Tunisia 2004: Obafemi's Problem is Complex - Galadima
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Tunisia 2004: Obafemi's Problem is Complex - Galadima
The reasons for the about face by Obafemi Martins over appearing for the Super Eagles at the Nations Cup have been described as 'complex' by the Chairman of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima.
According to the soccer boss when he first spoke to the Inter Milan of Italy star on December 14 to inquire why he was reluctant to play for the nation, the youngster gave different reasons. But in spite of this he still agreed to play for the country after their chat only for the player to arrive Nigeria and make a U-turn.
"What ever is his problem it must be very complex for him to continue to be giving different reasons for his absence from the national team. Whomever is close to him should advise him to come up with a good reason for refusing to play."
Galadima, who spoke at a media parley in Lagos yesterday, said he would never force or beg a player to play for the country.
He was also very confident that the Eagles would do well at the Nations Cup in spite of the failure of many of the regulars to report to camp.
"I expect the Eagles to do well in Tunisia. We have naturally talented players who on their good day are more than a match for any team in the world."
Galadima also took pains to justify the bonuses offered the players at the Nations Cup insisting that in spite of the FA's lean purse they would be able to meet their financial obligations to the team.
"I know the money is big. But at time you do things out of the ordinary because you want to achieve something. The Nations Cup is very important because whatever we do there will go a long way in affecting our performance at the World Cup qualifiers which begin almost immediately after Tunisia. So we wanted to score a point - motivate the players so that they will put in their very best at the competition."
He allayed fears over the inability of the association to meet the commitment saying apart from the bonuses which have been incorporated in the budget approved by the Sports Ministry, they were also making alternative private arrangements.
Galadima also said moves were on to settle the problems currently afflicting both the Nigeria Referees' Association (NRA) and the coaches' body.
www.thisdayonline.com
According to the soccer boss when he first spoke to the Inter Milan of Italy star on December 14 to inquire why he was reluctant to play for the nation, the youngster gave different reasons. But in spite of this he still agreed to play for the country after their chat only for the player to arrive Nigeria and make a U-turn.
"What ever is his problem it must be very complex for him to continue to be giving different reasons for his absence from the national team. Whomever is close to him should advise him to come up with a good reason for refusing to play."
Galadima, who spoke at a media parley in Lagos yesterday, said he would never force or beg a player to play for the country.
He was also very confident that the Eagles would do well at the Nations Cup in spite of the failure of many of the regulars to report to camp.
"I expect the Eagles to do well in Tunisia. We have naturally talented players who on their good day are more than a match for any team in the world."
Galadima also took pains to justify the bonuses offered the players at the Nations Cup insisting that in spite of the FA's lean purse they would be able to meet their financial obligations to the team.
"I know the money is big. But at time you do things out of the ordinary because you want to achieve something. The Nations Cup is very important because whatever we do there will go a long way in affecting our performance at the World Cup qualifiers which begin almost immediately after Tunisia. So we wanted to score a point - motivate the players so that they will put in their very best at the competition."
He allayed fears over the inability of the association to meet the commitment saying apart from the bonuses which have been incorporated in the budget approved by the Sports Ministry, they were also making alternative private arrangements.
Galadima also said moves were on to settle the problems currently afflicting both the Nigeria Referees' Association (NRA) and the coaches' body.
www.thisdayonline.com