Nigeria, we hail thee, our own dear native land....... (as the lyrics of the old anthem goes)... This is the first time in as long as I can remember that I was on the edge of my seat till the final whistle. I saw the almost re-enactment of the "miracle of Dammam", I believed in the Flying Eagles, till the last second of the match against France. I saw a team, the depth in the play, the movements, the group linkups, the spread of play, the ability to respond and hit back, when in trouble, I saw the birth of a team that can take on the world (if we dont politicize, and destroy it with bribery and nepotism) and defeat anyone on any given day and in any match. I saw us lose a match, but we were not beaten...I saw a team I would be proud to be associated with, at any time (irrespective of the results).
To Chris Green ( I know we have had our differences, but we "fight" fair), I openly and critically say please stay focused and build a PROGRAM, a developmental template, to be centered around JOHN SAM OBUH, and this players. Let us systematically understand what we did right to achieve this result, in the development of these players (how did we get here), in the play (what were the methodologies, training, tactics, preparations, camping, structures, etc...) and in the support and admin (who were the supporting organisations, FA staff, 3rd parties, etc..).
We need to ensure that we get this result or better the next time around. We must produce more Egbedis, Musas, Pauls, Azeezs, Daniels, Sexy Emmanuels and Great Nwofors/Ejikes.... We must absolutely be sure that we can almost have carbon copies of these players from as young as 10 yrs old (identified) today and placed in different developmental programs all over the country (under the watchful eyes of trained coaches and minders working in a program) in both boys and girls cadres.
And if the Minister would like to know a thing or two about ensuring his survival beyond one year. He should support the FA with the set up of a JOB CREATION initiative in sports (I strongly advice him to talk to PAUL BASSEY, IKEDI IZIGUZO, AISHA FALODE, FATIMA USMAN, Dr. NDIDI NNOLI-EDOZIEN, Dr. OLUWOLE AKINWUNMI, and Dr. NANNA (both of the Min of Finance) and Dr. Godson DINEYA, these are the current experts we have in the country that can support him in translating Job Creation in various sectors of the economy and creating the linkages we need to drive the development sports deserves).
There is an immense opportunity to create over 10,000 jobs in the sporting arena alone, from "after school program coaches, to local sporting coordinators, local government sporting analysts, to sports marketing, to support and youth development, to scouting and recruitment to long term admin support and volunteers". We have not even touched the apparels, equipment manufacture and distribution as well as health and physical training, nutrition, etc. Mr. Minister. get these people together and let them tell you how to improve sports in Nigeria.. Get them ASAP......
The NFA/NFF is advised to use its technical department to drive a grassroots program that focuses on empowering and encouraging local volunteers and state FA trained coaches to participate in grassroots football at all levels, these men and women are our eyes and ears in all corners of the country. Our "spotters and talent scouts", they are mini John Obuhs, Samson Siasias' and Austen Eguavoens, all rolled in one.... (they are the guardians of our EAGLES nests and eggs), their key function (apart from making the experience fun for kids) is to tender to these select and gifted children, until the national team setup calls them up to represent their country. An adapted Olympic Development Program (ODP) template; from the US, Australia, France and UK can be easily utilized, and made to work for our exact grassroot soccer development objective.
The age of "hit and miss" is over. The statement:"going back to the drawing board" should now MEAN: Evaluating our strengths, Compensating and actively recognizing and dealing with our weaknesses, Eliminating the risks and threats to our objectives and success, and Systematically Taking advantages of areas of opportunity.
We need to be a systematic and organised country when it comes to international tournaments. Coming out, as reps and champions of Africa, is no longer good enough; in the world stage, we have to better than the rest, and to do that (without being age cheats), we have to be at par with the best in the world, and add the "natural Nigerian endowment" as an edge!!!
To my brother Andrew Oshemeshian "ACE", I say, dont despair. We cant win every game every time, but take a look at the product, called the Flying Eagles. See how the team has developed, look at the interplay, the physique, fitness, ease and flow of their game, scoring prowess, our goalkeeper made fantastic saves, our defense held, our midfield could actually hold the ball and link up with the rest of the team, the attackers could actually score (14 goals in 5 games).. There was no "big boy" attitude on this team, everybody worked for the team, and our bench (coaches) did make the difference when it counted.... Check out Nwofor, Ejike and Sexy Emmanuel (4 goals, 2 assists) from subs.... Haba, dont despair.
Just something for you to note. 10 years ago, the French overhauled their national team youth development program, and went back to the drawing board. Today, we see a difference in their ambition and the results are glaring (see their girls at the Women world cup, and now their U 20 men are the UEFA champs). We are on a journey. Whether we have the right people to deal with the responsibility of achieving this goal is doubtful and worrisome (given the antecedents of some people in power), but I have resolved not to only continuously shout out loudly (like an Aladura preacher with an electronic megaphone at a crusade) but I will do my best to support the process and enforce positive (high impact) change.
If the Maigari team really means to do business, there are Nigerians that are ready to serve and they must go and get them to come and support this process of grassroot soccer development. The NFA/NFF technical department must work with the state FAs' to carry out a nationwide program for the registration/sign up of all the primary & secondary school games/P.E/Sports teachers and responsible, with the aim of setting up a grassroots soccer development program. Wherein, we encourage after school play/training and use this medium as a means of targeting, identifying and supporting local talents in both sporting and educational pursuits. Furthermore, it is the more effective way to scout for talents for the national teams, and encourage our kids to "just play"......
Aminu Maigari, MUST hunker down, focus and get going. He has good people on the board to work with and they must leave a lasting positive legacy for football in Nigeria (he must also be wary of some very lame and unserious leeches that are always around him),
The vision of the proposed solution might look a bit simplistic and naive, and may seem not to have taken taken into account the environmental, political, sectarian and cultural challenges within "our own dear native land", dont be fooled. The solutions and workarounds abound, to ensure that we can achieve success in the face of surmounting challenges, we know what to do.. When the time comes, the will to succeed SHALL be matched with the political and economic desire of the powers that be.
Our three musketeers (Samson Siasia, Austen Eguavoen, John Obuh), should commence a working group to formalize what is technically required to get young talents prepared for national team assignments. This will form the template for the grassroots soccer program, to utilize in preparing future national team players mentally and physically to know and have what it take to represent this country.
So mi amigos, muchachos, adios, and see you in 10 months time, when another qualification series for the next U-20 WC in Turkey 2013 gets underway. We had a good run. 14 goals in 5 games.. Well done John and the boys. ... Well done...
As a gentle sidebar: Big ups and gbosa to ma WOZA nation (my bb footie mad group, which was initially set up for Nigerians enroute to SA 2010 WC, as a means of exchanging views and keeping in touch, now it is the hottest bb forum, with members in the UK, USA, SA, and Nigeria), Just love you guys... una well done. EPL is back up again, and as usual without the Saints of Southampton, Arsenal cannot survive. Watch this season, they will "almost" win the league, we have sold them a player.... Am a Southampton Fan, a true "saint and scummer" plus I love my Bendel Insurance, Edo Arsenal for life..... Let me read your thoughts....
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