SWAN expresses concern over poor results of national teams in international competitions

Ugochukwu Iwuchukwu

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, has expressed concerned over the poor results of national teams at international competitions.

SWAN in a statement released by its Secretary-General Jude Opara said the recent losses of Nigeria teams in the different competition is an unfortunate tale.

SWAN said the strings of non-qualification for various International Championships in Africa and the world may not have come as a surprise.

Jude Opara said the challenges that enveloped the NFF were enough to unsettle any organization.

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“The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has observed with deep concern the state of the country in the game of football in recent times, even though the strings of non-qualification for various International Championships in Africa and world football circle may not have come as a surprise.

“The challenges that enveloped the glasshouse which has recently been laid to rest were enough to unsettle any organization; in this light, we encourage Nigerians to see the dwindling fortunes as a natural season in the country’s football that will strengthen the development architecture of the sport.

“From the Super Falcons who alongside their male counterparts failed to book a place at the Japan 2020 Olympic Games, to the failure of the Home-Based Super Eagles to qualify for the 2020 Championship for African Nations (CHAN), as well as the early exit of the Golden Eaglets from the Brazil 2019 FIFA U-17 World Youth Championship, no doubt has indeed been an unfortunate tales.

SWAN, however, called on the Nigeria Football Federation NFF to learn from countries like Cameroon, Egypt, Brazil, Germany, Spain, France who have gone through a similar path and engender a stronger football culture going forward.

The statement also advised relevant stakeholders and the NFF to convene a stakeholders meeting where genuine and no-holds bared issues will be discussed.

“We, however, note that countries like Cameroon, Egypt, Brazil, Germany, Spain, France among others have gone through a similar path that we believe is inevitable in the football calendar of Nations, and in such times it enables them to rebuild and engender a stronger football culture going forward”.

“We equally, note that this rather disturbing development which has resulted in the failure of some of our national teams to qualify for international championships in recent times call for the concern of all genuine football stakeholders.

“SWAN advises the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) as the body statutorily saddled with the administration of football in Nigeria should take charge by convening a stakeholders meeting where genuine and no-holds bared issues will be discussed.

“The Federal Government must play its expected role in strengthening the managers, it is our belief that providing a conducive environment in the way of funding and sports infrastructure will sail us effectively,” he said.