Nigeria/Sudan: Eagles' Loss to Sudan, an Embarrassment, Says Pinnick
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President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr. Amaju Pinnick, has described as an embarrassment Super Eagles loss to Sudan in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier last Saturday. "It is embarrassing that as reigning champions, we are struggling in the qualifying series, with only one point out of a possible nine. It is an awful output," stressed the NFF boss
"However, we want our people to be patient and not stampede the federation to take knee-jerk decisions that will backfire in the end. We are on top of the situation and will take decisions that are in the best interest of Nigeria football." Pinnick said he understands why Nigerians are furious over the defeat. "We understand that Nigerians are furious over the fact that the Eagles are last in their pool and are in danger of not qualifying for the finals in Morocco. Everyone feels bad about this, including the members of NFF Executive Committee. "I just want to call on Nigerians to have patience. This new board is determined to do things differently. We are passionate about the Nigeria game and what we want to achieve is build a sustainable football culture for our dear country.
"Our target is to ensure that Nigeria finishes in pole position at major football competitions in Africa and the world, and we believe this is achievable through hard work, diligence, strategic planning and the support of everyone." The NFF supremo agrees that there is no reason why a country of about 170 million cannot raise a quality squad of two dozen footballers who can dominate the continental, even global game, and make the nation proud at all times. Having never lost to Sudan in the past 47 years, the Eagles played poorly and lost 1-0 in a match they needed to win, thereby endangering qualification for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations. It was also Sudan's first goal in the qualifying race, having been humbled at home 3-0 by South Africa and pipped 1-0 in Congo Brazzaville. Mikel Blames 'Nightmare' Pitch for Defeat Super Eagles midfielder, John Mikel Obi, has blamed Nigeria 1-0 loss in Sudan on a pitch he described as "a nightmare".
The Chelsea player was hysteric immediately after the game in the dressing room, later at the team's hotel and even while the team was flying home aboard the chartered Sudan Airways plane.
"The pitch we played in was awful. You can't move, the ball bounces when you want to control it and when you shoot it goes the wrong direction, it was a nightmare playing on that pitch," observed Mikel.
Striker Emmanuel Emenike in his own submission suggested that countries that do not have good pitches and proper facilities to host qualifiers should be exempted from them by continental ruling body CAF.
"Where we played on Saturday is worst than when we were playing street football. CAF must act to stop nonsense like this from happening and they deliberately took us there because they know we play on better pitches," he lamented.
Mikel insisted Nigeria could still qualify for Morocco 2015 with support of other Nigerians.
"While I can't still believe how and why we lost that game, it's important to move ahead and for those saying we don't deserve to be in Morocco, I think that is unfortunate and we must stop spreading that negativity because it gets to the team," he said.
Nigeria: 'Keshi Should Listen to Constructive Criticisms
Ex-international Ndubuisi Okosieme, on Saturday advised the Super Eagles Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, to listen and work on constructive criticisms from the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) and football enthusiasts.
Okosieme said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lagos.
The former ACB of Lagos winger, advised Keshi to give room to players that have shown consistency in their various clubs.
"We understand that Keshi wants to win just like any coach, but he needs to pay attention to players like Obafemi Martins, he has been doing so well at his club side.
"Martins and some other players have shown consistency over time that should not be taken for granted, they should be invited, everyone deserves an opportunity.
"Keshi also has to listen to constructive criticisms, no man is an island, and the ability to work on criticisms is what makes us a better person.
"All the advice offered to him can't be wrong totally, all he needs to do is to filter what he considers to be true from what is not, and things will get better," Okosieme said.
The former El- Kanem Warrior player also charged the NFA not to relent in its bid to develop football at all levels.
"The NFA should ensure that they don't neglect football development at all levels, I'm sure that by so doing our football will thrive more and we will have developmental progress at all cardres, " he added.
Source: Nigeria football News
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