The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Soccer

  • Lagos Street Soccer Championship begins

    Lagos Street Soccer Championship begins

    It was a festival of football at the Obele Oniwala mini stadium as the 2023 Lagos State Street Soccer Championship officially kicked off with series of ceremonial games featuring men, women and u-15 boys teams selected across Lagos State.

    Lagos Mainland based Wazbak defeated their opponent Middlewell from Lagos Island 2-1 in the women game. Dolphin High School defeated Kings College by two unreplied goals Kings College. 2-0 in the u-15 match. In the men’s game, Ayo Davis Street, Surulere lost to BogunBolu FC Street FC also by the same margin.

    The event witnessed by Chairmen of some Local Government Areas across Lagos also had in attendance the Honourable Commissioner of Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunleke and Chairman, Lagos State Football Association, Fuad Oki.

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    Ogunleke speaking during the event lauded organisers for putting up a colourful show. He advised Lagos youth to step out of their comfort zones rather than wait for white collar jobs. He charged them to take advantage opportunities that initiatives such as the street soccer present.

    In the same vein, the Chairman of the Lagos Street Soccer Championship Committee, Bolaji Yusuf expressed his satisfaction at the turnout as he promised a seamless competition when it kicks off later this month.

    The Chairperson of Ikosi-Isheri LCDA and co-chairman of Lagos State Street Soccee Championship, Mayoress Samiat Abolanle Bada, said the championship is in line with the mandate of the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu. According to her, the grassroots event will provide vista of opportunities for youth around Lagos.

  • Cash and carry soccer

    Nigerians have the penchant for making simple things look difficult because we give incompetent people sensitive assignments. We only realise our folly when things go awry. Ironically, when the problems manifest, we chase the effects of such maladministration, leaving the inept administrators to worsen the situation.

    Fortunately, we have those who correct the defects, but they won’t be recruited because of nepotism. Interestingly, those who should correct their mistakes of recruiting failures end up passing the buck. The ripple effect of this circus show is the vicious recycling of those who have failed in the past for bigger roles – same names, yet we expect different results. What hurts is the recourse to federal character, which has devastated the polity.

    Nigerians watched in pain how Flying Eagles played without cohesion, largely due to the absence of talents in the squad. Many were miffed that the coaches could pick such poor players in a country of over 200 million people; yet they are waiting for the NFF to sack them, instead of resigning their appointment after the team’s loss to South Africa in the third-place game last Saturday.

    NFF chiefs should fire this coaching crew and disband the team. They have failed us and should not be given any national team assignment in the next five years. Flying Eagles used to be the nursery for the players to replace ageing ones and those whose career stopped due to recurring injuries. We cannot destroy this platform on the altar of giving the coaches a second chance to correct their mistakes.

    We appear to be showcasing far less talented players in our age grade teams than we have. It’s not the result, the winning or the lack of it. It’s that Nigeria is blessed with better talents than we parade. The current U-20 team is alarmingly deficient in every aspect of the game. So, those who picked the team and players should go.

    How do other countries assembly their age-grade teams? They standardise their youth academies to be in sync with such country’s soccer philosophy. There is a link between what operates at the cadet level to the senior side, which makes transition from one cadre to another for the younger ones seamless. But in Nigeria, any gathering of young boys is seen as an academy, with the coaches buying balls.

    Determined to get a holistic view of the problem in Nigeria, this writer sought the views of the Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission (ESSC), Barrister Godwin Dudu-Orumen, who said: ‘’Good question. But how is it done in other climes? In the first place, l think we need to revisit the process of engaging the coaches. Who conducts the interviews, who makes the appointments, parameters for making the appointments, set targets and of course due diligence on the character of the coaches? Thereafter, periodic evaluation of the performance of the team under the coach by an independent monitoring team. The same operatives of the NFF Technical Dept have also been guilty of complicity. I am sorry to use these words, it’s a racket that must be crushed by the NFF big wigs. No disrespect to the sensibilities of anybody, please.’’

    Not one to run away from providing insights into such debates in sports, especially football where he is the First Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi responded to Dudu Orumen’s comments thus: ‘’Familiar story indeed. But it’s been familiar for decades and very deep rooted; it can only be improved by creating a structure from the grassroots to the State FA’s to the Zones. Even that will take time.

