Sports
2011: Another Year Of Disappointment For Nigerian Sports
There is no doubt that the year 2011 has slipped into the pages of history. But a glance across the landscape of Nigeria’s Sports would reveal a litany of woes and disappointments that have certainly raised more questions than answers.
From football, the nation’s ring of sports to the tracks, field events and other team sports, it was lamentations all over.
Off the field, it was also a case of poor performances by the authorities in charge of be Sports in the country.
Perhaps, most Nigerians would have passed dire judgment and termed him a prophet of doom if anybody had predicted that the nations Sports would have slided so low in the out gone year.
However, only a few events brought smiles and celebrations to Nigerians, the majority were indeed going tales of woes and agonies.
Among those that brought positive vibes to the nation included the triumph of the national U-20 team, flying Eagles in South Africa during the African youth championship, the delightful performance and final appearance of the national women’s youth team, falconets at the FIFA U-19 Women World Cup in Germany, where they lost to Germany after a gallant performance in the championship match.
Coach John Obuh and his Flying Eagles ruled Africa after warring a record sixth AYC title but fell short of expectation at the global stage. They rode on the back of the victory to the FIFA U-20 World Cup on Colombia only to falter at the quarter final stage, losing 3-2 to France. They were able to impress Nigerian fans and beyond with their emergy and style at the tournament.
The memorable 17th National Sports Festival, NSF hosted by the Rivers State government remained one of the shining lights of national sports events in the year under review.
The Garden City Games 2011 will no doubt linger in the minds of many Nigerians and others who beheld the spectacle that surrounded its arganisation, for a long time to come.
Over 15,000 athletes and officials from the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were believed to have featured in the two-week sports fiesta which began on June 27 and ended on July 11.
Apart from delivery an ultramodern Sports Stadium names, Adoriye Amilsimaka Stadium Complex, the 17th NSF brought the razzmatazz and panache associated with computer age sports events.
With the successful hosting f the Festival by the Rivers State government and the triumph of her athletes, the state has set the pace in the standard of hosting the National Sports festival, regarded as the biggest sporting event in the country.
Also, the third place finish of the country’s contingent to the 10th All Africa Games in Maputo, Mazambique behind winners, South Africa and Egypt was part of the positive notes of 2011. The country after a sluggish start only lost second position to Egypt by just a gold medal lose than the north Africans.
Among other sports that gave little to cheer include the Nigeria Basketball federation, NBBF, Athletic Federation of Nigeria, AFN and the Nigeria Scrabble Federation.
These federation managed to keep their heads above waters by devising means of keeping their athletes active and successful.
That is as far as the cheerful news goes while the bad and the ugly far out weigh the positives.
The biggest Catastrophe was in football where Nigeria’s Super Eagles, Super Falcons, Under 23 Olympic team and the administrators, especially, the Nigeria football federation and the Nigeria premier league board conspired to take the game several steps back into oblivion.
In one of the worst years of Nigerian football, the national teams stumbled from one defeat to another, especially, in the hands of eternal rivals, Ghana, who ended our hopes of participating in the football events of the forthcoming London Olympics and the All Africa Games.
The Ghanaians also stopped the falcons from being part of the 10th All Africa Games in Maputo.
Even the much heralded Samson Siasia, who was popularly engage in November 2010 as Super Eagle Coach amid huge expectations failed to qualify Nigeria for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations. He and his team failed to beat Ethiopia and Guinea and ensured that the Eagles will not be part of the African Mundial for the first time in 25 years.
Siasia was to be clamed by his failure in October after his employers decided to sack him.
The nationals U-23 team fared no better than their senior counterparts. Against huge expectations from Nigerians, the team and their handler, Austine Eguawen put up a poor performance at the inaugural CAF.
U-23 championship in Morocco to crash out of the London 2012 Olympic Games football event in November.
The Falcons had earlier blown their own chances in Yaounde, Cameroon when they failed to hold their nerve in a crucial Olympic qualifier against their Cameroon counterpart. It was the first time the Nigerian women will not be going to the Olympics.
Also in the year under review, Nigerian club performed poor in continental competitions. Though, two time African champions, Enyimba International FC and CAF confederation Cup debutants, Sunshine stars of Akure deserve some commendations for reaching the semi final stage of the CAF champions league and the confederation cup.
Domestically, the Nigeria premier league entered the record books as the 2010/2011 season dragged on for almost two years, following rancour and court proceedings by the NFF and NPL big wigs.
Dolphins FC eventually emerged champions, beating Sunshine Stars to the title on the last day.
But it is on record that the season ran without prize money and referees owed back log of indemnities.
Even the worries league was still without a title sponsor and prizes.
The year 2011, apart from being a very bad one for the country also claimed some of her illustrious athletes and personalities. The AFN, lost its technical Director, Mr. Sunday Bada, on Monday, December 12. Late Bada was a superintendent of the Nigeria police force and an Olympic Silver Medalist.
Earlier in April, the nation had mourned the tragic death of Super Eagles Olubaya Adefemi who died in an accident while on his way to Nigeria to finalise his wedding.
