PIECE OF THE WEEK
When the news broke last week that AFCON 2013 Top Goalscorer, Emmanuel Emenike claims to have been abandoned by the NFF and Super Eagles technical team soon after the nations cup; my first reaction was "Here We Go Again".
Followers of Nigerian football will agree with me that if there is one major error that the successive boards of the NFF have always made - it is the issue of welfare for Nigerian palyers.
From Emanuel Amunike, Daniel Amokachi, Nduka Ugbade, Julius Aghahowa, Femi Opabunmi, Obasi Ogbuke, and the list goes on. The complaint of Nigerian players has always remained the same especially when injured.
That of Emenike was more shocking because it happens just a few months ago and for a player that was very instrumental to the success of a team that even the NFF has long lost faith in.
Although the Super Eagles media officer has tried to shield the Chief Coach, Stephen Keshi from any blame; it is imperative to state that at the level of the national team, Keshi's job is more of management than coaching. Players must believe that they have a manager; who is ready to stick it out with them all the time. Considering how far Keshi himself had to go to earn respect of the NFF board makes this even more important.
NFF and the technical crew must accept that they have erred and that Emenike has every reason to be angry. They need to prove to him and all other Nigerian players that they care about there welfare.
To Emenike, I say the point has been made and duly noted. It's time to move on even as I wish him a quick recovery.
| Angry! Emmanuel Emenike |
When the news broke last week that AFCON 2013 Top Goalscorer, Emmanuel Emenike claims to have been abandoned by the NFF and Super Eagles technical team soon after the nations cup; my first reaction was "Here We Go Again".
Followers of Nigerian football will agree with me that if there is one major error that the successive boards of the NFF have always made - it is the issue of welfare for Nigerian palyers.
From Emanuel Amunike, Daniel Amokachi, Nduka Ugbade, Julius Aghahowa, Femi Opabunmi, Obasi Ogbuke, and the list goes on. The complaint of Nigerian players has always remained the same especially when injured.
That of Emenike was more shocking because it happens just a few months ago and for a player that was very instrumental to the success of a team that even the NFF has long lost faith in.
| Chief Coach Stephen Keshi |
Although the Super Eagles media officer has tried to shield the Chief Coach, Stephen Keshi from any blame; it is imperative to state that at the level of the national team, Keshi's job is more of management than coaching. Players must believe that they have a manager; who is ready to stick it out with them all the time. Considering how far Keshi himself had to go to earn respect of the NFF board makes this even more important.
NFF and the technical crew must accept that they have erred and that Emenike has every reason to be angry. They need to prove to him and all other Nigerian players that they care about there welfare.
To Emenike, I say the point has been made and duly noted. It's time to move on even as I wish him a quick recovery.
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