KAITA: A New Word Added To Oxford English Dictionary
KAITA: A New Word Added To Oxford English Dictionary
KAITA (Kai-ta)
v. Kai*ta, Kai*tas, kai*ta'ed, kai*ta'ing
1. To single-handedly dash the hopes and aspirations of one's nation in the full glare of other nations
2. To karate-kick your way out of the greatest stage/spotlight ever known to man
3. To destroy/zap/ siphon the energies of teammates plus 140 million people through unexplainable stupidity
4. To act foolishly, unintelligently or irrationally and IMMEDIATELY regret the action by falling on your knees
(Etymology: Derived from the dreadful match between Nigeria and lowly Greece at the 2010 Soccer World Cup)
Usage:
"Please, please, do not KAITA what we have been building for 50 years o! Oloshi!"
"I don't care what people say, I will KAITA the multi-billion dollar plan!"
"That man, you know, the hopeless, useless, visionless, KAITAing guy!"
"I was KAITAing until I met Jesus!"
Synonyms:
1. Sabotage
2. Incapacitate
3. Destroy/Demobilize
4. Jeopardize
5. Impair
6. Implode
7. Shege Banza!
OTHER MEANINGS AND DERIVATIVES
KAITA (Kai-ta)
n. Kai*ta
A term that describes a temporary but kaitastrophic loss of mental competency and faculty.
See also Instant Amnesia.
(Source: davidylan)
KAITA (Kai-ta)
n. Kai*ta
Kaita is a national disaster, an epitome of embarrassment, representing failed Federal Character principle.
(Source: teskyg)
KAITA (Kai-ta)
n. Kai*ta
An act of psychosis, bordering on lunacy, manifested by fabled werewolves under a full moon. Shockingly, Rino Gattuso (the world's most notorious hard tackler) is said to be spending sleepless nights reviewing KAITA's tape!
(Source: careytommy)
KAITAISIS (Kai-ta-i-sis)
n. Kai*ta*i*sis
1. A new mental sickness recently discovered by Neurosurgeons. It affects the victim's ability to think right or make right judgement especially when it matters most.
2. Victims often confuse the game of soccer for a karate session. Its derived from the new word KAITA
(Source: tlops)
KAITARIZATION (Kai-ta-ri-za- tion)
n. Kai*ta*ri*za* shen
Kaitarization is the act of being turned into a useless mongol OR a Shaolin Temple soccer player.
(Source: chichi234 & colomb)
KAITA-KAITA (Kai-ta-kai- ta)
n. Kai*ta*kai*ta
Kaita-Kaita means unprecedented confusion and unimaginable pandemonium
Usage: "Kaita-kaita don burst!"
(Source: lizzybabe1)
KAITA (Kai-ta)
n. Kai*ta
A highly explosive bomb needed more in Iraq than in Nigeria
Usage: "Allied Forces just dropped the K-Bomb! Yes! The Kaita! Ladies and gentlemen, the war is over!!!"
(Source: Active Man)
KAITARACT (Kai-ta-ra-ct)
n. Kai*ta*ra*kt
A one-of-a-kind eye defect that makes a soccer player see another player as a Jabulani Ball to be kicked
Usage: "Pity, he suffered from a sudden chronic case of Kaitaract"
(Source: we_lycans)
KAITASTROPHY (Kai-ta-stro- phy)
n. Kai*ta*stro* fi
See Kaita-Kaita above
(Source: ~Borat~)
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
2011: I’ll decide after release of elections timetable – Jonathan
President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday said he would decide on whether or not to stand for election in 2011 after the release of the timetable and guidelines for the poll by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
”I will not be in a position to say whether I will run or whether I will not run. It‘s too early to make a pronouncement,” Jonathan said during a media chat on the Nigerian Television Authority monitored by our correspondents.
He said, “It is better to wait for INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission) to announce its timetable and guidelines. If I were to contest, I would declare my ambition close to my party’s (Peoples Democratic Party) primaries after INEC must have announced its guidelines.”
Going by INEC’s two option time table, the presidential election will hold either on January 22, 2011 or April 23, 2011.
The PDP is yet to fix its convention date due to internal crisis. The party got a new chairman (Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo) on Thursday, more than a month after the resignation of its former chairman, Chief Vincent Ogbulafor.
Our correspondents, however, learnt that it might hold on or before November.
The President, who also told a panel of journalists that ”security personnel” shielded the late President Umaru Yar’Adua from Nigerians, including top government officials during the period of his illness, said he would speak on the issue of zoning/rotational presidency at the appropriate time.
Jonathan said, “I do not want to make comments on zoning and rotational presidency. This (zoning) is an issue that has been misconstrued. The purported issue of zoning keeps coming up. At the appropriate time, whether I am contesting or not, I will tell Nigerians about zoning or no zoning.
“Anything you say about zoning will encourage some public debate, it is becoming a topical issue. Whether I run or not is immaterial in terms of election that we will conduct in 2011.
“I am committed to credible elections, and I mean it. I feel humiliated everywhere I go and people raise questions over the credibility of our electoral system. It is annoying and I will make sure no other Nigerian President ever has to go through that again.”
He also denied the existence of a cabal or kitchen cabinet in the Presidency and said that the responsibility of conducting free and fair elections rested on INEC under the control of the Federal Government.
The President said, “I am glad that the appointment of Prof. Attahiru Jega as the chairman of INEC has been applauded by several Nigerians. I did not go out to look for a perfect person, it is impossible to get a perfect person.”
He assured Nigerians that the electoral body would not lack funds to make the upcoming elections hitch-free.
Jonathan said, “INEC has good budgetary provisions. It will not be limited by funds in 2011. Apart from that, the controversial elections held in the past give our leaders credibility and acceptability problems globally.
“This time, the European Union, the United States and some other bodies have shown their interest in the 2011 elections. Outside our budgetary provisions, INEC will have external sources of funding. Funding will not limit INEC’s performance.”
The President said he felt Nigerians’ pulse each time he read newspapers, adding, “We don’t want to make politically- motivated comments. We will do our best to make sure that votes count and entrench good governance.”
On the power supply, Jonathan said his government was not thinking of new major projects but would focus on fixing areas that had caused problems for the power sector.
