After AFCON 2017
The 2017 Africa Cup of Nations ended on Sunday with the the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon emerging as African champions for the fifth time after coming from a goal down to beat Egypt 2-1 in the final played in Libreville, Gabon. The 31st edition of the biennial championship which marked the 60th Anniversary of the […]
The 2017 Africa Cup of Nations ended on Sunday with the the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon emerging as African champions for the fifth time after coming from a goal down to beat Egypt 2-1 in the final played in Libreville, Gabon. The 31st edition of the biennial championship which marked the 60th Anniversary of the tournament witnessed great goals, thrills, upsets, fireworks, exciting moments and rousing underdog stories. The tournament lived up to its billings as the biggest football showpiece in the continent. But sadly, Nigeria, the 2013 champions, watched the Cup of Nations from home.
With Nigeria’s sporting pedigree, economic power and over 100 million football fans, it should make among the favourites at every Africa Cup of Nations tournament. But then, the Super Eagles were absent in Gabon missing out of two consecutive Nations Cup which is very painful especially when we recall that Nigeria last took part in the continental event in 2013, when they were crowned champions which portrayed its failure to consolidate on the success recorded four years ago in South Africa. Indeed, some series of missteps and administrative ineptitude has led us to this point.
Nigeria’s a country whose history is steeped in football. Its recent troubles and dwindling fortunes are exceedingly depressing. Long regarded as the African powerhouse, the Super Eagles had clinched three Cup of Nations in 1980, 1994 and 2013, and have won more World Cup games than any other African country. Perhaps more impressive is the country’s record five U17 World Cup trophies, including back-to-back titles in 2013 and 2015. Nigeria reached eight finals in all, three more than Brazil.
But Nigeria’s inability to refine its raw talent into a successful senior squad has made them world football’s greatest under-achievers – a microcosm of an oil-rich country that seems to be perpetually on the brink of sporting greatness. Now in the depth of a deep recession that shows no signs of subsiding, the country’s economic troubles have trickled down into the Nigeria Football Federation, whose maladministration, poor planning and inner workings are constant hallmarks to the sordid tale of Nigeria sport.
At the last Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil, NFF’s funds were so low they could barely afford to fly the football team to Brazil for their opening match, arriving just seven hours before kick-off. They beat Japan 5-4 and eventually reached the bronze-medal match, where they were the beneficiaries of an unlikely sponsorship. A Japanese plastic surgeon, Katsuya Takasu, heard about their hardship and flew to Brazil from Tokyo to personally hand over a cheque for $390,000 to the team. Last September, the NFF announced it was so broke that it had to suspend player bonuses and seek financial assistance to fly the team to their World Cup qualifier in Zambia.
We feel that we have learnt our lesson by now. Missing two Nations Cup tournaments is not good for Nigeria. We just have to take it up from where we left and forge ahead. The Federal Government must quickly intervene to rescue the NFF from insolvency and initiate the reorganization of the football house so as to restore confidence, correctness, transparency, focus and vibrancy in the administration of the sport.
This year will be decisive for Nigerian football as the busy schedule of qualification series for 2018 World Cup finals and 2019 Africa Cup of Nations glide into full throttle in June. In August and September, the Super Eagles will play newly crowned African champions Cameroon twice, both home and away, in 2018 World Cup qualifying fixtures which are very crucial to Nigeria’s dream of hoisting her flag in the mundial in Russia. At the moment, Nigeria has a good side and seats comfortably on the crest of qualification but it should not be lost on anyone that Cameroon emerged champions in Gabon displaying sheer determination and fighting spirit. With a long-running rivalry, the NFF would do well to take note by putting its house in order.