    ‘’Ordinarily, I would just read and digest, but my name was mentioned (admittedly in good faith). The problem is a fundamental one and many of us who complain are perhaps part of the problem. 1. Where on earth does an individual (or indeed a village) discover a talent and takes that player to the na tional team coach for inclusion in the national team? We don’t even see anything wrong in it. Most times its for personal gain (again, admittedly not all) and it is a bastardisation of the system. Many of us have unwittingly become intermediaries.

    ‘’I will give an example; just a few days ago someone came to my office to ask for my help because the boy he sent to be screened for the ongoing U-17 was not picked. He made various unsubstantiated allegations against the coaches.

    ‘’Apart from asking him to substantiate his claims, I asked for the name of the boy. It turned out that he was a young boy that I knew quite well from our Eko Football U-15 team. Undoubtedly talented, but very lazy and undisciplined. He, therefore, did not make the SW Zonal team despite his talent. Yet this emergency intermediary expects him to be picked for the U-17 because “he had plans for him abroad”. This is someone well respected in this sphere and should know better. Many on this Forum have spoken to me in similar vein.

    ‘’Dudu (who has an academy) has only ever spoken to me on this one player and I intervened only because he had captained Nigeria U-15 and was adjudged one of the best players at that tournament,’’ Akinwunmi wrote on FUBS’ platform.

    Dudu Orumen’s retort to Akinwunmi raised further comments on the subject matter. He stressed: ‘’ Seyi, you have told some truths, same way some of us have. A deep rooted problem going back three decades or so. But it is scarlet colour hitting the eyes so badly because of the not so good returns from the team.’’

    Well said, gentlemen. What is the practicable approach to ensuring that the right things are done to return the country to winning ways? A coach is as good as his last game. Where a coach has failed, he shouldn’t be allowed to remain with the team. He should either be demoted to a lower rung or sacked immediately; it will deter whoever replaces him, knowing that the proverbial whip used to flog the old wife is still hung at the back of the door for him.

    Our age-grade teams have had the misfortune of being handled by cash and carry coaches who failed – although many may demand evidence of such claims. Difficult to prove, but posterity has an uncanny way of vindicating the just. When such teams are picked, they depart the country with deafening curses from those dropped, which rubs off on the teams’ performance.

    Did you say that is the way those dropped behave? Not exactly. The difference is that those in this new group still have pockets of others who were dropped wishing them well. But when the curses are deafening, nothing good comes out of those teams. What do you say of the case where a coach punished for being caught on tape receiving bribe is being projected to return to the national team?

    What message are we sending to the outside world? How will our administrators feel if the commentators sight the coach and refer to the offence? It will be a slap on every Nigerians’ sensibilities, more so when we have other coaches who can do the job. This disgraced coach should stay away from our national teams. He is a bad citation for the game with his misdemeanour, no matter how naive he was.

     

    Caught in the act

    This shameful expose ought to be my main discuss today. I changed my mind because in the last four weeks, I have made the domestic game the major topic here. But, when The Nation’s correspondent in Damaturu sent the story of how referees, who had been paid N1 million before a game were forced to return their booty, I had no option but to talk.

    In the report, it was stated that the match officials were given N1 million, shared according to their roles in the game between Yobe Desert Stars and Akwa United of Uyo in Damaturu. The centre referee was said to have collected N300,000 while the two assistant referees got N200,000 each. The match commissioner and an intermediary whose identity was not disclosed shared the remaining N300,000.

    All the recipients of the bribe returned the money they collected to members of the Yobe Desert Stars Supporters’ Club who stormed the match officials’ hotel for the recovery mission.  The money was for the referees to ensure that the home team won. Unfortunately for them, the visitors, Akwa United, won 1-0. Did I hear you say perhaps, the visitors gave more cash? I no know book o! mbok, make I dey run to go house o!

    First, one must commend the referees for keeping faith with the rules of the game culminating in Akwa United’s victory. Dubious referees would have awarded as many penalty kicks to the home side to ensure parity instead of the defeat. The event after the game didn’t give pundits the opportunity to see if the referees would have reported the matter to the LMC by lodging the cash for further investigation. Nor can we charge them with complicity.

    The league organisers should provide the referees’ names for commendation. The thugs who stormed the hotel for the cash should be apprehended and prosecuted. Need I say that giving cash to throw games is a criminal offence? The organisers can’t claim not to know the thugs, like the clubs will say, but the referees can identify them if they are paraded.

