By Paul Bassey
I imagine a ship on the high seas. So far it is plain sailing. No problem whatsoever and those on board decide to take it easy.

The captain toys with the idea of a nap. There is relaxation and contentment all round. After all, the worst of storms have been put behind, every one  can afford a sigh of relief.

Then, unannounced, proverbially out of the blues, the sea erupts. The ship is jolted. A seaman is thrown overboard and there is confusion everywhere. Some passengers could be heard screaming. “ But you said everything is fine? How come you did not see this storm coming? “

This is my perception of the Nigeria Football Federation as WAFU, Falcons, FIFA Ranking and Harrison Jallah appeared from nowhere to jolt and destabilize what ordinarily appeared to be a smooth sailing for our football.

In no particular order let me start with the WAFU final. It was good that coach Samson Siasia prepared the minds of Nigerians in advance on the possibility of not doing well in the competition, given the limited type, in fact no time for his team to come together.

But as the competition progressed, some confidence filtered in that Nigeria could win it .After all, was WAFU not a regional competition?

The confidence got a further boost when it was Siasia that was in charge, that Samson of Nigerian football who had a win win record so far with a “You ain’t seen nothing yet” appellation in tow.

When Siasia assumed the headship of the National team, he did promise to pay a lot of attention to the domestic league. This was manifested with series of campings, preparatory to the botched US Tournament, and the believed discovery of some local lads.

To cut a long story short, we were beaten by Togo and eyebrows were raised. Togo ? How? Why?. Some unconvincing explanations and excuses. No adequate preparation and the absence of the league. Yes, the league was not on, but did the clubs go on recess as well? Did they not prepare, keep their boys in shape lest the NFF decide to start the league at short notice?  What about Sunshine Stars, Kaduna Utd and Enyimba that were involved in Continental competitions.

From nowhere, the charts came out. Siasia suddenly had a loss chalked against his name by the press. He was human after all.
So he could lose?

The same warning signal was accentuated by the classification of South Africa above Nigeria in the FIFA world ranking. Many Nigerians prefer to ignore this system that they believe is not a true reflection of the standard of football teams worldwide,  but has any of us stopped to study the development of the South African league since they hosted the world cup?

The increase in spectatorship, quality of the matches, perfect TV coverage and near excellent organization?
Have we cared to imagine the progress that they have made with the Bafana Bafana dominated by domestic players that culminated in the beating of mighty Egypt in the ongoing Nations Cup qualifiers?

If I wonder whether we can beat post world cup Bafana Bafana as easily as before I know a lot of Nigerians will scream YES. That, will be the day.

Then came the unwanted history of being the first Football Association in Nigerian history not to have qualified the Falcons for an African tournament, even the All Africa Games which they are the defending champions.

Too bad that this had to happen, but thank the heavens that it did as we prepare the team for the world cup in less than two months.

Those who watched the Falcons against Ghana are quick to say that it will not only be an early return for the African champions from Germany but that we may concede an embarrassing number of goals.

So, where is the problem? Is Eucharia not technically and tactically fit to handle the team? Can the trainer vouch for the fitness of the players? What is the relationship between the coach and his officials, do the players have any grouse?

Are officials influencing the choice of players invited to the camp? Even the NFF will be shocked at what it will discover if it does an honest and necessary inquest between now and the world cup. The sooner the better.

Then came the formation of an NFA ,a parallel like body to rival the existing NFF. I love this country. Anything can happen here.

Sincerely, I appreciate all the arguments put up by Jalla and his group, but disagree on the mode of effecting a remedy. Funny that two believed members of the planned new NFA had to deny them so hurriedly. Still birth if you ask me.

Again another wake up call. For two long have we been saddled with the issue of the illegality of the NFF, a body that still enjoys government patronage at night as NFA only to wake up in the morning and crow as NFF?
It is high time the records are rectified to avoid future embarrassments of this nature.

SIASIA AND “EGUAVOEN’S PLAYERS”

At last Thursday’s defence of his team list before the technical committee of the NFF, the Super Eagles coach was told to beef up his team with additional players and naturally some under 23 players came into focus.
There was a mild drama when Siasia requested the committee to inform his Under 23 colleague about the development because he did not want to be drawn into any controversy.
I thought this was absurd. Much as we agreed to inform coach Eguavoen, the committee asked the NFF to do a letter to all the national coaches telling them that they did not own any player.
Coach Onigbinde will forever claim and rightly too that he discovered Vincent Enyeama but he cannot claim ownership of the player. Most of the Under 23 players we have today are future Super Eagles players if they are not already and the sooner they are integrated into the top flight, the better.
Because I do not for one place too much premium on the Argentina match, I believe it is one that the Oduamadis, Ehiosuns, Joel Obis, and Igiebors ….should be used to expose them.
I can go further to say that if, the Under 23 team loses any match ( God forbid ) , heaven will not fall, but should the Super Eagles lose, hell itself will not be uncomfortable enough for officials of the NFF.
The Football Federation should make these two top coaches work together for the glory of Nigerian football. The present case of “ why has he invited my player without my permission” is not only childish but most likely to short circuit the progress  of our football.
I want to believe that by now that letter has gone out to all the coaches.

MADAM OYO CLOCKS 60, THANKS GOD

Last Saturday, the peaceful city of Calabar stood still for an amazon who decided to thank God for His mercies even for living up to 60.
Wife of the late football sage Etubom Oyo Orok Oyo,( long serving secretary general of the NFA, first Nigerian to occupy the exalted position of CAF and FIFA Executive Committee member ) Madam Iniko Oyo saw hundreds of family, friends and well wishers come to celebrate with her, an occasion that also coincided with her retirement from service.
After the church service the guests who came from far and near retired to her Ephraim Street home where there was enough to eat and to drink.
The Deputy Governor of Cross river State His Excellency Effiok Cobham extolled the qualities of “ a diligent  and virtuous woman who was a succor to her husband and a jewel to the state. We are proud of her”
In Lagos, Chief Jonathan Ogufere on behalf of the Association of Sports Veterans Nigeria, sent messages of felicitation to a “ …lady who frequented the corridors of world football with her husband so much that she also became an authority in football politics and organization”
Happy birthday Mma, congratulations as we wish you many more years in the service of God and humanity.
See you next week.