Friday, 18 December 2015

José Mourinho's second Chelsea missionary journey ends.


   The picture above captures the beginning of José Mourinho and Chelsea woes.  On that fateful day, duty conscious Team physio and Doctor both ran into the field at the invitation of centre referee to attend to Eden Hazard's injury. José was infuriated and Caneiro was suspended. The rest is history.

Wednesday, 9 December 2015

Boring, boring Manchester United.


   On Tuesday night, The Volkswagen Arena in Germany saw the back of Manchester United as they exited the UEFA Champions League. United bowed out in a game consistent with their new found love for beautiful-nonsense style of football. Two quick fire goals from Naldo and Vierinha cancelled out Anthony Martial's opener. Wolfsburg scored an own goal to level scores again before Naldo scored his second of the game during the dying minutes. A good thing though that United lost because if they had scaled through, morale would have still been high with the team and fans alike living in denial.

Wednesday, 11 November 2015

Golden Eaglets, gift of peace and the man, Emmanuel Amunike.


   Football has a way of making Nigerians forget the many problems facing them. Sports, especially football, has been an aspirin of some sort to ailing Nigerians. Coach Emmanuel Amunike led Nigeria's Under 17 team, the Golden Eaglets to victory in the recently concluded U-17 FIFA World Cup in Chile.

Monday, 9 November 2015

Enyimba FC; People's Elephant and champions.


   "Nzogbu nzogbu enyimba enyi...." is not a lullaby. It is a 'war' chant you get to hear whenever Enyimba International Footbal Club is in the neighbourhood.

Monday, 2 November 2015

Chelsea leaky a**e and the football weekend.


   Nobody outside the confines of the dressing room at Stamford Bridge can say what exactly is the problem; mutiny, low morale, Eva Caneiro or amadioha's anger. No one can presently say what is wrong with the self acclaimed Special One, José Mourinho.

Tuesday, 20 October 2015

Ripple effect of the Oliseh/ Enyeama saga continue as Emenike resigns.

   The ripple effect of the Oliseh and Enyeama issue is definitely here on us. The next being the resignation of Emmanuel Emenike from the Super Eagles as widely reported. First let me point out that I believe Emmanuel Emenike's time in the Super Eagles should have ended a while ago. His last goal for the Super Eagles came in October 2013 in Ethiopia during the Brazil 2015 World Cup playoffs. Since then, the energetic and ganging striker have remained a shadow of the Emenike we know, at the Super Eagles level, that is.

Sunday, 11 October 2015

The Oliseh and Enyeama saga: My opinion.


   Nigerian football have been embroiled in fracas over the last seven days. Started with names of Super Eagles invitees and culminated in the Sunday Oliseh and Vincent Enyeama saga. From the moment I heard the story, I blamed the Manager, Sunday Oliseh. Having heard both sides of the story, I blame them both, but ascribe the larger share to Oliseh. There is a reason modern day football coaches are called Managers.

Monday, 5 October 2015

Fine boy Memphis, Chelsea woes and the Oriental derby.


   People, make una no vex say na pidgin I wan use. Wetin do Manchester United for weekend no be wetin dem dey use Eliza English talk. You know as e dey be when you wan folo person wey you sure die say you fit beat fight but before you fold trouser you dey ground? Na so e be Manchester United when Arsenal knack dem akpako for weekend. Before you say Jack Robinson Sanchez don score, Ozil 'okpolo eye' sef score before Sanchez come score again. E be United like film.

Monday, 21 September 2015

Diego Costa drama weekend.


   "...he is the man of the match", announced José Mourinho of Diego Costa after his side humbled Arsenal by two unreplied goals. Coming at the heels of a community Shield game where Arsene Wenger beat Mourinho for the first time, we expected a super game on Saturday afternoon but got drama.

Friday, 18 September 2015

Of Nigeria and imported foreign bred football talents.


   Maybe I was a kid then, but I remember vividly when Nigeria went after John Fashanu to get him to play for Nigeria, as against playing for England. I also remember thinking to myself, "biko this John Fashanu man we are literally begging to play for us better be an improvement on Roger Milla". After that, I took out time to watch some of his games in the EPL. I was not impressed.

Monday, 14 September 2015

5 Star Ronaldo, Magical Messi, Mercurial Ebong: Weekend Round up.


   From Vicente Calderón to Old Trafford to Warri Township Stadium, the weekend was packed with beautiful football.

Wednesday, 12 August 2015

Barrister Sam Okwaraji; Legend of Nigerian Football.


   "I am a lawyer you know, and I signed to play football for your club on certain conditions. But I don't think it included reselling my services to my country. You and the club cannot stop me from playing for my country. Let me tell you, I am going to represent my country in Italy whether you like it or not and I would very much like you to be there".

Monday, 10 August 2015

Mourinho, where is our Mikel Obi?

 
   Don't ask. Yes, it's Mikel. John Mikel Obi. A friend just saw this picture here and quipped "nwanne wetin Mikel dey do for Man United jersey". I laughed. He obviously didn't know Mikel was a Manchester United player for some hours. That period, was when Mikel was our own prodigy before the start of a famous transfer saga that dragged for long . Those of us who watched his games closely felt we had finally come up with that type of graceful footballer we had in aging Kanu Nwankwo and Jay Jay Okocha. Fast forward to today, the same way Yemi Alade is looking for her Johnny, we are looking for our Mikel.

Monday, 3 August 2015

Childish Mourinho, boyish Wenger.


   Since the 'Special One' arrived the shores of England in 2004, it has been from one controversy to the other. Be it known however, that the foul air generated by Mourinho's fart is actually one of the things that make the EPL thick. Personally, I try as much as lies within me never to miss his post match conferences. He will always throw banter. Whenever his team looses, then according to him "the best team lost" and when he wins then "the best team won". Controversial, yet a very interesting character is the man Jose Mourinho.

Friday, 24 July 2015

Take Super Eagles back to Lagos!


   "All we are saaaying...give us more goooals...". This chant will keep ringing in your ears from every corner of National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos State as a player even when the team is two goals up. Lagos football fans are insatiable. Their clamour for football excellence is second to none. They will push the players until they have given their very best on the field. They respect nobody. The average Lagos football fan will hustle through the week and raise cash to watch a team play, but you must be ready to leave your sweat on the grass.
   "Ogbeni no fall my hand o! If you do anyhow you go

Wednesday, 15 July 2015

Sunday Oliseh returns!


   The pass master was today shown to the world as the new Super Eagles Manager. Sunday Oliseh, former Borussia Dortmund and Juventus midfielder was as expected, installed as the new manager in a move anchored by the NFF Chairman, Amaju Pinnick.  When news of his hire surfaced initially, a lot of people expressed fears based on his managerial inexperience while the rest, me inclusive, rejoiced as it came as no surprise.

Tuesday, 14 July 2015

Manchester United leading the transfer battle.


   For all the insults hurled at Manchester United's Executive Vice Chairman, Ed Woodward, he has redeemed his name. The accountant turned football executive shocked (even himself) fans of the club when the Manchester club pulled off a hat trick of Memphis Depay, Bastian Shweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin. This is a man who spent almost an entire transfer window chasing the shadow

Wednesday, 3 June 2015

Sepp Blatter and FIFA Crisis: My Take.