    The club owners have a lot to tell us, especially how thugs knew where the match officials were staying. These thugs could have killed or maimed the referees, if the instruction was to wreak such havoc. This incident is too grievous to be swept under the carpet.

  • Fans urge Rangers on extra effort for CAF group stage

    Enugu Rangers International FC fans in Ebonyi have urged the team to put in extra efforts in the CAF Confederation Cup group stage which draws hold on Monday in Cairo, Egypt.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the team defeated Bantu FC of Lesotho 2-1 in the play-off return leg in Enugu on Sunday, to qualify for the competition’s group stage on a 4-2 aggregate.

    The fans, who spoke to NAN on Monday in Abakaliki, congratulated the team for scaling the preliminary round hurdles but noted that the group stage would be stiffer.

    Desmond Ome, Secretary of Ebonyi Football Association hailed the team’s resilience, noting that it had carried its AITEO cup winning streak unto the competition.

    “Rangers have been impressive in the confederation cup competition as the players have shown unparalleled dedication, commitment and desire to excel.

    “The team’s away-record in the competition has been splendid with the favourable results eliminating the pressure it would have encountered while playing at home,” he said.

    Melvin Uzor, Defunct Nitel-Vasco Dagama FC Player however noted that the competition in the group stage would be stiffer because of the presence of champions like Rangers.

    “Teams that would compete at the group stage are those which won their preliminary matches and are there for business.

    “The players should therefore redouble their efforts by heeding to the coaches’ instructions, playing with more sense of purpose and strengthening the bond of unity among them,” he said.

    Chief Basil Anagha, a businessman and soccer buff, urged the technical crew to review the team’s performance in all its matches to correct areas of defect.

    “From the team’s matches I watched, the players tend to relax and become serious only when their opponents ‘take the game to them’ or when they are on the ‘back foot’.

    “They should realise that teams competing at the group stage are highly technical and experienced and might seal the encounters if given such opportunities by Rangers,” he said.

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    Mrs Chika Okoro, a teacher and ardent Rangers fan, urged the team to still concentrate on its league matches despite participating in the confederation cup group stage.

    “The team should approach its first league encounter with MFM of Lagos on Wednesday with utmost seriousness, including other domestic engagements on its schedule.

    “It should avoid a repeat of the 2016/17 season where it was eliminated in the CAF Champions league preliminary rounds and struggled to remain in the domestic league’s elite division,” she said.

  • Five die in stampede after Angolan soccer match

    Five people were killed and seven injured in a stampede after an African Champions League soccer match in the Angolan capital Luanda, the sports ministry said on Manday.

    Witnesses told the media that the people were crushed to death when they flooded out of the stadium after the game between Angola’s Primeiro de Agosto and TP Mazembe from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

    Angola’s sports ministry said in a statement late on Sunday that it regretted the deaths and that the seven injured people had already been discharged from hospital.

    The stampede took place on Saturday.

    Witnesses said the stampede happened after fans found the gates to the Estádio 11 de Novembro stadium shut after the match.

    When police opened the gates, fans rushed out and some were trampled under police horses.

    The sports ministry blamed the casualties partly on the fact that the start of the game had been delayed.

    Angola’s sports watchdog said it would investigate the incident.

    Last year, at least 17 people died and dozens were injured in a stampede at a stadium in Uige, a city in northern Angola.

  • The First ever soccer festival held for Inner City Kids At the Winnipeg University

    The Grassroot Soccer Festival is one of FIFA’s programs that is designed to introduce as many boys and girls in the world of soccer. The one-day event focuses on both boys and girls between the ages of 6 and 13. As a way of integrating people, the festival involves as many children without discrimination of colour, ethnicity or religion.

    If you are into online sports betting in Nigeria, you would know that it is little developments like these that can make a big difference to the nation’s prospects later on. Targeting kids ensures that the next generation is better, and can compete successfully on the world stage.

    About the Soccer Festival

    It was a sigh of relief when the Grassroots Soccer Festival was held this past Saturday at the Winnipeg University. The festival saw over 80 kids who participated in the event. The children got a chance to showcase their relevant soccer skills in the event. There were trained coaches who helped out the kids develop their skills.

