Futsal and the benefits therein
When I say futsal is a relatively new experience, I may not be entirely correct. I know several people will take me up on that. It is not that I do not know. I am of course, aware that the first FIFA Futsal World Cup took place in The Netherlands in 1989, some 23 years […]
When I say futsal is a relatively new experience, I may not be entirely correct. I know several people will take me up on that. It is not that I do not know. I am of course, aware that the first FIFA Futsal World Cup took place in The Netherlands in 1989, some 23 years ago. What I mean by ‘relatively new experience’ is that our own good people have not seen or appreciated much of it.
I am also aware that Nigeria first participated in the FIFA Futsal World Cup in 1992, in Hong Kong (by invitation) and did not do too well. The story is told (by a top official who was there) of how the Head Coach of the Nigeria team to that competition was learning the rules and regulations on the eve of the team’s first match!
Surely, it is difficult to blame the man. New tricks are not to be learnt in haste. After that 1992 experience, it was like Nigeria admitted it was not equipped for comparative advantage in this branch of football and simply let go.
That is, until 2008, when the immediate past administration at the NFF took the step to register Nigeria among countries to participate in the African Championship in Libya. Even then, the kind of preparation necessary for such a venture into relatively unknown territory was patently lacking. The Head Coach, former international player Oladunni Oyekale, told NFF officials during the week that he had only three training sessions with the team, and only ONCE indoor, before the team flew to Libya.
With his knowledge of the game and its rules, by virtue of a number of coaching courses under his belt, and the enthusiasm and never-say-die spirit of Nigerian players, his wards were not disgraced. The team lost 0-4 to Libya, drew 3-3 with Cameroon, lost 1-2 to Tunisia and defeated Morocco 5-2. The team improved with every game but it was a day late and a dollar short.
Remarkably, futsal has striking similarities to beach soccer, only that it is played indoor and not by the sea. The notable success that beach soccer has recorded over the past six years should have compelled greater focus on futsal, but it was not to be. Until now.
Tomorrow, Sunday, May 6, inside the Gymnasium of the National Institute for Sports, Lagos, the Futsal National Team will step up to take on Gabon in a 2012 FIFA Futsal World Cup qualifying match. Burkina Faso was to host an African Championship but balked at the last minute, so CAF decided to run a home-and-away series among 13 countries, out of which three will emerge to represent Africa in Thailand in November 2012.
A lot of hardwork had gone into preparing the team for tomorrow’s contest. Fortunately, we still have Oladunni Oyekale, who had, despite the odds continued to improve his knowledge of the game over the years. There were numerous challenges but he did not relent.
The truth is, Nigeria has never hosted an international futsal match or tournament. Great challenges have been posed, naturally. But we have surmounted all, thanks to the dedication and diligence of a number of officials, and the retired FIFA Futsal Referee, Abraham Zakowi.
On Sunday, against Gabon, we believe the Futsal National Team will win and win well, in order to revitalize the passion for futsal football among Nigerian ball fans and Nigerians generally.
Yes, questions will be asked as to why the NFF is embarking on this vigorous push for beach soccer and futsal. Fact is, all departments of football are veritable grounds to keeping our teeming youth population engaged, productively. Here, the adage of ‘killing two birds with one stone’ becomes relevant. The teeming youth population is kept away from societal vices and other criminal tendencies, and at the same time, they become useful to themselves and the nation.
If we can have Leagues for beach soccer and futsal, and there are teams taking part from all over the countries, the population of the youth that would be engaged would be impressive.
All the best, Coach Oyekale, the crew and players. Meanwhile, I earnestly urge Lagosians to turn up at the venue to cheer the Futsal National Team to victory.
Falconets Heading To Japan…
Surely, nothing will stop the U-20 Women National Team, Falconets from reaching the finals of the 2012 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup finals, taking place in Japan between August and September.
The Falconets are up against their counterparts from the Democratic Republic of Congo this evening at the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Abeokuta, in the first leg of the final African qualifying series.
Coach Edwin Okon assured me during the week that his girls are very much ready for the challenge. In the last round, the Falconets pounded Zimbabwe 3-0 each, home and away. But I told Okon not to under-rate the opposition. We must remember that the Congolese eliminated Cameroon, and also trounced Mali (conquerors of Equatorial Guinea) home and away.
Football no longer obeys pedigree, or the last result. That is why the NFF continues to impress it on all our teams that there is nothing like adequate preparation for every match and tournament.
Ball fans, please turn out en masse at the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Abeokuta to cheer the Falconets to victory.
Sunshine Stars and Scary Malian Experience…
I was greatly worried early in the week when the NFF General Secretary informed me that players and officials, as well as accompanying journalists of Sunshine Stars FC to a CAF Champions League match in Mali had been trapped in that beleaguered nation as a result of renewed fighting.
Sunshine Stars FC, apart from being a Nigerian club, went to represent Nigeria. So, we set things in motion. And I am happy that eventually, we were able to get the Mali Football Federation to guarantee the safety of the contingent. That was even more important than the offer to foot the bill of their forced extended stay.
We give glory to God that the contingent has been in safe condition and that the team will soon return to the country to start preparing for the return leg of their third round clash against Djoliba FC. Sunshine Stars FC did well in the CAF Confederation Cup last year and we have faith in the team to do very well in the CAF Champions League this year.
Congrats to Warri Wolves (3-1 winners) and Heartland of Owerri (3-2 winners) for their efforts in the CAF Confederation Cup. However, they must realize they have a mountain to climb in their respective return legs, in South Africa and Congo.
NEXT WEEK: Answers To A Few Questions (1)