   The fire had been raging for a while. Even before the Congress last week, a number of key officials had been arrested over allegations of fraud and corruption. It didnt get to Blatter. But then, like the very hated NEPA official who arrives your compound with his evil looking ladder to disconnect you from the power source;

Wednesday, 27 May 2015

Real Madrid: Immaculate and Shameless.


   Sometimes, a critical look at the modus operandi of football clubs makes one want to weep. Real Madrid have been in the news in the last couple of weeks before and after their eventual elimination from the UEFA Champions League. The talk was about the looming sack of the Real Madrid Manager, Carlo Ancelotti. When the rumour surfaced initially, I dismissed it and said O di egwu. E no go happen. But then you remember the club in question and their penchant for sacking coaches and you home in on a possible truth.
   The fifty five year old Carlo Ancelotti joined Real Madrid from PSG in 2013. He guided Madrid through 119 matches from which he won 89, drew 14, lost 16 and came off with a percentage win of 74.7%. Above all, he brought the elusive 10th UEFA Champions league trophy to the Bernabeau. Yet, he was sacked. The list of Real Madrid Managers in the last 15 years:

1. Vincent Del Bosque  Nov 1999 - June 2003
2. Carlos Queiroz           June 2003 - May 2004
3. Jose Camacho             May 2004 - Sept 2004
4. Marino Remón           Sept 2004 - Dec 2004
5. Vande Luxemburgo  Dec 2004 - Dec 2005
6. Juan Ramon Caro       Dec 2005 - June 2006
7. Fabio Capello              July 2006 - June 2007
8. Bernd  Schuster          July 2007 - Dec 2008
9. Juande Ramos             Dec 2008 - June 2009
10. Manuel Pellegrini    June 2009 - May 2010
11. José Mourinho          May 2010 - June 2013
12. Carlo Ancelotti          June 2013 - May 2015.

   Ladies and gentlemen, above are managers that Real Madrid have employed and sacked in the last 15 years! Real Madrid is the most valuable club in the world, no doubt. Sales from Cristiano Ronaldo's shirts is higher than the annual budget of 10 top teams in Africa. They are the richest and most glamorous. Their obsession with Barcelona is crazy. Fiorentino Perez not helping matters too. Sometimes I wonder what Real Madrid as a club actually want from football. Perez in his statement thanked Carletto for his time and said that in a club like Real Madrid "...expectations are high". Serious? Higher than the fact that the man handed your club the Champions League trophy that has eluded Madrid for over a decade? Crazy!
   Truth is that there is no manager Real Madrid will not sack at most 3 years into his contract no matter how good you are or you deliver the head of John The Baptist. They already sacked Mourinho. Who then is left? It is really a shame. I have tried to dig out from this my mango head what the problem of this beautiful club is. The reason I went the extra mile to watch Madrid games in the just concluded season was Toni Kroos. That guy for me is the best midfielder in the world. He plays with such elegance  and vision that reminds me of Zinedine Zidane. How that calibre of player found himself in the heap of drama and shame called Madrid beats my imagination.
   I have come to a personal conclusion that every Real Madrid action in the last 10 years was taken with Barcelona in mind. So long as their obsession with Barcelona FC remains, their present craze of sacking performing managers will never stop. It's a shame.  A pity.

Photo credit: zeenews.india.com
Follow Ikenna Enenta on Twitter: @ikenna005

Friday, 22 May 2015

Nigerian Football Comedy turning to Football again.


    "Kenneth Ilodigwe and Achebe! The only other partnership you can imagine in central defence that will compare to that pairing is if Rio Ferdinand and Paolo Maldini ever played together". Those were the words of my father. Growing up, before my father started taking me to matches, he always came back and told me stories of the games. Those stories were never complete without Ilodigwe, Achebe, Amasiemeka, Okosieme and Okala from Rangers International of Enugu and Patrick Ekeji of Vasco Da Gama. In his excitement, one of his favorite lines was delivered in conc Udi language..." Dominic Nwobodo na e nye goal k nd'ma! (Dominic Nwobodo scores like a ghost). He was and indeed remains a die hard fan of Rangers. He would drive to Enugu every weekend to see a Rangers game. My father is like the average fan of Liverpool; based on past successes, he doesn't understand why Rangers is struggling today. He doesn't also understand the empty stands at the stadia during Nigerian football league matches.
   For many years, the Nigerian football league would best be described as a comedy show. I maintain that the footballers themselves are not to be blamed. At all. One might mention rascality among the players. Don't we see such rascality  amongst players in the EPL, La Liga and Serie A? That's why there are rules guiding the game. I played a game in the league where on entrance to the field, the referee told me that no matter what we do, we will loose the game. We scored in the first five minutes and he upheld the goal believing himself to wreck us. When it dawned on him that he, the referee was loosing the game to us, he awarded a penalty kick to our opponents. The penalty taker calmly blew the ball over the bar. He called for a retake, our goalkeeper caught it. He called for another retake, over the bar!!! Three successive penalty kicks! Long story cut short, we played out a draw. Point being that the bane of the Nigerian football league for more than two decades have been officiating.
    Before two years ago, the home team had the responsibility to cater for the officials assigned to a game. Feeding, accommodation, transportation and other logistics. Now, tell me how a referee that knows a host team is in charge of his pay will go on to the field and be fair to both teams. The referee is human. Probably with a family to cater for and a life to live. In a league game between Sharks and NPA, 2003, the center referee was beaten black and blue at the end of the game by the home fans. 2012/2013 season game between Ocean Boys and Enyimba at the Samson Siasia stadium Yenagoa. The game ended abruptly in the first half when Enyimba scored the second goal. Walahi Enyimba use tip tap finish Ocean Boys. The players of Ocean  Boys were literally breathing from every known and available hole on their bodies. Enyimba was balling and I was enjoying the game. All of a sudden, fans invaded the pitch in pursuit of Enyimba boys who ran for dear lives. Game over. I noticed something later though; the referee was not spared by the crowd. The home fans expected the referee to be on their side but the referee was obviously a fan of good football.
   The importance of beautiful officiating can never be over emphasised. The number of games that can be fixed without a referee is negligible. For a game to be fixed without qualms the referee has to be involved. When the Nduka Irabor led League Management Company was formed in 2012, we didn't expect much from them. Today, the LMC have turned around the fortunes of the Nigerian Football League around for good. Presently, the officials that officiated week 9 games between Gabros/ Sharks and Wikki/ Lobi are under investigation based on a submission by LMC to the NFF. Such measures can only enhance discipline among officials and players. The LMC is doing a very beautiful work with the league organisation. The league is returning to football again after many years of being pure comedy.
   Also, attendance to games have improved. Aba Township Stadium, home to Enyimba, deserve a special mention for the near full capacity in games, week in week out. The Glo Nigeria Premier Football League is on the rise. With the passion the current NFF President Amaju Pinnick has for the game, we can only expect better. As for my darling Rangers in whom my septuagenarian father is well disappointed in, a change in fortune is needed. ASAP. The team should quit being the Arsenal of Nigerian League. Win league una no go win. Go relegation una no go go! Unu a ga a buzi ogbenye buru amosu? 