    The festival was organized jointly by the Manitoba Soccer Association(MSA) and the Spence Neighborhood Association. The MSA is a member of the governing body of the Canadian Soccer Association and has been holding Grassroots Soccer Festival around for the past years. However, this was the first time the festival was being held in Winnipeg. The aim was to bring soccer to young kids who live in the inner parts of the city. The kids were given a chance to experience the beauty of soccer, in an aim to kindle interest in the sport.

    What Did the Kids Love?

    The Saturday event had a wide range of different activities. The kids had the opportunity to use this event as a platform to showcase their abilities. Everyone had a chance to participate, and that is why the event split kids into different age and skills. MSA picked the most talented players for its higher level programs.

    The MSA has been preparing for the 2020 Manitoba games since 2017. They are using these festivals as a chance to identify players with the potential to play in the games. For the residents of Winnipeg, this was their first time to get involved in such a festival and be part of the Manitoba games.

    The Challenges and What Lies Ahead

    Although the festival was a success, there were challenges that were experienced by the organizers. The availability of finances was one of the major problems. For any event to run successfully, finances have to be readily available. But inadequate finances limited the number of kids that could get involved in the festival. Transportation was also another problem. But at the end of the day, the event was a success.

    MSA is positive that in the future more kids can get involved in the festival. Thus they will be involved in the MSA program. If soccer is to be a factor that integrates people together, then the Grassroots Soccer Festival is a driving force towards this goal.

     

     

  • Soccer for peace, unity

    All roads led to the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU) Sports Complex for the All Niger State Students’ Football Tournament. The event was organised by the National Association of Niger State Students (NANISS) to foster unity among ethnic groups. MAHMUD ABDULSALAM and HAMZA ABAGA (200-Level Mass Communication) report.

    For three weeks, academic activities were suspended at the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU) in Lapai, Niger State. Lecture rooms and offices were all deserted, as members of the staff and students relocated to the school’s Sports Complex to participate in the maiden Inter-Local Government Soccer contest organised by the IBBUL chapter of the National Association of Niger State Students (NANISS).

    There were 20 teams of students representing their local government areas. Each contested with the other in the group and knock-out stages, leaving four teams from Paiko, Bida, Lapai and Kontagora local governments to slug it out at the semi-final stage.

    To get to the final, Paiko team worked hard to edge Bida team out of the tournament with a lone goal, while Lapai team saw off Kontagora with a 4-2 win in a thrilling penalty shoot-out.

    At the final match, enthusiastic students and members of the staff from the competing local councils thronged the Sport Complex to cheer their teams.

    The final match was graced by the Emir of Lapai, Alhaji Umar Bago Tafida (II), who was joined by the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Muhammad Nasir Maiturare, to perform the ceremonial kick-off.

    It was a fierce contest among players of the opposing teams, as the game was goalless 35 minutes after the match began. Each team deployed skills in defending its side against the other, leaving the spectators enthralled.

    Paiko team striker, who spotted sky blue jersey with white stripes, took a long-range kick from outside the goal area, but the Lapai team goalkeeper punched away the ball. This excited the crowd.

    Moments later, the rapturous crowd went wild when the Lapai team striker dribbled his way into the Paiko team’s goal area, deceived the goalkeeper with leg-over and scored a goal. However, the goal was disallowed after the striker was adjudged to be at an off-side position by an assistant referee.

    Amid enthusiastic chanting from the spectators, the Lapai team’s attackers worked out a pass from the midfield, which broke the defence of the opposing team. An error by the Paiko team’s defender, who failed to clear a back pass, gave the Lapai team’s striker an opportunity to hijack the ball and netted a goal moments before the first-half ended.

    During the second-half, the Paiko team equalised after the referee awarded a penalty kick in its favour.

    At 87 minutes, the Lapai team striker put the game beyond redemption of their opponent, when he calmly placed the ball into the net. The match ended 2-1 in favour of the Lapai team.

    Speaking with CAMPUSLIFE, Lapai team coach Abdulhafiz Ndanusa said his side deserved to lift the trophy, having put up a “good performance” at the beginning of the tournament. He praised the team members, saying they showed the best attacking strategies.

    He said: “The formation we used all through the game made our opponents to be confused at every encounter. This ensured our victory at each stage of the competition. At the final, both teams showed great skills and amazing attacking prowess. It was glaring that my boys were no match for their opponents. This is the reason why they emerged triumphant. I must commend our opponents for their fighting spirit.”

