NIGERIA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER: Nigerians see FIFA's international ban as setback but one that could eventually improve soccer in their country

Record ID: 235312

  • Title: NIGERIA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER: Nigerians see FIFA's international ban as setback but one that could eventually improve soccer in their country
  • Date: 6th October 2010
  • Summary: LAGOS, NIGERIA (OCTOBER 5, 2010) (REUTERS) LAGOS STATE SOCCER TEAM TRAINING PLAYERS JOGGING JOE ERICO, FORMER ASSISTANT NATIONAL COACH, WITH COLLEAGUES WATCHING FANS WATCHING (SOUNDBITE) (English) FORMER ASSISTANT NATIONAL COACH JOE ERICO, SAYING: "It is really unfortunate and really sad that we find ourselves in this type of situation, it not the best, though, it is going to affect the youth for some time, but if that is going to give us real room to readress ourselves and correct our anomalies and put our attitude towards progression, I think there is nothing wrong with that (ban) for sure I know it is going to take a very short time and we will come out of this." FANS WATCHING TRAINING (SOUNDBITE) (English) TAJUDEEN OLABEJI, SOCCER ADMINISTRATOR, LAGOS STATE, SAYING: "In as much as I don't support the ban, but if the ban will make Nigeria grow better in football, let it be." PLAYERS STRETCHING COACH WATCHING (SOUNDBITE) (English) JAMES ORUAGHA, INSURANCE AGENT, SAYING: "Based on what we are seeing, in Nigerian football this period, if it comes to disband all, we accept it, but also to reshuffle, they can (NFF) can do it, remove those ones who look so bad bring new ones...we have good people here in Nigeria, no matter how bad it may be, we still have good people who will be able to work and get us what we need." VARIOUS OF TRAINING
  • Embargoed: 21st October 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Nigeria
  • Country: Nigeria
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVAC03S8IAWSCPQX25YA38QSLKH2
  • Story Text: Nigeria's Super Eagles were grounded on Monday (October 4) when the country was barred from international soccer because of government interference, three months after narrowly escaping suspension for the same reason.
    Soccer's governing body FIFA had previously threatened to suspend Nigeria in July when the government, angry at the national team's first-round exit at the World Cup, ordered them to pull out of all international competition for two years.
    Nigeria President Goodluck Jonathan reversed the decision after the federation agreed to disband the team but FIFA said it would continue to monitor events in the country.
    On Monday, FIFA said outside interference, including court action, had prevented Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) directors from doing their job.
    Nigeria, known as the Super Eagles, were due to visit Guinea for an African Nations Cup qualifier on Sunday, having beaten Madagascar 2-0 in their opening match last month.
    It was the latest chapter in the chaotic administration of Nigerian soccer which sees national team coaches hired and fired with astonishing regularity and continual in-fighting among directors and politicians.
    In Lagos on Tuesday (October 5), former national team assistant coach Joe Erico said: "It is really unfortunate and really sad that we find ourselves in this type of situation. It is going to affect the youth for some time, but if that is going to give us real room to readress ourselves and correct our anomalies and put our attitude towards progression, I think there is nothing wrong with that. I know it is going to take a very short time and we will come out of this."
    Tajudeen Olabeji, an administrator with the Lagos State side said: "In as much as I don't support the ban, but if the ban will make Nigeria grow better in football, let it be."
    Nigeria were banned by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in 1996 when then President Sani Abacha withdrew the team from the African Nations Cup finals in South Africa because he had been criticised by Nelson Mandela over the judicial execution of political opponents.
    As a result, Nigeria missed the following Nations Cup in Burkina Faso in 1998.
    Monday's suspension means Nigeria cannot compete in age-restricted competitions or international club competitions, although the country has no representatives left in this season's African Champions League.
    It also deprives the NFF of an annual grant of $250,000.
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