World Cup 2010 - Nigeria suspend national team

Reuters - Wed, 30 Jun 15:12:00 2010

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has suspended the national football team from international competition for two years following their poor performance in the World Cup.

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"Mr President has directed that Nigeria will withdraw from all international football competition for the next two years to enable Nigeria to reorganise its football," Ima Niboro, Jonathan's senior communications adviser, said.

"This directive became necessary following Nigeria's poor performance in the ongoing FIFA World Cup," he said.

Nigeria were knocked out in the first round.

After meeting the country's World Cup organising committee, Jonathan also said the accounts of the committee should be audited.

"If any financial misappropriation is discovered, all officials responsible will be held accountable," Niboro said.

Jonathan's decision came a day after the executive committee of the Nigerian Football Federation met to review the team's first round exit, in which they picked up a single point and finished bottom of their group also containing South Korea, Greece and Argentina.

Niboro said the sports minister would be writing to FIFA shortly to inform them of the decision. He said the minister for the federal capital territory, Abuja, had been instructed to build a "Football House" where the team could be based.

"The problem of Nigerian football is structural. We need to reorganise the structures and there is need to withdraw from all international football competition so that we can put our house in order," Niboro said.

A statement said the federation apologised to the "federal government and all football-loving Nigerians for the early ouster of the Super Eagles from the World Cup" and added Nigeria would seek to play more friendly matches to get more experience.

"It's the right decision ... President Jonathan has made a bold step to clean up the rot. We need to move the country in football," John Fashanu, a former England footballer partly of Nigerian descent, told local sports radio.

"We cannot be held to ransom by anybody."

Some Super Eagles fans were shocked by the decision.

"Sounds to me like the president is trying to score cheap political points ... the next major international competition is two years away anyway," said one irate fan in Lagos, asking not to be named.

The NFF said it wanted Swedish coach Lars Lagerback, appointed on the eve of the finals, to stay and put together a wide-ranging programme to harness young talent.

The statement also said the federation disagreed with those claiming Nigerian soccer was in a dwindling state.

"No previous board has qualified Nigeria for all major tournaments internationally," the statement said.

The government instruction to withdraw could prompt sanctions from FIFA, who have taken a strong stand against political interference in the sport.

A FIFA spokesman said: "We have had no official information from the Nigerian FA about this case specifically but in general FIFA's policy towards political interference is well known. Our statutes do not allow for any political interference."

Nigerian sporting administrators have often been accused of corruption and incompetence and the federation was roundly criticised after sacking coach Shaibu Amodu in February, just four months before the World Cup finals.

Amodu was dismissed because Nigeria only managed to finish third at the Nations Cup finals in Angola in January.

Nigeria were banned by the Confederation of African Football in 1996 when then President Sani Abacha withdrew the team from the African Nations Cup finals in South Africa because he had been criticised by Nelson Mandela over the judicial execution of political opponents.

They could not compete in African competition for two years but were able to qualify for the 1998 World Cup in France.

The CAF refused to comment on the Nigerian president's decision when contacted on Wednesday.

Reuters

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  1. Since 1994 when we had our best Eagles, what has Eagles­ done since then, a child born in 1995 will know­ Eagles as a failed team that brings heart ache to­ Nigerians. Since we have not done anything spectacular­ in 16 years, If FIFA likes they can slam us for another­ 10 years, at least that will be less than the 16 years­ of toture being part of the FIFA Family.

    To be sincere­ it will spear a lot of Nigerians heartache for some­ years, maybe more Nigerians might even live longer­ during the period of the ban, it will be a good­ therapy for our nation, we can focus on those dire­ infrastrutural facilities that we need, instead of­ watching some old men playing a young man's­ game.

    Jonathan should put a call through to fifa and­ show Blatter how he(Blatter) has been aiding and­ abetting the thieves in NFF. He should also remind the­ idi^ot on how we spent millions in hosting the under­ 17 last year with no one accounting for anything.He­ also should not forget to highlight how the NFF thieves­ defrauded Nigerians by inflating the salary of­ Lagarback so that they can share in it.
    Then in a­ steady but stern voice, my President should tell­ Blatter to go jump into the atlantic ocean while on one­ of his trans-atlantic flights.
    We are calling your­ bluff Messers Blatter bring your 10 years ban on and­ safe us the anguish of the past 16 years. Tongue

    From Leke, on Sun 4 Jul 2:22

  2. U don't cut off the head if u get an headache!­ nothing works in this country and nobody is baning­ anybody 4 it, the power sector is messed up, the water­ ain't working, the government is corrupt and nobody­ is baning this pipz. football is what unit us if we­ can't win d world cup lets continue to cheat to get­ the under 17 and 21 who cares its just a GAME!

