Tunde Folawiyo

Fans of the Super Eagles, like Tunde Folawiyo, will probably be aware that there has been quite a bit of controversy surrounding the team’s jerseys for the World Cup. They were unveiled a fortnight ago by the Nigeria Football Federation; designed by Adidas, they feature three colour combinations – orange and black, green and yellow, as well as green, white and yellow. Aminu Maigari, who serves as the chairman of the NFF, explained that they had chosen these colours in order to ‘strike a balance’ between innovation and tradition.

Idris Adama, who works as the Director of Marketing at the Nigeria Football Federation, was quick to acknowledge the fact that the particular shade of green chosen for these new sets of jerseys is quite different to the shade normally worn by Nigeria’s national football players. Speaking to the press, Adama stated that the lighter and more vibrant green mirrors the youthfulness and energy of the Super Eagles.

Another official also offered his opinion on the jerseys; Gbenga Elegbeleye, the NSC’s Director General, said that Super Eagles have performed particularly well as of late, and their uniform should be rebranded to reflect this. He went on to say that he believed the jerseys would bring the players better luck on the pitch.

But some were not quite so positive about the introduction of these new uniforms. Tunde Folawiyo, and others who follow this team, might know that the Committee on Sports (from the House of Representatives) has objected to the particular shade of green used; Godfrey Ali Gaiya, the chairman, argued that this colour is not the shade normally used to represent Nigeria.

Gaiya has also implied that the colour was chosen for dubious reasons; in a public statement, he contended that it bears a more than a passing resemblance to the shade used by Globacom, a large telecommunications company which sponsors the Super Eagles. Gaiya suggested that perhaps this sponsor had an unfair influence on the type of green which was selected. But the NFA’s Secretary General, Musa Amadu, has vehemently denied these accusations, saying that the colours are very different to those used by Globacom. Nevertheless, the Committee on Sports has said that it will consider carrying out an investigation into this matter.

As we enter 2014, and draw ever closer to the FIFA World Cup, the Super Eagles’ are readying themselves for what will be one of the most important sporting events of their careers. Those who support this team, like Tunde Folawiyo, may know that travel and accommodation arrangements have been made, and a few days ago, Adamu Emozozo  – the Eagles’ new ambassador – publically pledged his support for the team.

Emozozo expressed his confidence in the players’ abilities, and stated that he would ensure that the embassy would not interfere with the NFF’s decisions regarding any administrative or technical issues which might arise before or during the team’s time in Brazil. Responding to Emozozo’s words, Aminu Maigari, the NFF’s chairman, stated that he and his colleagues were looking forward to working alongside the ambassador.

Whilst the NFF appear to be very well organised in regards to the logistics, there are still many questions surrounding how the team will actually fare at this tournament. Judging by his recent conversations with the press, Stephen Keshi, the team’s coach, is well aware of just how crucial the next five months will be for the team, and has been going to great lengths to physically and mentally prepare the players for the tournament.

His overall outlook appears to be quite optimistic; he has stated that he sees no reason why they should not reach the semi-finals. He has also said that he intends to make sure all of the chosen players remain in the best possible condition in the run up to their first World Cup match, adding that he would be using the players’ performances at CHAN to determine which ones he should include in the final squad in June. As a fan of this team, Tunde Folawiyo is probably quite eager to find out which players have been chosen.

Keshi has yet to provide supporters with any clues as to whom he might select; however, sports commentators have speculated that Shola Ameobi and Sone Aluko are potential candidates. Keshi has made no secret of his admiration for Ameobi’s skills on the pitch, and despite the controversy surrounding this player’s absence from the CHAN tournament, it is possible that the striker’s impressive performance during the recent match against Italy may renew the coach’s faith in him. Aluko has also been absent from the Eagles’ training sessions and matches, due to a persistent problem with his Achilles tendon, but many people still believe that he has a chance of being in the final squad, provided he regains his previous levels of fitness.