    In his address before the match, Prof Maiturare hailed the NANISS officials for initiating the tournament to promote unity and sportsmanship among students, noting that the competition would become a source of inspiration for talented youngsters aspiring to become professional footballers.

    He said: “Sport events such as this are beneficial in many ways. It will give students the opportunity to refresh and reclaim their confidence to embrace the challenges they may face in the course of their studies. It is not out of place to say future football stars have been discovered. I urge other students’ associations to emulate the Niger State students’ union in this respect.”

    The VC pledged the management’s commitment to promoting sports, assuring the students that the school would give attention to football.

    Special Guest of Honour Comrade Ahmed Yusuf, who likened the competition to Spanish El-Classico, described the final match as “memorable, highly-explosive and a classic encounter”.

    Yusuf, who is also the chairman of the Niger State Football Association, praised both teams for putting up a good performance and adhering to the rules of the game. He urged the school management to invest in sports, saying it would help to develop students’ mental and physical capacity. If sustained, Yusuf said, the tournament could be a ground for breeding professional footballers.

    Bello Egigogo of Lapai team was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament, while Muhammed Bida of the Bida team emerged the Highest Goal Scorer, having scored eight goals.

    Muhammed said his feat boosted his morale to further pursue his goal of becoming a professional footballer. He dedicated his achievement to his team mates.

    The Emir expressed joy that youths in the state were rising above their religious and ethnic differences to promote unity, love and peace through the football competition.

    He said: “Let me tell you that the Lapai emirate council is proud to be associated with the school and students on several programmes being held to promote peace. The supports the emirate will be giving to noble activities, such as the football tournament, will be immeasurable. I will personally engage the youths on the need to embrace programmes that will improve their means of livelihood. This would take them away from crimes.”

    Alhaji Bago urged students to hone and showcase their soccer talents by partaking in sports contests beyone their campus. He, however, admonished them not to lose focus on their studies, describing education as their primary aim in the school.

    The highpoint was the presentation of the trophy to the first prize winner – Lapai team – which also received N100, 000 cash. The second prize winner – Paiko team – got N50,000 cash.

    Yusuf pledged N100,000 to NANISS and N5, 000 each to the Best Goalkeeper, MVP and Highest Goal Scorer to encourage the students.

    NANISS president Hamza Tatiko expressed delight that the competition fulfilled its objective, which, he said, was to promote unity and cooperation among members of the association. He hailed the school and the emir for supporting the event.

    He said: “Beyond the tangible monetary incentives and awards given to the outstanding players, this tournament has strengthened the bond of friendship, love and brotherhood among students of Niger State who came from diverse ethnic groups and religious background.”

    A student, Umar Ibrahim, said the competition eased off the academic tension that enveloped the campus.

    “Many students would resume for lectures with refreshed spirit,” he said.

  • 2016 CAF BEACH SOCCER: LOC, Lagos unveil plan

    2016 CAF BEACH SOCCER: LOC, Lagos unveil plan

    •As tourney kicks off Dec. 13-18

    All logistics have been put in place as the Lagos State in conjunction with the Nigeria Football Federation unveil plans for successful hosting of the African Beach Soccer championship  slated for  December 13 to 18 at Eko Atlantic Beach, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    In the same vein, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde who represented Governor Akinwunmi Ambode explained the reason they partnered with NFF.

    “Governor Ambode has recognised two components that can put Lagos State on the World map. Art, culture, tourism and entertainment on one hand, Sports on the other hand this is the reason he said he will drive city as a whole, you will see what he has been doing in the last six months that sports and entertainment has been paramount in this activities. It will be an honour to be partnering the Local Organising Committee of the NFF to make the CAF Beach Soccer competition a reality”

    Meanwhile, the Chairman of Lagos State Sports Commission, Deji Tinubu  promised fans fanfare. Other dignitaries presented at the event include NFF first Vice President and Chairman Beach Soccer LOC, Seyi Akinwunmi, and the president of Ghana Football Association and the Chairman LOC CAF Beach Soccer.

    Host Nigeria will play second game of the day against Egypt as Ghana versus Cote d’Ivoire game opened the on Tuesday December 13.