    From David Oluwafeyide, on Sat 3 Jul 1:40

  3. At first glance, you will say VERY GOOD, IT IS THE­ RIGHT DECISION, but if you look at it closely, you will­ realise with any sense of objectivity, that is not the­ right decision. What Mr President ought to do is to­ look at the whole nation of Nigeria and deal with the­ massive corruption that is damaging the country, almost­ fatally. What is it that anyone can point to right now­ that can make them proud to be a Nigerian? Is it the­ electricity/power sector, roads, schools, housing,­ water, employment? Absolutely nothing. I met an Army­ Major recently who quite honestly expressed serious­ doubts as to whether he would want to die for the­ country! And he is supposed to be ready to fight for­ this country! Please, Mr President, knee-jack,­ emotional reaction is not the answer to this nations­ problems. Endeavour to deal with the root cause which­ is embezzlement, corruption, indiscipline, nepotism at­ the highest level. Politicians in the National Assembly­ engage in boxing and wrestling match, when they were­ supposed to be discussing issues of national interest.­ Very shameful, but that tells me that there are deep­ problems affecting this nation. How many Advanced­ countries of the world will harbour such disgraceful­ act? The 'Leaders' of this country for the past­ 30 years have totally failed us collectively. My­ question is where are we heading as a nation and what­ legacy are we going to leave to coming generations?

    From Austin, on Fri 2 Jul 22:35

  4. Its a huge step in the right direction 4 our­ football.what is the point in playin matches,wasting­ money to no end???at least now,tne members of the NFF­ can be killed.

    From joshuaagunbiade, on Fri 2 Jul 21:45

  5. Yaks for President! The President's goof is far­ worse than Yakubu's miss against Greece. I have­ totally forgiven Yakubu for that; I now see more­ intelligence in his action than that of Jonathan and­ his idiotic advisers.

    From Ogey, on Fri 2 Jul 14:56

  6. For sure, I know the English people are not stupid!­ Neither are the french. I don't know what to call­ the Nigeria President banning their national­ team?....stupid, moronic, impulsive, idiotic, please­ figure it yourself.

    From Ogey, on Fri 2 Jul 14:35

  7. For sure, I know the English people are not stupid!­ Neither are the french. I don't know what to call­ the Nigeria President banning their national­ team?....stupid, moronic, impulsive, idiotic, please­ figure it yourself.

    From Ogey, on Fri 2 Jul 14:35

  8. President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan have taken a­ courageous decision, those who do not agree with his­ decision to ban our participation in international­ football for 2 years are either ignorant of the fact­ that our football have failed for a long while now or­ they are simply been mischievious. I recall that the­ present board of the FA have received every necessary­ support from both govt and general public and at every­ competition they fail and come back and defend their­ failures. There are also criminal actions associated­ with their behaviours, just before the commencement of­ the 2010 world cup, we heard that the FA have concluded­ plans for elections just after the world cup and that­ entries and nomination for the elective positions have­ closed, those who have entered for reelection includes­ the current FA President and of course his current­ board. The question here is that how can the same group­ of people conduct elections which only them will­ participate and ultimately win? and to actualize their­ ambition, the delegates that will vote in the elections­ are the States FA Chairmen, these Chairmen were taken­ to SA for the World cup on an all expenses paid trip by­ the Nigerian FA president and his board, this action to­ me seems like compromising those FA Chairmen so that­ they can support their reelection bid even when they­ cannot explain the reason for their failure in the­ ungoing world cup.

    The banning is most welcome because­ you cannot continue to do the same things and expect a­ different result.
    Mr.President more grease to your­ elbow !
    From
    Kimbo.

    From Kimbo, on Fri 2 Jul 13:48

  9. I thought Nigeria president is an intelligent man, how­ can he do this to Nigerias? Instead of him to tackel­ corruption and difficult life in Nigeria. I know that­ the players didn't play well but doesn't mean­ that they were the worst football national team. Mr­ president wake up and face the corruption music that is­ playing in nigeria and leave football team alone.

    From Happiness, on Fri 2 Jul 13:17

  10. Perhaps, this decision comes with FIFA punishment, but­ who cares, if that’s the price for putting things­ right, then let it be. FIFA on the other hand, have to­ put its house in good shape by asking Mr Joseph S.­ (Sepp) Blatter who has handle the affair of the­ governing body this past 12yrs to step aside for a new­ and better thinking FIFA presidency. My dear President­ Jonathan, goodluck with your decision, we’re all behind­ you GIDIGBA – NOTHING DE HAPPEN.
    Once again, Thank you­ very very much Mr Goodluck­ Jonathan!. Please let me­ know if you need a helping­ hand to handle NFA / NFF­ for a better footballing in­ Nigeria.

    Prince­ Owen
    GPIL-Westminster

    From ForRealXX, on Fri 2 Jul 9:47

  11. Once again, Thank you very very much Mr Goodluck­ Jonathan!. Please let me know if you need a helping­ hand to handle NFA / NFF for a better footballing in­ Nigeria.

