By Daily Sports on May 16, 2016

For the first time since this year’s Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) began, I was at Agege Stadium, Lagos, last Wednesday to watch the game between MFM FC of Lagos and current title holders, Enyimba International FC of Aba. Lest we forget, the Aba old war horse is already in the USD money spinning stage of the very prestigious CAF Champions League.

To be honest with you, I went there to specifically see how improved the NPFL really is and also to catch a glimpse of Enyimba because of their significance as the sole flag bearer of the country in Africa’s most important club championship. I was fulfilled. I saw a good championship side in the team, which played with a man less for much of the match but still got away with a one-all draw.

Foremost, Enyimba, which drew the first blood, has matured and boasts experienced players that stand tall whenever the chips are down. It stood as towering advantage against a youthful and adventurous MFM side whose determination to cause yet another upset against one of the first rate teams in the league failed woefully.

The Lagos side met a stubborn and rugged defence line anchored by Ude Orji. Let me close this on Enyimba as the club merits full space in this column.

This week, our focus is on Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah. He is a billionaire petroleum and gas mogul, the Chief Executive Officer of Capital Oil and Gas and Publisher of The AUTHORITY newspaper. It is instructive to note that his core business area has not attracted much publicity and fame to him as his newfound love – football – has. For the records, he is the proprietor of FC IfeanyiUbah of Nnewi, Anambra State, a team that came into the NPFL just last season.

He tested the murky waters and survived, though not without many controversies, accusations and counter-accusations from his coaches and sundry. Before one could say where is Mfon Udoh and many other red-hot lads making the domestic scene thick and envious, Patrick was already back from Brazil, where he imported players that have fortified his once fumbling and wobbling side. Sweet enough, his team has stabilised and is competing strongly in the ongoing season. You cannot take away from him, his cute business acumen which is gradually evolving and also transforming his club.

I know that as a good sports man and a believer in fair play, he must have developed a thick skin so as to gamely absorb some of what l will raise here. For sure, Patrick and I have met once – in Lagos during the run-up to the 2015 general elections. If he could remember, nobody took me to him; rather, I walked up to shake hands with him despite the heavy security then around him. I told him to his face that l sincerely admire his courage, uprightness and sole belief in any cause he ventures into and wished him well.

This write-up would restrict itself to Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah as the Anambra State Football Association Chairman and his many utterances since he assumed office. Without much ado, the cap fits him. Ubah has the charisma.

Let me make it clear that I don’t have anything against Ubah heading the Anambra FA, which had been without a head. In short, it is a welcome development so that the game will excel in the state that is known to have turned out many legendary ex-internationals and administrators.

But Ubah is also controversial. As if playing into the hands of his detractors, he gave himself out during a league match between his team and visiting Heartland FC of Owerri. And for the archives, the League Management Committee (LMC) had sanctioned him for bringing the beautiful game into disrepute.

Let me confess, I am one of Ubah’s frontline fans. When I was confided in on the incident, I hesitated to believe outrightly until I made some calls that confirmed it. I quickly lost appetite as my stomach terribly turned for the worst. I wondered.

A recap, fair enough, all parties involved, with Ifeanyi Ubah “charged for the encroachment of their supporters was not spared. Entrepreneur Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah was in bad spotlight for his role in the melee that erupted during the NPFL match between his club, and Heartland FC of Owerri. Immediately after the match, acting in a manner capable of bringing the league to dishonour contrary to Rule 13.8 of the Rules and Framework.”

The club was also sanctioned for failure to ensure “adequate security, crowd control and for granting access to unauthorised persons to restricted areas, contrary to Rule B13.52.” The Nnewi-based side was accordingly fined N500,000 on each of the two breaches and allowed 48 hours to appeal the ruling in writing or submit to the decision of the LMC.

Where my anger boiled to high heavens was that Chairman Ifeanyi Ubah merely got a slap on the wrist by the LMC for failing to show a positive example by encroaching on the pitch and fueling the disturbances, while Heartland goalkeeper, Ebere Obi, Chelsea of England and Super Eagles captain, Mikel Obi’s elder brother, was banned from all NPFL activities and matches for six matches. This was despite the video which clearly showed that Ubah actually slapped the Heartland goalkeeper. LMC remains on the spot for not adequately punishing the tycoon, though he was reported to have apologised for punching Obi; that may have informed why his ban was also lifted, prompting the NFF to confirm him as the new Anambra State FA boss.

It would be recalled that Ubah is the Patron of the Nationwide League One. During the Anambra FA election the industrialist polled 24 votes to his opponent’s none, the NFF said in a statement. Chairman of the Anambra State Election Monitoring Committee, Sir E. C. Chukwuemeka, confirmed the results. Chairman of Chairmen of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, also witnessed the elections that took place in Awka, Anambra State, alongside the Chairman of the Enugu State Football Association, Chidi Ofo Okenwa. NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, has since congratulated him on his victory.

Authoritatively, Ubah is in the good books of the present NFF regime. He is primed for a higher role. We must watch out for him; he is the latest emerging muscle in Nigerian football. I will hold it there as the news continues to develop. Ubah is being positioned and he seems to be home and dry for it. That is a tip of the iceberg. Daily Sports (www.dailysportsng.com) will break the news first.

All these no doubt point to an encouraging omen which will make the game in the state look upbeat. Already, Ubah has told whoever that cares to listen that he would soon present a roadmap for the development of the round leather sport in the state. His words: “I have unveiled a blueprint for football in the state within two weeks. They are 7 points’ agenda. It is a template, a guide book that explains their plan and defines our steps for football development in the state.” Good talk.

Ubah has continued to dismiss with a wave of hand allusions that his election was held in secret. According to him, “How could anybody say an election that was attended by all the delegates, representatives of the NFF, the chairman of Chairmen of Nigerian football, Chairman, Senate Committee on Sports describe such poll as kangaroo? It was on camera and the whole world watched it on television.”

The aspect that goes for him is, it seems he likes the all-inclusive set up. He learns fast. He also appears to have a big heart. He has called on stakeholders in Anambra football to come together to move the state football forward. He is a team player.

Hear this great sportsman with the fairly spirit: “Let us look at the bigger picture. Anambra football is bigger than any individual. That is why I want all hands to be on deck as I cannot do it alone.” Frankly speaking, if the Ubah-led FA fails to restore sanity in the game, it will be disastrous. I believe in his veracity, versatility and intelligence. Anambra State FA is in safe hand, saboteurs must be drastically checkmated.

Yes, Anambra football has been fantasy. But it has the potential to become a sleeping giant that wakes up from its deep slumber and swiftly moves up the topmost ladder. Ubah should endeavour to match action with words, repair football silently and sparingly be in the media, there are lots of job to be done.

He has the clout to cause football revolution in the state. His suave is infectious and as a messiah he must not fail to resurrect the game decisively and put the state where it should be among football playing states in the federation. It is precisely his mission and mandate. The time is now as we wait. No bicycle story at the end of the day. It is forward with Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah!!

•Victor Enyinnaya can be reached via 08055068145 (sms only) or by e-mail via sportzvictor@yahoo.com.au

Source Daily Sports

Posted May 16, 2016

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