Meeting in Cairo this day, the Executive Committee of the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) took note of the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) of 2nd April, 2015 in the case brought before it by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF).
The Executive Committee noted that the CAS established that the Royal Moroccan Football Federation could not invoke “force majeure” in that the Ebola outbreak did not make it impossible for the AFCON to be organized in Morocco. In addition, the CAS admitted that the FRMF was responsible for the violation of Article 7 paragraph 1 a) of the statutes of CAF.
It should be recalled that the Executive Committee of CAF, in its decision of 6 February, 2015 in Malabo, had already indicated that the force majeure assertion by FRMF could not be accepted and that the Royal Moroccan Federation was guilty of infringing Article 7 paragraph 1 a) of CAF statutes.
It should also be noted that the CAS considered Morocco’s non-participation in AFCON2015 as a sanction. However, the ‘A’ national team of Morocco qualified for the AFCON because Morocco was the host of the competition. Therefore it automatically lost its qualification for 2015 following the country’s decision to renounce the right to organize the tournament.
The CAS therefore reached the same conclusions as the CAF Executive Committee but decided to annul the sanctions imposed. CAF, which joined the authority of the jurisdiction of the CAS, has committed to implementing the decisions and will comply with this ruling despite the contradictions observed in the CAS decision.
The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Lagos Chapter, has called on the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, to take a clear stand on the engagement and status of Coach Stephen Keshi and save the Nigerian public the agony of having frequently to discuss him as the main issue of the nation’s football rather than the development and progress of the game.
Lagos SWAN made the call in reaction to a statement by the NFF accusing a section of the media of having lied in a report in which Keshi was quoted to have expressed some displeasure with the NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, and the Football House.
Reacting in a statement titled “Enough is enough,” Lagos SWAN advised the NFF not to, in any way, drag the sports media into whatever difficulties it may be having with Keshi but to boldly express the authority of its mandate as the governing body of Nigerian football to steer the ship of the federation in line with its vision, programmes and the expectations of the public on Nigerian football.
The statement said: “First of all, we take exception to the statement of the NFF accusing a section of the sporting press of having lied or exaggerated the statement credited to Keshi. For the avoidance of doubt, Keshi spoke in a live interview which recordings are available and he was reported correctly. We therefore stand by the veracity and integrity of that particular report.
NFF President, Mr. Amaju Pinnick.
“However, as responsible partners, we will make no further issues of this unfair attack on the sporting media. We will rather encourage the NFF to take full possession of its mandate as the governor of our football to be decisive on issues to enable it discharge its duties in line with its vision and programmes to meet the expectations of Nigerian football lovers.
“We wish to point out that the controversies and complexities surrounding Keshi’s engagement have lingered for too long. We cannot continue to remain in one spot and keep dancing around. After the agony of not being at the AFCON 2015, the NFF and Keshi should save us the further agony of having to be discussing him daily as the substance of our football rather than the team. We wish also to appeal to any powers closely or remotely constraining the freedom and workings of the NFF to please consider the greater interest of Nigerian football so that we can make progress. Enough is enough
“Lastly, while we are becoming used to institutions unduly passing the blame of systems failure on the press, we wish to restate that we will continue to do our job as the sports media, to promote sports, the athletes and institutions, and challenge excesses and inadequacies, without fear or favour, for the good of the game and progress of our nation.”
It was a busy and exciting Monday for the Super Eagles and their crew as Sports Minister, Hon Tammy Danagogo accompanied by the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye and NFF President Pinnick Amaju, paid a surprise visit to the team during its evening training session at the mainbowl of the National Stadium in Abuja.
The Minister in his brief address to the players said he was doubly sure that Nigeria will qualify for the championship in Morocco, adding that obstacles that have been noticed have been eliminated. He assured players and officials of the team of President Goodluck Jonathan’s support in the remaining three qualifiers leading to the finals in Morocco.
The Minister said the team must not be distracted by criticisms from Nigerians, adding that they were doing that because of the huge believe they have in the capacity of the team to deliver. “If someone has absolute believe in you and you disappoint him a little he gets overboard, but go and restore that belief by winning the remaining three matches which will ensure you land in Maroc 2015”, he said.
