You might be wondering who are the two weak lions in the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

I guess most of us know that the lion is not a weak animal except at old age or if stricken by a life threatening ailment. The Lion without any doubt is the fearless King of the jungle. It commands its territory with so much bravery and authority. The pride of Lions are indeed dreaded and respected by other animals in the wild.

Football in Nigeria has come a long way. When I look at the logo of the Nigeria Football Federation, it is clearly written that it was founded in 1945. I sought for further information and got the following, "The Nigeria Football Federation (formerly known as the Nigeria Football Association) was founded in 1945, although there is some evidence that suggests it could have been formed as early as 1933. The organization joined CAF in 1959 and FIFA in 1960 and it is responsible for organizing the Nigerian Premier League, the Amateur League and the Women's League."

Using 1945 as the official date the NFF was established, this Football body is 79 years old. A septuagenarian almost graduating to octogenarian. If NFF were to be a human being, we will classify him or her as old man or woman. Now we may ask, how has the NFF fared since its establishment? The details are there for us to see. I don't really want to discuss the successes and failures, rather, I will be taking a look at the state of Football in Nigeria and particularly the vacuum created that has resulted into the current confusions and arguments associated with the Super Eagles of Nigeria. After studying the situation carefully, I came to a conclusion that there are two weak "lions" in the Nigeria Football Federation who have been operating in their weaknesses over times. The effect of their weaknesses became pronounced recently and it's been orchestrated even now. 

I have always said without mincing words that the Coaches are front line practitioners in Football. The players are in the front line also and they assume the status of professionals at a point in time. 
Once upon a period of time, there was the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) which was renamed Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) through the review of the Statutes governing the game. In the era of the Nigeria Football Association, the Nigeria Football Coaches Association (NFCA) and the Players' Union were automatic members of the Board of the Nigeria Football Association. These frontline practitioners had a voice in the management of Football in Nigeria. They operated that way. The Coaches and Players had their due respect and they were indeed committed with or without financial benefits. At a point in time, going to Europe to play professional football was perceived as not necessary in terms of monetary benefits because the Nigerian currency was higher in value than the United States of America Dollar and at par with the British Pound. Along the line, things began to fall apart with the Nigerian economy. Corruption began to weaken the political and economic foundation of the giant of Africa.
In Football things began to fall apart and the centre could not hold. I remember the literary legend, Chinua Achebe. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) was born and it has provided the leeway for the deteriorating situation of Football in Nigeria. Sadly the Statutes that gave birth to the Nigeria Football Federation aborted two very important members from the Board of the NFF and relegated them to be among the Five (5) Statutory Members that make up the Congress of the Nigeria Football Federation. The Five Statutory Members are:
(1). States/FCT Football Association Chairmen (37). 
(2). The Leagues.
- The Nigeria Professional Football League (1);
- The Nigeria National League (1);
- The Natiowide League One;
- The Nigeria Women Football League.
3. The Nigeria Football Coaches Association (NFCA).
4. The Players' Union.
5. The Nigeria (Football) Referees Association (NRA).
The NFF Congress is made up of 44 members with the States/FCT Football Associations having 37 members while the others have the remaining Seven (7) space. What a lopsided arrangement!
Tactically, the State Football Associations have a representation on the Board of the Nigeria Football Federation called Chairman of Chairmen. The Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Chairman automatically occupies the position of Vice President 2 of NFF while other Leagues too have representation. Unfortunately, the main actors, the Nigeria Football Coaches Association (NFCA) and the Players' Union have been completely sidelined. The Referees Association are a necessity but were also considered to have no business on the Board of NFF. The Coaches, Players and Referees are in the Nigeria Football Federation structure on the basis of *Master-Servant* relationship. Very unfortunate. Very sad for those who should be at the centre of decision making. This is where we arrive at the Two Weak Lions in the NFF.

The Two Weak Lions without mincing words are the Nigeria Football Coaches Association (NFCA) and the Players' Union. The weakness of the Nigeria Football Coaches Association is not the doing of one person. It is weak because Football Coaches especially those who are privileged to be coaching at higher level prefer to operate individually rather than coming together, submitting themselves to forming a formidable body that will stand for the rights and interest of Coaches. They indeed rejected to be members of their professional body. Unbelievable! Former Super Eagles Coach, Jose Pisarro registered as a member of the Nigeria Football Coaches Association but some indigenous Coaches are not members. Sad! The individual mentality of some Coaches override their collective mentality for the benefit of all members. The Coach Isah Ladan Bosso led NFCA may be doing their best but the current situation of Master-Servant relationship is an aberration which must come to an end. The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh has called for some restructuring in the NFF. Spectator is of the opinion that the very first stage of restructuring is to immediately revert the Coaches, Players and Referees to the Board of the NFF while also considering expanding the Congress.

The two weak lions must regain strength. The indigenous Football Coaches have been tagged incompetent and incapable to Coach the Super Eagles. This tag is not the true position. It is because the Coaches have decided to operate individually for their personal interests. Let's count the glories we have achieved since the first edition of FIFA Under 17 World Cup to AFCON and WAFCON. Most of the achievement were made by indigenous Coaches. Why is Super Eagles different? I think there is something we have not known. If the NFCA were formidable enough, I would have asked its leadership to ask the NFF to give the Coaches Association the opportunity and responsibility to recommend Coaches for employment.
The Players' Union would have been a formidable force for the growth of Football in Nigeria but they are a weaker 'Lion'. They are operating in factions. Why can't you agree among yourself and lead yourself? Looks like ego has overtaken our sense of reasoning. I pray we reason again and regain our strength. Please note that Spectator is an ex-grassroots player, grassroot Coach and a grassroots Football Administrator.

If the Two 'Weak Lions' were strong enough, the current ugly incident between Coach Finidi George and Victor Osimhen would have been tackled expediently. The Nigeria Football Coaches Association would have made a statement. The Players Union too. Meanwhile the Nigeria Football Federation seems to be pretending that they are not aware of what is happening. What does it take for the NFF to caution a player who has a lot ahead of him in his career? The silence of NFF could lead to the destruction of the player's career. Do you also realize what this ugly occurrences may be causing to the psyche of our players, Coaches and also football loving Nigerians?

Let the weak Lions arise, gain strength and adequately, effectively, efficiently play their roles in moving football in Nigeria to its deserved status.

Happy Sallah to all Football Stakeholders.

 *I am the Spectator.*