Nigeria Deaf Football Association, NDFA, has disclosed why Deaf Eagles of Nigeria performed poorly at the 4th World Deaf Football Championship.
Speaking to Inclusive News Network, Nehemiah Daret, the secretary general, NDFA, said the Deaf Eagles were ill-prepared which has evidently affected their performances at the world cup.
He noted that “out of 23 players that were selected to travel to Malaysia, they were cut down to only 18 due to insufficient funds and again out of 18 players, 5 were denied Malaysian visa leaving only 13 players for a world championship like this.”
He further emphasized that the 5 players that were denied visas are good stars and defenders.
Daret who expressed frustration on Nigeria’s performances at the world cup said “all these frustrations were caused by Nigerian government due to paucity of funds, the little they approved could not meet up demands and again they released the money very late precisely on the day that the players left the country.
“Again, No one official followed them apart from coach and assistant coach. I am very sad with this development.
“Even at the camping stage there were no funds, we had to borrow money to feed the players for a period of one month.”
Daret expressed optimism that “Nigeria Deaf Eagles have all it takes to win this world championship if proper preparation were made with regards to adequate funds and timely release of same.
“I am pleading with the Federal Ministry of Sports to help the Deaf Eagles meet up with adequate preparation towards the next events and see if we will not bring home the trophy, Nigeria Deaf Eagles are the best team to be reckoned with in Africa as we always maintain the lead in any African Tournaments like the West African Deaf Football Tournaments WADFT which Nigeria Deaf Eagles remain the champion for several times.” He said.
INN reports that Gabon walked over Nigeria with 3points for missing their first match scheduled for Saturday and this morning England thrashed Nigeria 5-1 with Korede Salami scoring the consolation goal.
INN also reports that in Group D of the world cup, England and Gabon are on same level with 6 points each, while Nigeria and Australia have zero point. Nigeria will slug it out with Australia on Wednesday, September 27 at 8:30pm (MYT) while England and Gabon will play to determine the table topper.
Also Ghana who like Nigeria arrived a day to their match day were walloped 0-11 by Turkey.
Below are the full results of today’s matches :
Men (Full Time)
TURKIYE 11-0 GHANA
MALAYSIA 0-8 GERMANY
THAILAND 1-3 ARGENTINA
NIGERIA 1-5 ENGLAND
IRAN 1-0 JAPAN
USA 2-3 EGYPT
SENEGAL 2-2 UKRAINE
AUSTRALIA 1-2 GABON
CAMEROON 0-3 FRANCE
Women (Full Time)
POLAND 4-1 TURKIYE
JAPAN 1-2 ENGLAND
1 comment
Very precise and the whole truth told. These physically challenged champions have the priority. Of every Government in Europe in terms of care and welfare packages but for Nigeria , no one cares… too bad.