Pertinent questions and glaring truths staring Nigerian Football Federation on the face

When all parties meet at the crossroads, the Nigerian football ecosystem must face some hard questions head-on. The subject of infrastructure will continue to dominate the fore of discussion when Nigeria football is juxtaposed with its contemporaries in the beautiful game.

When one looks in hindsight, the Nigerian Football Federation has not given Nigeria even a single football pitch as a federation. The trend is recent times has been such that the NFF shops the Super Eagles around states governors, delivering the team to the highest bidders, so as to make money for onward self aggrandizement.

Since the assumption of Sunday Dare into office as the country’s Sports Minister, the Ministry has fixed a number of Stadium across the country, from Lagos, to Abuja, to Daura. It would have been good wisdom if the NFF showed interest in picking up and caring for at least of the many pitches across the country, for utilization by the national teams.

The Football Federation have instead distanced themselves from the talks of football infrastructure in the country, while the Ministry as being continues to invest efforts in it. The only two on-going stadium projects for football are domiciled in the hometowns of the two leaders of the NFF, perhaps in a smirking move of selfishness.

One can only wonder what usually happens to all the developmental funds FIFA and CAF continually pours in the Federation over the years. One would struggle to find a worthy infrastructural value addition from the Federation.

Sunday Dare will perhaps go down as one of the most cooperative, open and collaborative minister. For every decision, it is discussed with the NFF towards ensuring best choices are made. From Amaju Pinnick to Mohammed Sanusi and others, they have been seen having briefs with the minister on numerous occasions.