change and conversation surrounding the current government in South Africa at the time.

The reason for pulling out of the competition at that time was down the level of security that they would be met with. Not only were the team concerned, but the nigeran ruler Sani Abacha was one of the many people that said Nigeria was not allowed to take part in the sporting event. This caused an issue for the popularity of the Nigerian team at this time as the Confederation of African Football threatened the Nigerian National team with a six-month ban from the championships as a result of pulling out of the major sporting competition.

The Argument Over 18 Months Of Bonuses And Allowances

Since then, there have been some changes to the way that the Nigerian nationals’ team have been treated, however, there are still substantial changes that need to be made for them to feel appreciated and continue to play without a national boycott. One of the sticking points is of course the issue of pay. With a total of 18-months’ worth of allowances, pay and bonuses still yet to be paid, this has been a huge sticking point for the team. With a national boycott looming there are many wondering how much disruption this will cause to the cup as the Nigerian team are one of the most popular set to compete. Without them participating, this can have a significant impact on sports betting in the country as this is an industry that is already suffering losses as a result of the Pandemic with many betting websites concerned about whether or not they will be able to take bets for the national team moving forward. Which is another area of concern for the government that adds up to the taxation issues that SBO mentions for example. And, finally, this has also left the Nigerian Football Federation scrambling to make sure that all of these issues are ironed out so that the team can get back on track to play in their upcoming tournaments.

Tensions Between The Government And The NFF

With a long-standing history of corruption within the government of large parts of Africa, there have always been tensions when it comes to finances. With funding coming directly from the government there have been issues surrounding the payment of not only the players but the staff themselves. However, with the pandemic still sweeping across the world, there are many wondering whether the league may be in trouble as the government continues to have their own financial issues during this time of ongoing uncertainty.

In addition to this, the ongoing issue surrounding the ending of Sars in Africa has been another huge issue for those living there. With the issue reaching ahead this year, many superstar athletes from across the globe have called out Sars for their treatment of the Nigerian people and have called for the Special Anti-Robbery Squad to be disbanded due to the gross misconduct in the country. One of the superstars that have been the most outspoken at this time is John Ogu who has called on the Nigerian team to boycott the upcoming 2021 Africa Cup of Nations away fixtures.

The Future Of Football In Nigeria

Though there have been several steps in the right direction when it comes to the future of Football in Africa and their own leagues, there is still a long way to go when it comes to the payment of players and the treatment of staff in order for it to be as successful as major sporting leagues from the UK and other parts of the world.

Whether you have been following the league for a long time now and placed your bets on it or you are new to the world of Football, there is plenty to look forward to with the upcoming 2021 Africa Cup of Nations tournament.

Sports

CAF Postpones CHAN To August

Published

2 weeks ago

January 15, 2025

The Tide

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced the postponement of the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN), originally scheduled for February 1, in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, to August 2025.
The decision followed recommendations from CAF’s technical and infrastructure experts, who reported that more time is needed to bring the facilities in the host nations up to the required standards for a successful tournament.
CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe, in a statement on yesterday, January 14, 2025, expressed appreciation to the presidents of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda for their support.
He emphasised that the postponement is intended to ensure adequate planning and infrastructure readiness for the competition.
“I would like to express my deep gratitude to President William Ruto of Kenya, President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania and President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda for their leadership, commitment and the good progress that has been made in building and upgrading the stadiums, training fields, hotels, hospitals and other infrastructure and facilities in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda for hosting a successful TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda 2024.
“I am impressed with the ongoing construction and renovations of the football infrastructure and facilities in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. I am confident that the stadiums, training fields, hotels, hospitals and other infrastructure and facilities will be at the requisite CAF standards for hosting, in August 2025, a very successful TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (“CHAN”) Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda 2024″, he said.
However, the exact date for the completion was not disclosed but the CHAN 2024 Draw is scheduled for Wednesday 15 January, 2025 at the iconic Kenyatta International Conventional Centre, Nairobi.

