Three football enthusiasts
have in Lagos called for more Nigerians in the running of the continental football governing body, the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The enthusiasts, Adegboye Onigbinde, Rafiu Oladipo and Edwin Eze, told newsmen that more Nigerians were needed in CAF to help champion the country’s cause.
They said they were not satisfied with the outcome of the Glo-CAF awards held on January 8 in Lagos, where Nigeria’s Vincent Enyeama could not stop Ivorian Yaya Toure.
The Super Eagles captain and first-choice goalkeeper could not stop the midfielder from winning the top award, his fourth so far.
Eze, the Co-ordinator of Enugu Pepsi Football Academy, said as a good football nation, it was expected that Nigeria should have a say in the apex body.
“The country’s influence is lacking in the body, and that is why our players were being schemed out in events such as the Glo-CAF awards,” he said.
Onigbinde, a former coach of the Nigeria senior national team, the Super Eagles, said playing football alone cannot earn the country the coveted African Footballer of the Year Award.
“We need to be in CAF boardroom meetings where decisions concerning us are made.
“Since, 1990 the award has eluded Nigerian, players no matter how hard they try,” he said.
Onigbinde, however, called on football technocrats in the country to follow the path of honour and get themselves into the running of the body instead of lamenting from the sidelines.
Oladipo, the President-General of Nigeria Football and Other Sports Supporters Club, said Nigerian players deserved more than what they got.
“Our goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, deserved the crown for his efforts in 2014, both in his club and in the national team,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, some female football stakeholders have commended the Super Falcons and striker Asisat Oshoala for clinching the Best Female Team and Best Female Footballer awards at the 2014 Glo-CAF awards.
In separate interviews conducted in Lagos, the stakeholders said female footballers deserved to be given recognition, and that female football should be given the needed support.
Gift Sowemimo-Okunwa, a former Super Falcons striker, said the senior female team should be commended, saying it has been flying the country’s flag high at continental and international competitions.
“I want to commend the Super Falcons team for their tremendous performance in all tournaments. They have been trying their best to see that the country is among the best.
“The calibre of players who dominate the teams from the under-20 to the senior is really good, and I commend them.
“I also want to commend Oshoala. I am so happy that she is doing what she knows best in the area of football and she has been making herself useful.
“I am so glad and happy for her because she is building her reputation,’’ she said.
Nnenna Etim, a former Super Falcons’ assistant coach, also said she was happy that the female teams have continued to prove their mettle.
She however urged more corporate bodies to help develop female football.
“These girls have always been doing this country proud. They need to be appreciated, and receiving the award is a sign that they have been putting in their best.
“I congratulate the team and especially Oshoala for the awards. It shows that if you are committed to a cause, you will reap it at the end of the day,’’ she said.
Etim also appealed that the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) should be better sponsored like its male version.
“I know that it is a gradual process, but the women league needs all the support it can get from private organisations. These girls have been doing the country proud,’’ she said.