The NFF President spoke in a similar vein, declaring that whatever the team will need to qualify, including his possible resignation for qualification will be made available. Amaju later came to the Eagles camp at the Bolton White Apartments, where he held two separate meetings behind closed doors, first with the technical crew led by Stephen Keshi and later the players. He refused to disclose his interaction with both parties, saying he was only making consultation with them because he wants a very strong and positive start for the new leadership of the NFF, which he heads.
Sports Minister, Tammy Danagogo with NSC DG, Gbenga Elegbeleye and NFF President Amaju Pinnick, addressing Super Eagles players on Monday evening
Ahmed Musa Promises Birthday Goals…As Kanu Tips Team
As has become the tradition in the Super Eagles camp, Russian based striker, Ahmed Musa received a surprise birthday gift when all the players took turns in bathing him with water during Tuesday early morning training session of the national team.
The players took the petit winger, who returned to training on Tuesday morning after resting for a day following a knock he received in the first leg game in Sudan by surprise. Those who could not grab water cans, poured balls on him before training started under the early morning breeze of Abuja.
Speaking when the team returned to its camp base, Musa said he has suspended celebration till after the much desired win against Sudan on Wednesday. “After that we can paint the town red because we would have gotten our qualification hopes back on track. However, team skipper Vincent Enyeama, said there will be a short cake cutting ceremony during dinner, according to him, just to show him that he is loved by all and sundry in the team”.
Similarly, Nigerian legend, Nwankwo Kanu, says there will be no stopping the Super Eagles in the last three qualifier games for the Maroc 2015 Nations Cup. “I know the caliber of players in this team, some of them I have played with. I know the coaching crew and all the assistants, the slogan now is operation win all games”, he declared.
Kanu called for total support from all Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora, noting that what the team is passing through at the moment is common with great teams and all they need to bounce back is the support and understanding of their people.
Super Eagles star midfielder, John Mikel Obi, has emphasized the need to concentrate on the next three games instead of whining over last Saturday’s 0-1 loss to Sudan in Khartoum.
The Chelsea midfield man, who himself was hysteric immediately after the game in the dressing room, later at the team’s hotel and even while the team was flying home aboard the chartered Sudan Airways plane, said the team in particular and Nigerians in general must quickly forget the ugly past and concentrate on the remaining three games.
John Mikel Obi, photo credit fifa.com
Why I can’t still believe how and why we lost that game it’s important to move ahead and for those saying we don’t deserve to be in Morocco, I think that is unfortunate and we must stop spreading that negativity because it gets to the team. The pitch we played in was awful. You can’t move, the ball bounces when you want to control it and when you shoot it goes the wrong direction, it was a nightmare playing on that pitch”, he said.
Austin Ejide, Super Eagles Goalkeeper
Goalkeeper Austin Ejide, spoke in a similar vein but added that there was need for Nigerians to come together and support the team at times like this instead of condemning the team. “It’s at times like this that we need the media and all of Nigerians but what we hear is condemnation, crucify them. That will not help the team.”
Waterlogged Khartoum International Stadium Pitch
Hot shot Emmanuel Emenike in his own submission suggested that countries that do not have good pitches and proper facilities to host qualifiers should be exempted from them by continental ruling body CAF. “Where we played on Saturday is worst than when we were playing street football, CAF must act to stop nonsense like this from happening and they deliberately took us there because they know we play in better pitches”.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles returned to the country on Sunday morning after the shock 0-1 loss to host Sudan in a crucial Nations Cup qualifier in Khartoum, to a cold reception from Nigerians, which was expected, going by the passion Nigerians have for the game.
An obviously disturbed Head Coach of the team Stephen Okechukwu Keshi and Team Skipper, Vincent Enyeama, later took time off to assess the situation and agreed that despite the fact that all hopes were not lost in the battle for qualification, Nigerians deserve a better deal from the team.
Keshi, who spoke first to a handful of Sports journalists, said he was disappointed at the result like every other Nigerian, as he had hoped to use the game to kick-start Nigeria’s quest for a back to back Nations Cup trophy. “I must ask you to help me apologise to Nigerians for this loss because they have so much believe in this team and here we are disappointing them. The day was simply not ours, because we had a couple of early chances that we would used to bury the game but the ball simply refused to enter into the net. Once again on behalf of the team I want to apologise to Nigerians and promise them we will make an immediate amend come Wednesday. This is the first time I am doing this in my entire career as a player and coach”, he said pensively.