Sports

Chelle Sure To Qualify For 2026 W’Cup

Published

2 weeks ago

January 15, 2025

The Tide

New Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has expressed his desire to lead Nigeria to the ‘pinnacle of world football’ starting with the ticket to the 2026 World Cup as he takes the reign of the three-time African champions.
Chelle was unveiled on Monday at a brief ceremony at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja by the Nigeria Football Federation, one week after his announcement as the 37th coach of the Super Eagles.
He was handed a two-year deal with an option to extend if he gets the 2026 FIFA World Cup ticket.
Since his appointment last week, the NFF has constantly hammered the coach’s task of leading Nigeria to the tournament which will be played in the USA, Canada and Mexico despite the precarious situation of the Eagles in the qualifying series.
After four rounds of matches in the series, Nigeria are fifth in Group C with just three points having only drawn three and lost one.
To avert the danger of missing out on a consecutive FIFA World Cup, the Eagles must win all their six remaining matches in the group or even hope for favourable results in other ties – a task Chelle fronted at his unveiling.
Asked if he would take responsibility at the end of the qualifying campaign, the ex-Mali coach said, “If you want to be a great coach, you need to take some risks, you need to make some sacrifices.
“I want to be in the history. The first thing, I need to talk to the players. I will be a big brother. It is my prayer that we are going to the World Cup.
“I want to thank my agent, the NFF, the NSC and indeed all Nigerians for this big opportunity. Coaching the Super Eagles of Nigeria is an amazing job; I do not take this appointment for granted. I am elated and will do my utmost best.”
For most of the reactions that have trailed his appointment, the rallying point was his enterprising and attacking style with the Mali national team at the AFCON, which he emphasised he would be bringing to Nigeria.
“Football is about scoring goals, so I favour an attacking style. I know the expectations of Nigerians and I will settle down and work diligently with assistants towards the goal of qualifying the Super Eagles for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.”
The 47-year-old also relished his long-time dream of getting the Super Eagles job, having been a fan of the Nigerian national team in his boyhood.
“Nigeria’s team is more than a team. When I was young, this was my favourite team. I owned a shirt; I watched all the games at the World Cup in France. I was in Marseille and it was my team.
“From this very moment, I am already hard at work. My goal is clear: to restore the Super Eagles to the pinnacle of world football, where they truly belong. This will require hard work, discipline, and a strategy that is both ambitious and realistic. I will rely on the exceptional talent of our players, whether they play at home or abroad, and build a team that reflects the unity, strength, and excellence of Nigeria,” the coach added in a social media post.
Chelle, who took Mali’s Aiglons within breathing distance of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals, left his job at top Algerian side MC Oran – 1989 African Champions’ Cup finalists – to team up with the Super Eagles.

Sports

Gokana Chairmanship Cup Symbol Of Unity Peace – Chairman

Published

2 weeks ago

January 15, 2025

The Tide

Gokana Local Government Council, Chairman Hon. Monday Dumiye has said that 2024 Gokana Chairmanship Cup symbolises unity, peace and love for Gokana people.
Hon. Dumiye said this during the grand finale of the 2024 Gokana Chairmanship cup titled “Unity Cup” as the fourth edition of the Chairmanship Cup ended last Saturday at Kpor, the council headquarters.
He expressed gratitude to the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara for his tremendous support, most especially the peace Rivers people are enjoying including Gokana LGA.
He also applauded members of the local organising committee of the tournament and all those that contributed towards the success of the championship.
He hinted the huge crowd witnessed during the tournament shows peace has come to stay in Gokana,saying that it has been his intention to ensure that there is peace ,unity and togetherness among the people.
” Without peace we all know that there will be no meaningful development. I want to say that it is the first of its kind in the annals of the people to use the instrumentality of sports to develop talented Gokana youths.
“The mamoth crowd you are seeing here today shows our people have embraced peace. This is exactly what we intend to achieve uniting our people through sports.
On his part, former Super Eagles player and current coach of Rivers United, Finidi George, commended the Gokana Chairman for organising such a wonderful tournament for the youth.
He advised the chairman to form a formidable team from the tournament, admitting the unprecedented crowd that witnessed the championship shows that the chairman is on the right direction.
The Leader of the Simplified in Gokana, Hon. Friday Beema thanked the Chairman for his zeal to develop Gokana.
He also commended the Rivers Governor forgiving them well focused Chairman who reason like him.
The leader called on the people of the area to support Governor Fubara for the development of Gokana.