Photo Credit; @LMCNPFL
Follow Ikenna Enenta on Twitter; @ikenna005

Thursday, 14 May 2015

Musings on growing up and football. Tale from the South East.


   "I challenge you take one post". If you grew up in South Eastern Nigeria and you as much as played any form of football as a kid, the above won't sound strange to you. First of all, it's not just anybody that is involved in that initial process of selecting players for the various sides. It's either the best players or the owner of the ball. The later, is however higher in ranking than the former. The selection process cannot exclude the owner of the ball otherwise the selected players will make do with playing stones instead of football. He is a small god. If he hates you for any reason, forget it. You won't play. I don't know if it's coincidence but 80% of ball owner were not good ballers. And mostly very fat.
  On several occasions my mother will send me on an errand to buy something for her at the market. Maybe pepper, onions or whatever. We lived in a part of the University community close to an apiam  way to the market. Some group of boys normally play the rubber coloured ball popularly called felele because of its producer given ability to follow the wind wherever it pleases. Once I get there and they have started playing, au revoir to the pepper I was asked to go and buy. I will join a side and then...game on! Once I hear women chattering and look up to see market women passing by from the direction of the market, it dawns on me that I have goofed. Again. Market don close! I'll grab my slippers and polythene bag, touch my pocket to ensure the money is still there and zoom off without telling a word to my playing mates. And of course, market has closed. No where to buy anything from. From the market to our house normally takes between eight and ten minutes walk. But on such days, thirty minutes I never reash house. I get home and go to the back of the house and listen in on my mother's gist to know when it is convenient to enter the house. However, any time I choose to enter the house, I go collect beta beating. My mother's magic entails cooking the food with the NO pepper from me but the food will still have adequate pepper. Victoria Magic.
   I was born in the University town of Nsukka. Quiet and peaceful town. Growing up, we used every available thing as football. Oranges, polythene bags tied with strings into an almost circular shape and even unripe mangoes served. We played everywhere we found an enabling space. I loved going on holidays to Enugu. The major reason was football. In Enugu, my grandmother didn't mind me playing football from morning till night. Or better put, from morning till whenever hunger strikes. In Enugu, nobody bothered me about studying. In Nsukka, studying was the principal thing. Playing football in Enugu was much different from playing in Nsukka. There were a greater number of excellent players in Enugu. Malaika, Mampo, Buddha, Arinze were my mates whom I played with there. Good ballers. Mampo was very good then. Little wonder he went on to play for the Super Eagles. Competition was higher as against Nsukka, especially in the campus where most of my mates preferred playing video games to playing real football. That accounted for why I had more friends off campus than inside the campus. Chidubem Obio, Osinachi Enekwe, Chukwuemeka Okoli, Uchenna Igbo (blessed memory) and Chike Nwaozuzu were few of my friends who were interested in football and lived on campus. The rest were off campus, that's why I spent more of my outside school active hours off campus than on campus. Central School Odenigbo was our San Siro. The field was hard ground. Rock solid, with little patches of grass on one end. It was however better you fall on the hard surface than your fall on the grass. Dat grass na barb wire. God bless that field and the school that houses it. In Enugu, we played on tarred roads mostly. But at other times, we went up to St. Peters field, Eke Street, Coal Camp tonplay. One could go out to play in the morning and return in the evening with his two big toes open and bleeding. Painful, but doesn't stop him from going out again to play the very next morning! We loved football. In Enugu, nobody was interested in video games. We preferred the real deal. The game outside.
   Following my father to the village occasionally was fun too. I get to play with friends there. We played on sand. There,after playing, you go back to your house in the evening looking like willie willie. White all over. My father, like my grandmother, didn't mind. For him, so long as my academics weren't suffering, he didn't mind. Being an academic person himself, his disposition towards me and football was surprising to my siblings. For my mother, studying is never enough. She kept me on my toes. Having academically very sharp sisters didn't help me one bit. My brother? I dreaded his coming home. Whenever I hear he is coming home I get depressed automatically. I quickly come up with a time table. Growing up, I didn't like him. He was a barrier between me and my first love, football. I remember learning BODMAS with tears. That guy was good with the cane mehn 😅😅😅.
   In my University years, we had a team of football machi. Baggio, Odenyi, Plc, Ekete, Orjiakor and Agashi were some of my relaible mercenary team mates. We crossed the length and breath of Southern Nigeria playing as football mercenaries for one team/town or the other. For the money and the fun too. We never lost a game we went as mercenaries. We were business minded ballers. Money was the motivation. Leave am, we dey deliver. Academics? Akanu Ibiam Stadium is very close to my faculty, the Faculty of Arts. On many occasions, I asked to be substituted from games thirty minutes before an exam and I head to the examination hall straight from the field! 😅😅😅😂
   I watched Rangers, Stores, Iwuanyanwu National, Julius Berger and Co play in Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium. I grew in to the game. My seniors like Kalusha, Kabongo, Owen, Gboko, Rocky, Uyo, Uzo, Chike + Ogonna and Aja all played roles in endearing me to the game. God bless them wella.
   I went to Enugu some time ago and in the evening the streets were empty. Children were all indoors playing video games. I went to Toscana same night and saw many 'children' swallowing Orijin. They drink more than my generation and my father's generation put together. They don't like football.
Biko I have always asked; people who don't like football, what do they like?
Leave am, I grew up well.

Photo credit: apesoughird.wordpress.com

Follow Ikenna Enenta on Twitter: @ikenna005

Wednesday, 15 April 2015

General elections and Football in Nigeria.


