By Daily Sports on January 27, 2020

The remains of former football administrator and advertisement top-notch, Prince Isidore Oduah was laid to rest in his home country, Ochuche, Ogbaru Local Government Council of Anambra State on Friday, January 24, 2020.

As expected, it was the gathering of eagles. On Thursday, yours in sports arrived in company of other friends and colleagues that spared their usually crowded schedules to pay their last respect to the former football and advertisement icon.  From the day we arrived, until when we left Sunday morning after the family thanksgiving Mass at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Ochuche, prominent visitors were still pouring in from far and near for condolence visits and also to identify with the family on the death of their loved one.

As I did say, it was roll call of who’s who in sports administration in Nigeria. However, President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, was absent and did not deem it fit to send a delegation to the burial of a former board member, when Nigeria first won her first AFCON in 1980.

I must also point out that Anambra State Football Association and its Sports Council counterpart never also thought it fit to join other prominent administrators, veteran and seasoned journalists to pay their last respect to the seasoned sports personality. My fondness went to Punch ex-staff and Association of Sports Veterans Nigeria, for their steadfastness even at death.

These two sets of professionals were highly impressive. This columnist thumbs up the Jonathan B Ogunfere led great and very principled gathering of Veterans where Elder Paul Bassey is the Secretary. Kudos! The ceremony was colourful and everyone that graced the august event would testify to this. The good weather added pomp to the whole greatness of grand occasion for a great man.

Last week World FIFA Africa qualifier draws was held and Nigeria seems to be in a tricky group, while football buffs have been celebrating what they have widely described as an easy group ever and how Super Eagles would fly over her opponents. Some football commentators including bookmakers believe that a group peopled by minnows remains the most tricky as it stands out as an unpredictable group where upsets are possible.

Just as one was thinking towards that direction, the team’s technical hand, Gernot Rohr expressed such fears or sentiment adding that the tricky group calls for vigilance as the three-time African Champs take on their opponents who would throw everything to their games against Nigeria if only to prove a point or play spoilers game.

This expression could safely be described as an alarm bell tolling for the side as the World Cup qualifier game kicks off. It is one qualifier the team would not take lightly both home and away. The good thing about this is that Rohr knows what lay ahead of them as there will be no excuses by him and his lads even as regards the invitation and selection of players. Therefore it is good luck to the team and her handlers.

As this was going to bed, Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr disclosed to Sports Journalists that he would open up the renewal of his contract with the NFF which has since identified grey areas in his deal with the federation. As that will be on the table, one prays that both parties would arrive safely on what would ensure continuity for the overall benefit of the team and her qualification games ahead,  Anything short of that would mean fresh searching and new hiring which may affect the performances of the country during the qualifying series.

As we keep our fingers crossed on this, we wish both parties good luck and wisdom to see they have the overall interest of the game and the nation at heart.

In the local scene, Enyimba International FC, one of the high flying sides in the country seems to be in grave danger of dropping behind. I know the team’s pedigree that when the chips are down, it would, like a galloping stallion, pick up to stay afloat in the elite cadre but as it is now, I would suggest that the management employ a stitch in time strategy that saves nine early enough so that the Aba based squad would continue its forays in the second tier of African Club championship.

One thought that after such positive showing against an Algerian team in the second leg of the competition, the team would start doing well in the NPFL Championship. Also, methinks that the era of just hiring any coach for a team like Enyimba must stop. The club side should go for a class sweat merchant that knows the terrain of the league all in the bid for re-invent the team to come back to her dreaded days.

Enyimba losing matches with such goals margin lives sour taste in the mouth which Felix Anyansi Agwu must nip in the bud forthwith. I am still scandalised that the once upon a time flagship club for Nigeria is gradually going down and that is how it starts. Abia State deserves a crack team and we must be obliged just that simple but legitimate request. Enyimba International FC must not go down as that would attract dare consequences against the people concerned.

As we earnestly await the outcome of NFF/Rohr discussion on his new contract, let’s stick strictly with www.daily sportsng.com, your one-stop-all sports digital newspaper. If it is in Daily Sports then it is true. Let us discuss these trending topics on our social media handles. Meanwhile, keep shooting hard, till next week!!

Source Daily Sports

Posted January 27, 2020

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