Sports

Can Nigeria Overcome Her Pitfalls To Achieve Football Glory?

Published

15 years ago

October 7, 2011

It is no news that the African cup of Nations qualifier games have reached feverish peak with the Super Eagles of Nigeria billed to lock horns with its Guinean counterpart in a make or mar encounter come tomorrow.

In their last game, the Super Eagles of Nigeria defeated Madagascar and immediately a flurry of jubilation, chest thumping and boasting followed as if we are on top of our group or has even qualified for the mundial.

The truth is; by that victory over a lowly side like Madagascar, who even did not have anything to play for in that match, we are trailing behind Guinea with three points, making it compulsory for us to beat them tomorrow if we must have any chance of qualification.

Now you hear people say if we can win the match here and Guinea loses by so and so goal margin we will qualify. This is taking us back to the recent past when every football loving Nigerian became a prayer warrior or to say the least, pool forecaster involved in permutation; perming two from five and vice versa just to ensure that the Super Eagles qualify.

Now, from the way things are going, it is obvious that we are back at the trenches again. This time around we better triple our prayers else we may not come out of the hole without our nose or head being reshaped. This is more so because the Guineans too can pray well to remain where they have gotten to by dint of hard work and good preparation.

We all started the qualification matches together and they overtook us. Now the same hard fighting Guinea team is coming to Abuja to play us. If they pull a draw here God forbid, we are finished, the hope of million football loving Nigerians like us would have been dashed. This makes it difficult investing hope on the Super Eagles. The question is: Can you spin your hopes on them?

What our repeated struggle to qualify tells us in the face is that even if our national team is grouped with non footballing nations like Sao Tome and Principe, we would still struggle to qualify. Why this trend in our football?

The answer lies more in our football administration. It’s no longer needful to look up the meaning of late preparation in the dictionary; it is well examplified in the way our football is being run. While some countries prepare for years to compete in major events, we usually start at feverish peak at the eleventh hour.

For instance, in the build up to the last World Cup at South Africa, we started serious preparation just few weeks to D-day and worst of all; we changed our coach and even the team amidst all the mudslinging and the clamour to satisfy all manner of interests.

Ultimately, we ended up not as the surprise team but as the surprised team. As our dreams faded, we were left with our ready-made excuse of bad coach or using the world cup as a laboratory to experiment for future projects and so on. While our neighbours, Ghana put in a superlative performance to the consternation of the world.

The problem with Nigerian football is that we have failed to accept that the system is flawed and programmed to always fail. We have always sown seeds of mediocrity and ignorance, apparently oblivious of the enormous potential of Nigerian football beyond our accomplishments on the field of play. Sadly, what we have achieved in the game so far, havemostly been by accident rather than design.

We neither truly merited them nor actually worked for them. We have to admit the truth that our success was achieved on the lure of the dollar in Europe, which attracted our players to clubs overseas and they come back fit and better to play matches for us.

The advent of Westerhof as catalyst to rebuilding our team in the early 90s around home-based players playing only at the local league and later top clubs in Europe remains the only testament to what Nigerian football became.

While we wallowed happily in the euphoria of all the strides of the 90s, lesser men, many of mediocre calibers, joined the band-wagon in search of their piece of the cake. Our football became heavily influenced by the luxury of misplaced government funding and the attendant undue interference.

What followed was the perennial appointment of a string of incompetent and self-seeking administrators in the cloak of NFA now NFF. We got men totally oblivious of the huge potential and marketability of the Nigerian game both locally and international circles. Sadly, they always went cap in hand begging for funds from ministers and literally handing control effectively back to them.

Nigerians enjoy the game of football. Despite our unceremonious exit from the first world cup on African soil,, we savoured the victory of flair over regimentation in South Africa as Spain beat Germany in the final, after a month of drama, theatrics, upsets, joyous fans, goals, and records, but the challenge for us is the future of Nigerian football and how we can be great again.

We have a big asset, a critical mass, a population estimated at over 150million soccer loving people. We have huge professional players abroad, even if we did not take Aiyegbeni or Kanu and his co travelers to the world cup. Nigeria has the tools, let us learn to use them.

In appraising our performance ahead of the future, our administrators usually take to blame game and buck passing. At the end of it all they will lapse into talks of sacking and hiring of Coaches, which will set the ball rolling for lobby and bringing in of the Lagaerbacks and Lagerbeers of this world as foreign coaches who will give us conditions of one month stay in abroad and one day stay in Nigeria, all in the name of scouting for players.

