For the second year running, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in partnership with Aiteo, the nation’s leading energy company have been able to reward excellence of major actors in Nigerian football.
The Eko & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, Monday night played host to the General Secretary of FIFA, Fatima Samoura, Presidents of member associations of FIFA and CAF. Also in attendance were those in government circle, top officials of the NFF and ex-internationals.
I am particularly happy with the eventual winners on various categories and it would be out place if l refused to acknowledge the unbiased judgement of the Awards Committee led by the NFF Vice President, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi.
Ahmed Musa no doubt deserved his award as the Player of the Year, given that he was the most outstanding player in the Super Eagles squad that participated at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. His goals against Iceland were breathtaking and the two strikes came at a time we were in dire need of victory after the 2-0 loss to Croatia. It was however unfortunate that the team failed to go beyond the group stage in Russia.
Also in a year that Asisat Oshoala underperformed as the Super Falcons lifted the African Women Nations Cup, the team skipper, Onome Ebi impressed in the heart of defence hence it was not a surprise that she got the Women Player of the Year award ahead of Francesca Ordega and the FC Barcelona forward.
Similarly, l have been following coach Gbenga Ogunbote’s progress since he debuted on the bench for Gateway United and l am indeed impressed with the impacts he has made so far. The manner his team Enugu Rangers turned the Federation Cup final around after going down 0-3 to Kano Pillars was indeed remarkable and for this alone no one should query his Coach of the Year award.
In the same vein, the honour the Super Eagles squad of 1994 was another well deserved award given the fact that it was the group that earned Nigeria its first World Cup ticket. Also, it was the same team that won us the African Nations Cup for the second time playing one of the best brands of football among the nation’s national teams. Unfortunately, the likes of team captain, Stephen Keshi and the Super Eagles’ record goalscorer, Rashidi Yekini were no longer around to be decorated. Other members of the squad who are also deceased are; Uche Okafor, goalkeeper Wilfred Agbonavbare and Thompson Oliha.
Meanwhile, it is imperative for the NFF and its collaborators to adjust the timing of the awards to in line with the year it is meant for. It is either the organisers schedule subsequent events for December or January of a new year or have the awards organised in July.
Should the NFF decide to measure the performance of the football actors from January to December of a particular year, it will be better to fix the awards ceremony for December of the year under review or January of the following year.
However should the NFF settle for a replica of the calendar of the major leagues of Europe, it will be better to have the awards take place every July.
More importantly, the NFF must ensure that the awards ceremony is sustained in order to consistently encourage our footballers to do more for the nation. In addition to the existing awards, the organisers should consider adding the national team of the year which should be competed among the senior national teams (male and female) and the junior teams.
Also, an award may be created for the domestic league club Administrator of the Year.
Beyond the sustenance, the organisers should also consider having the event hosted in other states of the federation.
The NFF/Aiteo awards has come to stay and l hope nothing changes this assumption anytime soon.