Vincent Enyeama of Nigeria Photo Credit: FIFA
Enyeama, spoke in a similar vein, appealing to Nigerians not to lose faith in the team. “We didn’t go out there to lose to Sudan but it has happened and that is now history and I apologise on behalf of my teammates for that but we must quickly forgive and forget because we have a game on Wednesday and if we win that and our last two games, we will still be in Morocco”, he said confidently.
He said he has already spoken to his teammates and they have resolved that there will be no compromise in the battle for the nine points remaining in the next three games. “Let Nigerians forgive us and also pray for us to win our remaining games”, he declared.
Eagles Keep Vigil After Khartoum Mishap…Akinwunmi, Anyansi Tip Team To Qualify
Most Super Eagles players and officials could not catch their sleep on Saturday night when it was announced late that the flight has been rescheduled for 7:30am Sudan time, which is 5:30 Nigerian time on Sunday morning. The plane had been schedule to leave Khartoum, one and half hours after the match.
To them it was like a dream that they have lost a crucial qualifier to Sudan and have only been able to garner one point from a possible nine. One could see the players moving up and down the Grand Holiday Inn abode, hissing and cursing. Officials too were not left out as some of them chose to stay at the hotel lobby instead of the comfort of their rooms till departure time for the airport.
“Yes, I agree that myself, my assistants and most of the players could not sleep. It’s like a dream to us”, confessed Head Coach Stephen Keshi.
In their pain, the NFF leadership represented by Vice President, Barr Sey Akinwunmi, Chief Felix Anyansi Agwu and HOD Technical, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, were on hand to sooth their nerves.
Akinwunmi, who spoke first, said he was more hurt at the loss to Sudan than the players but urged them to quickly forget the past and concentrate on Wednesday’s game. “We can mourn from now till Wednesday but it does not change anything, we must look ahead not behind, because Nigerian football is replete with happenings like this and at the end the team comes out victorious”.
Adding his voice, Anyansi-Agwu recalled that the first year Enyimba Fc of Aba, of which he is also Chairman won the CAF Champions League, they lost one of their group games scandalously to Ismaila of Egypt 6-1. “Your captain Enyeama, was in goal in that match, but at the end of the day we managed to qualify and met the same Ismaila of Egypt in the final and defeated them to win the Cup, so we must take away the positives and concentrate on our remaining matches which we must win instead of mopping over this loss”.
He said the NFF will continue to support the team to ensure that not only will Nigerian flag be hoisted in Morocco but the trophy will be retained.
Our man Joel Musa takes a look at the Afcon 2015 Qualifier between Sudan and Nigeria.
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Nigeria Super Eagles starting 11 With Babatunde Micheal at the 2014 World Cup photo credit Reuters
It was the ultimate humiliation, the sort you wouldn’t wish for your fiercest foe, the Super Eagles faced another defeat in their bid to qualify for the continental showpiece at Morocco next year.
The loss in Calabar to Congo was seen as an upset, the draw at South Africa was seen as a step out of the mire but there’s no positive spin for the dross Keshi’s charges served up against Sudan.
Granted, the pitch had more plastic than a Lego factory, the weather was sweltering and the animosity of the fans could be felt from a reasonable distance but this was the lifeline they had to take.
Earlier in the day, South Africa had won away at Congo to move to the top of the log and inadvertently made room for the Champions to claw themselves out of the doldrums.
The Eagles started the game looking assured but a lack of a cogent game plan was visible as they literally became clueless when they approached the final third, the lack of innovation and quality saw Sudan grow in confidence to take charge of the game at the half hour mark and just before the break, their No. 10, a charismatic libero, carved out a chance, sliding a ball to the left, Echiejile was left for dead and a strong cross was met by Bacary Elgadir’s determined header from close range.
STEPHEN KESHI
Emenike and Mikel had speculative efforts and Musa missed a golden chance from a quality thru pass.
The Second Half.
The ineffective Nosa Igiebor was withdrawn. Sudan’s confidence wasn’t going to fizzle out in front of their vociferous supporters and disjointed opposition.
They continued to create half chances while staying compact at the back. Keshi responded by sending in rookie subs in the form of Sunday Emmanuel and Raheem Lawal who predictably didn’t have any noteworthy impact on the match.
Chelsea’s Mikel Obi seemed to have grabbed a draw on the 87th minute but his effort was ruled offside. Sudan held out for a memorable win over the faltering Champions of Africa.
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