As reactions continue trailing Nigeria’s cadet national team, Golden Eaglets’ 2-1 loss to Niger Republic at the West African Football Union (WAFU)-B U17 Championship, an Ibadan-based school owner, Dr Isaac Friday Ogada has described it as an embarrassment.
Sports247 reports that Dr Ogada, who runs Brightville College in Bodija area of the Oyo State capital, added that the setback suffered by Coach Uwejamomere’s team is a reflection of the lack of proper attention to grassroots football in the country.
While making his observations known in a lengthy article that he distributed across various social media platforms on Wednesday night, Ogada also alleged corruption and favouritism in the selection process for Eaglets’ players.
The outspoken youth developer, educationist, administrator and sports promoter lamented, “It is no longer news that our national U17 team, the Golden Eaglets lost 1-2 to Niger republic in their first match of the WAFU U17 tournament.
“It is embassasing that the most decorated team in the world, as far as FIFA U17 tournament is concerned, is now becoming an underdog. This is a result of poor administration of our football, caused by corrupt politicians who have hijacked our football for their selfish interests.
“You will agree with me that, since 2019, the Nigeria U17 team’s performances have been nothing but woefull and ridiculous. The reasons are not far fetched. You can’t invite thousands of players all in the name of screening and selection exercises and expect to come out with a formidable team of genuine exceptional talent.
“Lots will come into play – confusion, money, bribery, connections, power, influence among other unethical practices. Players will not show their natural talent as they only play to the gallery to impress the selectors with few chances given.
“In those days, when talents were selected based on national youth and schools competitions, players may not even know that they are being scouted. They play with their natural ability, without pressure, and that is when the best can truly be assessed and selected.”
Ogada submitted with a call for drastic changes in Nigeria’s youth development system, stressing that attention must return to school competitions, on the spot assessment of hidden talents at the community level and the return of corporate sponsored events across the country.
“We must not continue to deceive ourselves. The U17 team, which is the only category that has given us regular recognition globally, is gradually slipping out of our hands. It is a shame we can no longer qualify for even AFCON.
“School games are being hijacked by corrupt ministry officials who know little or nothing than to select teams and players on favouritism and bribery. Corruption killed national competitions like Mobil Track & Field Championship, NNPC/Shell Cup, Governors Cup, Etisalat Cup and other well-organised tournaments.
“Even the YSFON tournament that used to be the foundation for selecting U17 and U20 national teams has collapsed. Coaches working directly with talents at the grassroots are sidelined and made irrelevant. No one can give what he doesn’t have;” Ogada asserted.
-B U17 Championship, an Ibadan-based school owner, Dr Isaac Friday Ogada has described it as an embarrassment.){kind=link}