By Ado Salisu
Hon. Ahmed Shuaibu Gara Gombe, former Chairman Gombe State Football Association and Gombe United Football Club, expressed outrage and disappointment over the CHAN Eagles’ 4-0 loss and tagged it expected.
In a press statement, Gombe stated, “I expected the loss, having spoken to a Nigeria football official beforehand and expressed my lack of confidence in the team and technical crew.”
He emphasized that Nigeria’s football developmental process should have surpassed Sudan’s, making the loss unacceptable.
Gombe defended the NFF and its leadership, stating that the decline of Nigerian football and the league resulted from long-standing corruption, not recent events.
“Corruption, which occurred under former leaders such as Amaju Pinnick and Shehu Dikko, destroyed Nigerian football and the league,” he said.
The Chairman, Gombe State Athletics Association observed that the late Obaseki, may his soul rest in peace, made every effort to promote the league, even during the tenure of Davidson Owunmi and Ramson Baribote, although brief.
However, Shehu Dikko’s tenure was particularly detrimental, as the foundation was entirely destroyed.
“The current state of our football and NPFL can be attributed to Amaju Pinnick and Shehu Dikko. Presently, he has been rewarded with an appointment as Chairman of the National Sports Commission, which may lead to further havoc.
It further raises the question of why the former Sports Minister, Sunday Dare, removed Shehu Dikko from office as Chairman of our League
The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of an NGO, Athletics and Other Sports Development initiative, emphasized that Ibrahim Gusau and Gbenga Elegbeleye inherited a dysfunctional system and should not be held accountable for the destruction. As he frowned Elegbeleye’s emergence as League Chairman, citing that he was unelected, while the status stated Elected.
He acknowledged that Elegbeleye cannot be blamed for the damage that occurred 10 to 15 years ago. The focus should be on addressing the root causes of the problem, including the influence of wealthy individuals and the lack of accountability in the league.
One Deputy Chairman of the Nigeria Referees Association, whom I won’t dignify by mentioning his name said all sorts of nonsense about me and this fellow did not even know when I started in football.
“The fact that out of 70 referees from Across Africa Assembled for CHAN CHAMPIONSHIP, no Single Nigerian referee was selected, this highlights the need for reform in our league administration and I’m waiting for his response of the events that led to why no Nigerian referee got selected for CHAN tournament.
“Also, upon reviewing the selection of the CHAN team, particularly when the list was released, it’s unfair to assert that the team that played on Tuesday was the best representation of our League in Nigeria.
This outcome is unrealistic, indicating that a mistake was made. The presence of match agents, betting companies, influential figures in football, and affluent individuals has dominated the league and our football, including the Super Eagles. Coach’s selection of players is often influenced by financial factors. A coach disclosed that he was offered $20,000 US Dollars to invite a player to camp.
The CHAN team’s performance lacks teamwork. Unfortunately, the emphasis has shifted to individual self-promotion. We need to reassess our approach and be truthful with ourselves
Members of the press, we must recognize our contribution to this problem. As professionals motivated by various factors, we are all accountable. While financial pressures may affect our reporting, we must prioritize truthfulness. Objectivity is essential, and we should not misrepresent facts. Rather than placing blame, we should scrutinize the facts. Gbenga Elegbeleye and Gusau have the ability to revitalize Nigerian football if they so choose. Given their long history in the sport, they cannot feign ignorance. We belong to the same generation, having joined the Nigerian Congress together as Chairmen of our respective FAs – Majekundumi, Baba Ghana Kalli, Ibrahim Gusau, Amaju Pinnick, Barrister Greene, Emmanuel Attah, and myself”
“The fact remains that Amaju Pinnick’s tenure was detrimental, yet he was appointed as an executive adviser to CAF and secured a FIFA position. His removal from office in an election he had hoped to win was a significant embarrassment. Additionally, his appointment as an adviser to the CAF President is seen as another disappointment.
The appointment of a Nigerian to this position raises eyebrows.
Were Rangers, Racca Rovers, Spartans, IICC, Mighty Jets, and DIC Bees not established before CAF President Motstepe’s time? Was he not busy with diamond and solid mineral mining in South Africa? It is shameful that a Nigerian citizen now serves as his adviser.
Amaju Pinnick’s business ventures have been extensive, but the source of his funding is questionable. Several sports ministers supported him, leading to the downfall of Nigerian football.
