2015 has been a great year for football in Nigeria as a number of the teams representing the country achieved greatness. On the local scene, the Nigeria Professional Football League witnessed a lot of positive changes amid commendations and also, the age-grade teams all did considerably well.
Here are 15 key moments of the year:
1) The sack of Stephen Keshi
2015 was the year of ‘change’ and one of the first major changes that shook Nigerian football was the sack of Coach Stephen Keshi. The NFF sacked Keshi over news that he applied through his agent to be the coach of Ivory Coast – who at the time was searching for one – while still the manager of the Super Eagles.
It is instructive to note that prior to the incident, relationship between the NFF and Stephen Keshi was not rosy and at a point, it took the intervention of Ex-President, Goodluck Jonathan to prevent from being relieved of his duties. However, things got to a head with the Ivory Coast brouhaha and Keshi was asked to pack his belongings.
He would have ran to the Aso Rock but sadly, a change had occurred there too.
2)The appointment of Sunday Oliseh
After the sack of Stephen Keshi, It appeared the NFF must have consulted ace movie director, Steven Spielberg on suspense and drama creation as they put that in display in their quest for a new manager. It took weeks of speculations, denial and endless drama before the NFF President Amaju Pinnick made it known that ex-international, Sunday Oliseh would be replacing Keshi as the manager of the Super Eagles.
The news was met with a lot of optimism and praise following Oliseh’s good performance as a television pundit. Oliseh was dubbed the ‘Guardiola of Africa’ by Mr Pinnick and I am not certain if there has been a change of heart.
The way life works, today you are ‘Guardiola’, tomorrow you are ‘Onigbinde’. Hehe
3) Enyeama’s untimely retirement from the Super Eagles
As if to be reminded that the Super Eagles job is no child’s play, Oliseh faced his biggest test when involved in an altercation with former goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama. The cause of the altercation is sketchy but speculations were rife that it was as a result of Enyeama’s then late resumption to camp – due to his mother’s death – and the appointment of Ahmed Musa as the captain of the Super Eagles.
Things got to a head, there was a heated argument and the end result? Endless Instagram posts! Enyeama retired, Nigerians reacted and Oliseh stood his ground. As if to follow in Vincent’s footsteps, Emmanuel Emenike also announced his retirement although that didn’t gather any momentum as Nigerians couldn’t seem to remember the last time the striker got a goal. Not cool, eh?
Now we have an oyinbo keeper, Carl Ikeme and just in case you need more updates on the matter, stay glued to Enyeama’s Instagram page as that is his official media channel.
4) Ahmed Musa Appointed Captain of the Super Eagles
The decision to name Ahmed Musa the captain of the Super Eagles was one of Oliseh’s first changes in the squad and that didn’t go without some controversy as I already mentioned above.
Ahmed Musa has been very committed to the course of the Super Eagles although he needs to match that up with some consistency. Oliseh maintains his trust in him to lead the team and Nigerians expect him to lead them to victory and importantly, keep players like Onazi Ogenyi in check. That Onazi boy often lose his cool.
5) The NFF’s partnership with Zenith Bank
The Nigerian Football Federation announced a partnership deal with one of Nigeria’s financial institutions, Zenith Bank. The partnership was said to be focused on youth development and capacity building for officials.
Zenith Bank is expected to fund programs that would enhance youth development in the country and also help equip officials with required skills to successfully carry out their duties. In addition to that, Zenith Bank also committed to footing the bill of the salary of the Super Eagles head coach, Sunday Oliseh for a full year. Although, news have it that he is presently being owed. Who make we hold, NFF or Zenith?
6) The many failings of the Super Falcons
The Super Falcons, that used to provide succor for Nigerians in the absence of the Super Eagles, were disappointing this year. There was little or nothing to cheer.
It started with the Women World cup in Canada where they were eliminated in the group stages after picking just a point from three games and then, they failed to qualify for the Olympics after failing to beat Equatorial Guinea over two legs before rounding things up with a fruitless campaign in the All Africa Games.
It was a sad tale and issues have been raised on the need to pay more attention to female football, starting with the League. Restructure the League, discover new talent and reclaim lost glory.
In short, Bring Back Our Falcons!
7) Asisat Oshoala named BBC Women’s footballer of the year
It was a bad year for the falcons and by extension, female football in Nigeria but it wasn’t all doom and gloom as Asisat Oshoala did well enough to make the country proud.
