…Calls for Improved Standards
The Director General and Chief Executive Officer, National Institute for Sports, Comrade Philip Shaibu has expressed reservations over the quality of football displayed by both Ikorodu FC and El-Kanemi Warriors at the President Federation Cup final, calling for improved standards in the Nigerian football system.
Speaking with 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 Nigerian FA Cup, stressing that more must be done to raise the standard of the domestic game.
The former Edo State Deputy Governor said “I must confess that the quality of football I watched today between Ikorodu FC and El-Kanemi lacked the Nigerian quality of football we demand. It was a zero-quality game, to say the least,”.
He acknowledged the quality of players but noted that both teams struggled with consistency, organisation, and tactical discipline.
Shaibu added “The inconsistencies are not what Nigerian football wants now. We know how competitive the FA Cup is in Nigeria. The pitch is beautiful, organisation beautiful, but both teams lacked consistency. No quality, no depth, not even two minutes of coordinated passes from both teams,” .
The football enthusiast also questioned the readiness of some local players to represent Nigeria at the highest level, saying the performances witnessed did not provide enough evidence of players capable of competing with international standards.
Shaibu stated “I could barely point out a good player amongst them. And when I looked at those on the touchline managing the teams and saw their reactions, all I concluded was that they were comfortable with the unorganised style of play,” .
He further urged local players and stakeholders to improve their approach if they must earn opportunities ahead of foreign-based players in the national team setup.
The former deputy governor concluded “I don’t see any opportunity from this type of local player representing the Nigeria football system of our dream. They need to wake up, if they must be picked ahead of our foreign players” .
