NIS DG Shaibu criticizes NFF for decreasing quality of Federation Cup in Nigeria

Following the President/Federation Cup final in Asaba, Delta State, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Sports (NFF), Comrade Philip Shaibu, expressed reservations over the quality of football displayed by both Ikorodu FC and the El-Kanemi warriors, calling for improved standards in the Nigerian football system.

Football in Nigeria is administered by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF)

Speaking to sports journalists shortly after the final whistle, Shaibu said the performance witnessed during the final fell short of the competitiveness and quality traditionally associated with the Nigeria FA Cup, stressing that more needs to be done to raise the standard of the national game.

“I must confess that the quality of football I saw today between Ikorodu FC and El-Kanemi lacked the quality of Nigerian football that we demand. It was a match of zero quality, to put it mildly,” Shaibu said.

He acknowledged the quality of the players, but noted that both teams struggled with consistency, organization and tactical discipline.

“Inconsistencies are not what Nigerian football wants now. We know how competitive the FA Cup is in Nigeria. The pitch is beautiful, the organization is beautiful, but both teams lack consistency. No quality, no depth, not even two minutes of coordinated passing from both teams,” he added.

The football enthusiast also questioned the readiness of some local players to represent Nigeria at the highest level, saying the performances he witnessed did not provide sufficient evidence of players capable of competing with international standards.

“I could barely pick out a good player among them. And when I looked at those on the sideline managing the teams and saw their reactions, all I concluded was that they were comfortable with the unorganized style of play,” Shaibu said.

He also urged local players and stakeholders to improve their approach if they are to earn opportunities ahead of foreign-based players in the national team lineup.

“I don’t see any opportunity for these kind of local players who represent the Nigerian football system of our dreams. They must wake up if they are to be chosen ahead of our foreign players,” Shaibu concluded.

In recent years, Nigeria’s football clubs have failed to live up to expectations, particularly with regards to their performances in continental competitions, and the declining standards associated with the administration and enforcement of football at the national level.

To this end, the National Sports Commission (NSC) recently announced first-rate measures aimed at reforming the country’s national league.

Part of the measures, according to the NSC leadership, is that from the next football season, the production of clubs’ licenses should be upgraded to international standards, with clubs expected to pay a minimum salary of N2 million to players.