He said, “The power sector is almost like a chain with many weak links, which must be fixed to give us the minimum that we need. Our problem as a country is that we stopped investing in the power sector until the administration of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo came on board.
“Our plan for Nigeria to have stable power is to complete reform in the power sector and bring the private sector on board.
“We believe that distribution and generation of power must be completely privatised. Government can concentrate on transmission, which can also be contracted out at the right time. We are trying to see if we can complete ongoing transmission and generation projects.”
Asked if the late Yar‘Adua‘s wife, Turai, hid the ailing leader from public view, Jonathan said, ”It was not the first lady alone” who shielded him.”
”There were senior government functionaries; they were not political office holders. They were security personnel,” Jonathan said.
”I asked the security agencies to look into the conduct of their security officers,” he said but did not elaborate on what that.
Jonathan acknowledged that he had his own fears about trying to see Yar‘Adua before his death on May 5.
He said, ”Supposing I forced my way in and after seeing him, something happened, and they started to make insinuations I was part of the problem.”
”I will not be in a position to say whether I will run or whether I will not run. It‘s too early to make a pronouncement,” Jonathan said during a media chat on the Nigerian Television Authority monitored by our correspondents.
He said, “It is better to wait for INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission) to announce its timetable and guidelines. If I were to contest, I would declare my ambition close to my party’s (Peoples Democratic Party) primaries after INEC must have announced its guidelines.”
Going by INEC’s two option time table, the presidential election will hold either on January 22, 2011 or April 23, 2011.
The PDP is yet to fix its convention date due to internal crisis. The party got a new chairman (Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo) on Thursday, more than a month after the resignation of its former chairman, Chief Vincent Ogbulafor.
Our correspondents, however, learnt that it might hold on or before November.
The President, who also told a panel of journalists that ”security personnel” shielded the late President Umaru Yar’Adua from Nigerians, including top government officials during the period of his illness, said he would speak on the issue of zoning/rotational presidency at the appropriate time.
Jonathan said, “I do not want to make comments on zoning and rotational presidency. This (zoning) is an issue that has been misconstrued. The purported issue of zoning keeps coming up. At the appropriate time, whether I am contesting or not, I will tell Nigerians about zoning or no zoning.
“Anything you say about zoning will encourage some public debate, it is becoming a topical issue. Whether I run or not is immaterial in terms of election that we will conduct in 2011.
“I am committed to credible elections, and I mean it. I feel humiliated everywhere I go and people raise questions over the credibility of our electoral system. It is annoying and I will make sure no other Nigerian President ever has to go through that again.”
He also denied the existence of a cabal or kitchen cabinet in the Presidency and said that the responsibility of conducting free and fair elections rested on INEC under the control of the Federal Government.
The President said, “I am glad that the appointment of Prof. Attahiru Jega as the chairman of INEC has been applauded by several Nigerians. I did not go out to look for a perfect person, it is impossible to get a perfect person.”
He assured Nigerians that the electoral body would not lack funds to make the upcoming elections hitch-free.
Jonathan said, “INEC has good budgetary provisions. It will not be limited by funds in 2011. Apart from that, the controversial elections held in the past give our leaders credibility and acceptability problems globally.
“This time, the European Union, the United States and some other bodies have shown their interest in the 2011 elections. Outside our budgetary provisions, INEC will have external sources of funding. Funding will not limit INEC’s performance.”
The President said he felt Nigerians’ pulse each time he read newspapers, adding, “We don’t want to make politically- motivated comments. We will do our best to make sure that votes count and entrench good governance.”
On the power supply, Jonathan said his government was not thinking of new major projects but would focus on fixing areas that had caused problems for the power sector.
He said, “The power sector is almost like a chain with many weak links, which must be fixed to give us the minimum that we need. Our problem as a country is that we stopped investing in the power sector until the administration of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo came on board.
“Our plan for Nigeria to have stable power is to complete reform in the power sector and bring the private sector on board.
“We believe that distribution and generation of power must be completely privatised. Government can concentrate on transmission, which can also be contracted out at the right time. We are trying to see if we can complete ongoing transmission and generation projects.”
Asked if the late Yar‘Adua‘s wife, Turai, hid the ailing leader from public view, Jonathan said, ”It was not the first lady alone” who shielded him.”
”There were senior government functionaries; they were not political office holders. They were security personnel,” Jonathan said.
”I asked the security agencies to look into the conduct of their security officers,” he said but did not elaborate on what that.
Jonathan acknowledged that he had his own fears about trying to see Yar‘Adua before his death on May 5.
He said, ”Supposing I forced my way in and after seeing him, something happened, and they started to make insinuations I was part of the problem.”
Akwa Ibom Global Diaspora Concern on Public Safety in Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria.
On June 19, 2009, Akwa Ibom State Association of Nigeria, USA Inc. (AKISAN) published a press release on the state of public safety in Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria (AKS). It was evident even then that AKS was under siege; the government of AKS seemed unaware of the ensuing carnage, and the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) was ineffective, out-gunned and ultimately unable to protect AKS citizens.
Recent incidents of terrorism in Akwa Ibom State, specifically the assassination of Obong Paul Inyang (a PDP leader in AKS); the alarming rate of kidnappings (including that of a retired Army General Akpan); the attempted assassination of a gubernatorial candidate (Ini Udonwa) and kidnapping of his aged mother (still in captivity), has brought all citizens of Akwa Ibom State at home and in the Diaspora to the tipping point on the state of public safety in Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria.
While some argue that kidnapping and acts of terror are not limited to AKS, it is now abundantly clear, that these acts of terror mentioned above are derivatives of an ugly politics in AKS. These are not random acts criminality and the government of Akwa Ibom State can not be absolved of complicity in these dastardly acts of assassination and reign of terror. This is simply unacceptable in AKS, in Nigeria, in UK, in Ireland, in the U.S. or anywhere in the world were democracy exist and God fearing individuals cohabitate.
The responsibility for a safe and peaceful AKS is that of the State Government. In fact, the Government of AKS will unequivocally fail in all other responsibilities if it cannot protect its citizens. The safety of citizens is at the core of good governance, the primary and most basic expectation from the leaders in Akwa Ibom State Government.