   The general elections in Nigeria is gradually winding down. Normalcy is returning to the streets of the country. We are beginning to have our football back. A lot of us 'abandoned' the game, as expected, to perform our civil duties and vote in the next government. It is alleged that some youths died, during the electoral process. May their souls find rest.
   I don't blog mainstream politics. I treat it like leprosy on my blog. Therefore this particular blog, though may seem political, is not.
    When Dr. Orji Uzo Kalu was campaigning for the Presidency in 2007, he used 'his football achievements' as Abia State governor as campaign points. Enyimba FC of Aba were back to back CAF Champions few years before then. To the football community, his point was valid. I know how as state governor, he engineered Enyimba's success, locally and on the continent. This past election, no politician had any football or sports campaign point. The best we saw was a particular contestant who seemed to make it a point of duty to visit children playing football on the streets of his town kumm,donning his very fake Ariaria sewn Adidas track suit. He had the guts to take pictures with the kids who were dressed in tattered shirts and shorts. He met those kids like that, how did he leave them? Still tattered?
   Nigeria's performance on the continent, club wise, have been rubbish for more than a decade. Corruption, unpreparedness, non payment of players salaries/allowances and some other una-no-dey-fear-God reasons form the basis of why we have been the cow dung of African football on club level. The drama in Rivers State last year where players of Dolphins, Sharks and Rivers Angels slept in front of the state government house in protest is still fresh in our minds. Terrible drama. I am sure developed countries will look at happenings in our football and wonder which cartoon adults are acting out. From the NFF Presidency issue, to players sleeping in front of government house to other comic issues, Nigerian football is one house of commotion.
  Some states don't have half standard football stadium. Their teams therefore use stadium in another state as home ground. How can you be at home in another person's home? Let's look at Lagos State. I don't think that any other city state in the world have the number of football fanatics found in Lagos. The state is a football crazy state. But since the demise of Nigerdock and demotion of Julius Berger FC, no professional team is in town. Not an issue? Well, my opinion is that it is. Lagos is widely viewed as the football capital of Nigeria but it doesn't have a Premier League club. It's an issue. Think of the extra revenues a Premier League club will bring Into the state. Or is it the temporary jobs that will be created? No. Our politicians don't think towards that direction. I believe Lagos State need a Premier League team.
   Bayelsa State is blessed with abundant footballers. Talents abound on mainland and in the creeks. As at beginning of last season, the state had two teams campaigning in the Glo Premier League; Nembe City and Bayelsa United. Because of the state of the Samson Siasia Stadium, Nembe City played all the games that led to their eventual relegation at Omokhu Stadium while Bayelsa United played in Benin. I am not a Prophet but I said at the beginning of that season that one of the teams, if not both, will be relegated at the end of the season. It's not rocket science. If e no be your home e no be your own. Till date, the Samson Siasia stadium in Yenagoa remains a flat surface of concrete and can't be played on.  Not even by animals.
   If only these politicians know that football can be used as an electioneering tool, they will develop it at all levels. Football is a sure method of empowerment. Go through the annals of football history and check this fact; football have not produced a son or daughter of a contemporary and mega rich footballer as a successful footballer too. No be juju. It's simple; football is an avenue created to help families out of poverty. Once out of it, none of the direct offspring get back actively playing. The best they get into is football business. That said, Is it not obvious that encouragement of football can be infused into the sing song empowerment programmes we hear about year by year?
   We hope the incoming government will outperform the ongoing and incumbent in terms of football and sports encouragement. We hope for when a politician will storm a full capacity stadium in Nigeria to canvass for votes. Truth is that any politician loved by the football community in Nigeria have bought an election winning majority. You can only argue this with the keyboard of your device.
   We pray the incoming government to better football infrastructure nationwide. Bring up and implement policies that will lure Nigerians to the stadium every weekend to to watch a Glo Premier League game. God bless Nigeria.

Photo credit; unknown, but not mine.

Follow Ikenna Enenta on twitter; @ikenna005

Monday, 6 April 2015

Resurrection players of the resurrection weekend.



   When he wasn't a regular in Louis Van Gaal's side week in week out earlier this season, I wondered if I was the only one who didn't believe Ander Herrera should be a regular in the Manchester United starting eleven. His fluidity is orgasmic. No homo. The Spaniard flourished in the centre of the pack for United during pre season but was thrown into obscurity by the United technical crew as the season progressed. He became a bit part player. A role I felt was never meant for him in the colours of Manchester United. His energy in the middle of the pack reminds one of the hey days of Darren Fletcher. His incisive passes in the middle of the pack and especially in the final third is a beauty. He is an adventure in itself.
   In the absence of Mr. Manchester United, Michael Carrick due to injury, football fans expected Mr. Van Gaal to throw in the former Athletic Bilbao player. But no, Van Gaal had other plans. In the past weeks however, he was given a run of games hence his resurgence. The way he glides through the midfield is a beauty to behold. He covers every blade of grass on the field. He backtracks to cover up for mistakes. Little wonder then his performances in the last few weeks. He had an outstanding performance against Aston Villa over the weekend where he capped his man of of the match performance with a brace. He is yours' sincerely EPL resurrection player of the resurrection weekend.
   Cristiano Ronaldo? That man is bad ass! Rumour has it that his immediate past girlfriend's break up with him was what plunged him into a lack of form. If there is any substance to it, that is a confirmation of the fact that he is human after all. Jesus Christ sure carried him along in his resurrection. He resurrected with our Lord and Saviour. If you don't think so, how then do you explain his five goal hit in Real Madrid's game against Granada on Sunday? Whereas his eternal rival was duly pocketed by Celta Vigo, C-Boy was having a filed day at the Santiago Bernabeau. If as a football fan you say Messi is your better choice between the two, no issues. But if you say Cristiano is not a fantastic footballer, you are an enemy of the game and I have one piece of advice for you; Indian hemp is not for everyone. Away with it!
   Cristiano Ronaldo is my World Resurrection Player of the resurrection weekend.

Photo credit: bleacherreport.com

Follow Ikenna Enenta on twitter; @ikenna005

Thursday, 5 March 2015

Kano Pillars attacked by armed robbers.


   The bus conveying players and officials of Kano Pillars was attacked by men of the underworld on their way to Owerri for their league opener against Heartland of Owerri. The incident occurred along Abaji - Lokoja road around 1.45 pm.
   The attack took the team unawares. Reports say the men appeared from 'nowhere' and just opened fire. Five of their key players were injured. Gambo Mohammed received gunshot wounds to the shoulder. Reuben Ogbonna, Eneji Otekpa, Adamu Murtala and Ubong Ekpai were equally wounded. Fortunately, there was no record of death.  The Nigerian Premier League champions, coming on the heels of a champions league victory were in high spirits to resume defence of their title.
   This brings to mind, an interview of an ex Super Eagles player who said many years ago that the only reason he wouldn't play in the local league is distance to games by road. He gave an instance of one playing for Enyimba having to travel to Nassarawa for a game. I guess he didn't put into consideration that Maidugri had a premier league club and so does Portharcourt. Therefore a  journey by Dolphins of Portharcourt to play against El Kanemi Warriors of Maidugri is a journey across the length of Nigeria. Hazards of the Nigerian football league. But then, show must go on.
   One hopes the players, staff and supporters of Kano Pillars recover soon enough from the trauma and that the injured players heal quickly. In terms of quality of game, Kano Pillars is one of the best around. With the arrival of seasoned campaigners, including former Rangers goal poacher, Obiozor Christian, the club is expected to play prettier.

Photo credit; goal.com

Follow Ikenna Enenta on Twitter: ikenna005

Wednesday, 4 March 2015

Nigerian Football League. Comedy or football?


