12th October, 2014
President of Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Mr. Amaju Pinnick has reflected over the Super Eagles’ unimpressive outing against the Falcons of Sudan in Khartoum on Saturday and called on Nigerians to be patient as the new NFF Executive Committee is determined to do things differently and ensure excellence for the Nigeria game, all-round.
Having never lost to Sudan in the past 47 years, the Eagles played poorly and lost 1-0 in a match they needed to win, thereby endangering qualification for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations. It was also Sudan’s first goal in the qualifying campaign, having been humbled at home 3-0 by South Africa and pipped 1-0 in Congo Brazzaville.
“We understand that Nigerians are furious over the fact that the Eagles are last in their pool and are in danger of not qualifying for the finals in Morocco. Everyone feels bad about this, including the members of NFF Executive Committee.
“I just want to call on Nigerians to have patience. This new board is determined to do things differently. We are passionate about the Nigeria game and what we want to achieve is build a sustainable football culture for our dear country.
“Our target is to ensure that Nigeria finish in pole position at major football competitions in Africa and the world, and we believe this is achievable through hard work, diligence, strategic planning and the support of everyone”.
The NFF supremo agrees that there is no reason a country of about 170 million cannot raise a quality squad of two dozen footballers who can dominate the continental, even global game, and make the nation proud at all times.
“It is embarrassing that as reigning champions, we are struggling in the qualifying series, with only one point out of a possible nine. It is an awful output.
“However, we want our people to be patient and not stampede the federation to take knee-jerk decisions that will backfire in the end. We are on top of the situation and will take decisions that are in the best interest of Nigeria football”.
Meanwhile, Wednesday’s 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match between the Super Eagles and the Falcons of Sudan will start at 5pm at the mainbowl of the National Stadium, Abuja, the NFF has declared.
Also, tickets for the big match will be on sale as from the morning of Monday at the NFF Secretariat, the Old Parade Ground and Wuse Market, all in Abuja. Ticket for the VIP section will cost N3,000 while ticket for popular side will go for N200 only.
The delegation of the Falcons, which won Saturday’s encounter in Khartoum 1-0, arrived in Abuja on Sunday afternoon aboard an Ethiopian Airline aircraft.
The NFF has called on spectators coming for the very crucial encounter to dorn the national colours of green and white, in order to endow the arena with glamour and inspire the African champions.
NFF General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu, said: “This is the first match the Super Eagles are playing in Abuja after a very long time. We are pleading with our people, residents of Abuja and environs and indeed football lovers from across the length and breadth of the country, to turn out in large numbers to cheer the Super Eagles, and also to turn up in the national colours of green and white.”
The full–strength senior national team have not played at the National Stadium, Abuja since 8 October 2011, when they played a 2-2 draw with the Syli Nationale of Guinea condemned Nigeria to non–qualification for the 28th Africa Cup of Nations, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea 2012.
Since then, the team have made Calabar principally its home, with the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna also hosting a couple of games. Nigeria’s home matches in the qualifying campaigns for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals were played at the U. J. Esuene Stadium.