I HAVE decided to publish some of the feedback to issues that I raised in this column in the past few weeks. But before that, let me quickly have a few words on the football action involving Nigeria this past weekend.

First on Saturday, the Under-23 “Dream Team V” as the media loves to call them, recorded a gusty come-from-behind 3-1 win over the Black Meteors of Ghana in an All-Africa Games qualifier in Benin. I missed the game, but all the reports I have received indicate that Austin Eguavoen’s team were good for the win against a Ghanaian side that paraded several  players from the Black Stars 2010 FIFA World Cup squad.

Considering our historic rivalry with Ghana and the pains they have inflicted on us especially in the recent past, any sort of win over them deserves salute, so I congratulate “Cerezo” and his boys. However, the second leg of the tie promises to be explosive as the Ghanaians only need a 2-0 win to advance on the away goals rule.

I was in Accra in 2008 when Samson Siasia’s own Under-23 Eagles arrived in town to hold the Ghanaians to a priceless goalless draw which qualified Nigeria for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games after we won the first leg 3-2 in Abuja. Just one goal would have taken Ghana to the Olympics instead of Nigeria, but Siasia’s boys put a resolute defence on the way to what eventually turned out to be a silver-winning performance in China.

Eguavoen’s boys hold an even better advantage this time around, but if they let Ghana get an early goal in the return leg, pressure will mount and a decisive second will become inevitable. My  advice, therefore, is that Nigeria should lock out the game in the early period and not allow the Ghanaians a sniff of our goal-mouth. The longer the match drags on without a goal, the more desperate Ghana will become and Nigeria can then catch them on the counter when the opportunity arrives.

But, make no mistake, Nigerians. If what I witnessed at the Ohene-Djan Stadium in 2008 is anything to go by, it promises to be a bruising battle for our boys again in front of a very hostile crowd.

While the Under-23 boys were smelling roses of their performance in Benin on Saturday, same could not be said of the Super Falcons who got their 2011 Women’s World Cup under way against France on Sunday. Apart from some bullish defending and brave goal-keeping, the Falcons had little or nothing to offer in terms of creativity and excitement and deservedly lost 1-0.

The Falcons’ technique on the ball was generally poor; tactics virtually non-existent and the famous pace that veterans Stella Mbachu and Perputual Nkwocha had used to kill off many opponets in the past has finally deserted them. Even the young striker Desire Oparanozie was a disappointment, as she fluffed Nigeria’s best chance of the game when she had only the French goalkeeper to beat. True, we shouldn’t complain everytime we lose, but the Falcons’ performance was simply poor.

But, let’s face it: we always knew that the Falcons would struggle under coach Eucharia Uche’s tentative tutelage, so we shouldn’t be too disappointed.

While standing by Uche in this column a few months ago when her removal was being contemplated following her team’s elimination from the All Africa Games, I said we should stop making the mistake of hiring the wrong coaches, and then looking to sack them on the eve of a World Cup. I said also that even if Germany would beat us 8-0 again like they did last year, that would be our punishment for appointing our coaches based on sentiments.

Our next game at the World Cup is against the hosts, Germany, on Thursday. Someone should please tell them that I was only joking when I hinted about another 8-0. I didn’t mean it!
Now to your letters...

Our Real Dream Team

lANYTIME we play Ghana, I’m so scared because the’re so tough. Therefore, I congratulate our Under-23 team for a job well done. When some boys in my area beat up some Ghana boys in a street fight, I celebrated the “win” as if Nigeria had won the FIFA World Cup. – Adaptation of a message posted on Facebook by Kester Buzugbe.

lTHE Nigeria - Ghana first leg game was a classic. The Ghanaians were very good and skillful, but our team showed great strength and character and it paid off. I think the future of the Super Eagles is very bright with the quality of this Dream Team. Ghana played with seven of their 2010 World Cup stars, but our boys still beat them 3-1. It was a fantastic performance but  the second leg is going to be very tough. – Toyin Ibitoye (Channels Television) who watched the game in Benin.

* Thanks for this contribution to Soccertalk, Toyin. Spot on.

lAUSTINE EGUAVOEN must work harder on his boys ahead of the All-Africa Games qualifier second leg in Ghana. I say kudos to them and the Edo State government for a good first leg win in Benin, but this tie is not over yet.

* I agree with you completely.

