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Nigeria will be at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa! This is the minimum that is expected of a team that holds great promise and potential for the first senior world cup to be held on the continent. My expectations are very high and deservedly so.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria plays the most entertaining and eye catching football on this part of the planet and the place to reinforce this is the land of the Mandiba; Nelson Mandela.

Our current team has a balance to it that makes hope a good thing to be nursed come June 2010. There is a blend of youth and experience and going forward, this will be favourable to us when hostilities takes off!

When I ponder over the likely players to be at the tournament, I feel a high sense of expectation concerning what could be achieved in South Africa. Players like Obinna Nsofor, Uche Kalu, Obafemi Martins, Ogbuke Obasi and Yakuba Aiyegbeni can damage the defense of any team in the world on their days. 

The pace of Ozaze Odemwegie coupled with the searing acceleration of Obagoal will definitely not be a desirable dinner to be eaten  by any team. While we may not have a world class creative midfielder in the mould of the retired legend, Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha, with sheer strength and passing accuracy of John Mikel Obi coupled with rugged efficiency of Yusuf Ayila, we will not be the weakest in that department.

What about our defense? While Yobo may not be an epitome of consistency, he is still our best player at the rear. When you throw in ‘man mountain’, Daniel Shittu, Taye ‘Rocket’ Taiwo and ‘skillful’  Chidi Odia: I cannot but be dreamful of the possibilities come 2010.

Our coaches are also not bad. If you look at Shuaibu Ahmodu’s record over the years, one would discover that he is a successful coach in his own right. I strongly believe that Ahmodu can cut it anywhere in the world. All he needs is the necessary support to galvanize this coming adventure.

Nigeria has never lacked human resources in any area of endeavour!  We have always held our own anywhere in the world. This is even truer when sport, especially football is in consideration. From England to Spain, Italy to France, Belgium to Germany; our players represent the country with credibility. This cannot be said of most of other nations in world football.

I have always maintained the posture that once we get our administration or what I call ‘Back End’ right, we will rule the world thereafter.

Our problems over the years have been nothing short of administratiive harakiris. We are eminently capable of achieving far more than what we have managed so far if only we channel our resources in the right directions rather than the insatiable pockets of our various rulers. The reality of our nation can be summed up in two words: Corruption and Tribalism.

While other countries are fully engaged on how to excel come this tournament, I will not be surprised to find out that our officials are calculating how much they can make from it! While it is natural to expect ones daily bread from a particular source, it is nauseating to turn what is for common good to personal loot.

Recently, the Federal Government had to do policy summersaults over the hosting of the FIFA Under 17 Tournament in the country.

Our administrators proposed a budget of N32 Billion to host the tournament! The Government declared immediately that the competition is not a priority and that FIFA should take it elsewhere. To save face, our administrators ‘revised’ their budget downwards to N16 Billion and promised to source the balance from the private sector. Very funny eh?

The President having gauged the feelings of Nigerian eventually decided to host the competiton but with a caveat! The total capital outlay will be N9 Billion and the disbursement and running of the tournament will be under the full supervision of the Vice President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan! Did I hear you say ‘opari’?

The drama above represents the greatest indictment of our sport administration till date. And sure enough,  well deserved.

As we begin preparation for the world cup qualifiers next March, it is imperative that we begin to put our house in order. The Nigeria Football Federation (or is it Association) must understand that South Africa 2010 represents a great opportunity for this country to step up into her rightful place in world football. Everything that has to do with this must be done with selflessness and absolute commitment to our Nation.

For a change, we must do away with the renowned culture of  official corruption, tribalism, indiscipline and lack of vision.  Our administrators must decide and resolve to serve Nigeria and not themselves! In doing this, posterity cannot but be kind to them.

They must put in place the necessary logistics, finance and allied issues to make our players proud. Their interest and welfare must be kept on the burner. After all, they are the main actors and such must be pampered to deliver their best performance.

The Oscar of World Football beckons in South Africa and Nigeria must believe she can grab it when the chips are down!

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