We in the Akwa Ibom Diaspora hold the government of Akwa Ibom State accountable for the state of siege in AKS;
We hold the government accountable for citizens living in fear;
We hold the government accountable for the spate of assassinations, kidnappings and extortions;
We hold the government accountable for bloodshed and lives lost;
We hold the government accountable for the mindless attempt to assassinate or kidnap the gubernatorial candidate from the Diaspora (Engr. Ini Udonwa); the government is accountable for the life of Madame Udonwa still in captivity.
We hold the government accountable for the prevailing acts of terrorism in AKS, which in turn threatens to negate all the developmental accomplishments of Your Excellency's tenure. The buck stops here!
Terrorism in AKS impacts the global economy and renders AKS unsafe, unlivable, unattractive to visitors, and unattractive for tourism.
Terrorism in AKS will stifle private investments.
Terrorism in AKS will hamper all efforts at economic development.
AKS will be left with roads to no where; further exacerbation of joblessness; more chaos, fear and misery.
Make no mistake, right now, Akwa Ibom is not OK. The global leadership of Akwa Ibom citizens in the Diaspora therefore requests a meeting with you, Your Excellency, to listen to strategies and efforts in progress toward ending the grip of terror on Akwa Ibom State.
Aside from the primary objective of this communication, which is the end of this scourge of political assassinations, kidnappings and political intimidations, we seek to positively engage and assist Akwa Ibom State government through development and implementation of the following recommendations (some of which we recognize may be already in implementation, but none the less, may be adjusted in light of the lack of impact on the state of public safety thus far):
1. Establishment of a cabinet level department of public safety and emergency management (focused on preventive and proactive tactics for a safe Akwa Ibom State)
2. Community vigilance & surveillance (neighborhood Watch organizations)
3. Properties surveillance (including churches; cameras link to security watch & dispatch center; distributed and central command)
4. Public space Surveillance (cameras link to security dispatch center)
5. Active and rolling stop and search (Joint Police and Public safety officers patrols (24/7)
6. Profiling and preventive arrests with cause
7. Curfew and lock down of state during designated periods
8. Counter terror intelligence gathering
9. Transparency in the prosecution of those arrested
10. Enforcement of laws on the books against gun ownership, armed robbery, kidnapping, terrorism.
11. Offensive against those that cannot show source of their wealth.
12. Phone and vehicle traceability (legislation, policies, and mandates)
13. Disincentive ransom policy (no negotiation with terrorists and kidnappers)
14. Controlled movement in & out of AKS (stop & search all).
15. Money movement (through banks) laws and mandates (financial crimes watch; money laundering by criminals)
16. Enhanced and integrated Emergency response system (911 equivalent, with communications backbone)
17. Engagement of Community leaders & traditional rulers.
18. Reduction of the unemployment rate in the state; through revitalization of shuttered industries and creation of employment opportunities for youths.
19. Strategic location of speed bumps to retard escaping criminals
His Excellency, you can understand the importance of these concerns to the citizens of Akwa Ibom State at home and especially those in the Diaspora, and our intention to engage in the process of ending this state of terror. We hope you will find it valuable to keep us engaged in the process as a matter of urgency.
Akwa Ibom State has already garnered the ignominy of being listed by the US State Department as a no-go area. We cannot credibly engage the US State department (for de-listing) without demonstrable actions and improvement in public safety status of Akwa Ibom State.
Given the impact, including the value of AKS to the world economy, we will strategically engage the Nigerian government, the US government, and the UK government, if we find Akwa Ibom leadership without the urgency and right energy behind actions to end this scourge of terror, political assassinations, kidnappings, and political intimidations.
Frankly, to the extent that the government of Akwa Ibom State can not be absolved of complicity in recent assassination, attempted assassination, and kidnappings, this may be the right time to seek an independent and special prosecutor to investigate the assassination of Obong Paul Inyang, the attempted assassination of gubernatorial candidate Ini Udonwa, and the kidnapping of General Akpan. It is in the government's best interest to be seen to practice peace and justice by seeking Federal and/or International help in rooting out the source of these political assassinations. The Nigerian Police Force has been ineffective thus far. The Government of Akwa Ibom State has not done much beyond rhetoric. The Governor of Akwa Ibom State has not stepped forward, owned, and provided any public leadership towards ending prevailing state of terror in Akwa Ibom State.
It is time for the Federal government to declare a State of Emergency in Akwa Ibom State.
With the mandate of Akwa Ibom citizens in the Diaspora, I, and/or credited delegates from the Diaspora are available to meet with you at a time and place of mutual convenience, preferably here in the US during one of your visits.
We are of course willing to meet with you in the UK or some safe location outside Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria.
We look forward to your response by June 30, 2010.
Sincerely,
Obong E. Umana
National President,
Akwa Ibom State Association of Nigeria,
USA. INC.
C.C.
Secretary to AKS government Umana Umana
Commissioner for information Aniekan Umanah
President of Nigeria,Goodluck Jonathan
Senate President, Hon Senator David Mark
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Dimeji Bankole
Hon. Senators Effiong Bob, Aloysious Etuk, Eme Ekaette from AKS
Chairman Police Commission, Mr. Parry Osayande
Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State
Hon. Speaker, AKS House of Assembly
Paramount Rulers in AKS
US State Department (Africa Desk, US Ambassador in Nigeria, Special Representative on Electoral Reform)
The Media
Recent incidents of terrorism in Akwa Ibom State, specifically the assassination of Obong Paul Inyang (a PDP leader in AKS); the alarming rate of kidnappings (including that of a retired Army General Akpan); the attempted assassination of a gubernatorial candidate (Ini Udonwa) and kidnapping of his aged mother (still in captivity), has brought all citizens of Akwa Ibom State at home and in the Diaspora to the tipping point on the state of public safety in Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria.
While some argue that kidnapping and acts of terror are not limited to AKS, it is now abundantly clear, that these acts of terror mentioned above are derivatives of an ugly politics in AKS. These are not random acts criminality and the government of Akwa Ibom State can not be absolved of complicity in these dastardly acts of assassination and reign of terror. This is simply unacceptable in AKS, in Nigeria, in UK, in Ireland, in the U.S. or anywhere in the world were democracy exist and God fearing individuals cohabitate.
