Football fans in Ebonyi have claimed that their criticism of the Dream Team VI must have propelled their latest victory at which they secured an Olympic ticket for the soccer event. The victory was at
the ongoing Africa U-23 Championship in Senegal. The Dream Team VI defeated hosts, Senegal 1-0 in their semi-final encounter on Wednesday, to qualify for the final on Saturday against Algeria.
The fans told newsmen on Thursday in Abakaliki that the criticisms from fans were the tonic that the players needed to bounce back to winning ways. They also claimed that their outing at the semi-final match reflected an impressive leap in performance. Nigeria and Algeria have automatically qualified for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games in Brazil. The North Africans had defeated South Africa, 2-0 in the other semi-final.
Charles Akpuenika, the Ebonyi Commissioner for Youths and Sports congratulated the team for the victory but warned against complacency during the final match. “The team has not played any impressive game since the beginning of the competition and this might have compelled fans to call for the heads some of the players and their officials, including the coach.
“This appears to have spurred the players for an improved performance which was evident in the `hard-fought’ semi-final victory over hosts, Senegal,” he said. Abraham Chaka, Secretary of Ebonyi United FC said that the team’s performance during the group stages left Nigerians worried.
“The team bungled its lead over Mali by conceding two times after a three-goal lead. They had also frittered their 2-0 lead over Egypt. Jude Nwaneri, a soccer historian recounted that most teams that succeed in continental and world soccer competitions did not necessarily play attractive football.
“The Argentinian and the Ghanaian teams that reached the 1990 World Cup and AFCON 2010 finals respectively played `negative’ football at the group stages. “Soccer fans should understand that the aim of participation in football competition is to win and not to play attractive football,” he said.
Silas Eneh, a Transport Operator , however, called on the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to motivate the players by meeting their financial obligations. “It is disheartening to hear that the players and officials are owed arrears of match bonuses and salaries, when the NFF have the funds to `junket’ around the globe. “Samson Siasia has defeated the NFF in the court of public opinion, whether he wins the title or not, it is clear that the NFF tried to sabotage his efforts,” he said.
Oluchi Ewoh, a student urged Nigerians to pray for the team in the final, as they would be going up against many odds. “The Senegalese fans will definitely support Algeria because their loss Nigerian has robbed them of a vital victory,’’ she said. Sani Toro, a former secretary-General of NFA went philosophical, “we remain grateful to the Almighty God. “Congratulations to Nigeria’s Under 23 Team for beating the host country, Senegal that qualified them for the final and securing the Olympic ticket’’.
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