This is a bald and unsurprising lie, yet our administrators will accept with alacrity and give them big titles. We have been through this song-and-dance several times in the past, with the last being the title of technical adviser given to Lagerback. His performance was so abysmal such that public outrage about his choice by NFF became common place, forcing the Glass House to make a detour and midwifed the process that saw the engagement of Coach Siasia.

If any one takes a look at the records of some of the Coaches that once strode our football as foreign coaches, it could be seen that they are yet to be engaged by any country or even club for any serious coaching job since they left the shores of Nigeria, which point to the fact that they are spent forces that were simply repackaged and brought to us as coaches. These expired coaches found some members of our Football House as willing tools to pave way for their coming here with a view to using our football to revive their coaching career that was approaching its expiry.

My position is simply that we need to examine the structure and funding of football in Nigeria. There cannot be a better opportunity to cleanse our football than this period, after we have been brought down to earth with a bang in the last world cup and now struggling for a nation’s cup ticket.

In this era of privatization, we call upon government to be bold and stop funding football. This will discourage all the politics, politicking and court injunctions and counter injunctions associated with running football in Nigeria and save the game. Think of all the money spent by corporate bodies falling over each other to get sponsorship or rights of association with the world cup and the Nation’s cup – surely they can also be persuaded through sound organization to also extend to other aspects of the game.

The truth is that success comes only through long term planning, preparation and transparency. This, we are not doing at the moment. I pray that the outcome of tomorrow’s Nation’s cup qualifying decider proves me wrong. Let the cookie not crumble, because if it does, there will not be enough pieces for fair-weather pretenders running our football in this country.

Asi Prince Dateme

Sports

FUBARA Opens 2026 PH AMATEUR OPEN GOLF Championship

Published

7 days ago

October 26, 2026

The Tide

Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, on Saturday declared open the 2026 Port Harcourt Amateur Open Golf Championship during which he renewed his administration’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote youth development and the wellbeing of Rivers people.

Governor Fubara, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Barr. Sunny Ewule, at the ceremonial Tee -off to kickstart the tournament, said the event holding in Port Harcourt, is a clear indication that Rivers State is safe, peaceful and open for sports, tourism and business.

“This championship bringing over two hundred and fifty golfers from across Nigeria to Port Harcourt is a testament to the fact that Rivers State is safe, peaceful and open for sports, tourism and business. You have demonstrated that sports is a powerful tool for social cohesion and for projecting the positive nature of our State,” he said.

The Rivers State Government, the Governor stated, identifies with the championship and will continue to support initiatives that promote youth development and the wellbeing of the people.

Governor Fubara described golf as more than a sport, emphasising that it teaches patience, discipline, focus and integrity. According to him, these values were in line with his administration’s commitment to peace, unity and healthy living for all the people of Rivers State.

He commended the Local Organizing Committee for their hard work in putting the event together. He also commended the Port Harcourt Club Golf Section for sustaining the historic Club since 1928, while wishing all golfers participating in the championship an injury-free and worthy tournament.

The President of the Port Harcourt Club, Barr. Victor Omubo Frank-Briggs, expressed appreciation to the Governor honouring their invitation, noting that with the government’s presence the golfers have been energised and inspired to do their best in the championship

MFM, First Bank eye AWBL finals in Liberia (5)

Nigerian clubs MFM Basketball Club and First Bank Basketball Club will battle for places in the African Women’s Basketball League finals when they compete in the FIBA Africa Zone 3 qualifiers in Monrovia, Liberia, from November 2 to 9.

The six-team competition will take place at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Indoor Gymnasium in Paynesville, with the top two teams earning qualification for the continental finals in Cairo, Egypt, scheduled for December 11 to 19.

MFM and First Bank will be seeking to carry their domestic form into the qualifiers after meeting in the final of the Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball League, where MFM claimed a narrow 66-64 victory.

The result underlined the close rivalry between the Nigerian sides, who will now look to establish themselves against opponents from across the region and secure their places in Cairo.

Defending FIBA Africa Zone 3 champions Friends of Basketball Association of Côte d’Ivoire will also compete, alongside Benin Republic’s Energie Basketball Club of Cotonou.

Hosts Liberia will be represented by Flames Basketball Club, the domestic league runners-up, and reigning national champions D’Rockers Basketball Club.

The Nigerian clubs secured their places in the qualifiers after FIBA Africa and the Liberia Basketball Association extended the registration deadline and adjusted the competition schedule following the late conclusion of their domestic league campaign. The intervention was facilitated by FIBA Africa Zone 3 President, Colonel Sam Ahmedu (retd.).

