Posted by The Punch on
The 15th FIFA World Youth Championship (WYC) tagged Netherlands 2005 has come and gone, but the memory will linger for a long time.
The 15th FIFA World Youth Championship (WYC) tagged Netherlands 2005 has come and gone, but the memory will linger for a long time.
Considering the way African representatives was treated with contempt during the 15th edition, it seems the Federation of International Football Association, FIFA, was against the ambition of African nations in making meaningful impact in any of its international competitions.
It is time the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) protested against FIFA for loving to bring to ridicule African nations, Nigeria inclusive, whenever international competitions are organized.
From the first round of the 2005 WYC, one could observe the injustice meted to African representatives.
The final match between Nigeria and Argentina was a sham. While it is true that the Nigerian lads missed about four scoring chances before an Argentine attacker was brought down in Nigeria's 18 yard box, resulting in the first spot kick given to the Argentines, the fact remains that Nigeria also had a penalty kick when No. 14 Jersey, Abwo, was brought down at the Argentine's 18 yard box.
Football fans all over the world must have been shocked by the way the Norwegian referee overlooked the offence, as the Argentines are notorious for winning by cheating.
Should Nigeria qualify for the 2006 World Cup, we would surely meet again, and the best shall emerge victorious.
Meanwhile, I advise FIFA to desist from being partial whenever its officials are involved in any international football fiesta.
The Nigeria Football Association should wake up from its slumber, now that the possibility of qualifying for the Nations Cup and World Cup is almost a mirage.
We should stop hiring technical advisers that are not known even in their local leagues, like Westerhof, Bonfere Joe, Fillipe Troussier, the white witch doctor.
Rather, we should go for household names like Ferguson, Murinho, the present coach of Chelsea F. C. of England, Arsene Wenger, etc.
In the interim, some of the boys in the Flying Eagles should graduate to the national team, while some should graduate to the U-23 team in preparation for the next Olympic Games.
Ernest Ibitomisin,Ado - Ekiti, Ekiti State.
The Punch Tuesday, July 12, 2005