The responsibility for a safe and peaceful AKS is that of the State Government. In fact, the Government of AKS will unequivocally fail in all other responsibilities if it cannot protect its citizens. The safety of citizens is at the core of good governance, the primary and most basic expectation from the leaders in Akwa Ibom State Government.
We in the Akwa Ibom Diaspora hold the government of Akwa Ibom State accountable for the state of siege in AKS;
We hold the government accountable for citizens living in fear;
We hold the government accountable for the spate of assassinations, kidnappings and extortions;
We hold the government accountable for bloodshed and lives lost;
We hold the government accountable for the mindless attempt to assassinate or kidnap the gubernatorial candidate from the Diaspora (Engr. Ini Udonwa); the government is accountable for the life of Madame Udonwa still in captivity.
We hold the government accountable for the prevailing acts of terrorism in AKS, which in turn threatens to negate all the developmental accomplishments of Your Excellency's tenure. The buck stops here!
Terrorism in AKS impacts the global economy and renders AKS unsafe, unlivable, unattractive to visitors, and unattractive for tourism.
Terrorism in AKS will stifle private investments.
Terrorism in AKS will hamper all efforts at economic development.
AKS will be left with roads to no where; further exacerbation of joblessness; more chaos, fear and misery.
Make no mistake, right now, Akwa Ibom is not OK. The global leadership of Akwa Ibom citizens in the Diaspora therefore requests a meeting with you, Your Excellency, to listen to strategies and efforts in progress toward ending the grip of terror on Akwa Ibom State.
Aside from the primary objective of this communication, which is the end of this scourge of political assassinations, kidnappings and political intimidations, we seek to positively engage and assist Akwa Ibom State government through development and implementation of the following recommendations (some of which we recognize may be already in implementation, but none the less, may be adjusted in light of the lack of impact on the state of public safety thus far):
1. Establishment of a cabinet level department of public safety and emergency management (focused on preventive and proactive tactics for a safe Akwa Ibom State)
2. Community vigilance & surveillance (neighborhood Watch organizations)
3. Properties surveillance (including churches; cameras link to security watch & dispatch center; distributed and central command)
4. Public space Surveillance (cameras link to security dispatch center)
5. Active and rolling stop and search (Joint Police and Public safety officers patrols (24/7)
6. Profiling and preventive arrests with cause
7. Curfew and lock down of state during designated periods
8. Counter terror intelligence gathering
9. Transparency in the prosecution of those arrested
10. Enforcement of laws on the books against gun ownership, armed robbery, kidnapping, terrorism.
11. Offensive against those that cannot show source of their wealth.
12. Phone and vehicle traceability (legislation, policies, and mandates)
13. Disincentive ransom policy (no negotiation with terrorists and kidnappers)
14. Controlled movement in & out of AKS (stop & search all).
15. Money movement (through banks) laws and mandates (financial crimes watch; money laundering by criminals)
16. Enhanced and integrated Emergency response system (911 equivalent, with communications backbone)
17. Engagement of Community leaders & traditional rulers.
18. Reduction of the unemployment rate in the state; through revitalization of shuttered industries and creation of employment opportunities for youths.
19. Strategic location of speed bumps to retard escaping criminals
His Excellency, you can understand the importance of these concerns to the citizens of Akwa Ibom State at home and especially those in the Diaspora, and our intention to engage in the process of ending this state of terror. We hope you will find it valuable to keep us engaged in the process as a matter of urgency.
Akwa Ibom State has already garnered the ignominy of being listed by the US State Department as a no-go area. We cannot credibly engage the US State department (for de-listing) without demonstrable actions and improvement in public safety status of Akwa Ibom State.
Given the impact, including the value of AKS to the world economy, we will strategically engage the Nigerian government, the US government, and the UK government, if we find Akwa Ibom leadership without the urgency and right energy behind actions to end this scourge of terror, political assassinations, kidnappings, and political intimidations.
Frankly, to the extent that the government of Akwa Ibom State can not be absolved of complicity in recent assassination, attempted assassination, and kidnappings, this may be the right time to seek an independent and special prosecutor to investigate the assassination of Obong Paul Inyang, the attempted assassination of gubernatorial candidate Ini Udonwa, and the kidnapping of General Akpan. It is in the government's best interest to be seen to practice peace and justice by seeking Federal and/or International help in rooting out the source of these political assassinations. The Nigerian Police Force has been ineffective thus far. The Government of Akwa Ibom State has not done much beyond rhetoric. The Governor of Akwa Ibom State has not stepped forward, owned, and provided any public leadership towards ending prevailing state of terror in Akwa Ibom State.
It is time for the Federal government to declare a State of Emergency in Akwa Ibom State.
With the mandate of Akwa Ibom citizens in the Diaspora, I, and/or credited delegates from the Diaspora are available to meet with you at a time and place of mutual convenience, preferably here in the US during one of your visits.
We are of course willing to meet with you in the UK or some safe location outside Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria.
We look forward to your response by June 30, 2010.
Sincerely,
Obong E. Umana
National President,
Akwa Ibom State Association of Nigeria,
USA. INC.
C.C.
Secretary to AKS government Umana Umana
Commissioner for information Aniekan Umanah
President of Nigeria,Goodluck Jonathan
Senate President, Hon Senator David Mark
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Dimeji Bankole
Hon. Senators Effiong Bob, Aloysious Etuk, Eme Ekaette from AKS
Chairman Police Commission, Mr. Parry Osayande
Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State
Hon. Speaker, AKS House of Assembly
Paramount Rulers in AKS
US State Department (Africa Desk, US Ambassador in Nigeria, Special Representative on Electoral Reform)
The Media
Eagles divided over Lagerback
Several members of the Super Eagles are divided over the Nigeria Football Federation’s plan to retain Sweden-born Coach Lars Lagerback following the team’s early exit from the 2010 World Cup tournament in South Africa.
Peoples Daily Sports learnt that some top players had soon after the 2-2 draw with South Korea which ended Nigeria’s World Cup approached the leadership of the football federation to plead for Lagerback’s retention.
