By

Mike Atah

A lot of speculations are flying all over the media space pertaining the number of teams that will represent Africa at the next cadet world cup. While we await the true position of things, it is pertinent to highlight the import of our Golden Eaglets' exit. 

First, it has to be said that Manu Garba's team has surpassed expectations. With only one month of preparation for a major championship that will produce qualifiers for the cadet AFCON, the team rose to the occasion to reach the semi finals before losing out to Ivory Coast. It was not a dismal performance. Far from that, it only goes to show what has consistently been a reccurring narrative in our preparations for major championships - late caveats and appointment of coaches with expections of a miracle! 

CALENDAR-LESS FOOTBALL STRUCTURE
Football is primed as the most spectacular sport with its followership increasingly becoming charismatic. This has necessitated a calendar at the both global and continental levels to ensure plain sailing. It is an indication that planning precedes every endeavour and further concretizes the reach for global best practices. Unfortunately, here in Nigeria, this does not seem to appeal to our senses. Over the years, we have seen several attempts to harmonize our league calendar; some abrupt endings to our top league; quick fixes to conclude the prestigious FA Cup schedules all in a bid to meet CAF deadline for submission of our representatives. While the current board cannot take all the blame for the aforementioned, it must focus on establishing a regular football calendar for Nigeria football with a more fervent intent. This will not only bring stability to our football activities but also strengthen the process for better results. 

GROOMING TALENTS
It is a widely-acclaimed cliche that Nigeria is embarrassingly blessed with talents. This stereotype has been regrettably undermined and rendered insignificant by our actions. There is hardly any blueprint on how to harness the vast potentials that abound within our nation - little surprise we are now under-achieving where we have been strong.  There has to be a conscious, energy-driven and purposeful national programme to unearth talents from various parts of the country. Such a process must be followed by a regimented camping exercise to afford the coaches of the team sufficient time to produce the best legs to represent us. A minimum of six months will produce tangible results that will return us to the summit of African football at cadet level. The same approach must be deployed for the U20 and the home-based (CHAN) Eagles. 
Another major impact this will have is that home-based league performances will improve tremendously if players know that there is a pool from which players can be drawn to play for the CHAN Eagles. With the current Super Eagles handler now based in the country,  you can imagine what this will mean. 

LOST GROUND ON PRODUCING POOL OF PLAYERS
It is not a certainty that only players from the cadet level are the best to play for the senior national team. Some players may not thrive to reach that level but it is evident (from what is obtainable across the globe) that many of them will become useful assets. 
Players coming through the ranks from the cadet level gain invaluable experience during their journey with the U20 and U23 to aid their development. Such robust platforms become useful vehicles for honing their skills and techniques as well as improve their tactical awareness in game situations. 
In the last few years now, that process has been disrupted following the dismal record of our Eaglets. The last time, Nduka's team was the victim; now Manu has suffered the same fate. It is a telling misfortune on our football development. 
Our strongest national teams were always dotted with players from our cadet teams (USA '94 may be the only exception). 

GREENER PASTURES TRAJECTORY STALLED 
In Nigeria, the breakthrough of a football player is greatly celebrated (like in Brazil) in many proportions. The success path that comes from one progression of a player has multi-dimensional  impacts namely: economic impact on family, attractive package  in Europe, expected income to agents/managers, economic impact on home academy of the player, psychological boost on home players, etc. 
It is better imagined than told what the loss will be if Nigeria fails to qualify for any cadet  championship. It has to be our birthright somewhat if we put in place the right structures. That opportunity cannot be jeopardized or sacrificed on the altar of errors. 

REVIEWING POLICY
If the current trend of appointing coaches with few months to a major championship is a policy, then it needs some reviewing. But how can it be in the first place? It is hard to accept that what has been a stumbling block to success is still being embraced. This last-minute, fire brigade, _Nigerian_ approach has yielded more negatives than its antonym. Policies can be failures atimes. The courage to unbundle them and discontinue with them is a sound template that must not be jettisoned. 

NATION'S JOY, A THING OF PRIDE
A quick look at our history will reveal a nation that is stronger on the sports foot. The prevailing economic challenges confronting Nigerians do not seem to abate at the moment. Sports, especially football in particular, has been a massive instrument for national integration, bonding and fellowship. 
To give but a single example, only few months ago, precisely at AFCON, Nigerians rebirthed into a new shell that may have had far-reaching positive impact on health and life. Was it not obvious that our unity was refreshed during that AFCON? Did we not experience joy that triggered some mental wellness? Did we not forget the adversities for a while? Why can we not forge care for our people along this path? 
It is easy to recall how the journey of the Super Eagles to the final became an attractive decoy that pulled us out of the thoughts of the ailing economy, though momentarily (humour is a part of life). 
This potential is precious and must be utilized as medicine for longevity on our people. Our success in football must be seen as a thing of pride on the African continent and by extension, the world. 
We must realize that that is one area we can hang on to and become happier as a people.