Amodu Hits Back At Nigerian Football Fans

Defiant Super Eagles coach Shuaibu Amodu insists that ‘genuine fans’ will continue to support the team despite their present situation, and said that those who do not come out are not wanted anyway.

An immediate rash of venom-pouring expectedly followed last month’s 2-2 draw against Tunisia, which seriously compromised Nigeria’s chances of appearing at the 2010 World Cup.

Since then, however, apathy has crept in, with many fans expressing indifference at the team, and a large number prepared to stage a sit at home protest. Amodu says the reaction is no surprise, and hit back at the fair-weather fans.

“I expected that. A good number of Nigerians pretend to know the game and support the game, but they don’t know it,” he fired back. As it is, those who will come to the stadium that day will be our genuine supporters, those who know and love football, and those are the people we want.”

As he warmed to his theme, Amodu went even further, accusing the populace of taking out their frustrations in the country’s other failing sectors on the national football team.

“Nobody should extend the disappointment in the fortunes of this country on us in football. Our teams have been playing games all over the world. That football has been played here and there means that we have been the ones carrying the banner of Nigeria all over the world.

“We don’t want to face it, but I am saying it today. The only thing that is representing Nigeria all over the world is football. The only thing we are selling to the world right now is football. And anybody who does not care about the fact that we are doing our utmost best to represent this country does not appreciate it.

“They should ask questions of other organs of this country what they are doing. Why is it only football? Nobody should take the problems of Nigeria and put it on football. In football, like other sports, you cannot get all your results overnight. Along the line you will have disappointing results, and you will also have good ones.

“That is the nature of sports. You will win some, you will lose some and you will draw some.

“This attitude of win at all cost is what we have carried into our political life. That is why when a politician loses an election, he claims it was rigged, and goes to the tribunal. But if he wins, the election was good. Then we keep on fighting ourselves everyday rather than move a step forward.”

Amodu rounded off his fiery tirade with an unflustered look at his immediate future as Eagles boss.

“I have played uncountable matches in my life; I cannot come here and be worried about the consequences of any match. We can only do the best we can and leave the rest to God.

“It is a responsibility for us all, and we are playing our own part. We will leave and other people will come in and play their own part. I think we have done so far so good.”