But some opposed the idea and canvassed for an indigenous coaching crew to lead the Super Eagles. According to sources, among those that would like to see local coaches at the helms of affair was Peter Osaze Odemwingie.
But the trio of English Premier League stars, skipper Kanu Nwankwo, assistant skipper Joseph Yobo and Yakubu Ayegbeni want his retention.
The Everton defender Joseph Yobo urged the federation to retain Lagerback if the federation wants the team to emerge stronger from its ashes.
Yobo along with Sani Kaita and Yusuf Ayinla were said to have been involved in the campaign for Lagerback, while Osaze Odemwingie and some of the younger players are on the opposing side.
Peoples Daily Sports learnt that some top players had soon after the 2-2 draw with South Korea which ended Nigeria’s World Cup approached the leadership of the football federation to plead for Lagerback’s retention.
But some opposed the idea and canvassed for an indigenous coaching crew to lead the Super Eagles. According to sources, among those that would like to see local coaches at the helms of affair was Peter Osaze Odemwingie.
But the trio of English Premier League stars, skipper Kanu Nwankwo, assistant skipper Joseph Yobo and Yakubu Ayegbeni want his retention.
The Everton defender Joseph Yobo urged the federation to retain Lagerback if the federation wants the team to emerge stronger from its ashes.
Yobo along with Sani Kaita and Yusuf Ayinla were said to have been involved in the campaign for Lagerback, while Osaze Odemwingie and some of the younger players are on the opposing side.
Osaze attacks Lagerback
Nigeria forward Osaze Odemwingie on Tuesday rounded on Coach Lars Lagerback, saying the Swede ‘made mistakes’ and claimed a sense of injustice at not being given enough playing time at the World Cup.
Odemwingie also suggested that he was left out of the final game against Greece because of what he said.
“Three games two losses. I think a few things he did were big mistakes, like telling two strikers not to participate in defending,” Odemwingie told KickOffNigeria.com.
“I think that is a big mistake with Nigerian football when we have one defensive midfielder and one creative midfielder in front of him. All our middle was open and that was the problem we had against Greece.
“In our match against South Korea the instruction was that three people did not have to participate in defence. I think that also was a big mistake,” the Russian based forward added.
Odemwingie was reported to have erupted in the dressing room after the Greece loss, and explained that he had good reason to.
“Yeah I said to him that there are some key players in this team that he didn’t give enough playing time. And I was one of them. I said to him we have been here for a few years and we have qualified this team for the World Cup and he was putting us aside and it’s not fair.
“Some of us like myself and Martins are leaders in this team and we have been making the difference for the country and we needed to get more playing time and more chances to play,” he stressed.
Odemwingie then suggested that his tirade may have been the reason he was left out of against Korea. “It is possible that that’s why he didn’t play me today.”
Odemwingie also suggested that he was left out of the final game against Greece because of what he said.
“Three games two losses. I think a few things he did were big mistakes, like telling two strikers not to participate in defending,” Odemwingie told KickOffNigeria.com.
“I think that is a big mistake with Nigerian football when we have one defensive midfielder and one creative midfielder in front of him. All our middle was open and that was the problem we had against Greece.
“In our match against South Korea the instruction was that three people did not have to participate in defence. I think that also was a big mistake,” the Russian based forward added.
Odemwingie was reported to have erupted in the dressing room after the Greece loss, and explained that he had good reason to.
“Yeah I said to him that there are some key players in this team that he didn’t give enough playing time. And I was one of them. I said to him we have been here for a few years and we have qualified this team for the World Cup and he was putting us aside and it’s not fair.
“Some of us like myself and Martins are leaders in this team and we have been making the difference for the country and we needed to get more playing time and more chances to play,” he stressed.
Odemwingie then suggested that his tirade may have been the reason he was left out of against Korea. “It is possible that that’s why he didn’t play me today.”
Government to disband Eagles
The Super Eagles squad that crashed out of the ongoing World Cup in South Africa will be disbanded any moment from now.
Nigeria lost 1-0 to Argentina in their opening game of Group B on June 12, followed by another 2-1 defeat to Greece. On Tuesday the team drew 2-2 with South Korea and eventually crashed of the tournament.
Authoritative sources close to the National Sports Commission told our correspondent in Johannesburg on Wednesday that the NSC had concluded arrangements to disband the squad. According to our sources, some of the big names will be sent packing while only the young and dedicated ones will be retained.
It was learnt that the body would meet with the chieftains of the Nigeria Football Federation on the development.
Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama is being tipped to lead the new-look Eagles that will comprise home-based players and players from the national age-limit teams.
The government is not happy with the performance of the national team at the first World Cup to be hosted in Africa and has decided to act.
Our correspondent learnt that the NSC would encourage the NFF to retain coach Lars Lagerback to enable the country to build a formidable team.
Nigeria lost 1-0 to Argentina in their opening game of Group B on June 12, followed by another 2-1 defeat to Greece. On Tuesday the team drew 2-2 with South Korea and eventually crashed of the tournament.
Authoritative sources close to the National Sports Commission told our correspondent in Johannesburg on Wednesday that the NSC had concluded arrangements to disband the squad. According to our sources, some of the big names will be sent packing while only the young and dedicated ones will be retained.
It was learnt that the body would meet with the chieftains of the Nigeria Football Federation on the development.
Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama is being tipped to lead the new-look Eagles that will comprise home-based players and players from the national age-limit teams.
The government is not happy with the performance of the national team at the first World Cup to be hosted in Africa and has decided to act.
Our correspondent learnt that the NSC would encourage the NFF to retain coach Lars Lagerback to enable the country to build a formidable team.
NFF apologises to Nigerians
The Nigeria Football Federation has apologised to Nigerians for the Super Eagles’ dismal performance at the World Cup.
The NFF President, Sani Lulu, said on Wednesday that the body was disappointed that the team could not progress beyond the group stage of the tournament.
He said, “It is sad because we all worked hard through the qualifying phase and the period of preparation for this championship. More importantly, President Goodluck Jonathan did everything to gear up the team for the competition, including visiting the players twice in three weeks, and giving them kind words and financial pledges.