  • 9ICE BECOMES SOCCER JACKPOT’S AMBASSADOR

    9ICE BECOMES SOCCER JACKPOT’S AMBASSADOR

    ABOLORE Adegbola, known as 9ice, has signed up a new contract with Soccer Jackpot, a betting company.

    The singer, who recently dropped a new single titled Olorunsogo, produced by ID Cabasa, is the first brand ambassador for Soccer Jackpot, for the brand new Football season.

    The betting company which started since November 2015, according to a statement, sought out a partnership with the artiste, who has seven albums to his credits.

    “Soccer Jackpot is an opportunity for lovers of football to turn their passion into gold. In a trying time such as this, having a little fun and making a little income on the side is the very best of both worlds”, 9ice said.

    The musician who is fully back to music with a new single “Economy” coming soon, in 2014, went into politics and contested for a seat at the Federal House of Representatives in his native state Ogbomosho in Oyo state under the All Progressive Congress (APC). He lost out during the primaries, but was later named as a Special Adviser to the Oyo state Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi.

  • Nigerian soccer & the culture of abuse

    PHYSICS teaches us that lightning rarely strikes the same spot twice. The depth of shock experienced by the nation last week is therefore better imagined when, within a space of 72 hours, the lightning of death did not only smite Nigeria’s two most accomplished football coaches but curiously at the same location: Benin City. The sudden death of Stephen Keshi and Shuaib Amodu is easily the worst sporting tragedy to befall Nigeria in a long time. Ironically, the latter had penned a moving tribute to the former in the condolence register opened in Benin penultimate Wednesday. Not knowing the terminal bell had begun to toll for him as well. Both champs personified what could be described as the golden era of the Nigerian football. Keshi (aka the Big Boss) pioneered the migration of our talents to Europe in the 80s, thereby initiating the country into the world soccer community.

    Later as coach, he continued to perform magic. In 2013, he would assemble a team of nobodies who, despite poor incentives, proceeded to shock the nation by winning the 2013 Nations Cup after a two-decade drought. It is, for instance, a testament to his genius that new stars like Sunday Mbah and Kenneth Omerua were discovered from the local league and unleashed on the global stage through the continental tourney in South Africa in 2013. Being a star himself, he therefore had no difficulty spotting another gem, even in the most unlikely place. Truly, only the deep can call to the deep. It is easy to define the Keshi edge. His organic approach to talent hunt and team-building sharply contrasted the lazy opportunism of the fly-by-night “world class coach” our soccer administrators always seem obsessed with. Of course, the tactical secret of such expatriate is often not a little more than the commonsense to simply compile the names of our soccer ambassadors “doing well” in the European league for the purpose of winning international engagement.

    Once the show is over, the smart “world-class coach” would hop on the next available flight to his home country, to return at the next payday or match. Amodu, on the other hand, signposted the coming of age of the local ingenuity in coaching that however remains un-acknowledged, much less celebrated, till date. With the Clement Westerhof-inspired superb showing of the Super Eagles in 1994 first at the Nations Cup and later the World Cup, the Nigerian football was thought to have matured into a distinct character roughly described as the “rattle snake style”. Its strength laid in the syncopation of swiftly clinical wings, sleek midfield and a rock-solid defense. Its power and beauty were very much in evidence in the KanuNwankwo-led Eaglets who, two years later, dazed the world by winning the gold medal at the Atlanta Olympics. But typically, the talisman was soon lost by those who took over the management of our football.Years later, Amodu brought some redemption. By qualifying Nigeria for the World Cup in 2002 and2010, he defied all odds characterized by shoddy institutional support. Even at those sterling feats, he was hardly accorded the respect he deserved. A sad reminder of the biblical saying that prophet isnever recognized at home.

    Sadder still is the high probability today that both Keshi and Amodu died with some bitterness in their hearts on account of maltreatment they suffered at the hands of a nation they toiled so hard tomake great. The details of Keshi’s autopsy are yet unknown. But relations reported symptoms of heart attack. On the other hand, Amodu’s remains were interred last Saturday in accordance with his Muslim faith. But given that he also reportedly complained of chest pain, the cause may also not be too far from cardiac arrest arising from complications from a nagging diabetes his wife confirmed he had nursedover the years. Not surprising, the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), which meted indignity to Keshi and Amodu while alive, almost emptied the dictionary the next moment with the torrents of adjectives deployed to describe their contributions to the growth and the development of the beautiful game in Nigeria. But the sick joke is actually on those who have been shedding crocodile tears in the past ten days. While I only met Keshi casually twice, Amodu I knew very well. While I served as Information Commissioner in Edo State, his path and mine inevitably crossed several times.