    Prince Owen
    GPIL-Westminster

    From ForRealXX, on Fri 2 Jul 9:41

  12. Much as I would appreciate and agree with those that­ share Mr Joseph S. (Sepp) Blatter FIFA apostolic­ doctrine view about the very fact that the game of­ football should not be interrupted by politicians for­ the good of the sport, I’m equally concern that the­ time has come for individual state authorities to take­ the bull by the horn and put their football house in­ order. While I feel very strong that the game of­ football has grown tremendously both in size and money­ over the years, its worrying to note that, the level of­ corruption, mismanagement and indiscipline across­ various clubs and state football associations­ including the FOOTBALL governing body “FIFA” has­ remained on an upward scale this past 12years. The­ French government and even the British government are­ presently investigating what has gone wrong with their­ respective football body- Nigeria need more than this.­ Football is the only religion that brings every­ Nigerian to a single alter of worship and must be­ properly represented. His Excellency “President­ Goodluck Jonathan” has spoken well; the present NFA or­ NFF lacks ambition as a result of mismanagement and­ corruption, Nigeria need a coach that’s capable of­ identifying the next generation of world class players­ that will be fit to wear the Green White Green on the­ world platform, take us high and far as an eagle and do­ us proud as the very Giant of Africa. Mr President­ should please handle the cleansing of the football­ federation / NFA fully without favour, promote and­ increase investment at local football league, appoint­ directly a local coach with vast experience, discipline­ and result oriented to handle the next generation of­ super eagles with rewards links to performance.­ Perhaps, this decision comes with FIFA punishment, but­ who cares, if that’s the price for putting things­ right, then let it be. FIFA on the other hand, have to­ put its house in good shape by asking Mr Joseph S.­ (Sepp) Blatter who has handle the affair of the­ governing body this

    From ForRealXX, on Fri 2 Jul 9:34

  13. The prsesident's decision is out of placed.­ Misplaced piority i must say. We do not need to the­ national team from international competitions at all.­ all we need is restructuring and begin to perfect until­ we get there. We must not comeout once and win. Its­ gradual! The politicians themselves have failed to­ deliver and none of them has been banned from politics.­ Now, Mr. president is trying to kill a bird with a­ bomb... Mr. President, concentrate on infrastructural­ development and other things u have in your agenda and­ don't be emotional about the Eagles losing a mere­ football match. We as citizens have lost as a lot more­ than football.

    From Ralph OKOTCHA, on Fri 2 Jul 7:53

  14. It is Good for the Super Eagles, one can never get­ success without working for it. I prayed that president­ Goodluck will issue lots of yellow and red cards to­ many establishments. Bravo Mr President

    From Mran, on Fri 2 Jul 7:48

  15. I thank Mr. President for showing concern for our­ falling football. However, banning the our national­ teams from participating in international soccer events­ is not the solution. I think Mr. President should­ reconsider. win or lose, football is what gives­ nigerians joy.

    From alfred, on Fri 2 Jul 7:43

  16. BAN OR NO BAN,NIGERIA IS FULL OF @#$%

    From DAVIES, on Fri 2 Jul 6:59

  17. Mr. President, thanks for the decision taken. that­ was an excellent way of dealing with the situation, one­ more thing Mr President pls suspend the Nigeria­ NFA
    thanks

    From kejinero, on Fri 2 Jul 6:20

  18. Big Thank to Mr.President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan of­ our great nation Nigeria. I am delighted that­ somebody has finally taking a drastic measure against­ these lazy old boys of super eagle. Those boys are­ super chicken, our super eagle are somewhere in the­ grass root of football at the moment - they will be­ ready in two years time. Big International competion­ like world cup soccer is not for lazy and uncommitted­ team, you need proffessionalism and perfection of every­ action to make an impact in a world cup tournament.­ Every team are there to do special thing, if you­ don't have that special thing to give then you go­ home disappointed.
    Engr. Uwadiale, w.o

    From uwadialechi, on Fri 2 Jul 5:49

  19. Mr President ...first thing first disband ur adviser­ ,because football is the bond that has been keeping the­ nation together ,the people of Nigeria cant do with out­ football even when u dont give them food . Secondly­ ,the NFA crew are too old , we need new idea and group­ of people who can change Nigerian football ,change the­ settings which means 'you have conquer the power­ of dictatorship in the glass house . We are 21 - 22 in­ FIFA ranking disband eagles will send us to 198 - 200­ ....think ....think ...think deeply ........DON'T­ KILL NIGERIAN FOOTBALL ...U WILL DESTROY THE PEACE AND­ LOVE THAT IS BONDING THE PEOPLE OF NIGERIA TOGETHER ..

    From seyi b, on Fri 2 Jul 5:27

  20. why not 10 years suspension? and change the name to­ Green crickets of 9ja

    From agali, on Fri 2 Jul 5:09
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