Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has gained fresh support in its protest against DR Congo for allegedly using ineligible players in their World Cup playoff final victory against the Super Eagles, Sports247 reports.
The latest voice in support of the NFF’s boardroom move comes from a coach and instructor, Akande Fatai Adejumo Smith, who stressed that DR Congo would have taken the same approach had they found anything faulty with Nigeria’s players.
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Coach Smith, who played professional football in Singapore and Malaysia after featuring for clubs in the domestic league, reasoned further that the lapses of any federation will not be overlooked by their opponents, because they all want to win.
He stated this and more while speaking on ‘Hot Seat’ segment of Inside Naija Sports, a live streaming programme on YouTube from the studio of Sports247 Naija TV, starting at 11:45am every Friday.
The soft-spoken member of the Association of Football Coaches of African Nations (AFCAN) further pointed out that victory goes beyond the skills and technique that players display during matches.
Coach Smith theorised, “Nowadays, football games are played on and off the pitch. There is more to football than just the game we see on the pitch.
“There are other things around the game that are equally very, very important. You need to talk about sponsorship, business aspects, politics, supporters, and so many more.”
He then took a hypothetical look at the ongoing tussle between Nigeria and DR Congo, then reasoned that the Central African country would have taken the same action had they been in the NFF’s shoes.
“The way I see it is that, if it had been the other way round, do you think DR Congo will not protest against us? I believe they would gladly lodge a protest.
“So, nothing is wrong with what the NFF has done. I am very sure that any other country would also have done the same.
“If they get information that you are using an inelligible player, they will protest against you,” the vastly experienced tactician stressed.
Smith, who is currently the head coach of Vinod Football Academy of Lagos in the third-tier Nationwide League One (NLO) also ruled out any possibility of world football governing body, FIFA taking sides with Nigeria against DR Congo, believing instead that they will follow facts in arriving at a verdict.
He recalled how the Super Eagles controversially missed the ticket to Germany 2006 World Cup despite topping their group, simply because Angola edged Nigeria on head-to-head rule after getting an away draw in Kano.
Smith recounted, “No one should say FIFA is favouring us. I remember there was a time when we could not go to the World Cup because of a goal difference.
“FIFA could have said ‘let Nigeria go’ because of our better records, but they had to do what needed to be done the right way. So, we must not put emotions into this current matter.”
He concluded by admitting the Super Eagles disappointed everyone with their inability to qualify automatically for the 2026 Mundial but urged Nigerians to accept the new opportunity as one that is heaven sent and predicted that the team will do well if they eventually get the ticket.
Smith submitted: “It’s unfortunate that we are where we are. We are not supposed to be in the shoes we find ourselves.
“But, if this is the way God says we are going to get to the World Cup, so be it! That doesn’t mean we are not going to perform well when we get there.”