The nation also lost one of its stout administrators in the person of Alhaji Jamiu Tunde Ojulari, President, Youths Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON) after a brief illness.
While, every true Nigerian Sports lower will want to wish that the woeful performances and agonies of 2011 are not witnessed again in the country, it is time for the sports administrator at every level to wake up. Learn from the past and work toward making 2012 and beyond more positive and successful.
Victory for the Super Eagles in Casablanca followed the disappointment of losing shoot-outs that cost them chances to compete at the 2026 World Cup and in the 2025 AFCON final.
Nigeria lost on penalties to the Democratic Republic of Congo last November in a play-off for a place in the World Cup intercontinental play-offs.
Then, three days ago, they lost another shoot-out to fail against hosts Morocco in an AFCON semi-final.
Success maintained a perfect Nigerian record in third place AFCON matches after seven previous play-offs victories.
Before Lookman scored, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru missed the Eagles’ first kick, then Akor Adams, captain Moses Simon and Alex Iwobi scored.
Premier League pair Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush both had kicks saved by Stanley Nwabali before Ramy Rabia and Mahmoud Saber scored.
Egypt made six changes and Nigeria five to the teams that started semi-final losses to Senegal and hosts Morocco respectively three days ago.
Captain Salah started for the Pharaohs while traditional first choices in goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy and forward Marmoush were among the substitutes.
Attackers Victor Osimhen and Lookman, both former winners of the annual African player of the year award, sat on the bench for Nigeria.
Most Moroccans in a crowd that nearly filled the 45,000-capacity Stade Mohammed V backed Nigeria. They whistled whenever Egypt gained possession and when coach Hossam Hassan was shown on the big screen.
This support for the Super Eagles was attributed to the great rivalry between Morocco and Egypt, both at national team and club levels.
– Goals disallowed –
Nigeria initially, then Egypt had spells of dominance in a goalless opening half on a cold, cloudy evening in the Moroccan commercial capital.
Paul Onuachu thought he had broken the deadlock on 36 minutes as he deflected the ball with his head past goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir.
However, a VAR review by the Moroccan referee revealed Onuachu had accidently struck Hamdy Fathy with an elbow. The goal was disallowed and the Nigerian yellow-carded.
Lookman was introduced by coach Eric Chelle for the second half, replacing Onuachu, and he had the ball in the net in the opening minute of the second period. However, the goal was ruled out for offside.
Nigeria started after the break with a series of attacks. Following a largely uneventful first half, Shobeir — the son of former Egypt goalkeeper Ahmed Shobeir — was forced to make several saves.
Salah seldom threatened and when he did cut in with the ball, the potential danger was quickly averted. Marmoush came on as the play-off passed the hour mark to try and boost a blunt strike force.
But as the match entered the final 10 minutes there was no sign of Osimhen being brought on, suggesting he might not have been fully fit.
In quick succession, Adams, then Marmoush threatened to score, but neither could deliver the finishing touch under pressure from opponents.
Salah then disappointed when offered a scoring opportunity from a free-kick outside the box. He hit the ball straight into the wall and it was swiftly cleared.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Saturday, the President praised the team for their resilience and professionalism, noting that the players rose above the disappointment of their semi-final defeat to hosts Morocco earlier in the week to finish the tournament strongly.
The Super Eagles secured third place after overpowering Egypt, a seven-time AFCON champion, in the bronze medal match.
Nigeria dominated proceedings during regulation time before edging their opponents in a tense penalty shootout.
President Tinubu said the victory was a clear reflection of the determination and can-do spirit that define Nigeria, describing the team’s response to adversity as exemplary.
“Despite their good run during the tournament, the Eagles lost the semi-final match to Morocco during the penalty shootout last Wednesday, and our people’s hopes of winning the championship were dashed.
“However, our players remained undaunted, and exhibiting the resilience of the Nigerian spirit, their efforts have now paid off”, the President said.
The President noted that Nigerians would take pride in seeing the team receive their medals at the official ceremony on Sunday in Rabat, where the tournament is being concluded.
“We will all be proud of them as they receive their hard-earned bronze medal. Thank you, our gallant Super Eagles. Thank you, our national team players. This bronze medal surely feels good like gold”, he added.
The Cottagers have been without their Nigerian trio since they departed for the tournament in Morocco, with all three in excellent form and integral to Silva’s starting lineup prior to their departure.
Despite their absence, Fulham have fared remarkably well, losing just one of their last seven games in all competitions while playing without the Nigerian contingent.
The players are expected to return to West London shortly, as Nigeria conclude their campaign against Egypt in the third-place match on Saturday.
“This is the last game the three players at AFCON will miss,” Silva said, according to Jack Kelly.
“When you have all the squad available, you’re going to be stronger as a team. Like when Kenny, King or Muniz will be back – they will be very important for us.”
The defeat to Leeds leaves Fulham 10th in the Premier League table with 31 points as they head into the final four months of the season.
After the third-place playoff, Bassey, Iwobi and Chukwueze are expected to leave Morocco together immediately and should be available for Fulham’s game against Brighton at Craven Cottage on January 24.
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