Saturday 17 January 2015

President Jonathan, a Good-luck to Nigerian football?


Nigeria as nation has had it's ups and downs when it comes to football, but it won't be wrong to say the current leadership has provided the tonic for the achievements in our football.

In the last four years, Nigerian football has witnessed an up-turn in all aspects of the round leather game, no wonder ex-Nigeria captain Joseph Yobo praised the current administration for this feat.



The only gloom being Nigeria Super Eagles inability to defend her title in Equitorial Guinea after failing to qualify for the showpiece they won two year ago and the controversy surrounding coach Stephen Keshi.

As the 2015 general elections draw nearer, we select the high-points of the president Jonathan lead administration as it concerns Nigerian football.

Starting with the national teams. After over a decade, the Super Eagles finally won an African Cup of nations trophy in South Africa 2013. The other two triumph came in 1994 and 1980.

Also the Eagles made a good account of themselves at the 2014 FIFA world cup in Brazil, advancing to the round of sixteen, an act achieved over 12 years ago.

Secondly, the home base Eagles at their maiden CHAN tournament won bronze in 2013 and all these were masterminded by an indigenous coach, Stephen Keshi.

On the other hand, after over four years without making an effect on the continent, the super falcons of Nigeria in 2014 finally conquered the region becoming African champions for a record 11th time. By this, they qualify for the FIFA women world cup in Canada.

This came in a remarkable fashion as Nigeria stars Desire Oparanozie and Asisat Oshoala swept the awards for the highest goal scorer and the most valuable player respectively.

Furthermore, at the youth levels, Nigeria has also excelled. In 2013, the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria defeated Mexico 3-0 in the final to become FIFA U-17 world champion for the sixth time.

Their female counterparts the Falconets lost narrowly 1-0 to Germany in the FIFA U-20 World cup in 2014. Nigeria star Asisat Oshoala once again was the star of the tournament as she clinched the golden ball and golden shoe awards for being the best player and scorer of the most goals.

On the home front, the Glo Nigeria premier league has been filled with excitements and eye catching events. In 2014, Kano pillars and Enyimba Fc of Aba scooped the premier league title and Federation cup respectively. So also, Enyimba hit-man Mfon Udoh broke the 20 goal per-season record to become Nigeria's new goal king.

Individually, Nigerians has excelled for their respective clubs. In 2012, John Obi Mikel won the Uefa champions league with Chelsea and in 2013 along with Victor Moses became the Uefa Europa league winners. Vincent Enyeama also had an excellent 2013/2014 with club Lille where he was voted best African player in the French Ligue 1.

Young Nigerians has also made the move to greener pastures, Kelechi Iheanacho and Chidi Nwakali joined Manchester city, Ogenyi Onazi made the move to Lazio, Kenneth Omeruo and Victor Moses joined Chelsea Fc amongst other lucrative deals.

With the future of Nigerian football glowing and dazzling at both male and female football, the present dispensation should receive the plaudits for this accomplishment.

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