“We have to come to terms with this early ouster, despite our hopes, our dreams and our desires. But we must acknowledge that the boys went down fighting. We apologise for this early exit from Africa‘s first FIFA World Cup.
“We have learnt very painful lessons and we must prepare ourselves for the collective task of rebuilding our football.
“The Federal Government gave the NFF and the team the needed support. But the expected progress did not happen and we just have to look forward. Looking forward means sitting down and thinking hard and taking some critical decisions in the days and weeks to come. Despite what has happened, we are happy that our country competed well and our players gave their all as sportsmen, with courage and ambition.”
The NFF President, Sani Lulu, said on Wednesday that the body was disappointed that the team could not progress beyond the group stage of the tournament.
He said, “It is sad because we all worked hard through the qualifying phase and the period of preparation for this championship. More importantly, President Goodluck Jonathan did everything to gear up the team for the competition, including visiting the players twice in three weeks, and giving them kind words and financial pledges.
“We have to come to terms with this early ouster, despite our hopes, our dreams and our desires. But we must acknowledge that the boys went down fighting. We apologise for this early exit from Africa‘s first FIFA World Cup.
“We have learnt very painful lessons and we must prepare ourselves for the collective task of rebuilding our football.
“The Federal Government gave the NFF and the team the needed support. But the expected progress did not happen and we just have to look forward. Looking forward means sitting down and thinking hard and taking some critical decisions in the days and weeks to come. Despite what has happened, we are happy that our country competed well and our players gave their all as sportsmen, with courage and ambition.”
Taiwo eyes Man Utd, Chelsea move
HIGHLY-RATED Marseille left back Taye Taiwo is confident he can follow Nigeria's World Cup campaign with a move to a top Premier League team.
Taiwo, 25,, has forged a reputation with the Ligue 1 champions as a rampaging full back capable of bulging the back of the net with his thunderbolt shot. Such displays have impressed scouts from Europe heavyweights across Europe.
Speaking to reporters, Taiwo insisted he was ready for a move to a leading English side. He said: "If I was to depart, then I would not join a small club.
"It will be Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool or Arsenal. I am not scared by the level in England.
"I believe I have the right level to defend against [Wayne] Rooney."
Taiwo, 25,, has forged a reputation with the Ligue 1 champions as a rampaging full back capable of bulging the back of the net with his thunderbolt shot. Such displays have impressed scouts from Europe heavyweights across Europe.
Speaking to reporters, Taiwo insisted he was ready for a move to a leading English side. He said: "If I was to depart, then I would not join a small club.
"It will be Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool or Arsenal. I am not scared by the level in England.
"I believe I have the right level to defend against [Wayne] Rooney."
Mr President, please stop these Eagles
Why did the nation’s senior national team, the Super Eagles, struggle to secure a draw against the Tunisian side in its last World Cup qualifying match in Abuja? The answers are likely to vary but the
conclusions the same. This is because the issues surrounding the failure of our sports teams, especially football and more so the Super Eagles, are virtually the same. The sad aspect is that the issues are not being tackled. Rather, when such failures occur, we set up panels that will remind us of what the problems are, proffer the same solutions that are in previous reports gathering dust on the shelves and see some people smiling to the bank for sitting on such unproductive committees.
I was actually not going to watch the match against the Tunisians for the obvious reason the Super Eagles, under the tutelage of Amodu Shuaibu, would not get it right. I was not going to delude myself like my friend, Paul Odenyi, the image maker of the Deputy President of the Senate, Chief Ike Ekweremadu, who, wait for it, took his son to the National Stadium in Abuja, to, not only spoil his own fun, but that of the boy. If Paul thought this was his own way of being patriotic, I am sure he would by now have redefined patriotism. I am not sure even President Umaru Yar’Adua would have been that optimistic and patriotic when it comes to the issue of the Super Eagles.
But not watching the match was only a matter of time. A call from my cousin, Dotun Gbolagunte, from London, pleading to know the standing of both teams way into the second half changed all of that. And then I became a part of the crowd the Nigerian players almost subjected to another round of heart attack. One of my senior friends in Abuja, quite unlike him, could not pick his call for almost one hour after watching the disaster we call our senior national team.
What are the issues? Let us start from the basic: a country without a robust football league should not expect not to falter like we are doing in major championships. Check out the countries that are doing well on the continent and you have a clear understanding of why they will, with a well run league, almost consistently, make it to the World Cup. Tunisia is one of such countries. Egypt is also there. So also is South Africa, though still growing. Cameroon and Ghana are struggling to be part of this group.
A robust local league ensures that there is a stream of players for the national team. Though I did not listen to the match statistics of the Nigeria/Tunisia match, I am almost certain that over 90 per cent of the players in the Tunisian team are from the country’s local league. Indeed, they are usually from at most the three best clubs in the country. There is a consistent interaction among the players even when they play against themselves in competitive games locally and on the continent. A look at the continental championships in Africa will drive this point home better.
It is not out of place to see two Tunisian or Egyptian teams qualifying for the semi-final stages of continental championships such as the Champions League. Why? Because the leagues in the two countries are robust. What do you achieve with this when seeking to qualify for world championships such as the World Cup? It becomes easier putting together a team and not just array of stars who do not have a perfect understanding of themselves. They would have played together in the local league. It is easier to organise friendly matches and have all the players in camp on time. This has been the case with the Tunisians. Only few foreign based players are invited during crucial matches to beef up the national team.
This is not a strange concept in Nigeria. In 1994 when Nigeria qualified for the first time for the World Cup, majority of the players were picked from the local league by the then Coach of the Super Eagles, Clemens Westerhof. Though as at the time the World Cup was being played a lot of them had moved into Europe and other African countries with robust local leagues, based on encouragement by Westerhof to refine their raw skills, the fact that they had played together consistently for a couple of years before then manifested at the World Cup proper.
Then, we had what came close to being called a league. Many, with relish, recollect the glorious day of Shooting Stars Football Club of Ibadan, Rangers International of Enugu, Abiola Babes, Leventis United of Ibadan and the darling of Lagos soccer fans, Stationary Stores. And where did these clubs pick their players? From suburbs such as Ajegunle in Lagos that produced the likes of Samson Siasia. Then, it was not out of place to have the stadium filled to capacity when league matches are being played or during Challenge Cup matches, especially the final.
