LEAD STORIES: BESIKTAS LEAD IN ENERAMO CHASE  |  EMENIKE SET FOR FENERBAHCE RETURN  |  HULL SACK OLOFINJANA  |  PILLARS SETTLE PLAYERS’ DEBT  |  MARTINS BACK IN FULL TRAINING FOR MLS CLUB  |  KESHI LEADS 12 HOME-BASED EAGLES TO GERMANY  | 

Nigerian Football - The Way Forward (1)

Posted: Oct 20, 2011

WHEN an elephant dies, all sorts of knives will emerge (Yoruba proverb).
Expectedly, all sorts of knives have been on parade since the proverbial “elephant of Nigerian football” died with the Super Eagles failure to qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations. Every Ikechukwu, Olamide and Umaru (take that to represent every Tom, Dick and Harry) has had something to say about the state of Nigerian football and how we found ourselves at this sorry pass. Unfortunately, however, not every commentator has a clue on how to get us out of our present quagmire.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has not helped matters by dragging its feet on the fate of Samson Siasia. Will he be retained as coach of the Super Eagles or will he be fired? The longer the NFF remains indecisive, the bigger the confusion they will create and the less time we have to get back to the business of putting our football back on track.
Amidst the cacophony of voices currently dominating the airwaves on the ills of Nigerian football, it is pertinent for the NFF to immediately end all speculations on the Siasia affair and turn their attention to charting a new way forward for the restoration of the game.
One of the ways to do this is to set up three-man administrative panel to invite and collect memoranda from all football stakeholders - current and former international players, coaches, administrators, journalists and fans many of whom are very intelligent. Repeat: very intelligent.
The memoranda will be collated within a specified time frame; the three-man panel will sort them out and then submit to the executive committee of the NFF who will consider the suggestions proffered and then adopt the most sensible ones to chart a new path for our football. That, simply put, is my recommendation to NFF president Alhaji Aminu Maigari at this moment.
Acting on my own recommendation, I have reproduced below relevant sections of a report that I was part of sometime in May, 1999. Following the poor performance of our Under-20 team, the Flying Eagles, at the 10th FIFA World Youth Championship hosted by Nigeria between 3rd and 24th April, 1999, the then Nigeria Football Association (NFA)  set up a panel to examine the reasons for the Flying Eagles’ failure and to make specific and general recommendations for the future. The panel was headed by Chief Amanze Uchegbulam and it was my responsibility as one of the members to prepare the final report of our findings and recommendations. Under “Special Recommendations,” our panel suggested as follows 12 YEARS AGO...

Special Recommendations
The panel observed during its deliberations that one major problem with Nigerian football and which also adversely affected the Flying Eagles at the 10th FIFA World Youth Championship is the issue of the true ages of Nigerian youth team players. Although the subject was not listed amongst our terms of reference, it reoccured so much in the testimonies of our respondents that it would not be fair to ignore it.
Most of the respondents averred that the ages declared by the Nigerian players were questionable, if not downright false. They argued that the situation is already having negative consequences on the national team as players expected to graduate from the youth teams actually burn out by the time they reach the senior national team.
The pannel agrees with this observation and wish to recommend the following criteria for the invitation of players to the various national teams, effective the date of the adoption of this report.

lUnder-17 (Golden Eaglets)
The players should be recruited strictly from the grassroots, secondary school competitions and the amateur club sides. No Professional League player should be called up to the team. Also, no foreign-based players should be considered for invitation.
Our Contention: There are hardly any players in the Professional League who have not first played in the Amateur ranks either at State or National levels. After putting in a few years in the Amateur League, they can hardly be under-17 by the time they get to the Pro-League.

lUnder-20 (Flying Eagles)
The players should be recruited from the tertiary institutions (that is Universities and Polytechnics Games) as well as from the Professional and/or Amateur Leagues as the coach desires. The Professional League players should NOT have spent more than four years in the Pro-League. The team should not contain more than 4 (four) foreign-based players at a time and  these should be players properly transferred by the NFA. Exception should, however, be made for players of the most recent Under-17 squad, whether based at home or abroad.
Our Contention: By the time a player spends four years in the Professional League he cannot reasonably be Under-20 again. After four years in the Professional League, such player should be aspiring to the Under-23 team or the Super Eagles.
The restriction of foreign-based players is to provide deliberate opportunity for the home-based players to excel. Besides, with home-based boys, there is a better chance of long, adequate camping which is a necessity at this level of football. Players picked from the most recent Under-17 squad are exempted from the restriction in order to encourage continuity in the graduation of national team players from one age-group to the other.

