By Tony Ubani
AT a time like this when Nigerians are still agonising over the annoying 2-2 draw the Super Eagles played against Tunisia that has placed Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa in a cliff hanger, the Super Eagles enjoyed their winning bonus of 10,000 dollars after the draw.
Angry Nigerian fans, who were irked by the poor play of the Eagles, had reacted with stones and bottles but the Eagles still left the stadium richer with their 10,000 dollars.
GOING NOWHERE ....Nigeria’s Nwankwo Kanu(L) competes with Ragued Houcine of Tunisia during the World Cup qualifi-cation match in Abuja on September 6. It ended 2-2. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.
Sports Vanguard can reveal that Sports Minister and Chairman of the National Sports Commission, NSC, Engineer Sani Ndanusa, reportedly ordered that the players should be paid the winning bonus as a means of boosting their morale for the remaining matches. Ndanusa still believes that with such love shown to them, the Eagles would soar against Mozambique and Kenya to pick the ticket for the World Cup.
What he does not know, however, is that Tunisia would not let such a golden chance to slip to gift Nigeria the opportunity of finishing first. We learnt that the money is to encourage the players.
“I know that there is still chance and hope for Nigeria to pick the ticket.
This is football. Anything can happen”, the Minister who was close to tears when his Eagles fumbled and wobbled to allow the North Africans equalise three minutes to the end of the game said. In the first leg in Tunis where the Eagles drew, the players were also paid 10,000 dollars with the hope of motivating them to beat the Tunisians in Nigeria.
It was outrageous to see that the officials have maintained the habit of encouraging and rewarding failure instead of punishing them.
“It is not the end of the road. We want to encourage the boys and hope that Tunisia give up the advantage”, the Minister insisted on our hotline.
I’m so disapointed that nigeria will not go to world cup 2010.such thing happen Nigeria against Angola during 2006 Qualifying world cup.what’s happening to Nigerian players?nawaoo!
The source of our strength
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:14.
Anytime you feel inadequate, go to God and say, “I feel inadequate. I’m trusting You to be my adequacy.”
If you feel ignorant, trust God to be your source of wisdom.
If you feel weak or exhausted, trust God to be your strength.
If you feel yourself totally without adequate resources, trust God to provide what you need.
It is a pity if even we trust God we need to be sincere for that in our actions and deed.
I know the pains Nigerians who love soccer are going through these days and who cares.
We need prayers for our healing the nation at large in every spare of our lives now.
TO GOD OUR LIFE-GIVER FOR HEALING ALL NIGERIANS NOW.
God of life, there are days when the burden we carry weary us and wear us down;
When the road seems dreary and endless, the skies gray and threatening;
And our hearts have no music in them, and our courage and trust falter.
Flood our way with light, we beg you; turn our eyes where the skies are
Full o promise for the better day. Dear Lord, help us to heal the nation
Man and woman after this Black September to face more pressing problems
Than soccer, corruptions, tribalism, mediocre, and clean us in hearts and minds to
Face the future with goodness, love, peace, joy and responsible leaderships. Amen.
Rev. FR Kevin Ikpah in USA
Not a shock at all!!!! In a country where looters ( in form of government officials) get paid for looting. So why would players get paid for working hard but failed short be a schock?? C, mon!! Wake up buddy!
Why is this a shocker?
We live in a country where contractors are fully paid for jobs not even initiated. Many road and electrical power projects exist only in paper but are are FULLY PAID for because pockets in the high corridors at the foot of the either rocks in ABJ are properly lined.
So my country people, there is no shocker here. Nigeria is Nigeria and it is what is. What is an outrage elsewhere is the norm in Nigeria.
The “Super Eagle” have forgetton thier origin, hence they played against the Tunisian side with non – challant attitude to what 150 million Nigerians believed them to know how to do best, but the failed us. I personally was shocked by “Super Eagle” performance knowing fully well the possible mistakes our boys can make on the pitch was watching from my home, I was expecting the Coach and his technical crew to be seeing thesame thing but the reverse was the case. So disappointed simply because the management of the boys failed to use the right player at the right time. The players and their management owned the populace sincere apology for the great shock caused to us. The Tunisian side took advantage of the lackadaisical attitude of the “Super Eagle” toward the game and I was shocked as the Eagles went down. The is my token advice for the management of the football of the nation, that there is need for proper overhauling of the personnel in the Glass House, by assigning the right position to the right people. Furthermore, the various sport unit should be empowered with Psychologist to always assist the footballers and athlete on psychological issues. And on the part of the players they should realise that before now soccer to Nigerian is a source of Joy, but the reverse is the case now. They should begin to see the national call far beyond their club side call, simply because the source of their popularity now is the privilege they have playing for the national team. I believed a word is enough for the wise!