Minister summons SG; denies NFA row but admits interference!

geminikoat · Post by **geminikoat** » Wed Dec 31, 2003 8:53 pm

Culled from yahoosports

LAGOS, Dec 31 (Reuters) - Nigerian Sports Minister Mohammed Musa has admitted to interfering in the affairs of the country's soccer authority (NFA) but said it had not resulted in a rift as suggested by the local media.

Nigerian media reports said the ministry had been in dispute with the NFA over preparations for next month's African Nations Cup in Tunisia.

The Nigerian team are currently in Portugal preparing for the tournament, which starts on January 24.

"Recent papers said we're at war and it's not true...but we do interfere in NFA affairs only for a reason," Musa told reporters at an end-of-year party in the capital Abuja.

"Whatever we do in the ministry is to protect government's interest as huge sums of its money are injected into the running of sports (in the country)."

Last month, Musa over-ruled the NFA's choice of former England captain Bryan Robson as coach of the Nigerian team, saying he was not convinced on how they would pay his wages.

Nigeria, winners in 1980 and 1994, are drawn with debutants Benin Republic and former tournament champions South Africa and Morocco in the first group matches.

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Courtesy of Daily Independent online

The first casualty has emerged from the Super Eagles Faro, Portugal camp even as the result of the team's friendly against top division side, Luten, last night is being eagerly awaited.

In Abuja, Sports and Social Development Minister, Musa Mohammed, a retired colonel also yesterday summoned the NFA leadership to brief him on plans for the Nations Cup, which is about three weeks away.

NFA Scribe, Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi, told Daily Independent that Coach Christian Chukwu has decamped Spanish based winger, Muyiwa Lawal, the younger brother of ex-Eagles winger, Dimeji Lawal. "Lawal has been nursing an injury and when he came to camp, he was honest enough to tell the coaching crew his condition, which he insisted will not allow him give the best at the moment and he therefore had to be decamped," Ogunjobi said.

He said other players in camp are responding well to training even as the coaching crew said there would be no favouritism in the selection of players for the Nations Cup.

In a related development, the NFA yesterday briefed the sports minister on their plans so far for the Nations Cup in a marathon meeting summoned by the minister and attended by Sports Development Director, Chief Patrick, himself a former national team player. Details of the meeting were hazy but Ogunjobi said it was for the good of the national teams now and in the future.

geminikoat · Post by **geminikoat** » Wed Dec 31, 2003 9:05 pm

Ogunjobi must not have mentioned that the boys have not been paid yet as Ayo reported. Another embarassment on the horizon for the nation.

Sir V · Post by **Sir V** » Wed Dec 31, 2003 9:13 pm

geminikoat wrote:Ogunjobi must not have mentioned that the boys have not been paid yet as Ayo reported. Another embarassment on the horizon for the nation.

Man don tire!

geminikoat · Post by **geminikoat** » Wed Dec 31, 2003 9:23 pm

Sir V wrote:
geminikoat wrote:Ogunjobi must not have mentioned that the boys have not been paid yet as Ayo reported. Another embarassment on the horizon for the nation.
Man don tire!

If another pay snafu ensues, heads gotta roll. I hope this time it'll be the officials who loose their jobs.

Gooner1 · Post by **Gooner1** » Thu Jan 01, 2004 12:22 am

Ogunzombie and his merymen of bandits will come out of this smelling of roses as usual.

After this ANC, there will be another Olisehgate!

Its a Goal · Post by **Its a Goal** » Thu Jan 01, 2004 12:29 am

The Ministry of Sports and it's interference is what is going to finally kill off Nigerian football.

Larry Ashagbe · Post by **Larry Ashagbe** » Thu Jan 01, 2004 1:14 am

Too much talk and no action.

ruff'n'tuff · Post by **ruff'n'tuff** » Thu Jan 01, 2004 11:20 am

Only in Nigeria,always controversy before major tournaments.

geminikoat · Post by **geminikoat** » Fri Jan 02, 2004 5:42 am

Until the NFA can fend for themselves the ministry will always interfere. The people in the NFA can also not be trusted with funds and it seems an oversight is always needed.