As reactions continue to trail the racist attack on Super Eagles’ striker, Tolu Arokodare last weekend in England, a former grassroots football coach, Gbenga Ogundare has faulted critical comments coming from many Nigerians.
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Sports247 reports that, while stressing that racism must not be accepted in any form and anywhere in the world, Ogundare alleged that many Nigerians show racial tendencies through discrimination.
Ogundare, who is now a pastor, author, teacher and motivational speaker based in England, reasoned further that tribalism is a form of racism that is common in Nigeria.
He added in a post he sent to a WhatsApp group, “I am not trying to put anyone down but, regarding issues about racism on any Nigerian abroad, l don’t think we as a country have the moral justification to say much about it.
“That’s because we really don’t practice oneness in Nigeria, except very few of us. Everything is now done with tribalism and politics in Nigeria.
“At the same time, those people blaming Igbos whenever Nigeria loses matches … have they been arrested and prosecuted for their hatred towards a tribe in Nigeria?”
He concluded with a look at the trend whereby players of Nigerian origin and descent who are born abroad are now preferred in the Super Eagles ahead of home grown talent, which he believes is also an act of discrimination.
“We have now prioritised Nigerians of foreign origins over home-grown players. The foreign clubs and countries that looked after these players are always angry that the boys they developed from youth are taken away.
“They really get angry whenever those players are invited to camp when the season is hotting up. All of these are signs that we Nigerians need to start doing things collectively,” Ogundare posited.
