Ladan Bosso: How Nigerian league can be the best in Africa

How would you rate the performance of your team this season?I give God the glory for the results we have got though our target was a continent ticket. Our away records this year was superb and if we had beaten Gombe United in our final match of the season, we would have gotten a continental […]

How would you rate the performance of your team this season?
I give God the glory for the results we have got though our target was a continent ticket. Our away records this year was superb and if we had beaten Gombe United in our final match of the season, we would have gotten a continental ticket. We came to Gombe to battle for the continental ticket but the result turned out to be against us. That is football for you, most especially when you play against a team that is fighting for survival. The management of my club, the players and everybody associated with the Abia Warriors did their best but we have just put that behind us. W would use the lesson we have learnt in this season to prepare well for next season.
Would you say you are enjoying your stay in Umuahia?
Yes, because I got the support of everybody. Umuahia is like a home to me. The fans were fantastic with their support and the truth is that next season will be better for all of us.
Apart from your club, what is your assessment of the league in general?
Well it was a very good season but even as the League Management Company did everything at their own level to make sure that everything goes right, I think one or two groups of persons tried to spoil the league. It was a good thing we witnessed improvement in the league unlike in some of the previous seasons. The Nigeria league will be better if all stakeholders decide to do the right things. My prayer is that the LMC and the NFF should try and ensure that some of the mistakes recorded this season are not repeated next season.
The clubs should not be waiting for the league body to announce dates for the commencement of the season before preparing their teams. They should just take a break and return for business.
Going by what we witnessed in some clubs towards the end of the season, I believe the LMC too will have to be firm in some of the decisions they took so that we don’t start all over again.
You are always on the move. Are you planning to leave Abia Warriors?
For now I have no reason to leave Abia Warriors. As far as I am concerned, it is from Abia Warriors that I was opportune to work as a member of the technical committee of the Nigeria Football Federation. It was in the same club I got the privilege to go for a refresher course in London. So I think it is a lucky place for me though I hope that we can agree on terms with the management for us to continue with the romance
What are the conditions that will keep you there?
We have to agree on terms for me to stay. There is going to be a meeting point between the club’s management and myself. Among the clubs that are requesting for my services, Abia Warriors appears to be having an edge because of the understanding between me and the management.
Many clubs have asked me to join them but I believe at this point in my career, I won’t rush to take any job without studying what is on ground for me and the team. It is not just the pay package. A lot has to be considered.
In Nigeria many offers will come with attractive packages but the enabling environment may not be there for your efforts to blossom. I have been part of the whole process in many club sides in the country. I can say without hesitation that only few of the clubs know what it takes to run a professional club.
But I see a change, if all of us including you media people decide to do it as it is done elsewhere. I tell you no league in Africa will thrive as the Nigerian Premier League. I just pray we all agree to be on the same page to move the league forward.