Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare has called for the review of Nigerian football following the Golden Eaglets’ ouster from the ongoing FIFA U17 World Cup in Brazil.
Five-time world champions, Nigeria had in the early hours of Wednesday lost 1-3 to the young Oranjes of the Netherlands in the Round of 16 to crash out of the biennial tournament which was introduced in 1985.
Though, the Manu Garba-piloted side topped group B with six points after 4-2 win over Hungary and 3-2 win over Ecuador, but it became the poorest Nigerian team ever in the cadet global championship having scored nine goals and conceded the same number in four matches.
The Eaglets lost their third game 1-2 to Australia and also 1-3 to Holland in the knockout stage with Olakunle Olusegun scoring the consolatory goal.
ALSO READ: FIFA U-17 W/Cup: Eaglets’ victory, a lesson in resilience -Buhari
It was also the first time that the Golden Eaglets had conceded six goals in the group stage of a single U17 World Cup tournament.
Dare, however, emphasised the need to review how football is being managed in the country for better performance.
According to the Sports Minister through his official twitter handle, Sunday Dare @SundayDareSD: “Nigeria’s performance at the U-17 World Cup calls for a review. Indeed, our football administration at all levels calls for a review. We must exact greater responsibility of those charged with our football administration. Timely payment of salaries and allowances vital.”
Reacting, ex-Super Eagles goalkeeper, Peterside Idah through idah pee @IdahPeterside noted that the minister was right as he tweeted: “On point.”
Also, Ajunwa Stanley @Ajunwastanley tweeted: “With due respect Sir, it is one thing to ask for reviews and its quiet another when you find out that these errors are caused by the same administration reviewing. #stoppoliticisingfootball. It is detrimental.”
ALSO READ: FIFA U-17 W/Cup: Eaglets’ victory, a lesson in resilience -Buhari
Meanwhile, a football stakeholder Sowari Jaja disagreed with the minister saying the U17 tournament was for the development of talents to become professional footballers in future.
He tweeted through Sowari Jaja @jaja_sowari that: “Sir we don’t really need to review anything there. For the first time, Nigeria team took the real U17 team devoid of age cheats. The primary reason for the tourney is not to win but develope future world-beaters.”