29 December 2011
analysis
Nigeria football did business in the year in the unusual way by only hopping airborne with one wing. It was not a smooth flight as many promises ended unfulfilled, writes Olawale Ajimotokan
Football, the country’s favourite pastime was on the low in year 2011 that many are simply in a hurry for the herald of a new year.
It has never been bad for Nigerian football in a single calendar year than the episodes experienced in the outgoing year when many probable scenarios ultimately transmuted into impossibility.
Year 2011 is a metaphor for hopelessness and failure to reach the dizzying heights for Nigerian football. This year will stand in memory as the year when the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) flew with one of its wings clipped.
Admittedly the failure of Nigeria to qualify for Equatorial Guinea and Gabon 2012 is the biggest misfortune to bedraggle football administration this year.
The Africa Cup of Nations is the continent’s biggest football showpiece. But the failure of the Super Eagles to progress from the group qualifying campaign marked the first time since 1986 that Nigeria would not be featuring in the Africa’s flagship football spectacle.
The Nations Cup appeared to be the catalyst for further setback for Nigeria football as on the trail of the hangover, the fortunes of the country began to take an unprecedented freefall, like a pack of cards.
This is how our national teams fared in addition other administrative issues of note in the about to end year.
Super Eagles
Coach Samson Siasia was relieved of his appointment in November and Stephen Keshi named in his place after the Eagles could only produce a 2-2 draw against Guinea in a decisive Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Abuja. The outcome of the match all brought to a sad end the desire of the Eagles to feature in their 11th consecutive Africa Cup of Nations finals.
Siasia was initially queried by the technical committee of the NFF for failing to deliver on a key contractual clause which bound him to unconditionally secure a ticket to the Nations Cup, and ultimately a semi final berth at the main tournament.
The committee later made Siasia the scapegoat by recommending him to be sacked and replaced by Keshi for non performance.
Keshi was appointed the new Eagles coach in the first week of November with a clearly set out term of reference to secure a Nations Cup slot to South Africa in 2013 as well as FIFA World Cup in Brazil in 2014.
Super Falcons
It was a case reminiscent of two like minds pulling the wrong course, as the Super Falcons also chose to plunge into the same cesspit that had become the grave of the Super Eagles.
And when the Falcons, under the very watch of former international, Uche Eucharia slumped, the meltdown was total as the team failed to secure qualifications to the All Africa Games and the Olympics.
An incredulous public had watched the Falcons diminish in status as the African champions by churning a laboured performance at the World Cup in Germany.
First, it was Ghana that rocked the boat and denied Nigeria a place at Mozambique 2011. But Nigerians knew the limbs were out of place after Cameroon eliminated the Falcons over two legs from London 2012.
The second setback left an impact of seismic effect as it marked the first time the Falcons will not be going to the Olympics since female football became part of the Olympic schedule since Athens 2004.
The Dream Team
The series of misfortunes that had become the nation’s share peaked when the U-23 team turned out to be a nightmare in Morocco where they failed to make any real challenge that would secure the ticket for London 2012.
Despite beating Algeria with a sparkle, the win proved a little too late for the ‘Dream Team’ who bowed out of the race to London 2012 after they suffered two hangover to Morocco and Senegal.
Before the reality check, the technical depth of coach Austin Eguavoen had been questioned when he surrendered a two- goal advantage to Ghana in a reverse fixture to concede the bragging rights to the All Africa Games to Nigeria’s west African rivals.
Flying Eagles
The U-20 side appeared to be the only bright spot that stood out in an otherwise bunch of heart breaking chaps in national colours.
The Flying Eagles tutored by John Obuh claimed Nigeria’s all time seventh Africa U-20 title by beating Cameroon in a memorable final match in South Africa.
The Nigerian teenagers were one of the best sides at the FIFA U-20 Championship in Colombia where they reached the quarter finals and amazed all with their goal scoring knack.
The side looked as if it would tear all to shreds, until it met its match in France which cut the Nigerians to sizes in a hugely entertaining match in Medellin.
NFF, NFA, NFL Crisis
The year will also go down as the year that Nigerian football was enmeshed in multiple board room crises.
Until an Abuja court finally ruled otherwise last month, the legality of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) board led by Aminu Maigari was subjected to dispute from inception last year, when National Association of Nigerian Footballers (NANF), led by Harrison Jalla, and other disgruntled stakeholders, secured a Lagos High court injunction from Justice Abang, preventing the electoral committee led by AU Mustapha from conducting the election.
Even when the issues were yet to be addressed the elections was held in line with the FIFA Statutes to set up the stage for the mother of all legal battles challenging the status quo.
Jalla withdrew the notice on order after public spirited individuals intervened; only for him to reopen new battle fronts as the agreements were breached.
With Maigari clutching to the end of the straw having been recognized by both FIFA and federal government, the feud assumed a new chapter when a splinter group, Nigeria Football Association (NFA) emerged claiming it, rather than the NFF should be the body saddled with football administration in Nigeria. It claimed that NFF was illegally receiving appropriation from government because it is a private body.
State Security Services (SSS) quizzed NFA while police invited the two feuding parties because of the national security implication of the tussle. But NFF prevailed because it had the support of government.
The ranks were exposed further after the National Sports Commission (NSC) set up the all encompassing Dominic Oneya panel to look at the issues involved and come out with recommendations.
While the NFF tussle loomed at one side, the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) circus show played out at the other side.
Victor Rumson Baribote was challenging Davidson Owumi for the levers of power and it turned out to be a festering battle.
NFF deposed to the Ayo Ibidapo arbitration panel report which ruled that Owumi was not eligible to stand for election by calling for a fresh election with Baribote running unopposed as the candidate of majority of the 16 premier league sides.
AllAfrica – All the Time