Former President of the Nigeria Cycling Federation and Secretary General of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Moses Iloh has joined forces with those clamouring for the sack of the Nigeria Football Association, NFF Board.
He told Sunday Vanguard Sports that following the chain of poor results recorded by the national football teams, the NFF Board should be replaced with people who do not only have the interest of the country’s football at heart, but who will help develop the sport. Excerpts:
How would you assess Nigeria’s football in 2011?
I do not like to sound sorrowful, but certainly I think it has been a very significant backward movement and that is not good at all. From the start, we have had a lot of confusion in the football house. Secondly, we have encouraged the falsification of ages and that is a very bad thing for any country. Corruption is a dangerous thing, corruption is not just taking money but when you encourage youths to lie about their ages, you are destroying them.
So, who would you blame Nigeria’s ouster from major competitions next year on?
I blame the administrators and the Federal government that are nonchalant about the welfare of the youths of this country. The federal and state governments have no interest in the progress of the youths and that has affected our football development.
With what has happened, do you see the NFF as curse to Nigeria Football?
No, they are not a curse but the fact is, they are not competent enough to administer football in this country. When the right people are there, they do not have to be an ex-internationals, you will be surprised at what they can do. There are good administrators in this country who could administer sports especially football very well and can handle football matters accurately. Also we need the services of a good technician that will build a good team for us . Right now we do not have administrators at all.
Do you think the NFF should be dissolved?
Yes, If democracy allows, it is appropriate now. But then, when you are dissolving it, you should be able to plead with or consecrate good people to take over. Don’t disband them for another bunch of failures into the board. It won’t make any sense. But if they should disband them yes, on the condition that they will persuade and prevail on good people to come in there and do us some honour based on fact that those they are bringing in will form the interest of developing Nigerian youths through sports. I insist on that aspect.
How do you see Nigeria’s flag not being hoisted in any major football competition next year?
I’m ashamed for Nigeria because we are not going to participate in the Olympics football event, not going to be in the Nations Cup billed for Equatorial Guinea/Gabon. It is really a shame and I feel really bad. It is not that we do not have the materials or funds. We have people whose head may be smart but their heart is not good. It is a mistake of the heart, their hearts are evil and no matter what, they cannot do anything good.
How does this affect Nigerians especially soccer loving Nigerians?
Personally, I will be sad seeing Nigerians not participating in any major competitions next year. Because I would want to have some kind of excitement on Nigeria’s team especially when the team win and the whole world looks at them and say this is Nigeria, it is something good .
What do you think is the way out now that we failed ?
We should start preparing for the next Nations Cup and World Cup. Also, I think the Nigeria Olympics Committee, NOC is close to government, they should ensure they go the extra mile to ensure our athletes have a better performance in the Olympics by providing financial and moral support for them to do well because it is the only thing we have to show at next year’s Olympic.
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