   According to the Chief Operating Officer of the League Management Company, Salihu Abubakar, all clubs registering for the Nigerian football league 2015 should show a a quarterly financial performance guarantee of 50 million naira or a one off 200 million naira. This is the basic condition for licensing to be part of the 2015 professional football league. *yinmu*...story for the gods.
Realists like me don't believe they will stick to this. Last season, a minimum wage was set for players. We all know how players of Sharks, Dolphins and Rivers Angels slept in front of the government house in protest of non payment of long standing salaries and allowances. I am surprised no Nollywood producer have deemed it fit to produce a movie in that direction.
   A lot of people in Nigeria don't watch the Nigerian football league. I must say however, that last season was impressive. Kudos to the LMC. The lack of interest by a vast majority of the Nigerian football community can be attributed to sheer unseriousness by, not the players, but the organisers. This, I think is what necessitated the birth of the LMC. Maybe as a result of the contract with Supersport, there was a marked improvement in the organisation. Last season was fair. This season, billed to resume on the 7th of March could be better, or worse off. Better, because we can build on the improvement of last season. Worse, because we have a culture of instead of bettering on 'achievements', we do a Michael Jackson moon walk and slide back to a position beyond where we were before we started off. Example could be cited in the recent non qualification of the Super Eagles for AFCON 2015 having won the 2014 edition. Shameful. But then shame means nothing to us. Sometimes we even feed off shame. Mouth 'shame' to the average Nigerian child and he will spread his phalanges towards you and scream 'waka'! We no dey shame.
   Last season recorded lots of beauties. Teams could go away from their homes and batter the home side. Rarities in the past. Everybody sat up. I believe the conducive atmosphere was what gave rise to Emem Eduok and Mfon Udo's emergence as stars of the season.
I went to the Samson Siasia stadium in Yenagoa and saw that the 'pitch' was still a concrete layout. Having removed the artificial turf two seasons ago for a re-lay, it was duly abandoned due to contractual differences between the contractor and the Bayelsa State government. I was appalled to see it still like that. That means Bayelsa United will this season, play away from home like they did last season when they had to play in Benin and Nembe City played in Omokhu. A factor that led to Nembe City's eventual relegation from the elite league. Home ground issues should form part of conditions for licensing and not just finances. In Nigerian football league, the hostility in away games is solid. When one now has to play home games in an adopted 'home' ground, then you are not home. You are in hell. Football hell.
   Will the coming season be a beautiful one? Are we going to see comedy or real football? I want to believe that all the stakeholders are ready for the resumption of hostilities. Talents abound in the country, but (unfavourable) condition is always an enemy of talent. That said, we hope to witness less comedy and more football.

Monday, 9 February 2015

Congratulations, Champions Of Africa.


   Ivory Coast triumphed as African Cup Of Nations kings after beating Ghana 9 - 8 on penalties. Boubacar Barry, the Ivorian goal keeper stopped Ghana's goalkeeper, Brimah Razak's penalty before slotting home his own to hand the Ivorians a hard earned AFCON triumph.
   Just before the tournament started I tipped Senegal and Algeria to make the final two but it's now clear I lost my money. I chose them based on player quality and team work. But football being what it is showed up with its drama. Both teams didn't make the last four.
Didier Drogba announced his retirement from international football last year. Therefore,people wrote off Ivory Coast's chances at the 2015 AFCON because the most regular face of Ivorian football in the last decade was exiting. Prior to then, Wilfried Bony had arrived EPL on the payroll of Swansea and was expected to be a hit. On the international scene he was played second fiddle to the Chelsea hit man. He had limited games. So when Didier retired, the responsibility to lead the line for Ivory Coast fell on him and deliver them he did. Yaya, the most influential player for club and country was the centre of all attention as he was expected to lead the Ivorians. He lead beautifully, even scoring an 'angry' goal in the process.
   Ivory Coast emerged champions. They worked for it, they got it. It would have been a shame if the entire 'golden generation' of Ivory Coast retired without lifting the AFCON. They did so this time and in style. Their manager, Renard Hevre, having led the Chipolopolo of Zambia to victory in the 2012 edition made name for himself by equally lifting the trophy with Ivory Coast. The French man has indeed etched his name in the thick heart of African football.
   In a pure case of a family whose father is not around and roundly bullied by neighbours, Manchester City will be very glad to  have Yaya Toure back. Their games in Yaya's absence proved to even the mooing cows that Manchester City is Yaya and Yaya is Manchester City. They looked like a school boy team in his absence so they will be happy to have their Yaya back. With all pleasure.
   While the Nigeria football house of commotion continue with their unending drama, it's felicitations, champions d'Afrique.

Photo credit: bbc.com

Follow Ikenna Enenta on twitter; @ikenna005

Saturday, 7 February 2015

Dear Alexis, please don't leave. Sincerely, Gooners.


   The former Barcelona man arrived Emirates in the summer and became an instant hit. He has lifted Arsenal from murky waters time and time again. His pace, eye for goal and penchant for taking on defenders has been a great asset for the London side. Little wonder then, when we woke up few days ago and saw a quote accredited to him detailing his intention to leave, Arsenal fans dipped their rosaries in hot spicy water and knelt down in supplication to whatever god they believed in. Surely not again!
   Patrick Vierira, Thierry Henry, Cesc Fabregas and Robin Van Persie are some of the Arsenal 'carriers' of the past that the fans haven't come to terms with their departures. The match just concluded at the White Heart Lane just shows how conservative Arsene Wenger is and underlines Alexis' importance.
     Arsenal pounced first, capitalising on a midfield error. The ball was fed to Danny Welbeck who glided past Danny Rose to deliver a cut back into the box. Mesut Ozil, unmarked at the other end of the post calmly despatched the ball into the net beyond the reach of Hugo Lloris. That however, didn't move Spurs. They kept playing as though they hadn't conceded. Infact they could as well have been eating akara + akamu as they kept playing like that overly confident Iya Basira who knows you must come to buy her food whether you liked it or not. They kept their cool. Moussa Dembele linked the two extreme departments while Mason roved effectively. It's was a matter of time before Spurs struck. From a corner kick the ball found Harry Kane almost unmarked and he kicked the ball beyond the impressive Ospina's reach. Spurs kept coming. The only other meaningful attack by Arsenal came when Welbeck wriggled out from Spurs' right corner flag and bent the ball towards the far post but 'agile monki' Lloris stretched and palmed the ball away for a corner. Spurs kept their onslaught and it paid off when Harry Kane, sandwiched between Arsenal defender rose like a stallion and headed home. He reeled off celebrating even before the ball touched the net as Ospina was hopelessly kneeling at the other end. The End.
    Even the introduction of a player I consider Arsenal's best midfielder, Tomas Rosicky couldn't help matters. The same Harry Kane that buried Chelsea, buried Spurs, with sights set on Manchester United next.
    The last thing Arsenal fans want to hear or even imagine is Alexis' exit. He has carried the team's responsibilities and duly delivers. His turn of pace is a nightmare for any opposition. His eye for goal, orgasmic. When the chips are down, Alexis Sanchez stands to the task. He is a player to be banked on. But then, for how long will Wenger depend on this bright player to lift the team alone? Not for long. He will tire out like others before him, but for Wenger's good I hope he doesn't leave because if he does, fans will remember his conservative, 'aka gumic' nature and stuff it down his throat. Today's game is a typical example of an Arsenal game this season without the electric Alexis. In the mind of an Arsenal fan, Wenger should do all to ensure he doesn't leave. Even if he has to hand his daughter on a platter of gold to the Chilean, Gooners don't give a damn. For fans of other clubs, they keep vigil praying he leaves. Then again, his football is so beautiful that even opposing fans appreciate him. If it's not with a smile, never mind the frown. It's just an ugly cover for a smile of appreciation for the Chilean's beautiful game.

Photo credit; caughtoffside.com

Follow Ikenna Enenta on Twitter: @ikenna005

Thursday, 29 January 2015

The FIFA President football deserve.

