Fans blame Sports Ministry, NFF for U-23 team’s performance

The Sports Ministry and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have been blamed for the failure of the Under-23 team to play in the final of this year’s Olympic Games in Rio.
The team lost 0-2 to Germany in the second semifinal match.
Fans praised the efforts of the players and coaching crew but pointed accusing fingers at the Sports Ministry under the leadership of Solomon Dalung and the NFF under the leadership of Amaju Pinnick.
Sports journalist, Desmond Ekwueme, argued that it would have been unfair if Nigerian had won.
Said he: “In as much as patriotism is blind-folding us to wish, desire, and pray for our team to beat Germany and possibly win gold, it would be unfair to a well-prepared side like Germany who went into the tournament with maximum concentration to lose to a team still struggling to settle hotel accommodation of just two extra players and four officials who were eventually sent home by Solomon Dalung thus breaking the team’s spirit.
“God is not a partial Father to answer the prayers of Nigerians who are requesting for Germany to fall to a mentally and financially depleted side. If the team was not mentally unstable it won’t have warned a clueless sports minister to stay away from its camp.
“On the other hand, maybe the team would have fared better if we had the trio of Ahmed Musa, Odion Ighalo and Mikel Obi if the three over-aged players rule is still functional.
“Perhaps the team may have done better if it had the likes of Kelechi Iheanacho, Taiwo Awoniyi, Victor Osimhen, and the Arsenal duo of Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Nwakali.
“That is where Pinnick and his officers failed to persuade the aforementioned players’ clubs to release them for the Olympics.
“However, we may not rule out the fact that if the team was adequately prepared and funded by the federal government through the Sports Ministry prior to the Games, it may have spotted its lapses, weaker departments, and possibly players’ quality.
“That the team was maximally distracted by off field issues which grossly affected it is not contestable.”
Businessman Olubusola Ogunyale insisted that the Sports Ministry did not do enough to motivate the players.
“They abandoned the team when it mattered most and only showed interest when the team got to the semifinal.
“I feel sad for the players and the coaching crew because Samson Siasia really tried his best to motivate the players. Mikel also did his best as well as other players. Please blame Dalung and Pinnick.,” Ogunyale said.
Atlanta Olympics gold medalist, Dosu Joseph, gave five reasons why the team lost to Germany.
According to him, the team lost grip of the midfield as the Germans dominated all proceedings at the centre and did not give Mikel and others space to operate.
“The suspension of Azubuike Okechukwu from playing the match also contributed, as his replacement, Ndifreke Udo, could not fit into his shoes,” Joseph added.
“Third, the Germans forced the U-23 side in making too many errors, the confidence of the team dwindled as it never looked like the sparkling side.
“The only meaningful chance Nigeria had in the match was Mikel’s brilliant effort in the dying minutes which was forced into a corner after he brilliantly displaced two players, attempted to score against Germany.
“Imoh Ezekiel had a good game, Sadiq Umar was isolated and the worst player of the night, Aminu Umar, was nowhere to be found except when he caused just one anxious moment in the first half.
“And finally, with all sincerity, Nigeria could not match the technical master class of the young German side all through the match.
“Emmanuel Daniel was brilliant on the night as he forced fine saves from Germany. He was kept busy all through the game, and disappointed after Nigeria’s loss to Germany.
“Above all, it was unfortunate that Oghenekaro Etebo’s injury limited Nigeria’s chances in qualifying for the finals, and the jinx on Siasia continues as the highly rated coach has failed again to win on the world stage.”