Brazil 2014: Adamu Tasks NFF On Eagles’ Preparation

The former Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Dr. Amos Adamu, has called on the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to ensure they raise adequate funds for the Super Eagles’ preparation for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Adamu, a former CAF and FIFA Executive Committee member said at the weekend in Lagos that, the football federation should go all out to get needed funds to prepare the team well ahead of the challenges of the World Cup, considering the fact that, funds may not be released on time by the federal government due to bureaucratic bottleneck.

“I know the NFF president, Aminu Maigari, is doing very well and that is why the various national soccer teams both male and female have been doing well in all the competitions that competed in.

“Maigari’s initiatives effectively combined with the great vision of the federation’s board members have taken Nigerian football to greater height which must be maintained.”

The former WAFU president noted that, for the current standard of the country’s football to be maintained, more so when the Eagles will be campaigning as Africa’s champion at the Brazil 2014 World Cup, it is only wise for the leadership of the NFF to go all out to get funds.

“The Marketing and Sponsorship Committee of the NFF must be put on their toes to source for funds to execute important friendly games that would be beneficial for the Eagles to perform to expectations in Brazil.

“Maigari and his men should not wait for government to release funds. The organization of the friendly game against Mexico in March is commendable, but the team would need much more top rated games to achieve the set goal which is to play in the quarter-finals of the World Cup and even beyond. They should go ahead to raise funds from all avenues they know, the banks are also not an exception.

“If the Eagles are well prepared, then the standard already set by the NFF for Nigerian teams to finish in third place in major championships if they do not win can be actualized.”

Adamu stated that, the Eagles can go as far as winning the third place at Brazil 2014.” It is not impossible. All teams at the World Cup are there to win, so that of Nigeria won’t be an exception.”

He commended the home-based Eagles for finishing third at the CHAN Championship in South Africa, and was full of praises for the team’s coach, Stephen Keshi for helping to raise Nigeria’s profile in international football.

He urged the NFF to continue to give Keshi support.