Sports
Soccer Fans Call For Overhaul Of Super Eagles, NFF
Soccer fans have called for the overhaul of Super Eagles and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), following their dismal performance at the current World Cup fiesta in South Africa.
Nigeria on Thursday lost 1-2 to Greece in their second Group B match and had earlier lost 0-1 in the opening game to Argentina.
The fans said that overhauling the team and the football governing body became necessary if Coach Lars Lagerback’s contract would be extended to raise a new team.
In Enugu, the fans said that the team’s performance so far in the tournament had been disgraceful, especially the encounter with Greece.
They expressed the view that the solution to the Super Eagles’ gloomy outings was the overhaul.
Benson Akigwe, a businessman, said that he was unhappy with the level of the team’s indiscipline, adding that it contributed to their loss to Greece.
“The team played without commitment and not only unfit but unprofessional in a World Cup game.
“You can’t have your cake and eat it. It will be unjust for the unprepared Eagles to beat at a well prepared side. I hope we have learnt our lessons,” Akigwe said.
He urged the Presidency to ensure that Lagerback was given the opportunity to groom fresh players and improve the quality of the nation’s football.
Nwabueze Okoronkwo, a civil servant, advised the Federal Government to immediately do away with the top officials of the NFF.
Okoronkwo urged the government to create a forum for the election of experienced people to pilot the affairs of football.
The fans in Awka called for the disbandment of the team and the football governing body.
They said the team had brought the country to a low ranking in soccer worldwide.
Fred Okoro, a trader said that the players’ “participation in the World Cup is a waste of the tax payers’ money.”
“The problem of the team is caused by the NFF which should have planned and ensured early preparation for the tournament.
“I think this team and the NFF Board should be disbanded if we want to retain Lagerback to raise a new squad for us”.
Emeka Maduka, a teacher, said football administrators should begin now to plan a programme for raising a new team.
Henry Monye, a businessman, praised goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama for his efforts and for being nominated Man of the Match in the two games with Argentina and Greece by FIFA.
In Kano, fans who said the loss to Greece was painful to them, wondered why the team would always crash out of major tournaments very early.
Abdullahi, a journalist, noted that the NFF officials had over-stayed their welcome, and “are only serving their selfish interest.”
Malam Bala Nasir, a public commentator, blamed the team’s loss on corruption.
The Nigeria Football Federation has defended the recent quarter-finals draw for the 2025 President Federation Cup, saying it was conducted in line with best global practices.
A member of the NFF Executive Committee Board, George Aluo, stated that criticism over venues for the quarterfinals was unfortunate.
Going by the fixtures released on Saturday by the football body, Abakaliki FC will take on Nasarawa United in Benin, Wikki Tourists will clash with Ikorodu City in Bwari, Abuja, Akwa United and Kwara United will fight it out in Enugu, just as Area 3, Abuja, will host the encounter between Rangers International and Plateau United. All matches are scheduled for May 3rd for the emergence of semifinalists in a leg affair.
However, there have been criticisms over the Ikorodu United vs Wikki Tourist tie billed for Abuja, with a section of the press saying the venue is skewed in favour of the Bauchi team.
Aluo, also the Chairman of the Nigeria National League (NNL), said: “Some of our media men need better education, and newsmen should not be like the fans out there on the streets. In the English FA Cup, it is always a one-legged pairing that can see a club like Arsenal host Manchester United at home”.
A new contract that will see Act Sports Di Oyibo Limited managing the career of Nigerian teqball specialist, Victor Oyemade, has been signed in Lagos.
The deal gives exclusive rights to Act Sports to manage, and exercise power of attorney over issues relating to the player’s welfare as it concerns his transactions, engagement for professional, promotional, sponsorships, endorsements, and exhibition purposes.
In signing the document, both parties also agreed that proper safeguards would be put in place to protect and promote the player’s interest at all times.
Director of Act Sports, Di Oyibo Limited, Pastor Samuel Robinson Oyibo, excited about the deal, said it would benefit both parties in the area of spreading the message of the sport, as well as laying a firm foundation for his new client’s future.
“Teqball is one of the world’s fastest-growing ball sports, and Victor Oyemade is the face of the sport here in Nigeria and Africa. That is why we are excited about this partnership that gives Act Sports official authorisation to manage his career, just as it will lay the foundation for its rapid growth in our country,” Pastor Oyibo said.
Oyemade was no less excited about the deal, saying it would help his growth in the sport.
Coaches of Nigeria’s U-18 and U-20 women’s handball teams have released their final lists of 14 players ahead of the IHF Women’s Trophy Zonal Phase, which will be held in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, that commenced yesterday to end 24th of this month.
The two teams have been training at the Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba, Lagos, for close to two weeks and departed for the competition on Thursday.
Coach John Uzor of the national U-18 team has included Omole Joy of Defender Babes and her sister Omole Shola alongside Ojie Princess of Funad Academy alongside right back Faisat Balogun in the mix while Success Duru, Chetachi Ngaodurubie of COAS Babes and Sharon Okonkwo make the cut, amongst other players.
In the U-20 team, Coach Shittu Agboola has largely stuck with the players he has been grooming since their U-18 days. The team is led by Captain Chidera Ogbusimba alongside, her Rima Queens teammates the Samuel Sisters, Amina Mohammed and Joy Peters.
Israel-based Rahima Bello, Kehinde Babatunde of ASPAC HBC of Benin Republic and Esther Mathew, who is also based in Benin Republic, keep their places.
Coach Shittu believes his team will make Nigeria proud just as they did previously at the U-18 level.
“I am really upset that Taiwo Babatunde will not be part of the team for this competition as her school, Yaba College of Technology, insisted that they will not release her for national service because of examinations.
“We did everything humanly possible to secure her release and they didn’t care that it is a national service for the interest of Nigeria and the growth of sports. We have other players who are also students and they got a release from their schools but for no tangible reason, Yabatech refused to release Taiwo despite the fact that we did everything possible to secure her release. It’s sad and I hope the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Sports Commission will work in tandem so that schools will support our goal in making Nigeria proud in sporting events”.