lUnder-23 (Olympic Team)
This team is close to the national team itself, and so a high degree of professionalism is required. In order to fit reasonably within the age-limit, however, the team should be restricted to players who have spent not more than six (6) years in the Professional League, or who transferred abroad before their six-year span expired in the local league.
The majority of the players may come from foreign-based clubs, but no less than six (6) of the final squad of 22 players should be home-based. Exception again should be made for players from the recent Under-20 team in order to encourage continuity and graduation of players from one age-group to another.
Our Contention: There should be a continuous, deliberate effort to give home-based players a chance in the Under-23 national team. Coaches should be tasked to discover these players and a minimum six out of 22 is fair enough.

lNational Team (Super Eagles)
Emphasis should be given to players who have gone through the age-group cadres. The tendency is that, having gone through that regimen, these players would be more adaptable (and coachable) than players coming in at the top. Also, such progression encourages continuity.  Whatever the case might be, however, at least four (4)  of the final selection of 22 players to a competition should be home-based boys.
Furthermore, there should be a monthly gathering of the best home-based players to form a National “B” team which many refer to as “Standing Team”. This team should play warm-up games periodically and it is from there that the four or more who will make the final 22 will come from.
Our Contention: We recognize the merit in the argument that a country’s national team should be constituted by its best players where ever they may be at any point in time, either home or abroad. But we aver that Nigeria needs a deliberate policy to encourage and develop the home-based players, so the recommendation that at least four slots be reserved for them. Besides, in the domestic league lies the future of Nigerian Football.
lWomen’s Team (Super Facons)
Only the best should be selected at all times, irrespective of age.

lGeneral Advice on Monitoring and Recruitment of National Team Players
For all cadres of the national team, there must be adequate monitoring of the players, especially the foreign-based players. This is where a well equipped Technical Department will come in useful with relevant data, latest information about current from, etc.
Coaches in the Professional and  Amateur leagues should be instructed to pick the best player from the opposing side every week in every league match. Such names must be submitted to the Match Commissioner who will forward the names to the NFA Secretariat for recording by the Technical Department. Players whose names occur frequently in such “Best Opposing Player” polls will be considered highly for the national teams, depending on their age bracket.
If a particular player is picked very often by different coaches in the national league, he must have something special which the national team selectors must look out for.
Finally, all national team players must command regular places in their respective clubsides either as a first team starter, or regular substitute. A player who is sitting permanently on the bench at his club certainly cannot be good enough for the national team.

lRecommendations on Nigeria’s Participation in Future Competitions
As an antidote to avoid future poor outing such as this, panel recommends that the NFA should consider the possibility of a total shut-down of Nigeria’s participation in international competitions for a period of time to enable the Association to carry out a thorough grassroots search and grooming of talents, in addition to laying a solid foundation as was done in the past by countries like Algeria, Egypt, Tunisia, Holland and lately Ghana or, alternatively, the NFA should get involved in only selected international competitions as a departure from what operates at present where the country is involved in all international competitions without the results to show.