    Incidentally, the Information Ministry and the Sports Ministry share the same modest building in the Ezoti wing of the state secretariat. That proximity furnished us the opportunity to engage in debate from time to time. Ordinarily taciturn, he came alive whenever our chat veered to the subjects of values and leadership. In that mode, he would gesticulate animatedly to give depth to his words and emotions. Nothing ached his heart than watching the upcoming ones, some of whom were benefitting from his coaching clinic, thinking lasting success could be achieved without hard work and dedication. He was a study in humility. I can still picture hisregular boyish smile, accentuated with trademarklow-cut, with a parting on the left. He had a way with the little boys forever loitering the verandah of the Sports Ministry, dreaming a future of soccer, their boots often dangling on their shoulders, tied by their laces.

    Since the tragic news last Saturday, the social media has been awash with sometimes outlandish theories, some speculating on the list of debtors and enemies he kept. The most sensational perhaps being a letter purportedly written by him widely published by the traditional media Tuesday. It not only claimed that Edo State owed him up to N25m but also barely concealed his anger at being shoddily dribbled and maltreated specifically by Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

    Thankfully, a clarity was brought to the new controversy a day later with the state government making public a memo, said to have been submitted by Amodu to the office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) penultimate Wednesday, which content and tone sharply contrast with the angry one earlier circulated. Contrary to the N25m earlier bandied, Amodu only claimed N8m arrears in the version presented by the state government. The big puzzle: who then could have doctored a letter presumably submitted to the state government confidentially and caused its circulation?What could possibly be the motive? Really, it would be very strange indeed for an ex-worker soliciting payment of a claim and desirous of quick result to adopt the insolent, if not incendiary, language of the first letter. Given the pervading grief, this obviously cannot be the most auspicious moment to seek answers to these big questions. But whatever the misgivings he might have had over the non-renewal of his contract last year, I believe the worst assault anyone could do to Amodu’s memory is suggest that he had forgotten or, even for a moment, became unappreciative of the solidarity andsuccour given him by someone in hishour of need back in 2010.

    True, there will never be a perfect working environment or relationship anywhere in the world. But I can attest that once to twice that our chat veered to his past ordeal at the hands of the nation’s soccer administrators, Amodu drew solace from the fact that his native Edo State came to his rescue when itmattered most after being literally humiliated twice on the national stage by the football federation. His reward for helping to qualify Nigeria for the 2010 World was an unceremonious sack. He had similarly helped qualify Nigeria for the World Cup in 2002, only to be dumped for someone else to leadthe Super Eagles to the tournament.

    While NFF quickly raised millions of dollar to hire a foreign coach and fund a jamboree to the World Cup in South Africa in 2010, Amodu was left in the cold in Nigeria. It was at this point that Oshiomholeinvited him and made an offer to wipe his tears. As national coach, his earning was said to be N800k circa. So, there was now a snag: Commissioner’s net pay after tax was around N400k while governor’s was a little over N600k. To make up, Oshiomhole decided to designate Amodu as a consultant with a compensation package of N2mmonthly plus other fringe benefits. Apart from the payment of a sign-on fee. His job description was to run a coaching academy to discover and groom soccer talents from primary and secondary schools in Edo State. So, the state-owned Sam OgbemuduaStadium became his workshop.Was Amodu satisfied with the package? I bet he was, particularly given the spirit behind the gesture.

    Nothing best expressed this than the accustomed passion he brought to the job until the contract expired last year. That coincided with the onset of the cash crunch in the federation with more than twothird of the states owing back wages, with most left to reorder their priorities to stay afloat. Once it became certain that Edo was no longer buoyant to renew his contract, Amodu moved on to another job with the football federation as a technical director. It has been confirmed that his last employer (NFF) was owing him arrears of salaries before his death last week. One account even stated the cash woe had seriously weighed him down. It was most likely against this background that Amodu had no other option than return to Benin last week to file a claim for the period between when his contract expired and when the NFF job came believing Oshiomhole, who related to him more as a big brother, would approve on compassionategrounds.

