What’s wrong with NFA?

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What’s wrong with NFA? 

By Clem Oluwole

When our Golden Eagles accomplished a “mission impossible” by winning the highest soccer prize (gold medal) at the Second All-Africa Games held in Lagos in January 1973, all Nigerians went wild with excitement.

After that, what did we do for them? Nothing.

Five months after our emergence as the greatest soccer nation in Africa, the unknown Zambian national squad tamed our Eagles in the first leg of the 1973/74Africa Cup of Nations soccer qualifier played in Lusaka, and they made sure they saw us, the Giant of Africa, out of the tournament – with absolute ignominy. 

What did we do thereafter? Come on, our Eagles were sent packing and the then NFA boss, Navy Captain Edwin Kentebe, was shown the way out. We thought by so doing, we would find a solution to our problem… but for where?

Our weak point then and now is that we are never appreciative. My accusing finger points at both the National Sports Commission and its sick baby, the National Football Association.

For instance, after the Eagles had won the All-Africa Games soccer gold, we did not reward them in such a way that the boys would feel they had actually established Nigeria as the greatest nation in Africa not only in sports but also in every aspect thinkable. A country like Zambia would be prepared to surrender half of her entire wealth for such honour which money cannot buy. This is what I am dragging at. Last week, the Chairman of the Rangers FC, Mr. Bernard Nzenwa, was reported to have demanded from the NFA the club’s full share of proceeds from matches played so far in the current Africa Cup of Champion Clubs series.

Mr. Nzenwa did not stop there. He said it was wrong for the NFA to take all the proceeds of Rangers matches without leaving a percentage to enable the club maintain its extra members and look after the boys properly while in camp. 

This situation, according to the Rangers’ chairman, has affected the players because the club is unable to send as many players and supporters as required to venues where Rangers are scheduled to play matches.

At the time of writing, only 20 players accompanied by 12 officials are in Cairo for the first leg of the semi-finals. This number will be completely swallowed by the Egyptian crowd. This, however, does not mean that the NFA is being requested to send hundreds of Rangers supporters along with the team during away matches. But one cannot but agree with the chairman who pointed out that unless something is done immediately, it would be difficult for the club to complete the last rounds of the competition. This will be very unfortunate.

And if I may ask, how rigid is the rule that players should be maintained with proceeds of their matches as stated by the chairman? 

The NFA has completely failed to appreciate the club’s outstanding performance so far in the competition. It is also on record that Rangers are the brains behind Nigeria’s qualification for the finals in the race for the 1975/76 Africa Cup of Nations.

What amazes me is the rigidity of the “gate proceeds” rule. Our soccer organizers are reputed to be the greatest “flouters” of the rules to suit their own taste. If the NFA gives the club a percentage of the proceeds, the Africa Football Confederation will not disqualify us – will it? – for encouraging our boys to win the cup. Certainly, the NSC is not yet broke, after all, the current fiscal year is just mid-way and the millions of Naira allocated to it for its services have not been exhausted to the extent that the Rangers have to rely on charity for their extra commitments during the campaign for the honour. 

And for failing to give any incentive to the club right from the inception of the competition, our supreme soccer body has virtually disregarded the “doctrine” contained in the Head of State’s message to the opening of the Second National Sports Festival and I quote: “Nigeria can no longer afford to be disgraced at international competitions. We want good results from all our human and material investments.”

The Head of State’s challenge came at a time the Rangers are facing a major international competition. And should they fail at this stage for lack of sufficient encouragement from the right quarters, then we should not only find our scapegoat in the NFA, but also treat them as such.

Culled from Saturday Commentary (October 25, 1975).