A credible campaign, by all standards

Fact: Brazil 2014 is Nigeria’s best outing at the FIFA World Cup for 20 years, going back to 1994 when in our debut, we lost only after extra time 2-1 to Italy in Boston, USA. Fact: The entire arrangements, on the administrative side, went smoothly, without any hitch, and all those who were in Brazil, […]

Fact: Brazil 2014 is Nigeria’s best outing at the FIFA World Cup for 20 years, going back to 1994 when in our debut, we lost only after extra time 2-1 to Italy in Boston, USA.
Fact: The entire arrangements, on the administrative side, went smoothly, without any hitch, and all those who were in Brazil, as part of the NFF delegation, will testify to the perfection achieved in logistics, flight arrangements, ground transportation, match tickets, accommodation and other things.
Fact: The Super Eagles gave their best in such a way that all Nigerians can see a bright future for the Nigeria game, with so many young players proving their worth on the biggest stage.
Fact: The NFF has continued to set records in all aspects of the Nigeria game, with the flawless arrangements that have accompanied a record –setting 26 friendly matches for the Super Eagles over the past four years.
Fact: The players themselves left Brazil satisfied that the NFF did its best for the team, with the huge support of the Federal Government, and even the biggest cynics of the present NFF administration have only plaudits for the way everything went.
It is very important for me to use this medium to praise the personal support and encouragement of our leader, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR who has remained actively behind the team and shown fatherly care and concern for Nigeria football ever since he burst onto the national landscape as Vice President of the Federal Republic, and has continued to show this love and care as President.
 The Federal Government as a body has always been wonderful, looking at the personal interest of persons like Vice President Namadi Sambo (GCON), Senate President David Mark (GCON), Speaker Aminu Tambuwal (CON), several members of the Federal Executive Council, a number of Governors, and top officials of some federal agencies and departments.
The NFF Executive Committee, Management and Staff worked their hands off trying to ensure seamless arrangements in all areas, and we must also give credit to Coach Stephen Keshi (and his management team) for improving the brand and providing a platform for whoever will come in to build on.
The Super Eagles have truly improved as a team in the past two years, and we all look towards the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches (starting in September) with immense confidence.
A number of young matadors have come on board, and continuing our focus on the home –based players as well, we should be able to raise a very strong team to continue to do the nation proud onwards.
Looking back, it could have been much better. We can permit ourselves the luxury of imagining if we had beaten France, and had reached the Round of 16. The American referee did not do a magnificent job, and I am particularly worried about his failure to issue red card to French player, Blaise Matuidi, who did that horrible hacking on our hard working and enterprising Ogenyi Onazi.    
 The NFF is monitoring the situation and will not hesitate to reach out to FIFA if nothing is done concerning that horrible incident.
At the end of the day, we defeated Bosnia-Herzegovina and drew with Iran, and lost narrowly to two of world’s football superpowers, Argentina and France. Surely, we have something to develop on.
I will also like to commend Joseph Yobo, captain of the squad for several years now, who eventually won his 100th cap, in the match against France, and must be a fulfilled man for his accomplishments. He has been a great servant of the Nigeria game at senior level for over 13 years, after also featuring at the U-20 level, and he deserves tremendous applause from all Nigerians at home and in disapora, despite the unfortunate case of own goal against France.
I have also read about the intention of goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama to drop out of the international sphere, though I think goalkeepers get better with age and he is still capable of producing several more Man of the Match performances for Nigeria in years to come.
The quarter finals started yesterday with France taking on Germany in the famous Maracana and Brazil tackling Colombia in Fortaleza. Imagine if the Super Eagles had been the team playing Germany in that famous arena!
Today, Netherlands play Costa Rica (surprise, surprise) and Argentina will meet Belgium, to round off the quarter finals and avail us the semi finalists.
Brazil 2014 beat goes on, but all in all, we had a successful campaign and did a good job.
Up Nigeria!   
Next Week: FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 (3)