    On the whole, Amodu’s case is quite reflective of the pervasive culture of abuse by the NFF that seems more fixated on dollars-earning foreigncoach but feels no qualms subjecting Nigerians performing tasks even more demanding to starvation, if not destitution, like the foregoing story clearly illustrates.While the NFF executives appear to lead champagne lifestyle with the guaranty of First-classtravels and hotels worldwide, players and coache mostly spend their latter lives in pain and penury. This endemic culture of abandonment, it would seem, is what in turn breeds the mercenary mentality among players still active in their careers. It speaks to the growing craze for instant gratification. Soccer internationals invited home to wear national jerseys would insist flight ticket and bonuses be paid before they even enter the field of play. Unsureof what tomorrow holds, they want to make the best of today when their feet can still carry them.If nothing at all, the Amodu case should serve as a wake-up call to reorder football administration in the country in a manner that will profit, not the fat cats at the Glass House exclusively, but also the hardworking coaches, players and club owners/ managers whose sweat and toil give life to thegame in Nigeria.

  • Soccer feast at UNIBEN

    The male and female teams of the Faculty of Arts of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) have won the Vice-Chancellor’s Cup in the Inter-faculty Soccer Tournament. SUNNY IBEH Jr. (400-Level History) reports.

    Activities at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) literally moved to the Sport Complex  last week, as students participated in the Inter-faculty Soccer Tournament. It was another edition of the Vice-Chancellor’s Cup, which involved male and female teams from all the 15 faculties.

    The contest started from the preliminary stages where the teams struggled for points to qualify for knockout. At the end of the knockout, two teams in each of the categories qualified for the final.

    In the female category, faculties of Arts and Education teams made it to the finals; the male category, faculties of Arts and Life Sciences battled for the trophy.

    The final matches started at 11am at the Faculty of Education football pitch. The atmosphere was colourful as the field was filled by supporters of the contesting teams. The female teams opened the match, which was a contest between the defending champion, Faculty of Education and Faculty of Arts.

    The game started on a mild tempo, with both teams taking possessions of the ball and exhibiting confidence. The tempo, however, changed 10 minutes after the match started. Juliet Chinwuba of the Faculty of Arts scored, disrupting the opponent’s defence to place the ball into the net. After regulation time, the female match ended 1-0 in favour of the Faculty of Arts.

    The final of the male category started immediately after the women’s game. The Samba Boys of the Faculty of Arts and the Red Devils of the Faculty of Life Sciences jostled for the trophy.

    Twenty minutes into the match, Oghenero Prince of the Samba Boys fell in the Box 18 after a hard tackle from the opponent’s defender. This resulted in a penalty kick, which led to the first goal against the Red Devils.

    The tempo of the game changed and the atmosphere became tense, as the Faculty of Life Sciences strove to equalise. The Red Devils’ hope was dashed when its player missed a penalty kick in the 86th minute of the game. The game ended 1-0, with the Samba Boys beating the Red Devils.

    The Faculty of Arts students literally shut down the field after its two teams won the male and female categories. The students mocked their colleagues from other faculties, declaring themselves as “unbeatable champions”.

    The Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Faraday Orunwense congratulated the winners and praised the defeated teams for their courage and sportsmanship. He decorated the players with medals, after which he presented trophies to the Faculty of Arts teams.

    Dean, Faculty of Arts, Prof Leo Otoide, described the feat as “double victory”,  saying his faculty’s male and female teams made history by winning the two trophies at the same time. The professor of Diplomatic History said: “I am happy because my faculty teams’ victory is my victory. As we all know it is the first of its kind in the history of the university. I commend all the players and staff of our great faculty for making us proud.”

    President of Faculty of Arts Students’ Association (FASA), Sunday Iroegbu, could not conceal his joy on the feat achieved by the faculty’s football teams. He said: “This shows both male and female students of our faculty as champions. We have set a record that will be hard to beat by any faculty. We will remain unbeatable champions in future tournaments.”

    Captain of the Faculty of Arts female team Awele Nwanze was the highest goal scorer in the competition. She dedicated the trophy to God, who, she said, endowed her with soccer talent.

    She said: “I am happy we won the trophy at last. I am dedicating the achievement to God for giving me this exceptional soccer talent.”