NFF versus “NFA”

lMumini, it’s a surprise that people don’t learn from history. If FIFA should ban us as a result of Maigari and co., Nigerians will never forgive them. - Tao, 08058134426.

lThere should be a stakeholders forum that would be able to caution the erring faction and let them know what is good for sports in general rather than bring calamity to the progress of our sport. Journalists shouldn’t relent in stopping sycophants from putting  our sport into shame. - Olaide, 08059877784.

lDear Mumini, my question is: If  Aminu Maigari decided to honour the round-table agreement between him, Jarret Tenebe, Dr. Patrick Ekeji and co, will FIFA ban Nigeria?

This matter can be resolved amicably. Maigari is just the difference between an African and a white man who will place his country first. You can’t compare Maigari with Rochas Okorocha, Bode Oguntuyi, Toyin Ibitoye or Wole Soyinka. He will be held responsible for whatever happens to Nigerian football. - P. Okonkwo, Lagos.

lHi, Mumini. That NFF did not keep to an agreement does not give Harrison Jala & co. the right to set up another FA. If they are right, then people like Odegbami, Adeh, Owumi and co. will set up their own FA and Gen. Buhari will also set up a parallel government in Nigeria. Patrick Ekeji should call his boys to order. - Idowu Adepoju, Wuse, Abuja.

lHello. Concerning the NFF issues, the problem cannot be solved unless people are truthful enough to face the reality. Most people at the helm of affairs in this country are not honourable. - Oriola, Lagos.

lPlease, keep on advising the NFF so that FIFA will not ban Nigeria. I cherish the Super Eagles more than my club. - Azeez, Owode, Ogun State.

lDr. Patrick Ekeji was aware when the NFA and other sport associations in Nigeria changed to Federation. He should call his boys to order. - 08037160605

lThe creation of NCAS (Nigeria Court of Arbitration for Sport) plus Adokiye working out modalities are excellent. But I think adherence to verdicts made by this court would be hard as people would seek more satisfaction beyond the court especially when it involves those who put the idea together. The ‘Nigeria factor’ will surely come to bear, it’s not yet uhuru. However, I wish the stakeholders justice. - Akinya-Olugbenga David , Lagos.

lI don’t believe Adokiye will be fair if NFF and Tenebe matter gets to his NCAS. He’s already pro-Jalla’s NFA in all his comments. - Bayo, Edo State.

lDishonouring a signed agreement which they were not forced to sign shows that the NFF members are just politicians who want to kill our football. May God help us. - 08051479043.

lThe problem facing our football is purely lack of integrity on the part of those who run the game. These charlattans could hinder the Super Eagles from playing at the next Nations Cup if care is not taken. I pray our leaders will not wake up when it is too late. - Karebo, Abuja.

lPeople in the NFF can’t pretend that they don’t know the content of the agreement they signed with Jalla. Why are they shying away from the truth? Maigari will be held responsible if anything should happen to our national happiness. He should be man enough to honour his agreement. - Tochukwu Mbah, Lagos.

Honourable People

lMr. Alao, I want to say that I am very proud of those gentlemen that resigned from the Nigeria Premier League (NPL)  media committee to save their conscience. I am particularly moved by Bode Oguntuyi’s spiritual remark that “eternity will come because God is constant. I choose to live in preparation for eternity. Shalom!” I hope people will reflect on this statement. - Ifeanyi, Abuja.

lYour piece on ‘Honourable People’ is a bitter truth. However gloomy Nigeria’s sky is due to greed and corruption, there will always be silver linings. Adokiye Amiesimaka, Owelle Okorocha et al’s deeds show they are Nigeria’s silver linings of hope and integrity. - Engr. Ekundayo, Lagos.

lThose running our football are not honourable. If Maigari signed an agreement with Jalla, then he has no other option than to honour it because we will not forgive him if this tussle leads to a FIFA ban. - Ifeanyi Attueyi.

Kanu Testimonial

lYour piece on Nwankwo Kanu was a classic. On a personal note, I think he is a phenomenon. I have always enjoyed your firm and critical view, especially on age cheats. However, I must state that I do not agree with your comment on Kanu’s true age. - 08020734365.

lTalking about Kanu, he is Nigeria’s best player of all time. He belongs to the class of legends in world football too. - 08055487953.

lThank you for the write-up on Kanu. He is the type of player I love to see on the field of play. I will miss him in the Super Eagles. Apart from the ‘Papilo Feint’, he is a great passer of the ball and he does so in style and with flair. The one that easily comes to mind was the pass he made to John Utaka which gave us a 2-1 win over Cameroun in Tunisia 2004. His humility in no small way contributed to his huge success and other players should emulate this. - Tunji Olaniyi, Ibadan.

