That’s why sometimes I find it difficult to celebrate what should be pedestrian achievements - qualifying to represent Africa in intercontinental competitions. When we so often struggle to win it is usually an indication of how poorly we are taking our sports development. Nigeria should, like Brazil in South America, always emerge as Africa’s representative in most sports especially football.

So, the Flying Eagles returned from Johannesburg early this week with the African Youth Championship crown. In the final match the team put up a gutsy performance against the Cameroon to upturn an earlier defeat during the first round of matches. What was very evident was that the Cameroon came to the championship with men looking closer to 30 than 20 for a competition meant for boys under 20. I listened to commentaries about the championship and what most analysts had to say was that most of the teams, including eventual champions, Nigeria, presented teams that did not look like boys! Even then, Nigeria, in my limited estimation, presented what looked like one of the youngest teams in the championship even if that is no excuse for even one misdemeanour.  On the eve of the final match I read a report in the newspaper about my friend and colleague,  ‘Chief Justice’ Adokie Amiesimaka’s comments about a few of Nigeria’s players and my heart sank.

Adokie is a very respected voice in Nigeria, a man of straight ways and exemplary conduct.  He does not talk flippantly. For him to have once again raised his voice and drawn the attention of Nigerians to the complicity of the Nigerian football authorities in fielding players that they knew were over the eligible age for the championship, meant there must be some substance in what he was saying. He cannot and must not be ignored, as there may be grave danger in doing so.
 

At the rate things are deteriorating and accusations are mounting about the credibility of the age-grade competitions, CAF and/or FIFA may decide to take up the matter very seriously and conduct a thorough investigation.  African countries (including Nigeria) may be found out and the consequences for Africa, for whose benefit these competitions were introduced to start with, will be grave. African countries will undoubtedly become the greatest losers by having to face painful, international humiliation.
 

Adokie has raised a serious charge by questioning the authenticity of the ages of some named players that were in his local club many years ago, that he knew personally and had evidence of their ‘changing’ ages through the years to buttress his accusation. These players continue to be paraded in age-grade competitions at great risk to the integrity of the country. Adokie’s charges should be investigated immediately. If the players are that good they can very easily be drafted to the correct age-category they are found to belong!  Adokie’s views must not be disregarded by the authorities. As Nigerians are joyous at the success of the Flying Eagles, and the substance of his accusations remain uncleared, our celebration can only be limited. Whether we like it or not, the Flying Eagles’ victory has been slightly tainted by the  question of credibility, and doubts have been raised that will continue to hang around the heads of the Nigerian players concerned until they are cleared of the charges!
 

The issue of age-cheats is generating more global interest than ever before. The studio discussions on some Supersports television  programs during the competition speak volumes. What was once an isolated practice amongst a few African countries (led by Nigeria) has now become the norm in the continent.  Age-grade competitions were conceived by FIFA to drive the process of bridging the gulf between the Third World footballing countries and the more advanced cultures. The purpose is defeated when teams cheat. Teams (particularly from Africa) are now doing everything to win at all cost. The players see the junior events as a shortcut to be invited to the national teams, as a short cut to joining the professional football train to foreign clubs, and to means of being given stupendous rewards even at this level.

The only way this matter can be tackled is for CAF and FIFA to insist that national associations investigate claims and charges. National associations must also ensure that the players that represent them are products of grassroots football development programmes that are institutionalised. Finally, a proper system of data collection of young talent must be established.  Until that is done I cannot blame those of us that are fast losing our appetite for the Under-17 and the AYC championships.
 

Fortunately, all three suggestions above are in the pipeline of execution in Nigeria through some independent projects that I can attest to because I am involved!    
Having said that I still must congratulate the Flying Eagles for their performance during the championship and for lifting the gloom from the faces of Nigerians following the ugly incidents that smeared some aspects of the recent national elections in Nigeria. It was indeed shameful to read about the killings of innocent citizens during the polls, particularly Youth Corp members, whose presence and role during the elections gave the elections significant credibility. I hope that the Federal Government will quickly put in place some programmes that shall genuinely offer the opportunity for reconciliation, peace, friendship, and unity amongst all Nigerians. 
Meanwhile, this is to wish them luck as they prepare to go to the World Youth Championship where they will be tested even more by more technically savvy teams.

NIGERIA MAY HOST NEXT AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS!
 

It is likely that the next African Cup of Nations will be held in Nigeria. With the political crisis in Libya not abating, as it happened with the recently concluded African Youth Championship, the Confederation of African Football, CAF, is likely to take the next CAN away from the North African country to the standby host country which I am told by a reliable friend is Nigeria. I am told that this decision was taken at the time Libya won the bid.
 

Should that be the case, and the Nigeria Football Association is aware of this possible scenario, I am surprised that nothing is being said or done about it up till now, particularly following what happened to the African Youth Championship finally hosted by a totally unprepared South Africa. . 
I am excited about the prospect of Nigeria hosting CAN again. Why? It will be a litmus test. 

Since 1995 when Nigeria hosted the first African Youth Championship one personality in Nigerian football scene has driven every international competition Nigeria has hosted. Yes, there is no competition hosted by Nigeria since 1995 that has not been run under the aegis of my friend, Dr. Amos Adamu. Unfortunately, he will not be available for this event. He has been the ‘pilot’ of every sports event hosted by Nigeria in 16 years. My particular interest in this CAN championship (if it happens) is to see how Nigeria will fare without Adamu as the puppeteer. What would be different this time around? Every previous championship has seemingly not left dividends that would make Nigerians eager to host another competition even when global practice identifies the enormous benefits and socio-economic uses to which these events can be put. Will a new and different face at the head produce tangible, measurable dividends from a new and improved CAN after the splendid experiences of Ghana 2008 and South Africa 2010? I hope!
 

Nigeria must start early and be ready. The most important requirement is already on ground - the many good pitches around the country. Apart from that, hosting CAN shall provide the country with a good opportunity to also win it for the third time playing at home. The country needs this psychological boost at this period in its political life to help the government propagate the spirit of friendship, peace, unity, cooperation, healthy competition, and integration of the people through sport.
Olusegunodegbami@hotmail.com

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR PLAYERS: WILL TAKE THEM? I HOPE...
 

The history of footballers and academic scholarships is long and disappointing. After a few failed attempts in the past three decades to get young footballers to take up academic scholarships as reward for successes achieved at age-grade competitions governments stopped offering the ‘supposed students’ scholarships as rewards.

 They never seemed to appreciate them nor take them up. Even when the scholarships were into schools abroad. I was pleasantly surprised, therefore, when during the reception for the Under-20 Flying Eagles in Lagos this week, the Minister offered the players scholarships to take their academics to the highest level. I was curious to know why he chose scholarships. His explanation blew my mind!
 

The honourable Minister of Sports, Professor Taoheed Adedoja, referred specifically to the opportunity that the Open University scheme offers the players. Part-time studies through the Open University system is an ingenuous arrangement that will make the players play their football at the highest level and still pursue academics on part time basis paid for by the Nigerian government. It is truly unique. I am anxiously hoping that many of the players that may not be in a higher institution at the moment will take up the offer and enjoy this ‘key to a great future’. It is an offer too good to miss. I plead with members of the Flying Eagles to take up the offer for whatever it is worth.