   Come May 2015, incumbent FIFA President, Sepp Blatter will be standing for a fifth term as Supremo of the football world ruling body. I remember how he came in to power in 1998. Baltter is 79 years of age. I have a problem with a 79 year old running world football. Joao Havelange before him handed over in 1998 at the age of 82. No younger option? They abound! Since Blatter took over, he has run world football like his pawn shop. Rise against Blatter and he eases you out of the football community. Easy and quiet, no time. Ask Jack Warner. He knows first hand
that the fear of Sepp Blatter is the beginning of wisdom. Blatter knew he had sh!t in his pants so he used it against him. Warner covered his head and embarked on a forced retirement in the Caribbeans. Blatter na bad ass man. Very good badt man! Nwoke di bad!!
   Football under Blatter has been riddled with scandals. The federation stinks. E dey smell! Committees have been set up and they all come up with the same case of rock solid corruption. FIFA have become a symbol of corruption. People like Gary Lineker, Ronaldo De Lima, Diego Maradona and co have at one time or the other spoken out against widespread corruption in FIFA. Yet again, the man at the helm of affairs want to run again. This time however, people have come up to run against him unless the last time when he scared away the only opponent he had, few days to the election giving no time for anyone to come up against him. Ajo anu!
   Jerome Champagne. French football administrator. Few years ago he was embroiled in a power fracas with Blatter, lost out and was summarily 'executed' , football wise.
   David Ginola. The ex footballer's candidacy is seen more as for laughs than serious. There are unconfirmed reports that his candidacy is backed by a betting racket. Whatever the case, he is not seen as a (strong) contender.
   Harold Mayne Nicholls. The Chilean was in charge of the inspection committee that preferred England to Russia, citing climate as a reason. His recommendation was ignored by the executive committee and Russia was given the hosting right.
   Michael Van Praag. A seasoned Dutch football administrator. He is seen by some as a viable candidate because of his records and experience.
  Prince Ali bin Al-Hussein. The Jordanian prince is a FIFA Vice President. He is seen in most quarters as the strongest candidate to stand against Blatter. He used to pull the strings in Asian football until Blatter installed his cronies as top men in Asian football. This will pit him against the Asian football heads as they are Blatter loyalists. It is expected that he will come to an agreement with Van Praag in order to solidify the anti Blatter campaign. A move that will be be welcomed by the world football community.
   Luis Figo. The former world footballer of the year stunned a lot of people when he announced his intention to run for the esteemed football office. The news put smiles on lots of faces. Finally, a people's person is in contention. Jose Mourinho has already spoken positively on Figo's candidacy. Luis Figo, one of the very few footballers who was able to switch from Barcelona to Real Madrid. A deal, Nicodemously negotiated. Alongside DeLima and Zidane, he was one of the Galacticos that thrilled football lovers early last decade. Figo may face obstacles from these old men who have refused to relinquish power at the top. A set of people known to look out for men their age  bracket may not readily back Figo's bid. He is known to have unrivaled passion for the game amongst the men that graced the sport in his time. In Maradona and Ronaldo De Lima, he has very close friends who will put him in check. One does not however undermine the human attitude which makes people forget cronies once a higher position is achieved. Yes. But Figo is not one seen to compromise the beautiful game. He is seen by many of us in the football world as one that will redeem the image of the game. Cleaning up the mess created by Blatter and Havelange before him is top priority.
UEFA is known not to support Blatter's candidacy.
   Everyone is tired of football under under the little but heavy Swiss man.
A gentleman to the core, Luis Figo is the FIFA President football deserve.

Photo credit; fanpop.com

Follow Ikenna Enenta on twitter; @ikenna005

Monday, 26 January 2015

FA Cup Rapture.

   If you have ever been typing a message to send to someone on BlackBerry messenger and the person deletes you from his contact list then you will understand what happened to the 'big' teams on Saturday. Sh!t feels like rapture!
   Manchester United had a very poor outing at Cambridge against Cambridge United on Friday night. Despite having majority of the possession, United always failed in the final third. Cambridge United held on and the game ended goalless. Then began the banter. Fans of other premiership teams rightly lambasted United fans for their team's poor showing. They kept their onslaught coming until 'rapture' happened the next day. The trumpet sounded and Chelsea, Southampton, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur were left behind while Leicester, Bradford, 'Boro and Crystal Palace went up in the air to meet the saviour singing alleluyah all the way up! It was a sorry sight.
   In Stamford Bridge, Cahill and Ramires put the pensioners ahead but Bradford came back from the two goals deficit to beat them by four goals to two. Mourinho simply couldn't produce an answer to the Bradford fire power. At the Etihad, the Aitor Karanka tutored 'Boro entered their name in the FA Cup folklore by defeating Manchester City by two goals to nothing. City were left clueless by the team managed by the former Mourinho's number two man. As if that was not enough, the trumpet sounded at St. Marys and Southampton was denied entrance into paradise by some fierce looking angels hovering mid air while Crystal Palace were ushered into an already decorated palace in the kingdom above. As we speak, Tottenham players are still on earth while Leicester players were caught in the rapture. So sad. The irony of it all is that the Manchester United that every other fan laughed at on Friday were offered another chance. God in His infinite mercies gave them a second chance. Same thing He did with Liverpool. It will be seen whether they will utilise their God given chance. Arsenal meanwhile nearly missed out on the rapture. Thomas Rosicky did a last minute wonder that ensured their safe passage through the skies. He led the alleluyah band into the skies. Well deserved.
   That is why we love the FA Cup. The biggest upsets in world football arguably happen in the English FA Cup. The components of football; drama, statistics and result always show themselves beautifully in the tournament. Drama, the one that makes the game what it is, remains one factor we will forever cherish. Football drama, as against the drama from the female folk is one we will never get tired of.

Monday, 19 January 2015

With love, from Senegal.

   For doubting Thomases, it was very clear today that Mame Diouf have developed from that tough but timed boy who came to Manchester United many years ago, to a ganging forward. I wished that his overhead kick that the Ghana goalkeeper caught had found the back of the net. That would have underlined my argument for a place in the list of emerging greats for the Senegalese hit man.
   Ghana started the game on the front foot with Andre Ayew, Christian Atsu and Jordan Ayew pulling the strings. They strung defence splitting passes together that eventually broke down the not - so - quick Senegal back line. Fact is that no defender any where in the world loves to defend facing his goal post which was exactly what the Black Stars made the Teranga Lions do in the opening exchanges. Therefore when those passes kept coming it was a matter of time before something came of it. Eventually the Senegal Goal tender brought down Atsu for the penalty which was well taken by Andre Ayew. Senegal came back in to the second half the better side. They kept the tempo coming. Ndong  making sure the defence line was kept safe and neutralising Christian Atsu who was eventually substituted. John Mensah was the greatest victim in the Ghana defence line. He took upon himself the responsibilities of shoring up the Teranga Lions but it was a responsibility a little too much for him. Turkey based Moussa Sow eventually came on for Ndong and was assisted by Mame Diouf for the winner. Avram Grant received his baptism into African football and I am sure that he must have noted the fact that African football is beyond just mere playing. It's extended passion. A life.
   The stadium was filled to capacity. Fans drumming and dancing in the stands is a reminder to what football is, in Africa. Again, life. In a continent ravaged by political and civil issues, football has served as a faithful bridge, bringing consolation to the millions of disturbed African souls.
   The other nation I look forward to getting a brilliant game from in AFCON 2015 and see as favourites is Algeria.
From the game just concluded it's 'we came to win. With love, from Senegal'.

