Former Nigeria Football Association (NFA) Board member, Dr Sam Sam Jaja, says Golden Eaglets of Nigeria were unlucky to have lost 0-1 to Switzerland in the final match of the FIFA Under -17 World Cup decided penultimate Sunday at the Abuja National Stadium.
Speaking with Tide sports Thursday, in a telephone chat, Jaja said the Eaglets did not lose to a better side, but to a lucky team, which was able to convert the only chance that came their way.
“Besides, soccer fans should not see the outcome of the final game between Eaglets and Switzerland as a taboo because one thing is certain in football, either you win, draw or lose at the end of every match.”
He continued that the Eaglets actually gave a good account of themselves as well as acquitted themselves creditably not withstanding that they lost gallantly in the final game.
“After all, not too many people gave the team the chance of getting to the final stage from the beginning of the championship,” he said.
On the general overview of the tournament, the immediate past president of Nigeria Referres Association (NRA), did not mince words to score the standard of the game above average, even as it was not as high as previous editions.
Reacting to calls on the elevation of Coach John Obuh to the Under-20 national team job, the football administrator stated that it is only NFF, which employed Coach Obuh that knows where to place him, having seen him perform well within six months he was drafted in to groom the Eaglets team.
“Truly, I do not think it will be too much of a reward if the NFF happens to promote him to handle the Under-20 team, but if they insist to allow him continue with the Eaglets, nothing is bad as well, rather it would make him consolidate on his experience and properly get mature to move to the next level.
On the Super Eagles qualification for 2010 World Cup in South Africa, the amiable Jaja commended the team, but he did not fail to attribute the victory to players’ determination rather than the technical input of any one.
“Truly, let the management of the Super Eagles team be well informed that qualifying for World Cup is not the ultimate but good representation is what matters”, he warned.