Oshoala did not only sign for Liverpool Ladies to become the first African to feature in the Women’s Super League, she also beat Spain’s Veronica Boquete, German Nadine Kessler, Scot Kim Little and Brazilian Marta to the BBC award, all at age 20.
It was a great year for Asisat and Nigerians have every reason to be proud of her. We won’t be famzing if we do.
8) The U17 World Cup victory
Against all odds, Emmanuel Amuneke and his boys (real boys this time) went on to win the U17 World Cup in Chile, making Nigeria the only country to win the trophy for a record five times and also the second country after Brazil to have won it back-to-back.
Beyond winning the first place, new stars like Victor Osimhen – who got the most goals and set a new record -, Kelechi Nwakali, Amunudu and the likes were discovered to the betterment of the country.
9) Kelechi Iheanacho’s good exploit abroad
As stated earlier, Nigeria have been very successful at the U17 level and as part of its success, Kelechi Iheanacho can be proudly added. The 19year old star at the 2013 U17 World Cup in UAE made headlines this year for his good exploits in England with top club, Manchester City.
Manager of Manuel Pellegrinni expressed confidence in Kelechi’s ability on several occasions and the lad did not let him down in any way. This year, he has made eleven appearances for the English side and scored two goals – one of which was a match winner.
Not bad for a 19 year old, eh?
10) Odion Ighalo’s goal rage in England
A record six consecutive goals for his club, one of the top scorers in the English Premier League as far as the season is concerned and the top scorer in England’s top five divisions in the calendar year. No, I am not talking about Sergio Aguero or Wayne Rooney, I am talking about our home boy, Odion Jude Ighalo.
Without a shadow of doubt, the Nigerian has given us plenty of moments to cheer this year. His goals have helped Watford secure a decent position on the EPL log and has fueled specualtions that he could be moving to a bigger club anytime soon.
Whatever move he makes at the club level, Nigerians are sure that he won’t be doing the same at the National level. He is no Ibe. If you know what I mean…
11) The Dream Team are going to Rio
Despite a shaky start that raised a lot of doubts, Samson Siasia’s Dream Team won the U23 Africa Cup of Nations and importantly, secured qualification to the Olympics billed to take place in Rio De Janiero, Brazil in 2016.
Captain of the side, Oghenekaro Etebo was very instrumental in the team’s triumph and I am sure his performance will also propel him to even greater heights.
When the Olympics kicks off next year in Brazil, watch out for Nigerians! Even if they do not win, they can at least come back with some Brazilian hair. Win-win situation.
12) Solomon Dalong appointed minister of Sports
Away from the football pitch a little and into some of the politics that takes place in the background. Nigeria got a new Sport Minister this year in the person of Barrister Solomon Dalong.
His appointment was met with mixed feelings as some expressed concern over his non-involvement in sports prior to his appointment while others vouched for his intelligence and administrative know-how.
The barrister has been urged by many not to focus only on football but also help develop other sports as they could serve as a source of revenue generation. You can also forward your advice, I heard he is a cool person and even sef, this life is not that hard. Yes, Aye o le.
13) Segun Odegbami’s FIFA Presidency bid
Still on politics, one of the things that shook the political scene of Nigeria football this year was the tussle that stemmed out of Segun Odegbami’s ambition to be the president of football’s world governing body, FIFA.
Segun fought really hard and in the process, got into the face of a number of people. End of the day, he couldn’t fulfill the requirements needed to contest and so, his ambition was laid to rest.
I heard betrayal, sabotage and bad belle all over the place at the time but I am not sure who did what or what really happened. If you guys want to really know, I suggest you hit up Odegbami. I don’t want to say something now and my Oga at the top will say another. Moreover, we are in the era of probing and EFCC.
14) Kano Pillars finally lost a game at home
After 12 years and 201 games, NPFL’s Kano Pillars finally lost a game at the Sani Abacha stadium this year to Nasarawa United on match day 25.
The victory was not only historic, it also marked the resurgence that had taken place in the league – more away victories, improved officiating and better organization.
But guys, 12 solid years and not one single home loss? That’s some streak!
15) Enyimba won the NPFL title
Nigeria’s most successful club side, Enyimba of Aba made history as they won the Nigeria Professional League title for a record seventh time!
The Elephants – as they are popularly called did so with exciting football, vital away wins and a high level of consistency at home.
Stuff of Champions! Hopefully, they will do the country proud on the continent.
From all of the foregoing, it can be safely concluded that it was indeed a great year for football in Nigeria, right?
Which moment(s) did I miss out? Let me know!