lGeneral Observation/Recommendations By Respondents On The Way Forward For Nigerian Football.
The pannel encouraged all its respondents to make observations and recommendations both within and outside the scope of our Terms of Reference. Following are the highlights of such observation/recommendations on the way forward for Nigerian Football.
Mr. Thijs Libregts, National Technical Adviser
Observation
The administration of Nigerian football is very poor. The NFA has no structure, no work methods and no planning. There is a quantity of staff but no quality. Only few of the people involved in running Nigerian football are interested in the development of the game. Others are self-seekers.
The Under-20 team was a mess. The coaches were not good enough. Most officials worked at cross-purposes and as rivals. There was no co-operation. Nigerian football is dying.
Recommendation
The NFA should be reorganised. Coaches need to be trained so that there is one football language and one philosophy throughout all the national teams. There should be greater co-operation amongst everyone involved.
Mr. Fabio Lanipekun, Veteran Journalist
Observation
Nigerian sports is “over-governed”. Football organization is very poor. Decent people have been scared away from football. Soccer fans have been alienated from watching league matches because of poor organization and poor standard. There’s “Federal Character Syndrome” in the national teams selections.
Recommendation
Government should reduce its involvement in sports to provision of facilities setting of policy guidelines only. Private sector should run the game . Coaches and players should be selected on merit. League matches should be played at good stadia. League coaches should be involved in recommending national team players through “Best Opposing Player” polls.
Linus Mba, Retired FIFA Referee
Observation
There is no specific development programme put in place for Nigerian football through which the country’s progress can be monitored. The game is grinding to a halt!
Recommendation
A youth development programme should be drawn up to graduate players from grassroot and primary schools, and monitored through Local Government Sports Committees, State Football Associations and on to the NFA.
NFA to constitute a Youth Development Committee to monitor the programme, employ and train specialized coaches to be on contract.
Decree 101 should be abrogated and NFA Board expanded to curb domination by club owners.
Mr. Muyiwa Daniel, Journalist
Observation
Decree 101 is an albatross for Nigerian football. There is too much Government interference in the running of the Game.
Recommendation
Club owners should run the Professional League while the NFA Board should be constituted according to CAF/FIFA Statutes.
Mr. Fatai Amao (Ex-International/Coach)
Observation
There is too much interference in the work of coaches both at club and national levels. Officials want to win at all costs, putting too much pressure on coaches. Excessive reliance on foreign-based players on the part of coaches.
Recommendation
Coaches should be placed on contract and given time frames to perform. Appointments should be on merit. Coaches should resist interference or resign. Inactive coaches should not be employed by the national teams.
Alhaji Sani Toro, Former Secretary-General, NFA
Observation
Excessive pressure on NFA Secretariat by government officials on crucial decisions like appointment of coaches and negotiation of sponsorship contracts. Late release of funds.
Recommendation.
All national coaches to be appointed on merit and put on contract. NFA should be free to seek and negotiate its sponsorship contracts. Private Football Academies should be encouraged for youth development. NFA should pick few competitions to participate in especially in the face of funds scarcity. Office of the Secretary-General should report to one boss instead of two in order to avoid confusion and rancor in the management of football. NFA should plan ahead for all competitions.
Chief Jonathan Ogufere, Former President, WAFU
Observation
Youth development has been neglected. Nigerian football has slumped drastically because there is no action plan for development.
Recommendation
The objectives and imperatives of the national team should be clearly defined and deliberate action plans designed for the achievement of the set objectives. There must be close and regular monitoring during execution of the action plan. The culture of regular international friendly games should be established and maintained.
Dr. Ken Anugweje, Consultant Sports Doctor, Uniport
Observation
Military instructors should have no place in the training of footballers. Use of over-aged players in youth competition leads to short-term gains and long term losses. No succession plans for ageing players. The Nigeria Professional League is mediocre.
Recommendation
Sports scientists, exercise physiologists and sports physicians should take the place of military instructors in the national teams. Youth development programmes should be built around the club sides. Young players should be given the opportunity and time to mature into the national team.

lThe foregoing is only the first instalment of the memoranda that I will be submitting to the NFF. Watch out for another document from my archive next week. Readers who also have memorandum to submit should post it to me at soccertalk@completesportsnigeria.com. I will forward it to the NFF.
Enough of the talk. Let’s get down to work.

Jarret Tenebe Again?
lI HEAR that Jarret Tenebe’s alternative “Nigeria Football Association” have been threatening fire and brimstone again as the “legitimate” managers of Nigerian football.
I am not moved by Tenebe’s so-called threat and I think the media should stop wasting air-time and newspaper space on his group. If Tenebe and company have the muscle to implement their latest threat, they should go ahead and do so, then we will report their ACTION. We have had enough of all the noise-making on the pages of newspapers and the threats on the air-waves.
Give us some action, or forever remain silent, please. Enough is enough!


Related News

Comments

  • Moshud

    Oct 20, 2011

    Yes, a moment of refection is required, indeed imperitive but the question is would the Nigerian football administrators listen, or allow change or just give lip service to the demands and recommendations but just carry on as before. Since in status quo lays the administrators interests.

