English Premiership Chief Tips Eagles for 2010 Glory
By Tunde Sulaiman.
Nigeria's Super Eagles have been tipped to be amongst the teams to make
waves at the next World Cup, which is taking place in South Africa - the
first time on the continent.
Sir David Richards, Chairman of the English Premier League (EPL), who
based his assertion on the 'quality of Nigerian players plying their trade
his league, also had some good words for the Nigeria Football League (NFL)
which he said has the potential to become one of the best in the world.
According to the EPL boss who spoke in Abuja Friday, however, warned that
having good players was not enough to translate into good performances
on the field of play because 'good football management was also important.'
'You have a lot of very fantastic players and I know how good they are
because they are playing in the Premiership. And from what I've seen of
them Nigeria should be a major contender when the World Cup is staged
in South Africa in 2010.'
But Sir Richards was quick to point out that having good footballers was
in itself not enough for victory if it was not backed with good management
and money, which comes from sponsorship - echoing the views of new Super
Eagles Head Coach Berti Vogts, who said as much last week during his visit
to the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC).
Turning to the league Sir Richards said although the English Premiership
may be 15 years old, after his interaction with NFL officials he believes
Nigeria was on course to have a well run professional league which will
be at par with those much older than them.
'I must say I've been very impressed with the plans the Nigeria Football
League have. The fact that they came to meet us to tap from our experience
of running the Premiership the last 15 years is an indication that they
(NFL) are willing to learn in order to make their league better.
'This will only make the administration and funding of the league better
but will ultimately impart on the youths because by the time more money
comes into the clubs they (youths) will see that they can have a decent
future playing football in Nigeria,' he said.
Sir Richards, who was accompanied on the three-day visit by EPL member
and Vice Chairman of Manchester United Mr Maurice Walkins, said they were
ready to impart the knowledge they have gleamed over 15 years to the NPL
in an effort to make it more effective in branding, making the best use
of media and attract more sponsorship.
Both men who were treated to a dinner Friday evening were they were impressed
with the gifts showered on them by the NFL, which included Benin bronze
statuettes and a giant locally made rug (which Sir Richards said he would
hang in his office), were later taken to Kaduna were they watched the
Globacom Premiership match between Kaduna United and Ocean Boys, which
ended 1-1.
The duo returned to England last night.
Also present at the dinner Friday was Berti Vogts and NSC Chairman Bawa
Bala Ka'oje, who promised government's support for the NFL.