Friday, 16 January 2015

The day India beat Nigeria 100 - 0!



 "Ha! Peter Rufai no sabi anything" bellowed the carpenter. "The way those India people take yeye am e...I never see".
  As a kid, if you didn't hear the story of the football match where India beat Nigeria 100 - 0  (One hundred goals to nothing) then I doubt if you grew up in Nigeria during my time. Mind you, the scoreline for that match varied from location to location. My present colleague, Moses, said that in Makurdi (where he grew up) the score was 99 - 1. That the only goal for Nigeria was scored when a Nigerian striker whose right boot was loose took Nigeria's only shot on target and his boot flew off his feet. The Indian goalkeeper caught his boot instead of the ball which went coolly into the top right corner of the net. Another friend of mine who grew up in Lagos said the scoreline 'in Lagos' was 99 - 0!
   The other players that featured in that game from the Enugu version of the match analysis were Henry Nwosu and Dimeji  Lawal. None other. Or at least the others werent so important for their names to be known. Note also that the line up for that game changed with location too. I must say that the Lagos version of the story is the most hilarious. Where at a stage in the game the Indians were dancing to the famous sunita music and left the Green Eagles with only their goalkeeper. That even with the outfield players dancing to sunita on the sidelines Nigeria couldnt score! That must have been the most controversial football game played by Nigeria. If you sum up the total number of players that played the game from the various versions of it you would get more than 30 (thirty) players.
The only uniform part of the story from the different versions of it was the fact that for one of the goals, Peter Rufai saw a lion flying at him instead of the ball. He ran away only to hear the crowd roaring. He turned back to see the ball at the back of the net. For another goal, he saw a ball of fire and dodged it only to find the ball at the back of the net again. Wait o...did I mention that after the match FIFA banned India from all footballing activities? Hahahaha... Yes. They were banned from football for using Indian version of black magic to beat Nigeria!
   Even when the carpenter was telling us the story, I had my doubt. Not because India cannot beat Nigeria, but even as a boy of less than five years old, counting from 1 - 100 was a problem as I considered 100 to be too far from 1. Only to be told that we were beaten 100 - 0 by India. India!!! Of all countries?! Either the man was lying or India is really a super power in black magic. That was my conclusion.
Also, of everyone that told the story, none watched the match. It was always a reported speech.  Second hand analysis.
The story is what it is. A story. A lie. A story made up to glorify the metaphysical prowess of India.
   What is the similarity between the Nigerian football of today and the Nigerian football from the story? Comedy. Nigerian football is now a complete comedy. Businessmen have been running Nigerian football. Not that a Nigerian businessman cannot run football. No. Far from that. But when you never had a business and don't also start up one, but instead commercialise your office as a Nigerian football administrator then you are of all men most fraudulent. There are some Nigerian league matches I don't bother going to watch having known the team and stadia in question. I don't go. But if I have had a bad time and in need of a live comedy show then I go. With a solid assurance of being entertained.
   Nigeria football ought to be growing but instead we are backsliding. I have this belief that Amaju Pinnick will do better than his predecessors. Not in giving us medals, but in restoring sanity to the Nigerian football house. As we prepare to watch AFCON 2015 without Nigeria, I can only wish us happy viewing.
   On a final note, please those of us who were told that story of how India hammered Nigeria should not continue with that story to the younger generation. Please. It's funny, yes. But 'bad funny'. Unless you want to be told "daddy you can lie e" by your children then tell the story. Nowadays children are very sharp. They won't buy that gist.

Follow Ikenna Enenta on twitter; @ikenna005

Tuesday, 13 January 2015

Echoes of the Ballon D'Or.

Ronaldo does a scream during his acceptance speech.

The FIFA Ballon D'Or was held yesterday in a 90 minute event not lacking in glitz and glamour. Hosted in Zurich by British journalist, Kate Abdo, the success of the event came as a surprise to no one.
   FIFA may be plagued by issues of corruption at the moment, but even her most notorious critics couldn't fault the event's organisation. For some of us, the award was already in the bag for Cristiano Ronaldo even before the event. It could have as well been given to him before yesterday. A mere .04 votes separated Lionel Messi from the second runner up, Manuel Neuer. Cristiano was in phenomenal form last year. His goals kept coming. He kept pushing his team mates for victory in all competitions last year. His odd was the FIFA World Cup which he went an unfit player. Some say he should not have gone for the world cup thereby giving chance to a fitter team mate. But come on, C-Boy is a brand! Award well deserved.
  Manuel Neuer? He is a field person. On countless occasions he left his goal line to clear the line for his team. A very dependable last line of defence. His command of his defence is near perfect. Sometimes when it seems the team has conceded, like amalinze the cat, he puts up a super save.
   Lionel Messi had an average year and so did Barcelona. CR7 outshone the magical Messi in all competitions last year. During the world cup, Messi was not his usual self. Yes he played. But Messi simply wasn't Messi in the world cup.

  James Rodriguez had a wonderful outing at the world cup. His sensational goal that gave Colombia the lead against Uruguay in the round of 16 gave him the Puskas award. The award, in honour of Ferenc Puskas, a Hungrarian legend is in recognition of beautiful goals that colour the game. The award,voted for by football fans all over the world on FIFA.com went to the Colombia and Real Madrid forward.

The FIFPro team is as follows;
GK; Manuel Neuer (Germany)
Defence; Philip Lahm (Germany), Sergio Ramos (Spain), David Luiz (Brazil), Thiago Silva (Brazil).
Midfield; Angel Di Maria (Argentina), Andres Iniesta (Spain), Toni Kroos (Germany).
Attack; Lionel Messi (Argentina), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Arjen Robben (Netherlands).

Joachim Low (Germany) won the Best (male) coach award and Nadine Kessler (Germany) won the FIFA female footballer of the year.
   Another beautiful award given on the night, the FIFA Presidential award was given to Hiroshi Kagawa,90. This is his 10th (tenth) FIFA World Cup. His contribution to the game and passion helped in the development of the game in his native Japan.
  As the awards have been concluded, we expect to go back to the basket of corruption allegations against FIFA that have been raging in the past months. It's sad. Football is a beautiful game, a unifying factor and a universal language. Why these men (and women) at the top want to bring it to disrepute beats my imagination.
For the good of the game, we hope that the Blatter led FIFA put their house in order. And I earnestly pray that Blatter takes a bow when his  current tenure runs out to enable a fresher person run the show from the top.
We all love football.

Follow Ikenna Enenta on twitter; @ikenna005

Friday, 9 January 2015

Thumbs down Issa Hayatou, congrats Yaya Toure.

