2012 Africa Nations Cup Qualifiers – Reprieve for Nigeria but off-field controversies linger elsewhere

Nigeria was suspended by the world football governing body over what it considered to be undue government interference in football activities. It had cited the court case by the National Association of Nigerian Footballers against the newly elected Executive Committee of the NFF , the removal of the acting General Secretary of the NFF, Barrister […]

Nigeria was suspended by the world football governing body over what it considered to be undue government interference in football activities. It had cited the court case by the National Association of Nigerian Footballers against the newly elected Executive Committee of the NFF , the removal of the acting General Secretary of the NFF, Barrister Amadu on the orders of the National sports Commission, and the decision to play a 24 clubs league as grievous offences which necessitated the suspension order.
Having witnessed encouraging response from Nigeria  as manifested in the decision by government to return Amadu to his former position, the reversal to 20 clubs league format as well as the informal expression of readiness by the NANF to withdraw its court case, FIFA last Friday gave Nigeria the opportunity to go ahead and play today’s match. However, Nigeria will have to sort out all issues latest October 26 or be banned indefinitely.
It is indeed good news for Nigerian football fans who want their darling team to be part of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations. The suspension had thrown the camp of the senior national team in Abuja into confusion as the players who were already in town for today’s important encounter in Conakry expressed disappointment as they recounted the imminent losses to them as players and the nation as a whole.
The positive development from FIFA has cleared the way for Super Eagles to play today and Nigerians now have cause to give a sigh of relief even if temporary but elsewhere on the continent, other countries are still battling frantically to overcome problems which have continued to threaten their campaigns.
The build up to this weekend’s matches of the 2012 Africa Nations Cup is obviously enveloped in series of off-field controversies as Southern Africa country
Zimbabwe heads into its Group A home game against Cape Verde without newly appointed Belgian coach Tom Saintfiet, who has been ordered out of the country for working without a permit. He was given his deportation orders at a training session in Harare on Tuesday.
Cape Verde tops the group after a shock 1-0 win over Mali, which hosts Liberia in the group’s other fixture.
Zambia recorded a resounding 4-0 win over Comoros in its opening qualifier to top Group C, but that has been overshadowed by the fate of its football association, which is the subject of a sports ministry investigation after four officials walked out. Any evidence of government interference, which is forbidden by FIFA, could prompt a Nigeria-like sanction.
Togo was belatedly allowed to take part in qualifiers following the overturning of a CAF ban.
Now part of a five-team Group K, the Sparrow Hawks yesterday played Tunisia which is their first game since the infamous fake team scandal, where a group of unknown players pretending to be Togo’s national team played against Bahrain. Togo’s interim football federation chairman, Seyi Memene, has now resigned after FIFA turned down his request to push back elections for a new board.
South Africa may be relieved that its biggest problems are injuries to English-based players Steven Pienaar and captain Aaron Mokoena ahead of a trip to Sierra Leone in Group G. Everton midfielder Pienaar has been withdrawn from the squad with a groin injury, and Portsmouth’s Mokoena sat out training this week in a bid to recover full fitness from his own groin strain. South Africa lost 1-0 to Sierra Leone in Freetown in 2008, a result which contributed to it failing to qualify for the 2010 African Cup.
“We are determined to give a much better account and get a result this time,” Mokoena said.
Bafana Bafana began with a 2-0 win over Niger to top Group G over defending African champion Egypt, which was held 1-1 at home by Sierra Leone in its first match. The Pharaohs will look to get back on track in Niger today.
Former captain Stephen Appiah takes charge for his first match as stand-in coach when Ghana faces Sudan at home today. Milovan Rajevac, who led the Black Stars to the World Cup quarterfinals, resigned days after Ghana’s opening 3-0 win in Swaziland.
Ghana is missing Chelsea’s Michael Essien, who has taken a break from international football, and injured AC Milan midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng. Appiah also made the surprise choice to leave Inter Milan midfielder Sulley Muntari and forward Matthew Amoah out of his squad.
Sudan impressed as it beat Congo 2-0 in its opening qualifier.
“It is normal for people to say that we’re favorites judging by our performance at the World Cup,” Appiah said. “But in modern football there are no small teams.”