The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria has expressed deep concern with the poor participation of national teams in recent international competitions.
The country will not be represented in the football event of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games following the failure of the U-23 Eagles and Super Falcons to qualify for the competition.
Also, the home-based Super Eagles failed to secure a place at next year’s African Nations Chammpionship in Cameroon with the Golden Eaglets also failing to make an impact at the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Brazil.
“The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has observed with deep concern the state of the country in the game of football in recent times, even though the strings of non-qualification for various International Championships in Africa and world football circle may not have come as a surprise,”reads a statement released by the body on Tuesday.
“The challenges that enveloped the glass house which has recently been laid to rest were enough to unsettle any organization; in this light we encourage Nigerians to see the dwindling fortunes as a natural season in the country’s football that will strengthen the development architecture of the sport.
“From the Super Falcons who alongside their male counterparts failed to book a place at the Japan 2020 Olympic Games, to the failure of the Home Based Super Eagles to qualify for the 2020 Championship for African Nations (CHAN), as well as the early exit of the Golden Eaglets from the Brazil 2019 FIFA U-17 World Youth Championship, no doubt has indeed been an unfortunate tales.
”We however, note that countries like Cameroon, Egypt, Brazil, Germany, Spain, among others have gone through similar path that we believe is inevitable in the football calendar of Nations; and in such times it enables them rebuild and engender a stronger football culture going forward.
“We equally note that this rather disturbing development which has resulted in the failure of some of our national teams to qualify for international championships in recent times calls for the concern of all genuine football stakeholders.”
SWAN however warned that all hands must be on deck to ensure that the growth of the game in the country.
“Nigeria is endowed in every spheres of human endeavour including football administrators, participators and promoters. This is not the time for the ‘we and them or playing to the gallery’ mentality because football enjoys a pride of place in the hearts of Nigerians of diverse background.
“We urge that instead of crucifying anybody at this trying times we should as critical stakeholders and lovers of the role football and sports play in the country rally support for the managers.
“The SWAN advises the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) as the body statutorily saddled with the administration of football in Nigeria should take charge by convening a stakeholders meeting where genuine and no-holds bared issues will be discussed.
“The Federal Government must play its expected role in strengthening the managers, it is our believe that providing a conducive environment in the way of funding and sports infrastructure will sail us effectively.
” We believe that if every football stakeholder in the country takes a personal decision to truly contribute to the rebuilding of our football, in the next few years, the country will come out of this situation with more vigour to once more conquer the world of football.”
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COMMENTS
The NFF write as if this is the first time they failing millions of soccer fans in Nigeria this is the sport that brings enemies,friends ,families old and young together the writer was comparing spain ,Germany, Cameroon, nigeria was the first country on earth to win the men under 16 and 17 Kodak world cup I know how this countries you mentioned we had defeated them even with their formidable teams 1985 I knew how the team defeated Germany they no match to Nigeria team then 2007 Nigeria defeated spain even with their stars, stop comparing countries with Nigeria football then qualified managers are employed not I know who managers, or back yard coaches, the problem with you Nff is their are bad eggs among you ,recently Nigeria under20 and under 17 were nothing to write home about tax payers money are wasted on the managers and coaching crews , you bring in male white coach to coach the falcons since then their system of ball change how can they qualify when the coach lack how Nigeria pattern of ball is played the problem of Nigeria football is Nff and managers untill you get the right managers soccer fans in nigeria will not keep short this is just the beginning untill they start pouring Elubo or casava flour and water on your body when they failed to play .