David Doherty, one of the candidates for President in the recent Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) election, which was held in Benin City, the capital of Edo State, suggested that selection to play for Nigeria at different levels should be based on merit and not through unethical means.
The UK-based football administrator wrote on his Facebook page that invitations to our National teams shouldn’t be given out based on how quickly they can be evaluated by mediocre players or given out informally without due process, effort, or merit.
“So ahead of the friendly against Portugal, I think is good to point it out that ” Playing for Super Eagles should not be something that can easily be assessed by average players or back door entry without proper process, hardwork and merit”, He wrote.
He continued “We all saw how Brazilian players waited all day to confirm their place on the WC list, this is what standard and merit brings to the table….
“Those selected Brazilian squad will have at the back of their mind that, they are not here by chance but rather by merit and hardwork they put in at club level and previously playing for the country.
“Wearing Nigeria jersey at any level of our national teams especially our most cherished Super Eagles should come with merit, class, standard, hardwork, consistency and massive desire. Not by corrupt means, money, back dore, Godfatherism, agent influence, club search, Not by Quota system, journalist x media influence or through career rehabilitation”.
He also suggested that using the football platform to bring about positive change in the way Nigerians conduct themselves would send a powerful message to the country’s athletic community and other sectors, adding that if Nigerian football was to succeed, it would take a team effort.
“If only we can use our football platform as a means of positive change in the way we do things in Nigeria, trust me it will surely go a long way and it will send a good signal across all sporting and other sectors.
“Nigeria Football Must Work Again. It is a collective approach not a one man business.
Nigeria Super Eagles will take on Costa Rica in San Jose on November 10th and also take on Portugal on November 17th 2022.
