As reactions continue trailing the Super Eagles’ shock 3-0 loss to Guinea-Bissau, a veteran broadcaster and former commissioner for sports in Kwara State, Hammed Adio has sent a wake-up call to all players in the Nigerian national team.
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Sports247 reports that Adio, who is also a former athlete and captain of Nigeria’s contingent to the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow, Russia, pointed out that players in the Super Eagles need to realise that every result they enact affects all Nigerians one way or the other.
Adio added in a very thought-provoking write-up, which he contributed via a social media platform, that Nigeria’s current array of national team stars have apparently forgotten that football is a unifying tool for the country.
He pointed out that all ethnic and religious differences affecting the country are pushed aside whenever the Super Eagles are in action, hence his charge for the team’s players to always avoid disheartening results like the one they suffered away to Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday.
The highly respected journalist, administrator and Olympian reckoned further that good results from the Eagles would encourage peace, cordial relations, social integration and religious tolerance among Nigerians from all walks of life, especially when the team is engaged in a major championship.
Adio added, “I just pray our players know how sports, especially football, unites us as a nation even in these trying times. When the Super Eagles are engaged in any international match, you forget whether you are Christian, Muslim or a traditionalist.
“You don’t even remember you are Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, Fulani, Efik, Ibibio, Bachaman, Nupe, Igbira, Igala, Bazange, Bini or Kanuri (any time the Super Eagles are playing). Everybody’s major preoccupation is to support the national team and pray for their resounding victory.
“Funny enough, even the bad boys, armed robbers and bandits will be off the streets at that point, as all will be glued to their TV sets to watch the Super Eagles.
That’s why it is always so very sad and painful to see our darling team concede victory – more so to teams with lesser pedigree, talent, exposure and experience.”
The soft-spoken sports analyst, promoter and youth motivator concluded by charging the Super Eagles to bounce back from their latest setback in order to ensure that they not only qualify for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations but also go all the way to win their fourth continental title.
He also spelt out some positive values and attributes that are needed for the players to get back into winning mode, top of which he reasoned is sheer determination to always excel whenever they wear the nation’s jersey.
“Our Super Eagles’ players need to up their game with quality play, determination, tenacity of purpose and uncommon patriotism, because Nigerians are always waiting for victory and expecting better outcomes,” Adio submitted.
