Is Nigeria a cursed Country? Why the hate and who is responsible for the mess? Why are we like this? How can we remedy the situation at hand for virtually in all sectors, the Country called Nigeria seems to be in fulcrum.
FIFA world club cup started in the United States of America last week without Nigeria, the giant of Africa.
For reasons best known to the World football governing body, FIFA, no Club was good enough to be invited for the championship. As I glued to the television watching one of the matches, PSG versus Atletico Madrid , my countenance with the other viewers changed when a fan asked whether any Club from Nigeria is participating. The truth is that any competition without Nigeria hardly interest people. Even when Nigeria is involved, as soon as the country gets knocked out, interest begin to wane down. It has happened and will continue to happen. Call it patriotism and you will not be at fault.
A total of 32 teams selected from Six different Federations with URFA having 12 slots, followed by CONMEBOL with Six while AFC and CAF boast of Four representative teams.
CONCACAF should have presented four slots but we’re given one extra slot due to hosting duties in 2025 while OFC has just one slot.
Unfortunately, no Club was selected from Nigeria rather FIFA chose to invite clubs from South Africa, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia.
The breakdown of Clubs invited are as follows.
AFC-Al-Hilal, Urawa Red Diamonds, Alain FC and Ulsan HD.
CAF- Al Ashly, Wydad Casablanca, Edoerance de Tunis and Mamelodi Sundowns.
CONCACAF— Monterey, Seattle Sounders, Los Angeles FC and Pachuca FC.
CONMBOL—Palmeiras, Fluminense, Flamingos, Botafogo, River Plate and Boca Juniors.
OFC—- Auckland City FC
UEFA—-Chelsea, Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, PSG, Inter, Porto, Beneficta, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus, Atletico Madrid, Red Bull and Satzburg.
CONCACAF— Inter Miami, the host. Incidentally, the great Messi plays for the host and so far, there is nothing to show that he is getting old. Against Porto, he was his usual self, distributing the ball and capped it with a beautiful goal. There was this scene when he dribbled a Porto player and the player ended up hugging Messi.
With Clubs like Enyimba who in the past have won CAF championships back to back and are ever present in CAF competitions, FIFA did not see anything good in this. What of Rivers United who have of late joined the big Clubs in Africa? What of Remo Stars that just emerged Champion of the Nigeria Professional Football League? Why sidelined a whole Country who pride itself as the giant of Africa with a population of over Two Hundred Million? What sins have we committed to warrant this treatment from the powerful FIFA? How did FIFA arrived at such decision despite our heroic performances in FIFA age grade competitions. But if late, Nigeria has always been a force having won the Under 17 and Olympics at the global level.
Some Football analysts are of the opinion that FIFA monitors everything that is going on in the country especially as it concerns the league. We may be quick to say our league has improved but the best is yet to be seen by the world football governing body.
Some stakeholders attributed FIFA action to the bad officiating from referees, bad or poor management from top football administrators which has really affected the development of the round leather game in the country. Some claimed it was due to the nature of our poor league, poor facilities, poor running of local football. The government too are not left out. Everything is politicized from selection of administrators to players in all ramifications.
A critical look at FIFA’s action may not be unconnected to the level of corruption which is our main bane. How did those in charge of football managed FIFA grants given to the country. Was the money used properly in line with the purpose? Are there anything to show for the FIFA grants. To FIFA, the wages of our action is to ignore the country when it matters most.
The way out of this logjam is for the government to hold those in charge of football accountable for their actions which has done more harm than good. It cannot be business as usual. U til our clubs start gaining recognition in the continent, nothing will come from FIFA.
To start, we must intensify efforts to re structure our league with the highest standard as approved by the world football governing body. The level of officiating which has affected the referees too must improve. It is unacceptable for our referees not to compete with the best in the world.
We have the resources but must purge ourselves of corruption and play according to the rules. Until such is displayed, nobody will take us serious and this should be handled seriously.
Have we as a country ever put into consideration the decay in infrastructures as manifested in some stadia. Why do we as a country lack maintenance culture and instead pay deaf ear to our various stadia just like the Nigerian roads. From National Stadium, Surulere to Ahmadu Bello Stafium, Kaduna, it is all mess. Why will any serious person pay attention to a country like Nigeria.
The Government as a matter of urgency declare a state of emergency and stop paying lip service with a mandate to turn things around.
On the issue of corruption, the anti-graft agency should help to unravel why the country has remained like this despite the billions released every year for the maintenance of these structures.
