The disastrous outing of reigning African champions; Nigeria’s Super Eagles at the recently concluded FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil was an experience abundant in lessons; not the least of which is the lack of focus and seriousness of purpose by Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) officials, who stopped at nothing to make sure the Eagles put up a less than honorable performance at the 2014 World Cup warm up tournament. Although a new vista for progress was opened following the Eagles’ triumph at the 2013 African Cup of Nations, Nigerian football administrators and political leaders failed to provide the atmosphere conducive to optimal performance for the national team. This is disheartening; even more so, because no one has been fired for the international embarrassment that saw the team arrive Brazil just a day before the tournament kicked-off.
The national football team arrived Brazil, three days behind schedule and a day before opening their Confederations Cup football campaign. The Super Eagles took three flights over 24 hours to reach the Brazilian city of Belo Horizonte after starting out in Namibia. The team was delayed because of a row between the players and the NFF over tournament bonuses; which paradoxically, remains unresolved. With a warning that their battle over bonuses is not over, the mutinous footballers arrived the tournament with just a day to prepare for their opening match against Tahiti.
The long injury list notwithstanding, practically speaking, Nigeria sent a relatively young team; an unruly bunch, so to speak, to the tournament and that proved their undoing against an experienced battle-hardened Uruguay side that all but earned their ticket to the semi-final after edging Nigeria (2-1) in their second group game. Despite their (6-1) drubbing of an amateurish and lackluster Tahiti in their opening game of the tournament, the fatigued Eagles earned the dubious distinction of being the only side to concede a goal against tournament midgets, Tahiti, who were white-washed by Uruguay and Spain (8-0) and (10-0) respectively. Against reigning world and European champs, Spain, it was a tall order for the Super Eagles, who were eventually humbled (3-0); in a match they will very quickly like to forget.
While the team had plenty of desire and power in the likes of Brown Ideye and Ahmed Musa, their defense showed their inexperience. The triumph of the Super Eagles at the 2013 edition of the African Cup of Nations typified the acclaimed resilience of the Nigerian spirit. It is a virtue that found a rebirth with some unlikely heroes who exhibited patriotism, discipline, hard work, perseverance, tenacity of purpose and faith in themselves. To whom much is given; much is expected. It is true that as reigning African champions, much was expected of Nigeria in the tournament. It is equally disheartening that the soccer ambassadors failed to rise to the occasion partly because their preparation in the countdown to the tournament was anything but exemplary. The row over bonuses that has become the bane of Nigerian football continues to subdue the country’s potential, and the ability of our players to re-enact the Nigerian qualities. The greater lesson, therefore, is for sports administrators to wake up to their responsibility, and build on the strong character exhibited by the Super Eagles players.
The Super Eagles’ victory at AFCON 2013 was achieved in spite of the failure by NFF authorities to create the ideal conditions for the team to excel. The team virtually improvised its way to victory against the backdrop of skepticism and cynicism about the capacity of the players, the coaching crew and their preparedness to do battle against more cohesive opponents. The usual lack of focus of NFF also gave little hope of success. However, the AFCON victory was sweet for millions of Nigerians who have yearned for a happy occasion amid the prevailing cheerless political and socio-economic disposition. The occasion proved again that football is one of the country’s foremost unifying factors, providing hope for a brighter future; and making a statement that the citizens are willing to identify with the country if the leaders rise to the challenge of leadership.
Not surprisingly, many actors in football administration seized the occasion to blow trumpets and claim undeserved credit from the AFCON triumph. It took the personal intervention of the President to get head coach Stephen Keshi, rescind his resignation after winning Nigeria’s first continental title since 1994 years. What a disgrace; where else in the world has such a thing happen? Amid the euphoria of victory, the problems of the team were swept under the carpet. But like a festering sore, it came to the open in the countdown to the Confederations Cup. How can a country which lays claim to continental and global prominence; the self-acclaimed giant of Africa be having problems paying bonuses to players who defend the national colors in distant lands and bring home glory; whereas politicians and football administrators help themselves to billions through corruption and their incurable money-mindedness?
The Super Eagles’ debacle should serve as a wake-up call to football administrators as an opportunity to redress past mistakes and ensure that the team and coach function without encumbrances. Nigeria has so far had a shaky and checkered 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign and everything must be done to make sure the Eagles qualify for the next world cup. Head coach Stephen Keshi, who defied all odds, deserves the entire accolade he has enjoyed for his team’s AFCON triumph. He remains a metaphor for Nigeria’s greatness; along with other members of his staff, who need to be further encouraged by the NFF to remain relevant for future glory.
And for Nigeria to maintain a minimum level of success in future international competitions, adequate resources, commensurate with the target must be committed. Reward for national team players and other sportsmen and women should be structured in a way that is sustainable. All outstanding bonuses owed the team and coaches should be paid immediately and new standards set and bonuses spelt out in advance for all future tournaments. This will save the country the unwarranted embarrassment from the recurring issue of bonuses that characterizes Nigeria’s participation in every international tournament. The issue of bonuses have become like an elephant waking up after a long sleep, casually brushing itself, and then going back to sleep.
The Eagles have enormous potential to rebrand Nigeria globally because football has a special significance as a tool for nation-building. Nigeria truly needs football to achieve greatness. But the anticipated turn-around cannot occur without attitudinal change. Over the years, football administrators have been consumed by selfish ambitions and unbridled quest for pecuniary gains. In the event, not only was football and footballers left to suffer, but the nation was repeatedly robbed of the good feeling that victory brings, and the chance to forge a stronger national cohesion. This alone is sufficient incentive for President Goodluck Jonathan to pay more attention to football in particular. Presidential authority is needed to engender the positive reinforcement that is required for success.
More importantly, administrators should strive to make sports funding private-sector driven instead of the current heavy reliance on government for support. Private sector involvement in sports encourages productivity and accountability, and this mechanism remains pivotal for sustaining greatness. Nigeria is certainly in dire need of men of character who can stand up for the country at all times. It only needs a rejuvenated leadership spirit to enable it present its first eleven in every sector, and achieve optimum results. What is now needed is an institutionalized culture of excellence in the country.