I also believe that the commitment of our players, especially the foreign based ones, to the cause of the country, is very low. Or how do you explain their attitude towards national calls, especially reporting to camp on time. The excuse given by the former Captain of the national team, Austin J.J. Okocha, when he reported late to the camp in London at a time speaks volume of the commitment of our players to the national cause. Okocha, who was then playing in the Premiership in the United Kingdom, said he could not find his way to the training camp for two days because he kept missing his way. It can be that absurd. And it has been. Nigerian players, especially those of the Super Eagles, only report to camp days before crucial encounters, even when their clubs have released them for the match or even on break.
But it has become very easy to explain the reasons for this attitude of the players. The endemic corruption within the system encourages this. Some players know that even if they report to the camp a few hours before the match they will be featured because they split their match bonuses with those in charge, coaches inclusive. These facts are not hidden. Yet, nothing has been done to check it. This is one of the major reasons why indiscipline is the order of the day in the senior national team. A coach who takes money from a player to feature him for a match should not expect any respect from the player. And so does it also extend to situations in which administrators force players on coaches. When a player is recommended by a godfather to a coach who cannot say no because of the circumstances surrounding his employment, it is better imagined the level of discipline such a player will exhibit in camp.
As a sports reporter with Newswatch magazine, I overheard a discussion a former Coach of the Under-17 team, Fanny Amu, had with the head of the Technical Department of the then Nigeria Football Association (NFA) while preparing for the World Cup. He had received notes from very high quarters demanding that lads who did not possess the skill required for the Under-17 World Cup and had even exceeded the age limit be featured by him. The consequences of not doing so? He would be starved of funds for the game. Some coaches have openly complained about this. By my estimation, only few indigenous coaches have been able to say no in this regard. One of them is Chief Festus Adegboye Onigbinde. And this is why mediocres have, most of the time, been in charge of our senior national team.
Indeed, a recent revelation by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports and Social Development, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, on the hiring of the Coach of the Super Eagles, Amodu Shuaibu, was shocking. This was after the shameful 2-2 draw with Tunisia. Lokpobiri said it was the Coach of the Under-20 team, the Flying Eagles, Samson Siasia, that emerged tops in the interview for the job of the senior national team. So, who influenced the choice of Shuaibu above the real winner of the interview conducted by the Technical Committee of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), headed by Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi? Hear Lokpobiri in a recent interview, “”You journalists were responsible for the selection of Amodu. That, I am aware of. Your editors came and voted Amodu. Ogunjobi ‘s committee recommended Siasia to be the best but your editors were invited and they voted for Amodu. You people are also virtually responsible for whatever problems we have in this World Cup.”
Can you believe that? Sports Editors chose Shuaibu over and above the winner of the interview that was supposedly conducted by a committee with the technical know how of the game? Incredible. I am not saying that there is no role for those whose job it is to report the game in the selection of coaches. At least that happens in other countries too and during competitions organised by the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA), where journalists are encouraged to assist in picking coaches and the tournaments’ best players and coaches.
conclusions the same. This is because the issues surrounding the failure of our sports teams, especially football and more so the Super Eagles, are virtually the same. The sad aspect is that the issues are not being tackled. Rather, when such failures occur, we set up panels that will remind us of what the problems are, proffer the same solutions that are in previous reports gathering dust on the shelves and see some people smiling to the bank for sitting on such unproductive committees.
I was actually not going to watch the match against the Tunisians for the obvious reason the Super Eagles, under the tutelage of Amodu Shuaibu, would not get it right. I was not going to delude myself like my friend, Paul Odenyi, the image maker of the Deputy President of the Senate, Chief Ike Ekweremadu, who, wait for it, took his son to the National Stadium in Abuja, to, not only spoil his own fun, but that of the boy. If Paul thought this was his own way of being patriotic, I am sure he would by now have redefined patriotism. I am not sure even President Umaru Yar’Adua would have been that optimistic and patriotic when it comes to the issue of the Super Eagles.
But not watching the match was only a matter of time. A call from my cousin, Dotun Gbolagunte, from London, pleading to know the standing of both teams way into the second half changed all of that. And then I became a part of the crowd the Nigerian players almost subjected to another round of heart attack. One of my senior friends in Abuja, quite unlike him, could not pick his call for almost one hour after watching the disaster we call our senior national team.
What are the issues? Let us start from the basic: a country without a robust football league should not expect not to falter like we are doing in major championships. Check out the countries that are doing well on the continent and you have a clear understanding of why they will, with a well run league, almost consistently, make it to the World Cup. Tunisia is one of such countries. Egypt is also there. So also is South Africa, though still growing. Cameroon and Ghana are struggling to be part of this group.
A robust local league ensures that there is a stream of players for the national team. Though I did not listen to the match statistics of the Nigeria/Tunisia match, I am almost certain that over 90 per cent of the players in the Tunisian team are from the country’s local league. Indeed, they are usually from at most the three best clubs in the country. There is a consistent interaction among the players even when they play against themselves in competitive games locally and on the continent. A look at the continental championships in Africa will drive this point home better.
It is not out of place to see two Tunisian or Egyptian teams qualifying for the semi-final stages of continental championships such as the Champions League. Why? Because the leagues in the two countries are robust. What do you achieve with this when seeking to qualify for world championships such as the World Cup? It becomes easier putting together a team and not just array of stars who do not have a perfect understanding of themselves. They would have played together in the local league. It is easier to organise friendly matches and have all the players in camp on time. This has been the case with the Tunisians. Only few foreign based players are invited during crucial matches to beef up the national team.
This is not a strange concept in Nigeria. In 1994 when Nigeria qualified for the first time for the World Cup, majority of the players were picked from the local league by the then Coach of the Super Eagles, Clemens Westerhof. Though as at the time the World Cup was being played a lot of them had moved into Europe and other African countries with robust local leagues, based on encouragement by Westerhof to refine their raw skills, the fact that they had played together consistently for a couple of years before then manifested at the World Cup proper.
