Amanze Uchegbulam, a former Nigeria Football Association (NFA) Board member, has advised the National Sports Commission (NSC) against interfering with the association’s plan for the 2013 African Nations Cup.

The advice became necessary following what happened when the federal government set up a Presidential Task Force (PTF) in 2009.

PTF was set up by the federal government to oversee the Super Eagles’ qualification and participation at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The task force was headed then by Gov. Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers, with other eminent Nigerians as members.

Uchegbulam who spoke with NAN in Abuja over the telephone on Sunday said the Task Force then, instead of being a guide, became more of a distraction.

“It was a distraction to the Eagles and the Nigeria Football Association (NFA).

“The Task Force dumped most of the plans developed by the technical crew and the NFA board towards the World Cup in South Africa.

“So, this time around, agencies such as the National Sports Commission (NSC) should give the NFA all they need to perform and not interfere.

“Past experience has shown that the next thing the NSC will do now will be to set up a committee for the Eagles’ participation at the Nations Cup.

“But during our own time at the NFA, the Presidential Task Force that was set up interfered with the plans of the FA and that was the confusion that created problems,” Uchegbulam said.

The former NFA board member, who is the current Chairman of the Imo State Football Association, warned that any attempt to put pressure on the Eagles to win the trophy could be disastrous.

He said personal interests and interference, if not avoided now, could jeopardise Nigeria’s chances of surpassing its past records at the competition.

“They should allow NFA and Keshi to settle down and build a formidable team for the Nations Cup.

“Everyone knows so much and I think that is where the problem will come from.

“If they can allow them to concentrate and build on their programme, I think they will do well in South Africa,” Uchegbulam said.