By

Ezindu Lawrence - Okay

For a few months now, I have been silent about the ills and gains (if any) of Nigeria Football, I intentionally decided to bury my head in the sand like the ostrich. 
Not because I was out of ideas for what to write, or I have not been privy to the gimmicks and games ongoing in the glass house, but I decided to pretend like the suffering religious Nigerians who go about telling themselves same lies everyday and year saying "IT IS WELL". 

Well, in this long muteness, I have been gathering my thoughts and informations, and being that the NEW YEAR is here, I felt, just as you run to go receive the prophecies (many of them guess speeches, and a lot more, lies) from your big religious leaders, I have to make myself important by releasing my own "prophecy" of what to expect from the super eagles of Nigeria as the African Nation's Cup kicks in few days from now.

First, I was excitedly looking forward to the releasing of the list of invited players to the super eagles camp, and yes the preliminary release was motivating and encouraging, but after the long wait, few days ago, the list of the 25 players selected was made public, this triggered my reaction.

I do in all honesty think that those who made this decision for the players *DO NOT MEAN WELL* for the general good of the nation. I think there are some sentiments and personal interests after seeing the list as released.

Chief among these worries of mine is the fact that Frances Uzoho is going to be the goalkeeper for the team in a huge and biggest tournament in Africa. A tournament we are supposed to be favorites and aspire to win. 

Obviously, there are some super powers who are protective of some of their "boys" in the team. This is a given fact. Boys who 'play along or play big'. You know na.

Looking at the recent engagements of the super eagles and the performances of Frances Uzoho, you can't but wonder how a sensible and tactical person would agree to station Frances Uzoho in the sticks as the nation's number one against the very lethal strikers available against us as opponents in the tournament.
What will be the confidence of the defenders knowing Uzoho is the last man of their defence lines, what is the confidence of the teeming football loving fans of the most populous black nation on planet earth? They do not care about our opinions.

By this singular selfish, self-centered and questionable decision, the authorities have just given our oppositions the   courage and Faith (upper hand) to put us under pressure knowing that a little pressure, the goalkeeper will begin to panic. 
How can we be reduced to Frances Uzoho as our first Choice goalkeeper in the mist of talents that abound? Where is Adeleye, Okoye, what about other performing young and agile goalkeepers all over Europe.
This is corruption!

Second is the inclusion of Ahmed Musa. Musa is one of my favorite personalities and a worthy ambassador, and I must give him his flowers for years of service and his heart of helps. He is a gift to our nation and a philanthropic person that  deserves several awards. I praise him. 

However, Alhaji Ahmed Musa is past his prime, unless we're going to Ivory Coast to  play ALL STARS GAME Or to complete numbers and waste tax payers money. Who knows maybe.

The inclusion of Musa in that player's list was insensitive, fraudulent,  myopic and selfishly motivated. I know Musa pays bills for some at NFF, but haba, You could find another way to let him be part of the team for dressing room support and motivation rather on the player's list.

Nigeria needed every member of the playing staff to be able to contribute something on the pitch, being ready to be called upon any time to deliver, Musa isn't in that class now, he is a veteran, he has passed his time. It is laughable to send Musa in against young and better fit defenders. This is comon sense. Alas, those who make decisions have a different opinion, to them it's about number of appearance they want on  Musa's name, Joseph Yobo has to fe toppled by tiwa, tiwa (Our own), rather than what can be contributed on the field of play for the betterment of the nation. 
You dropped a Nwakali, Ejuke, UEFA Hattrick master Orban Gift, and other attacking midfield controller and pivotal options for Alhaji Ahmed Musa (OON)? 

I don't want to go into religious attachment to the decision, that's a story for another day. But a story that must be told.

Listen folks, this very team lacks in vital departments, it is very obvious, we have no creative players, no driving attackers and none who can be trusted to unlock defenses when we're restricted from using our wings which is the only viable strength of the team. 

If the likes of the African footballer of the year Victor Osimhen of Napoli and  Victor Boniface of Bayern Leverkusen would thrive, then there has to be a feeder link between Wilfred Ndidi and Joe Aribo and the strikers. This is absolutely non-existent in this team. Na to Improvise Dem go fit do. 

Eguavoine claims head of technical 'meinene' in NFF, speaks all the English, but this is where technical analysis of the team comes in and he, as usual and always failed again,just as we could not qualify for the World Cup.

Please permit me Just a little digress, I was present at the FIFA event in Abuja few weeks ago, I listened to the NFF leaders speak at the very poorly organised event, (event for the Cameras). 
They can only deceive FIFA and the 2 young representatives of FIFA present at the Joke in Wuye district, Abuja. It was at that event I concluded that Nigeria is not ready, our oppurtuned leaders are just oppurtunists brilliantly taking advantage of their chance albeit criminally by my perception. I'll talk more about this on radio soon.

In conclusion, I have reduced and lowered my expectations from the Super eagles as far as the AFCON is concerned, I'll definitely watch them, support them, cheer them, I expect them to qualify from the group, get to quarter final, that will be the poorest, but that's about it, I do not expect anything more,  not when Paseiro is their Coach and Austin Eguavoine the head of technical department. 

Now note, even if the Super Eagles wins the AFCON 2024 which they should, it doesn't in any way mean Paseiro was right for this biggest footballing and most expensive team in Africa.

I do believe in Surprises,  So I'll wait...

May God feed awọn tí ẹbí pá oo.

I no fit shalaye again. Sànú and Daalu nu.

*Ezindu Okay-Lawrence (ACFF)*
*Officer-Coach*