Sports
Soccer Fans Call For Overhaul Of Super Eagles, NFF
Soccer fans have called for the overhaul of Super Eagles and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), following their dismal performance at the current World Cup fiesta in South Africa.
Nigeria on Thursday lost 1-2 to Greece in their second Group B match and had earlier lost 0-1 in the opening game to Argentina.
The fans said that overhauling the team and the football governing body became necessary if Coach Lars Lagerback’s contract would be extended to raise a new team.
In Enugu, the fans said that the team’s performance so far in the tournament had been disgraceful, especially the encounter with Greece.
They expressed the view that the solution to the Super Eagles’ gloomy outings was the overhaul.
Benson Akigwe, a businessman, said that he was unhappy with the level of the team’s indiscipline, adding that it contributed to their loss to Greece.
“The team played without commitment and not only unfit but unprofessional in a World Cup game.
“You can’t have your cake and eat it. It will be unjust for the unprepared Eagles to beat at a well prepared side. I hope we have learnt our lessons,” Akigwe said.
He urged the Presidency to ensure that Lagerback was given the opportunity to groom fresh players and improve the quality of the nation’s football.
Nwabueze Okoronkwo, a civil servant, advised the Federal Government to immediately do away with the top officials of the NFF.
Okoronkwo urged the government to create a forum for the election of experienced people to pilot the affairs of football.
The fans in Awka called for the disbandment of the team and the football governing body.
They said the team had brought the country to a low ranking in soccer worldwide.
Fred Okoro, a trader said that the players’ “participation in the World Cup is a waste of the tax payers’ money.”
“The problem of the team is caused by the NFF which should have planned and ensured early preparation for the tournament.
“I think this team and the NFF Board should be disbanded if we want to retain Lagerback to raise a new squad for us”.
Emeka Maduka, a teacher, said football administrators should begin now to plan a programme for raising a new team.
Henry Monye, a businessman, praised goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama for his efforts and for being nominated Man of the Match in the two games with Argentina and Greece by FIFA.
In Kano, fans who said the loss to Greece was painful to them, wondered why the team would always crash out of major tournaments very early.
Abdullahi, a journalist, noted that the NFF officials had over-stayed their welcome, and “are only serving their selfish interest.”
Malam Bala Nasir, a public commentator, blamed the team’s loss on corruption.
Port Harcourt the capital city of Rivers State will be at the centre stage in Nigeria as Port Harcourt Arsenal Community will hold her maiden edition of Football Fans Fiesta (FFF).
The Fiesta scheduled to hold on the 13th December, 2025, at Eddiz wine bar GRA, promises to be all football fans carnival in the State , as there will be a lot of fanfares.
The Coordinator of Port Harcourt Arsenal Community (PHAC), Ugochukwu Oputa has said that the forthcoming Football Fans Fiesta was basically to promote peace, unity and love among football fans in irrespective of the cub.
He stated that sports is a catalyst to bring peace, love and Unity in any given society, hence the occasion was initiated.
Oputa said this in an interview with sports journalists in Port Harcourt yesterday, saying that arrangements are on top gear for a successful programme.
” This event is for all football fans irrespective of your club. It is basically to promote peace, love and Unity among fans.
“It is like stating the obvious that football is the catalyst of peace and unity in the world. So the Port Harcourt Arsenal Community want to use this avenue to bring people together and foster friendship.
“There is no gate fee, but it is expected to put on jersey of your club as to make the event look unique” Oputa said.
The Coordinator used the forum to advice football fans in the world to love one another, and equally urged fans that will attend the occasion to be of good conduct and behaviour.
Tonye Orabere
Consistent with its project execution routine, Dunamis-Icon Limited, Project Consultants of the Niger Delta Games, has concluded the first phase of physical inspection and evaluation of facilities for the event, 24 hours after the presentation of the hosting right to Edo State was performed.
The project management team was guided round select facilty locations in Benin City by Desmond Amadin Enabulele, Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, and the team leader, Sir Itiako Ikpokpo expressed satisfaction with the sports infrastructure assets of the host.
“Edo is a ready-made choice based on all the factors that are necessary to host this kind of big event. We are expecting over 3000 athletes coaches, alongside journalists and technical officials, with an approximate number of people outside spectators in the range of 5000. So, we need facilities that work for the games itself”, Ikpokpo explained.
He commended the Edo State Government for the good state of facilities at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, and promised that the state will be assisted with the renovation of some of the facilities as may be necessary to ensure good competition experience for the athletes.
“I have been to the iconic Ogbe Stadium and must commend the Edo State Government for maintaining the facilities there. We are also considering taking some events to the University of Benin, so that people in that part of the city can also feel and enjoy the fun. Where need be, we will also see how to assist the state and the University of Benin to add value to some of the sporting facilities”.
Dunamis Icon Limited is the franchise rights owner to the games conceived and designed to provide a platform for unity and integration, and identifying and grooming talented youths from the region into national and international stars.
The NDDC as the flagship interventionist agency for the nine states that make up the region, is the prime sponsor of the games as part of their strategic focus on youth engagement and human capital development.
The inspection tour began at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, after a brief meeting with Enabulele and the Sports Commission team at his office.
Areas inspected include the stadium’s main bowl, the tartan track, the state box, the VIP lounges and other key areas like the ceremonial room, the media studio and other indoor facilities.
Other facility locations assessed are the Wire Road Sports Centre being listed to host basketball and volleyball games, the University of Benin Sports Complex, and the Etete Sports Centre.
In the entourage of Dunamis-Icon were the Project Director, Mr Fred Edoreh; Director of Facilities and Equipment, Dr Emmanuel Ochuko Igbigbisie; the head of Communications, Harry Iwuala; Head of Transport and Logistics, Israel Umueri Afoke. Others are Theresa Ineke, Head of Secretariat, Godwin Enakhena, the Head of Scouting, Mr. Edi Lawani, the Head of Culture Affairs and Entertainment and Elder Siegha Porbeni of the Technical Department.
The Edo Sports Commission Chairman was also supported by Hon. Frank Ilaboya and Mrs Sabina Chikere, Executive Directors, with Mr Baldwin Bazuaye (MON) also in the company.
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