As Super Eagles of Nigeria advanced plans to play an international friendly match with El Tri of Mexico this Friday at Los Angeles, United States of America, a football enthusiast, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, has said that it would be a miracle for the nation’s Austin Eguavoen and Paul Aigbogun technically led national team to defeat their South American opponent.
Anyanwu who represented Owerri Senatorial zone at the Senate made his mind known when he hosted members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Imo State chapter in Owerri over the weekend.
The SWAN patron hinged his prediction on what he described as a lackadaisical approach to the game by the Nigerian football administrators.
He said: “El Tri of Mexico have arrived Los Angeles since last week Friday and have been training for environmental acclimatization and fans support, whilst the three times African Champions are expected to leave Nigeria for the venue this week Wednesday for a Friday match.”
He said that the Super Eagles would be facing the Mexico team with entirely home-based players as they hoped to use the match to get them in shape for the upcoming CHAN qualifier.
Anyanwu advised the state leadership of SWAN to devise means that would guarantee them financial autonomy so as to enable them to tackle issues without hitches.
While recalling the role of SWAN in developing indigenous sports, Anyanwu expressed bitterness that such association that had performed optimally is still lagging behind in the area of identifying hidden talents and engaging them meaningfully.
He further challenged the leadership to design relevant programmes geared towards reaching out to concerned Imo sons and daughters that had made the state proud in various sports sectors, and with the mission of unifying them together and for greater exploits.
Senator Anyanwu passionately appealed to both the state and federal governments not to shy away from supporting the association.
Speaking on behalf of his members, Rotarian Everest Ezihe, the SWAN Chairman, Imo State, described Senator Anyanwu as one man that had to remain resolute in his commitment to grassroots football development, advancement and persistence in settling problems affecting SWAN in the state.
He recalled that the historical Samdaddy FC in 2017 defeated the state-owned football club, Heartland FC in FA Cup finals, stressing the need for the promotion and advancement of sporting activities to be given prompt attention.
Mr Ezihe, therefore, assured his host of the association’s willingness to maintain financial independence to avoid being misunderstood, while thanking him for supporting their forthcoming national summit and other programmes.
The SWAN boss further applauded him for the appointment of Mr Ikenna Onuoha as his media aide.
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