   I grew up knowing household African football names like Sam Okwaraji, Jules Bocande, Stephen Keshi, Steven Tawtaw, Roger Milla, Abedi Pele etc. Playing football regularly amongst my peers initially, and my seniors later, we gave some people in our team those names and they bore them as nicknames. I clearly remember a friend we used to (and still) call 'Opong Weah', after the legendary Liberian. Amongst these names however, there was a background name; Issa Hayatou.
In fact we had a team mate we called 'Hayatou'. I met him in the team and joined in calling him the name. Yes he was a good footballer. I guess he picked the name because of his weight. Guy was heavy!
   Monsieur Issa Hayatou, the President of CAF, a Camerounian, came into power as President of the continental football body on 10th March 1988. He has won series of elections till date that has kept him on seat. Since 1988!!!
I know about self succession. It abounds everywhere in the world. National politics is not my thing so it won't form a discourse for me.
   Abdel Aziz Moustafa of Egypt was the last CAF Supremo who had a long tenure. He led the organisation from 1958 to 1968. I am not in any way justifying his 'long tenure' but some schools of thought could argue that because CAF was still 'young' it needed stability. Monsieur Hayatou have led CAF for 27 (twenty seven) years! Some present day ballers had not even been born when he took over. Is it that there is no other person as 'qualified' as he is to take over from him or has the office become a personal franchise? People bicker about Sepp Blatter and his long stay in office whereas it is child's play compared to Hayatou's stay. His fans will quickly point to FIFA's increment of Africas slot at the world cup as his most notable achievement. Well, in today's world, even a Yaya Toure would have made FIFA to do that. It's common sense. How has football evolved in Africa under him? The truth is African football has lost its identity.
      "African football has lost its spontaneity 
       with the introduction of European style
       football." - Fabio Cannavaro.
Apart from footballers outside the shores of the continent, what is obtainable here is football comedy. Egypt (and maybe South Africa) despite their political crisis have continued to fly high in the continent. This is because they decided to leave CAF and the rest of Africa behind and forge ahead. How has the African representatives to the Club World Cup fared? How have African sides fared at the FIFA World Cup? When was the last time an African appeared in World top three? For the world club cup, African clubs just go to make up the numbers. Census count. Attendance.
*voice call* Africa? *chorus and index fingers raised* PRESENT!!
African football is doing a Michael Jackson moon walk. In the various leagues across Africa, spectatorship was high in years gone by. Today, some of us would rather sit at home and watch a Burnley vs Leicester City EPL game organised by the FA, under the umbrella of his European counterpart, Michel Platini. Too bad.
   You may say that we are not supposed to rub shoulders with Europe in terms of football. Okay. Assuming that is even right, should we be where we are? Is it that there is no other person to lead CAF?
   Cowardice is a global phenomenon, but that of Africa is overwhelming. All the self branded football administrators are either afraid or have been compromised by the man himself. If we continue like this, we will disappear from from the world football radar very soon. If the people who are 'supposed' to run against him are afraid then what is expected of the rats in the field? Africa will keep moon walking in football until there is a (positive) change in football administration, centrally, and across her member nations.
   On a wonderful note, a hearty congratulations to Manchester City's Yaya Toure. The Ivorian, a vital part of City's title chase won the CAF player of the year award ahead of Dortmund's Pierre Aubameyang and Lille of France goal tender Vincent Enyeama. Yaya had a beautiful year. He bullied other club midfielders out of the way and presented the EPL trophy to Sheikh Mansour. Yaya is so good that rival clubs are happy that he is going away on national duties for AFCON 2015. Congratulations to him.


Follow Ikenna Enenta on twitter; @ikenna005

Sunday, 4 January 2015

The problem with the Nigerian Professional Football League.

   Kano Pillars were once again crowned the champions of the Glo NPFL for 2013/2014 season. The club was amazing, home and away. Rabiu Ali would be an easy pick for anyone who watched their games. He pulled strings effectively. In the Federation cup, old timers Enyimba of Aba beat Dolphins to the trophy. The season was not devoid of the normal occurrences but it is noteworthy to point out that their has been a massive improvement in the general organisation. Compared to what was obtainable,the Nigerian football league took a leap forward in the just concluded season. Credit to the League Management Committee, the NFF, the management and players of the various club side. Most importantly, the fans,without whom their would be no football.
   The league has to however be made more attractive. Both for the players and fans alike. The two players widely touted as the Ronaldo/Messi of the NPFL, Emem Eduok of Dolphins and Mfon Udoh of Enyimba have either finalised their deals to play outside the country or working on it. Feelers is that Emem is already signed on for Esperance of Tunisia. This is coming at the back heel of claims by a Norwegian club side that they had signed him on. That is by the way,however. Silently, I prayed to the hearing of my friends that the duo would remain in the league by next season. A prayer to which my friends' response was that I am a 'winch',ie, I don't want the progress of the boys. Far from that however, it was a prayer made in good faith. The two would have been the face of the league had they stayed. And yes, I want the best for the boys. The NPFL would have benefitted from their stay. Shirts would have been sold, fans would have been drawn to the stadia, sponsors would have shown up,willing to do business and so on. But then for the good of their career they had to leave. Question is; is the Nigerian football league not a good place to 'stay on'? I don't blame players that leave,especially the strikers. Attackers can be likened to pretty young girls. They are full of life when they are scoring and are expected to maximise whatever opportunity comes with it.
   The league is not attractive. The majority of Nigeria's football community are more committed to European leagues than the local league. Even when the gate fee is less than N200 (two hundred naira), people aren't interested.       Quality of officiating is one factor militating against interest in the league. Aside the improvement in this regard last season, it was always a sham. Comedy show. Sometimes you see a referee telling the favoured side,mostly the home side what to do in order to be gifted a penalty or an offside goal. Then again, safety of the match officials aren't adequately put into consideration. Their safety isn't in most cases guaranteed so they protect themselves by being openly biased. Thank God for the NPFL deal with Supersport. This has gone a long way in curbing referee's marijuana induced officiating. Knowing they are live on television, they reduce their level of craze.
   Non payment of players wages is another factor. Last season, players of Sharks (abi Dolphin) took their mattreses and slept in front of the Rivers State government house in protest to non payment of allowances and salaries! Continental shame!! I have a problem with government 'ownership' of football clubs in Nigeria but IF a state government is running a club then they should run it well. These players have families to take care of. But even if they don't, it's their jobs and when they are doing it, they should get paid as and at when due. Biko, maka stories that touch, football is not best played on an empty stomach or on the back of unfulfilled promises.
   Lack of infrastructure. This is the one I refuse to understand. It's a topic I will write on separately, but I crave indulgence to mention it in passing. For instance, before the commencement of the last professional football league season in the country, Bayelsa State had 2 (two) club sides vying for honours; Bayelsa United and Nembe City. United is state sponsored while City is a private franchise. Ordinarily the state should have been hopeful of giving the title a chase. But when the state government couldn't ready the Samson Siasia stadium in time for the resumption of hostilities, I commented that either Nembe City or Bayelsa United or even both,would be relegated at the end of the season. Reason? Nembe City were designated to play in Omokhu, Rivers state while Bayelsa United would play in Benin. The league has ended. The rest is history.
   The glory of the Nigerian football league can be restored. It can. It will only require smart work by the people running the league. It won't happen in a day or two, but over time, we can get the league back to her glory days. Sincerely I am trying to see how the average football fan in Nigeria will leave a Chelsea vs Arsenal fixture and go to watch the Oriental derby between Heartland and Rangers International at the Dan Anyiam stadium, Owerri . As impossible as it may sound, i see it as feasible. With the right moves, it can happen in the nearest future.

Follow Ikenna Enenta on twitter;  @ikenna005