Ebonyi fans upset at the poor performance of the Super Eagles

After watching the scintillating forms exhibited by the Super Eagles players for the clubs during last weekend’s English FA Cup, Ebonyi fans on Sunday rued their poor showings at national assignments.

They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abakaliki that the players’ performances did not reflect on the national team when they were called up to serve their fatherland.

A cross section of the fans, who expressed their bewilderment, said that the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) must ensure that the contributions of the foreign-based players remained consistent.

NAN reports that Manchester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho scored a hat trick in the club’s 4-0 demolition of Aston Villa, while Odion Ighalo, scored the winner in Watford’s 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest.

Victor Moses had a good run for West Ham’s goalless draw against Liverpool.

Chief Sam Mgbada, the immediate past Commissioner for Youths and Sports in Ebonyi, said the players had refused to show commitment to the Super Eagles.

“Ighalo who has scored 15 goals so far in England has only scored a (penalty-kick goal) against Chad in Kaduna in the 2017 AFCON qualifiers and non in the World Cup qualifiers.

“Iheanacho, who started in the Eagles’ World Cup qualifying away game with Swaziland, was a ‘shadow of himself’ which made coach Sunday Oliseh to ‘bench’ him in the return leg in Port Harcourt,’’ he said.

Jude Ikwu, former Head of Sports Development in Onicha Local Government Council of Ebonyi, blamed the development on the ineptitude of the NFF.

“The NFF does not care about the players’ welfare as evidenced in the ‘distasteful experiences’ of national team players in recent continental competitions.

“Samson Siasia’s U-23 team players barely fed during the CAF U-23 Championship in Senegal, while the CHAN 2016 Eagles’ players ‘had no money to buy coke’ according to Coach Oliseh,’’ he said.

Samson Okparaku, ex-River Lane FC of Enugu player, corroborated the assertion, noting that players would naturally show more commitment to the clubs where their welfare was guaranteed.

“They are always lacklustre when playing for the Eagles because they know that their welfare is not guaranteed.

“This ugly trend is about jeopardising the Eagles AFCON 2017 qualification chances, as the foreign-based players are reportedly angry over the non-payment of their past bonuses and allowances,’’ he said.

Dr Fidelis Okenwa, a Management Consultant and soccer buff, also blamed the development on the NFF, adding that the football house was always enmeshed in leadership squabbles.

“It is unfortunate that in this era of modern soccer development, the NFF still depends on the Federal Government for funds to run football in the country.

“It has lost the confidence of corporate sponsors with its case made worse by the recent physical brawl by the two persons jostling for its leadership,’’ he said.

Mrs Jacinta Chukuweze, a staff of Ebonyi Sports Council, however, said it was incumbent on the players to improve on their representation.

“It is a thing of pride to wear the country’s green and white jersey and everything must not be tied to monetary benefit.

“They should emulate other African countries whose players derive pride in donning their national team colours in spite of prevailing difficulties,’’ she said.