Super Falcons

lIT IS about time our Super Falcon shed their toga as “local champions” in Africa and raise their profile on the world stage. – Akin Oluwaseun.

*Not  with the kind of performance they put up against France in their opening game of the World Cup finals in Germany.

lA team of black female footballers cannot win a Women’s World Cup because their anatomy and, to some extent, physiology are not out cut for it. These same factors give blacks the edge in track events. (So we should stop aching over the performance of the Super Falcons). – Dr. A.A. Maisaje, Kaduna.

* Thank you, sir. But how come the male black stands a chance and the female doesn’t?
lI FULLY support Falcons coach Eucharia Uche’s comments on gay people. Just as the white people loathe polygamy which is an African culture, so should we Africans shy away from what we think about their gay culture. – Korede. J.A., Offa.

* I hear you.


Siasia versus Osaze

lI OBJECT to anyone (including NFF president Aminu Maigari) mediating in the Samson Siasia-Osaze Odemwingie saga. Peter should apologize, simple! In terms of achievement, Peter is a ..... (censored!) compared to Siasia. Besides, Siasia is his coach and boss, final. I’m disappointed in Peter. He could be Super Eagles boss tomorrow. He’s sowing bad deeds. – Howard Odigie, Lagos.

* Apart from your one harsh word which I censored, I agree with you, Howard. It’s generally good to mediate and settle disagreements between people, but in this particular case, what is required is for Osaze to admit his mistake and apologise.

Season of Speculations

lSOMEONE should remind Arsene Wenger that the ‘busy’ summer that he promised has so far been quiet. What has happened to the signing of Samba, Cahill and Gervinho? Personally, I’ll bid Arsenal goodbye if the squad is not significantly improved this summer. – Chijioke I, via email.

*Then, you’re not a true Gunner!

lTRANSFER window is always my most enjoyable part of the season. I’m liking these speculations. – Ajah Nonyerem Ralph, via email.

*In that case, I hereby speculate that you have been signed by Blackpool for Ten Thousand Naira! Enjoy it.

lMUMINI, I beg, don’t sign for “them” ooooo! Up Liverpool. – Okhuegbe Enaho, via email.
* I hear you, my brother. No shaking.

FREEZING ignorance! Obinna Nsofor to Russia? Haruna Lukman and Brown Ideye to Ukraine? No easier way to freeze national calls and devalue one’s career. Don’t these guys have anybody advising them? – Prince.

* What do you want the poor chaps to do since mainland European teams don’t consider them good enough? I think it’s better to be freezing on the pitch than freeze on the bench. As for national calls, Siasia will still call them if he has no better options.

lMUMINI, I doubt if you know anything about PROFIT and TROPHY. How could you say Arsene Wenger is stingy when he is actually prudent. And since the Arsenal board of directors are not complaning, what is your own problem? – Orawusi, Lagos.

* I’m very sorry, sir!

lI THINK Wenger is not only stingy, but also stupid. But don’t worry, we’ll sign Lionel Messi for 150million pounds this season. Up Gunners! – Remzy Remzy.
* Up Gunners.

lLOOK, Mumini, Chelsea cannot buy you for Zero Kobo. So, keep your Soccertalk in your house. – No Name (0808494440).

* Where’s your sense of humour?

lHELLO, Mumini, please show some respect for us Arsenal fans. As far as I’m concerned, we’re not suffering at all. We play the best football on the planet, we defeated the so called Barca at the Emirates and would have eliminated them from the Champions League but for UEFA-referees gang-up against us. Our only problem is Mr. Arsene Wenger. – No Name (08059195910)

*Then,you don’t have any problem at all!

lIT’S okay if you sign for Chelsea for 70million pounds so that you will never walk alone again this coming season after years of convulsion with Liverpool. Blue is the colour, Blue for life. – K.B. Father, Ojodu, Lagos.

lIN FACT, we Chelsea fans will welcome you as our next manager. We know you can do the job. Blue is the colour. – No Name (08051918877)
* Thank you, but you now have a new coach.

lMUMINI!!! Don’t sign for Chelsea o! Stockport have a better deal on the table for you. – Deji Tinubu, Lagos.

* Thanks, Deji. Be my manager and fix the deal. Your cut from the transfer fee is 100 per cent!

National Sports Festival

lMumini, can you please tell Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi to urgently order the patching of the road into Port Harcourt coming from Bayelsa State? Facilities for National Sports Festival include motorable roads. The fact that it is a Federal road is no excuse. - 08033363456.