Posted by Adekunle Salami on
The ten-man committee,set up by the Minister of Sports and Social Development to ensure Nigeria's qualification for the Germany 2006 World Cup meets on Monday in Abuja.
The ten-man committee,set up by the Minister of Sports and Social Development to ensure Nigeria's qualification for the Germany 2006 World Cup meets on Monday in Abuja.
Our correspondent learnt on Thursday that the minister, Colonel Musa Muhammed, has directed that the body should start work with immediate effect.
The Task Force became necessary following Nigeria's dismal outing against Angola in the World Cup/Nations Cup qualifier decided last Saturday in Kano.
The body is expected to work on strategies to guarantee the qualification of the Super Eagles for the next World Cup inspite of the current difficult situation on hand.
A cream of who-is-who in the football scene in Nigeria is on the ten-man list of the Task Force.
The body, headed by the Permanent Secretary in the Sports ministry, Ambassador Thaddeus Daniel Hart, has FIFA/CAF Match Commissioner, Bolaji Ojo-Oba, as Secretary.
Other members of the committee are CAF Executive member, Amos Adamu, CAF Instructor, Chief Adegboye Onigbinde, former NFA scribe, Sani Toro, and NFA Chairman, Ibrahim Galadima
Other are Acting NFA Secretary General, Fanny Amun, former Eagles Captain, Chief Segun Odegbami, NFA technical Committee Chairman, David Suleiman and Sports Editor of Vanguard, Onochie Anibeze.
The Super Eagles disappointed the nation, playing 1-1 draw against the Palancas Negras at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano last Saturday.
Nigeria and Angola now have 15 points on the Group Four table but the Angolans are on top of the group on a head-to-head rule.
Our correspondent learnt the minister has assured that the body would be given all the support to succeed in this crucial national assignment.
The Punch, Friday, June 24, 2005