Preparations for the tournament are also gathering momentum, with Flames president and Liberia Basketball Association Secretary-General Calvin Diggs saying the organisers are working to deliver a successful competition.

FIBA Africa Zone 3 Secretary Joe Apu also expressed confidence in Liberia’s readiness, citing the experience of the country’s basketball community in hosting international events.

With six teams competing for just two qualification places, MFM and First Bank will face a demanding test as they seek to progress to the continental finals in Egypt.

Sports

Chukwueze Faces Injury Lay-Off

Published

7 days ago

October 26, 2026

The Tide

Super Eagles winger Samuel Chukwueze is expected to spend at least two months on the sidelines with a hip injury, ruling him out of AC Milan’s upcoming fixtures, including the derby against Inter Milan.

According to Italian sources, the 27-year-old has consulted a specialist over a problem with his left hip and commenced treatment with injections.

Chukwueze will undergo another assessment in 10 to 15 days, but he is not expected to return before the end of the year, dealing a blow to Nigeria and Milan’s options on the right flank.

The Nigerian reportedly experienced discomfort in his hip after Milan’s Serie A fixture against Atalanta and missed training ahead of last Thursday’s UEFA Europa League clash with Bournemouth, which the Italian side lost 3-0.

Chukwueze has made eight appearances across all competitions this season, providing two assists since returning to Milan following a loan spell at Premier League club Fulham.

His absence adds to Milan’s injury concerns, with defender Matteo Gabbia and winger Alexis Saelemaekers also sidelined by long-term injuries.

The Rossoneri are reportedly considering recalling Zachary Athekame from his loan spell at Lyon to provide additional cover during Chukwueze’s recovery.

Milan, who remain unbeaten in Serie A this season, face Udinese on Sunday before taking on Inter in the derby on October 31.

There is better news for the Italian side regarding striker Gonçalo Ramos, who has returned to full training after missing the Bournemouth defeat with fatigue in his left calf.

A scan revealed no muscle damage, making the Portuguese forward available for Sunday’s trip to Udinese.

Sports

Nigerian Trio Target Titles At PFL Africa Finals

Published

7 days ago

October 26, 2026

The Tide

Three Nigerians, David Samuel, Patrick Ocheme and Raphael Uchegbu, will fight for titles at the PFL Africa finals after the Professional Fighters League confirmed PFL Rwanda for December 12 at the BK Arena in Kigali.

The promotion announced on October 23 that the event will crown three African champions in the welterweight (170 lbs), lightweight (155 lbs) and bantamweight (135 lbs) divisions.

In the main event, the undefeated Samuel, who has a record of 7-0, will meet Angola’s Shido “Machine” Boris Esperança, who is 13-2, in the welterweight final.

Esperança reached the final with a first-round finish in his semi-final, while Samuel went the distance to keep his perfect record.

“My Nigerian roots opened the door for me to compete in PFL Africa, and reaching the final is a special source of pride for me,” Samuel said. “On December 12, I will step into the cage not just as a finalist, but as a man determined to finish what he started and become a champion.”

Esperança said, “I believe that I can be that champion that the promotion deserves because I have been crafting myself for that.”

Ocheme, whose record stands at 10-1, headlines the co-main event against Senegal’s Demba “Black Tiger” Seck, who is 11-3, in the lightweight final. Ocheme booked his place with a devastating first-round body kick in his semi-final.

“This means a lot to me because finishing fights is what I do best; I am a knockout artist by nature,” Ocheme said. “I trust my preparation, my fight IQ and my ability to get the job done, God willing, in the first or second round.”

Seck responded, “Patrick is a tough opponent, and I always knew our paths could cross in the final. I respect his skills, but I truly believe I am the most complete, technical, strongest, and the most experienced fighter in this division.”

In the bantamweight final, Uchegbu, a former FCC champion with a record of 11-2, faces Liberia’s Dwight Joseph, who is 17-3 and won his semi-final by split decision.

“Winning in the final will change my life, and I look forward to bringing the belt back to the motherland and showing the next generation of African fighters what is possible,” Uchegbu said.

Joseph said, “Coming up short last year motivated me to push even harder this time around. I am getting my hand raised, leaving with that belt, and taking it back to Liberia.”

PFL Rwanda will be shown across Africa on SuperSport for English-speaking viewers and Canal+ for French-speaking audiences. It will also be available on free-to-air television via SportyTV.

PFL Africa General Manager, Elias Schulze, said, “Kigali will take centre stage as we crown Africa’s next champions in front of a global audience. Together with our Rwandan partners, we are giving African talent a world stage, and the next generation something to fight for.”