    Every Nigerian knows the problerm with Nigerian football is neither good coaches nor skillful players BUT BAD FOOTBALL ADMINISTRATORS whom are in denial and finding others to blame at every single turn. This situation would never be rectified until Nigerian football supporters hold these administrators to account.

    I guess the the state of Nigerian football administration is a reflection of the wider Nigerian society, plenty talents and resources but bad leaders equals no direction of purpose for the country.

    So, I call upon all Nigerian football suppoters to wake and stop blaming coaches, players etc and let's together for the first time shine the light on the adminstrators and get them to reform and monitor their progress and if things don't change hold the administrators responsibile no one else ! Let's make 2011 the Nigerian Football year of change.

  • Moshud

    Oct 20, 2011

    Yes, a moment of reflection is required, indeed imperative but the question is would the Nigerian football administrators listen, or allow change or just give lip service to the demands and recommendations but just carry on as before. Since in status quo lays the administrators interests.

    Every Nigerian knows the problem with Nigerian football is neither good coaches nor skilful players BUT BAD FOOTBALL ADMINISTRATORS whom are in denial and finding others to blame at every single turn. This situation would never be rectified until Nigerian football supporters hold these administrators to account.

    I guess the state of Nigerian football administration is a reflection of the wider Nigerian society, plenty talents and resources but bad leaders equals no direction of purpose for the country.

    So, I call upon all Nigerian football supporters to wake and stop blaming coaches, players etc and let's together for the first time shine the light on the administrators and get them to reform and monitor their progress and if things don't change hold the administrators responsible no one else ! Let's make 2011 the Nigerian Football year of change.

  • Yemi

    Oct 20, 2011

    Wonderful recommendations I must say. I only wonder what happened to the implementation of some if not all of these?? Hmmmm, let me guess, the typical Nigerian way of sweeping things under the carpet and waiting for the next assignment to spend money. God help us.

    My take is that we must be deliberate in our attempts to salvage Nigerian football and sports in general. There is too much lip service to football development in this country but little action. People commend Samson Siaisia for changing the national team but I would say he didn't do much. He gave fringe players an opportunity and used a lot of the players he inherited from the last coach, his boys inclusive. Who did he discover in this dispensation?? John Obi Mikel, Taye Taiwo, Peter Utaka or Joseph Yobo??Maybe Joel Obi but he could have done much better in adding more players with the talent and hunger to succeed. I would have loved to see more home based players in the team. They can't all be that bad, or are they?I remember Shuaibu Amodu once condemning players from the local league saying they were not good enough for the national team but therein lies our problem. Who should help discover and nurture these players??There needs to be a standing home based team team with players recommended through the system suggested in your write up. This is apart from the work done by the national team coaches in combing the country scouting for talents. In my opinion, national team caoches should do more in Nigeria rather than simply going abroad to monitor players we see on television week in out, that is if they even get to play at all in their clubs.There are talents all around who can be honed and harnessed for the good of this great country. Clemence Westerhof said he discovered Daniel Amokachi in Enugu when he was nobody and as they say, the rest is history, as he developed into one of Africa's finest players.My point is that I still cannot see a deliberate policy being played out in terms of football organisation and development in Nigeria. I agree that we play too many competitions with not much to show for it. That also has to be looked into. Our football philosophy in terms of the way we play has to be looked at and developed into a model that can be adopted across all national teams. If all government can do for us is to midwife this process of rebirth and then maybe have a phased withdrawal from the running of sports not just football in Nigeria, then they will have done well. Anybody that thinks government should just leave now needs to know that some of what the private sector needs, to invest in any sector of the economy, is an enabling environment, which includes, but not is not limited to, consistency in government policies and adequate protection for their investments. Right now in Nigeria and all over the world, sports is key to national integration and there is no better tool to foster a patriotic spirit in times of peace than sports and more so football when you consider the nigerian context. Herein lies the strategic imperative for government to take these recommendations more seriously.

    Once again, may I give you kudos for all the work you do in keeping all stakeholders on point.

  • Olumide Sanda

    Oct 21, 2011

    With all said our problem is people at the helm of affairs do not listen, they behave like they know and can do it all. All reasonable advice fall on deaf ears. they are proud nd arrogant.what a shame!

