The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has expressed satisfaction over the result the Golden Eaglets got against their host, Gabon, at the weekend, describing it as a good result, considering the harrowing experiences they went through before the match.
The General Secretary of the federation, Musa Amadu, who made the disclosure in a chat with Daily Sunsports at the Glass House yesterday, however, admitted that the secretariat is working to ensure it surmounts the challenges confronting the game.
He explained that it took the intervention of the Nigeria Ambassador to Gabon to finally prevail on the Gabonese authorities to permit the Nigeria contingent entry into Libreville, stressing that the harrowing experience was too much for the boys to bear.
“I have no iota of doubt that the team will qualify for the Africa U-17 Championship coming up early next year in Niger Republic. I want to look at the result against Gabon as one of those hitches.
“The reason we lost that game was obvious because the Gabonese authority delayed our team by even disembarking them when they were almost airborne. They removed their luggage.
“They had to sleep overnight in Lome in a makeshift Hotel we provided. It took the intervention of the Ambassador to Gabon before they could give them exceptional allowance on Saturday.”
This treatment was not good for their age.
“These are just U-17 players that it was obvious that treatment must have affected them, but I am sure we will beat them when they come here in two weeks time to qualify for the tournament. The target is to qualify for the championship and do well to qualify for the World Cup proper.
“The team is a very good one and has done very well under coach Amuneke and his technical crew, who gave them the best of preparations. I want to reassure that the Gabonese will fall in Calabar when they come for the return leg,” he said.
Amadu spoke on the challenges ahead of the team, he said: “There are always challenges anytime we are preparing for any serious game, but that was why we are there to face those challenges, overcome them and ensure that we qualify for the championship. Everybody at the secretariat is tackling the challenges to ensure we qualify. Money is always one of the challenges we face, but as I said, we will try to overcome it with other challenges.”
On the complaint that trailed the state of the turf of the UJ Esuene Stadium, the Glass House scribe argued: “I don’t want to think that the failure of the Super Eagles to win the match against Congo has anything to do with the state of the stadium. I know that the pitch will be good enough for the boys to prosecute that match. I am very sure that the pitch will not stop them from beating Gabon.”
Lagos SWAN inaugurates electoral committee
A seven-man electoral committee was on Friday inaugurated by the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Lagos State chapter to conduct the forthcoming elections into the executive body.The electoral committee, otherwise known as SWANECO, which was endorsed by the SWAN congress on Friday is chaired by a veteran sports journalist and the Deputy Editor-In-Chief, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr. Tony Nezianya.
The SWANECO is expected to discharge its duties without fear or favour.
Lagos SWAN Chairman, Mr Fred Edoreh, in his speech admonished the SWANECO to conduct a transparent election, which will be devoid of bias and rancour.
“While thanking the members of the committee for accepting to serve the association because you are all appointed on merit, I want to use this opportunity to appeal for peaceful conduct of the election.
“We can also assure you that the outgoing executive will provide all the necessary support to enable you succeed.”
In his response, the Electoral Committee Chairman, Mr Tony Nezianya, thanked the executive committee and the members of the association for the confidence reposed in them, saying SWANECO will not disappoint them.
Meanwhile, The Sun/Soccer Star’s Bunmi Ogunyale will serve as the Secretary, while others members are: Bamidele Boluwaji (Complete Sports), Kunle Adeyeye (Radio Nigeria), Stella Bamawo (The Nation), Deola Omo-Kivie (NTA), and Paul Erewuba of National Mirror.
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