Jalla Advises NFF on Football Development

After U-23 Eagles  failed to secure a ticket to play in the football event of the London 2012 Olympic Games, President of  National Association of Nigerian Footballers, NANF, has advised Nigeria Football Federation, NFF,  to put proper structures in place ahead of future international football competitions.

Austin Eguavoen and his team, though won their last group match of the Africa Olympic Qualifying Championship in Morocco against Algeria by 4-1, they could not secure enough points to see them through to the semi finals of the qualifiers.

Jalla said that  it will take time for Nigerian football to rise again if there is no proper developmental programme in place, adding that it is high time the NFF draws a good programme that will change the dwindling fortune of the game in the country.

“After we failed to qualify for major football events on the international scene next year, I think NFF needs to look inward to find a lasting solution to these problems,” he said.

Jalla, who was disappointed with the performance of the U-23 Eagles in their marches against Morocco and Senegal, said if NFF can sincerely focus on grassroots football development, Nigeria will rise again.

By Sunday Akintoye