  • The Watcher

    Oct 21, 2011

    There are some people I expected to see their comments here but I am disappointed. I think it is simply because shouting that a coach be sacked in the face of all this analyses is like attempting to cure HIV using Panadol.
    Thank you Oga Mumuni for bringing all these out again, Seeing the comments as new as when they were first made shows how badly we have retrogressed as a football nation.
    This has happened to every aspect of our national existence. We know the problems, the questions are if we are willing to pay the prices required for successful implementation - integrity, patience, endurance, commitment, selflessness, etc.

  • Kola Usa

    Oct 21, 2011

    My own is that we have to sack Siasia and employ a foreign coach no matter what.

  • Ade

    Oct 21, 2011

    Kola usa do you have brain at all? Can't you see the trend in this article. You can as well sack him from your abode in usa.

  • قسم Qasim

    Oct 22, 2011

    Supporting one of them amount 2 supporting all. siasia is one of them 2 bcos he doesnt take advice. b4 his appointment, FG interven bcos of where he comes from. 1 of his phylosoph is my boys which hurts him. I personnally want total overhaul (fiom NFF President, DG NSC, Technical Cmtt, Siasia, etc) since Mr. 'FIFA hammer' Amos Adamu is out. wit right men on board & fans prayers & not curse as most nigeria fans do, then sky wil be d limit 4 nigeria football.

  • Sanusi Alao

    Oct 24, 2011

    Egbon, may God continue to bless you and your hand work as far as sports journalism is concern in Nigeria. It is rather unfortunate that corruption has eaten dip down into our bone marrows. Unless football revolution takes place in NFF and its affiliates, the game will remain in comatose. As regards the government involvement in the running of sports most especially, football, it will be very difficult for government to step aside because it is an avenue to siphon our money. For how long have you been recommending that they should not be directly involved in the administration of sports.All they need to do is just to provide enabling environment and allow the private sector to take the centre stage.
    The mafia that has taken NFF hostage is still much alive. They determine who is to be the Chairman of NFF, the sport staff, the coach even the players. As a football player, no matter how good you may be if you do not have the right connection you can't be invited. As for the philosophy of football to be adopted, that is not new, we all know how our national (Green Eagles) team played in those days. Let people like Justice Adokie, Chief Segun Odegbami, Coach Onigbinde and your humbleself develop a blue print on this while it will be enshrined in our school curriculum right from Basic schools through Tertiary Institutions of higher learning to our football league. We should stop copying the style of Oyinbo at all time.For how long shall we continue to be colonised?
    Sir, I know that with our prayers and doggedness, we shall win.

  • Lawal Adegboyega

    Oct 25, 2011

    Mr Alao you have done well.I hope we (NFF,coaches and all Nigerians football fans) have finally learnt our lessons in a hard way.God bless my papa land.Lets hope for the best in the year 2012.

  • Emmanuel Ene

    Oct 26, 2011

    Pls help select a coach for Super Eagles...
    (a.) Bruce Arena {American}: Currently at LA Galaxy, USA [ex USA coach...2002 Q-final]
    (b.) Leonardo {Brazilian}: Currently football director @ PSG, France. Ex coach of AC MILAN & Inter Milan.
    (c.) Liuz Scolari {Portuguese}: Currently at Palmeras, Brazil [won world cup with Brazil, 2002...ex Portugal & Chelsea coach]
    (d.) Bruno Metsu {French}: Currently at Al-Gharafa, Qatar [ex Senegal coach, 2002 world cup]
    (e.) Frank Rijkaard {Dutch}: Currently at Saudi Arabia [ex Barcelona coach]
    (f.) Carlo Ancelloti {Italian}: Currently free. Ex coach of Italy, Juventus, AC Milan, Chelsea
    (g.) Jürgen Klopp {German}: Currently at Borrusia Dortmund, Germany
    To be assisted by Eguaveon or Oliseh. Both have acquired UEFA Pro licenses.
    5yrs contract: 2014 world cup semi final target!
    Siasia doesn’t have any coaching certificate.

