Kate Obodo
27 December 2008
Five days from today, the year 2008 will be history and Rangers Technical Adviser Christian Chukwu rates Nigerian football in the out-going year low.
The former Green Eagles captain scored Nigeria very low on the international scene, especially at the manner with which Nigerian teams crashed out in continental and global competitions.
Chukwu believes that though the country's football did well within the African circuit in respect of the 100 % record in the first round of the 2010 Nations Cup/World Cup qualifier, it failed to impress at the global level. According to him, the country's performance globally is nothing to write home about.
"I would rate football in Nigeria on the global scene as low but average on the continental scene with respect to Nigeria's performance ast the World Cup/Nations Cup qualifiers. But if you ask me of our ratings globally, I will tell you our performance was poor which is not supposed to be.
"The NFF should try to assist the team in terms of invitation of quality players and adequate preparation. They should get young players especially from the grassroots level who have the energy and are hungry for honour", he said.
The former Harambee Stars of Kenya coach called on the NFF to ensure that preparations are done early and not the fire bridge approach that they are known for.
"The NFF should learn how to prepare for results and not wait for result", Chukwu said.The 1980 Nations Cup wining captain however lauded his team -Rangers FC of Enugu in the Globacom Premier League. According to him, the dedication and commitment of the players since the inception of the league has seen the Flying Antelopes fly high in the domestic league.
He stressed that the team has not done badly as they are still among the top teams in the league."Really we have not done badly, we are still striving hard to be on top of the table and I believe by next year, we are going to be more serious. Players who do not fit into our plans will be excused while those who fit in will continue with the team. There is no room for sentiments", he said.
Also reviewing the out-going year, former Super Eagles Technical Adviser Chief Adegboye Onigbinde, aid Nigerian football needs adequate support in the pursuit of the 2010 World Cup/Nations Cup qualification as the Super eagles get set to battle other African oppositions next year.
Chief Onigbinde, presently a technical consultant to the NFF, in evaluating football in 2008, said it did not improve adequately, stressing that he believes things need to be placed appropriately for next year's preparation.
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