The consequence of this administrative ineptitude has seen Nigeria forfeiting the lone point picked up in that match while
Algeria was awarded 3points and three goals.
The
NFF was also fined CHF 6,000 for this unforgivable, criminal and unpardonable mistake. Now that leaves us asking and guessing as to what led us to this and who should be held responsible for this obvious madness.
THE NFF SECRETARIAT
Is it true that FIFA sent a memo informing the secretariat of the football house that the Cyprus based defender was ineligible to play against Algeria.? That has always been the practice so it is expected that the secretariat did got the memo but threw caution to the wind allowing negligence to thrive.
If that be the case, the first man to go in this latest show of shame should be the general secretary who cannot feign ignorance of how we got where we are today. Three points deducted is a slap on the reputation of Nigeria as a sovereign Nation and culprits must not be allowed to go Scot free.
A delegation of over 75 persons including players, officials, administrators, journalists and other stakeholders spent over 300m Naira that covers travelling expenses, estacodes and other logistical expenses only to end up incurring a monumental dent on the image of this country because of what the NFF president described as a MISTAKE? The Nigeria government cannot sit back, fold it’s hands and watch a few persons perpetrate careless monumental waste all in the name of MISTAKE.
Therefore, the needful has to be done in good time to leave the board with a slice of pride if any, to hold on to, after yet another administrative letdown.
To imagine that the match in question was meaningless and useless speaks volume as to why thorough investigation must be carried out and culprits must be adequately punished.
WHAT IF THAT ONE POINT REALLY MATTERED?
This is the big question.
What if the deduction meant Nigeria was eliminated from the World Cup that we have spent close to 2biliion naira to qualify? Will it be a case of a mare apology laced with some romantic appeal?
Mr Amaju Pinnick must act fast and save face. Heads must roll. Whoever is found wanting after the investigation must be told to go.
Same negligence meant we left the FIFA balls at the Apapa port for 6 good months until the eve of the match with South Africa. We ended up reducing ourselves to playing a ball owned by the opposition in a vital Nations cup qualifier and the result was there for all to see.
Same negligence meant we attended a two legged friendly tie with Morrocco, in Rabat, fielding male players dressed in female robes. For how long are we going to fold our hands and watch these men drag our image in muddy waters?