    MY RATINGS ARE:
    Based on Experience & Maturity:
    (1.) Luiz Scolari*** [96%]…62yrs
    (2.) Carlo Ancelloti*** [90%]…52yrs
    (3.) Bruce Arena**[85%]…60yrs
    Based on Flair & Tactics:
    (1.) Leonardo**[80%]…42yrs
    (2.) Frank Rijkaard**[80%]…49yrs
    (3.) Bruno Metsu**[80%]…57yrs
    (4.) Jürgen Klopp [76%]…44yrs

    My BEST TWO OPTIONS: Luiz Scolari or Leonardo

  • Emmanuel Ene

    Oct 26, 2011

    Siasia is my personal friend but he doesn’t have any recognized coaching certificate. When I said that SIASIA should be exposed to 2yrs of coaching in a European club before taking charge of the Super Eagles, his supporters believed he was already matured enough to take up the job, now they are telling us we should forgive him, that he will learn from his mistakes! I like him a lot, but it will be unfair for us to ask the NFF to retain him when he couldn't even go close to the target NFF gave him, and yet we were the same people that asked the NFF to sack Amodu even though Amodu met all their targets.
    The solution to all these confusion is for Nigerians to adopt a long term planning program whereby a world class foreign coach is hired for a 5yr long term deal, & about 6 top Nigerian coaches are sponsored by NFF abroad on attachment to top European clubs like Porto, Villarreal, Bayern Munich, and Man City, who will nurture them to come back and handle the national teams! If we are not ready to adopt this method with patience, then we'll continue to move around in a circle!
    Siasia fought with Oliseh at camp in USA 94 few days before Nigeria lost to Italy, but Westerhof forgave them. Yet, as a coach; Siasia has displayed great arrogance, unforgiving attitude and lacks the psyche to handle the temperaments & egos of our players. He needs more exposure...Amodu handled Orlando pirates...Keshi handled Togo & Mali...but Siasia doesn’t want to step out into the outside world. He failed to win Holland u-20 world cup...Beijing u-23 gold...crashed out early during Egypt u-20 nations cup...lost out at Wafu cup...got kicked out of champions league with Heartland…and can't even get us to the nations cup!...and yet some people are rooting for him & his bad luck just because they like his face!
    What was Emenike doing in the field when Kalu Uche, Ike Uche, Brown Ideye, Austin Ejide & Ahmed Musa were kept on the bench? Siasia has to receive a sack letter from NFF so that he will know he’s not above the law. If He had succeeded, we would have praised Him as the Messiah, so now that he has failed, he should also accept the blame. Siasia will get a second chance in the coming years. Amodu has been contracted 4 times, Christian Chukwu 3 times, and Equaveon 3 times. Siasia should go to seek some exposure & experience with an African team or with a European team. If He doesn’t step out now, the moment Mike Emenalo [Chelsea’s assistant coach] declares his interest; it would be too late for Siasia. Siasia only wins silver. We will surely come 2nd in our world cup qualifier group. Tell him to reach the final of a tournament…he will. Tell him to win?...sorry he doesn’t.
    A good coach plays well and also gets the result. If you wobble & fumble your way to victory, even if you achieved the desired result, we will sack you. Likewise, if you play well, but fail to get the desired result or meet target, we will also sack you, period. You need both attributes; play well and get the results too. Siasia should do something about his bad luck because he needs it. It is luck that sustained Amodu.
    We are not asking for Siasia to be replaced by another Nigerian [because there is no Nigerian Coach for now that is world class], we are asking for a world class coach with ICA and UEFA level 12 certificates, and perhaps, 2 yrs experience with a top club or National team.
    Nigerians love to manage situations and issues. We never strive for the best.

  • Emmanuel Ene

    Oct 26, 2011

    OTHERS:
    (1.) Jurgen Klinsman [87%] currently is coaching USA. {took Germany to 2002W/C S-final}
    (2.) Bob Bradley [80%] recently contracted by Egypt. {took USA to last confederations cup & world cup}
    (3.) Jose Mourinho [100%] …won’t come!…Dreams of winning the world cup with Portugal
    (4.) Guus Hiddink [100%] currently is coaching Turkey.{ex PSV, Fernabeche, Valencia, Holland, Real Madrid, Real Betis, South Korea, Australia, Russia, Chelsea}
    • AFC Coach of the Year 2002
    • World Soccer World Manager of the Year 2002
    • Dutch Sports Coach of the Year (all sports) 2002, 2005
    • Rinus Michels Award 2005, 2006
    • Coach of the Year in Russia 2008
    • In 2005 Hiddink received an honorary doctorate by the University of Seoul
    • The De Graafschap mascot is named Guus in honor of Hiddink who was previously associated with the team as a player and as a manager.
    • The Gwangju World Cup Stadium was renamed the Guus Hiddink Stadium in honor of Hiddink's performance at the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
    • Hiddink was named a honorary citizen of Seoul after reaching the 2002 FIFA World Cup semi-finals.
    • Hiddink was named a honorary citizen of Eindhoven after winning his sixth Eredivisie title with PSV in 2006.
    • Hiddink was put on a stamp by Australia Post following the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
    • Hiddink was given a lifetime achievement award by the Royal Dutch Football Association in 2007. It was only the third such award ever given following those received by Rinus Michels and Johan Cruijff.
    International honours
     Netherlands
    • UEFA Euro 1996: Quarter Finals
    • 1998 FIFA World Cup: Fourth Place

