The Chairman of the Federal Capital Territory Football Association (FCTFA), Abba Muhtar, has expressed his disappointment over the failure of the Nigerian U-17 side, the Golden Eaglets, to qualify for the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup. Muhtar has described this failure as a monumental disaster for Nigerian football and has suggested that the technical crew should be asked to leave, as they have failed to live up to expectations.
The Golden Eaglets, who have won the FIFA U-17 World Cup five times, were eliminated from the U-17 AFCON after losing to Burkina Faso in the quarter-finals. According to Muhtar, this loss means that Nigeria has failed to present a young crop of players to the world to showcase their talents, and that the supplies to the senior national team will be affected.
Muhtar, who is also a member of the NFF Three-member National Teams Advisory Committee, has stated that recent poor outings at the continental level cannot be allowed to persist, and that the coaches responsible for this failure must give way to others to try. He believes that there should be no second chance for coaches who fail to meet the expectations of Nigerians.
“It is my opinion that the team’s technical crew should be asked to go, to serve as a deterrent to coaches who fail to meet the responsibility and targets given to them. There should be no second chance for coaches who fail to meet the expectations of Nigerians,” said Muhtar.
The football administrator, who is seeking a second term in office as FCT FA Chairman, believes that Nigerian football needs to produce and implement a blueprint that will redirect its course. Recent developments in Nigerian football are a clear indication that the country is derailing and needs to get back on track.
When asked about how to stop football players’ agents from influencing the invitation and selection of players into the national teams, Muhtar stated that it is only a stupid coach that will allow agents to force players on him to the detriment of their careers. Any coach found wanting should not only be sacked but also suspended for some time from practicing, according to Muhtar.
The failure of the Golden Eaglets to qualify for the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup has come as a shock to Nigerians who had hoped for a better outcome. The Golden Eaglets, who have a rich history in the U-17 World Cup, have failed to qualify for the tournament for the first time since 2005.
The disappointment of Nigerians is understandable, given the high expectations that have been placed on the team over the years. The Golden Eaglets have always been a source of pride for Nigerians, and their failure to qualify for the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup is a blow to the country’s footballing ambitions.
It is hoped that Nigerian football will learn from this setback and work towards improving the country’s footballing infrastructure. The failure of the Golden Eaglets to qualify for the World Cup is a wake-up call for Nigerian football to take stock and address the issues that have led to this failure. It is a time for reflection and action, and for Nigerian football to rise to the challenge of creating a bright future for the game in the country.