     South Korea
    • 2002 FIFA World Cup: Fourth Place

     Australia
    • 2006 FIFA World Cup: Second Round

     Russia
    • UEFA Euro 2008: Semi-final

    Club honours
     PSV
    • Eredivisie (6): 1987, 1988, 1989, 2003, 2005, 2006
    • KNVB Cup (4): 1988, 1989, 1990, 2005
    • Dutch Supercup (1): 1993
    • UEFA European Cup (1): 1988

     Real Madrid
    • Intercontinental Cup : 1998

     Chelsea
    • FA Cup : 2009

  • Bobmanuel Okoribiaye

    Nov 13, 2011

    What nigerian need is to bring a monitoring association commettee for our NFA, so that may use the money to pay our football players

  • Frankayee

    Feb 10, 2012

    Everyone is talking and blaming the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for the problem of Nigerian football but, I do not blame Nigerian football fans because that is what they made us to believe. The real problem facing Nigerian football is actually the Nigerian Journalist (THE PRESS). Over 90% of opinions forms by Nigerian football fans are based on what the Nigerian journalists doctored for them. The Nigerian journalist would promote whom they like and destroy whom they don't like.

    Despite the achievement of Shuaibu Amodu, they succeeded in destroying him. All their support for Lagerback and Samson Siasia ended in total failure. Mitchel Obi told us on "Peak Soccer Moment" that Shuaibu Amodu refused to organize and play friendly matches but when Siasia became Super Eagles coach, the same Obi told us that it is not the duty of the coach to organized friendly matches but the NFF.(sorry for been personal).

    Toro was not good enough, Sani Lulu was not good enough and now Maigari, even when they know that the coach and not the NFF should be blamed for any failure, they still go ahead and castigate the NFF. NFF election ended in court, Nigeria football League Election ended in court, sponsorship of NFL ended in court, even NOC election ended in court yet, our journalists didn't see anything wrong with all these. Sam Jaja contested the election of NFF but was misclassified, after his disqualification, he suddenly realized that NFF is an illegal body. So, if he had contested and won the election he would have been presiding over an illegal body. Maigari has not been given a day of breathing space since he came on board and they are blaming him for the failure of Samson Siasia despite the fact that, the Nigerians, led by the Nigerian journalists forced Siasia on NFF

    Is it not also funny that Nigerian Sport Journalists (SWAN) supports the court decision to try Sani Lulu & Co.? the judge said that it has jurisdiction to try football related cases in Nigeria. But my question is this, if FIFA should ban Nigeria (NNF) for taking part in any FIFA organized events, can Nigeria law court unban Nigerian Football (NFF)?. Even in the most advanced football nations like Europe, they will never take any football related matter to court but Court of Arbitration for Sport. Already some Nigerian journalists have started their usual destructive game by campaigning that Steven kechi will not able to handle Eagles when on big stage. I know where they are going. Keshi will surely qualify Nigeria for AFCON in SA and WC in Brazil then, bring in Foreign Technical Adviser (Technical Adviser for foreigner and coach for Nigerian, only in Nigeria).

    Way forward: Nigerian journalists (SWAN) should for foreign trainings to learn how their counterparts in Europe and other countries in the world help to promote and develop football and sports generally in their countries. Nigerians should learn how to make stars and not destroying stars. If Drogba were to be a Nigerian, we would have destroyed his carrier by saying he's too old.

Post a comment (15)






  • Get our toolbar!


Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

TRENDING