Then, we had what came close to being called a league. Many, with relish, recollect the glorious day of Shooting Stars Football Club of Ibadan, Rangers International of Enugu, Abiola Babes, Leventis United of Ibadan and the darling of Lagos soccer fans, Stationary Stores. And where did these clubs pick their players? From suburbs such as Ajegunle in Lagos that produced the likes of Samson Siasia. Then, it was not out of place to have the stadium filled to capacity when league matches are being played or during Challenge Cup matches, especially the final.
I also believe that the commitment of our players, especially the foreign based ones, to the cause of the country, is very low. Or how do you explain their attitude towards national calls, especially reporting to camp on time. The excuse given by the former Captain of the national team, Austin J.J. Okocha, when he reported late to the camp in London at a time speaks volume of the commitment of our players to the national cause. Okocha, who was then playing in the Premiership in the United Kingdom, said he could not find his way to the training camp for two days because he kept missing his way. It can be that absurd. And it has been. Nigerian players, especially those of the Super Eagles, only report to camp days before crucial encounters, even when their clubs have released them for the match or even on break.
But it has become very easy to explain the reasons for this attitude of the players. The endemic corruption within the system encourages this. Some players know that even if they report to the camp a few hours before the match they will be featured because they split their match bonuses with those in charge, coaches inclusive. These facts are not hidden. Yet, nothing has been done to check it. This is one of the major reasons why indiscipline is the order of the day in the senior national team. A coach who takes money from a player to feature him for a match should not expect any respect from the player. And so does it also extend to situations in which administrators force players on coaches. When a player is recommended by a godfather to a coach who cannot say no because of the circumstances surrounding his employment, it is better imagined the level of discipline such a player will exhibit in camp.
As a sports reporter with Newswatch magazine, I overheard a discussion a former Coach of the Under-17 team, Fanny Amu, had with the head of the Technical Department of the then Nigeria Football Association (NFA) while preparing for the World Cup. He had received notes from very high quarters demanding that lads who did not possess the skill required for the Under-17 World Cup and had even exceeded the age limit be featured by him. The consequences of not doing so? He would be starved of funds for the game. Some coaches have openly complained about this. By my estimation, only few indigenous coaches have been able to say no in this regard. One of them is Chief Festus Adegboye Onigbinde. And this is why mediocres have, most of the time, been in charge of our senior national team.
Indeed, a recent revelation by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports and Social Development, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, on the hiring of the Coach of the Super Eagles, Amodu Shuaibu, was shocking. This was after the shameful 2-2 draw with Tunisia. Lokpobiri said it was the Coach of the Under-20 team, the Flying Eagles, Samson Siasia, that emerged tops in the interview for the job of the senior national team. So, who influenced the choice of Shuaibu above the real winner of the interview conducted by the Technical Committee of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), headed by Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi? Hear Lokpobiri in a recent interview, “”You journalists were responsible for the selection of Amodu. That, I am aware of. Your editors came and voted Amodu. Ogunjobi ‘s committee recommended Siasia to be the best but your editors were invited and they voted for Amodu. You people are also virtually responsible for whatever problems we have in this World Cup.”
Can you believe that? Sports Editors chose Shuaibu over and above the winner of the interview that was supposedly conducted by a committee with the technical know how of the game? Incredible. I am not saying that there is no role for those whose job it is to report the game in the selection of coaches. At least that happens in other countries too and during competitions organised by the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA), where journalists are encouraged to assist in picking coaches and the tournaments’ best players and coaches.
President Sarkozy to probe French failure
France President Nicolas Sarkozy has scheduled a government meeting to discuss the country’s disastrous World Cup showing.
Sarkozy will also meet Thierry Henry, at the striker’s request today, as the inquest into the events of South Africa 2010 begins. France went out in the group stage after a campaign marred by infighting.
Striker Nicolas Anelka was sent home after a row with boss Raymond Domenech, prompting the team to go on strike.
Prime Minister Francois Fillon, Sports Minister Roselyne Bachelot and Junior Sports Minister Rama Yade will join Sarkozy to discuss how a country that won the World Cup in 1998 and reached the final in 2006 could manage just one point and a single goal at the 2010 edition.
“Those responsible for this disaster must accept the consequences, first the players, then the team management and after them the football federation,” Bachelot told Europe 1 radio yesterday.
France drew 0-0 with Uruguay in their first game, lost 2-0 to Mexico and were eliminated on Tuesday night after a 2-1 defeat to South Africa.
The French Football Federation has also promised to meet in July to discuss the campaign.
But Captain Patrice Evra, who was dropped by Domenech for the South Africa match, says he will reveal details of what happened in the French camp before then.
“I promise to tell the truth about every minute of what I went through,” said Manchester United defender Evra. “French people need to know the truth because the France team belongs to them and nobody else.
“It’s time for us to apologise. It hurts even more because that could have been done on Monday. I could have done it as the team captain but the coach would not let me.”
“The end of one world” was the headline in sports daily L’Equipe, which accused Domenech of “taking people for fools”.
Le Parisien carried a front-page headline over a photograph of Domenech saying: “Thank you and goodbye!”
Meanwhile, football’s governing body FIFA said it had not decided yet whether to take action against Domenech for refusing to shake the hand of South Africa Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira following the match on Tuesday.
The Brazilian said he believed the snub related to comments he had made about France’s qualification for the tournament, which owed much to a handball by Henry in their play-off win over Ireland in November.
Sarkozy will also meet Thierry Henry, at the striker’s request today, as the inquest into the events of South Africa 2010 begins. France went out in the group stage after a campaign marred by infighting.
Striker Nicolas Anelka was sent home after a row with boss Raymond Domenech, prompting the team to go on strike.
Prime Minister Francois Fillon, Sports Minister Roselyne Bachelot and Junior Sports Minister Rama Yade will join Sarkozy to discuss how a country that won the World Cup in 1998 and reached the final in 2006 could manage just one point and a single goal at the 2010 edition.
“Those responsible for this disaster must accept the consequences, first the players, then the team management and after them the football federation,” Bachelot told Europe 1 radio yesterday.
France drew 0-0 with Uruguay in their first game, lost 2-0 to Mexico and were eliminated on Tuesday night after a 2-1 defeat to South Africa.
The French Football Federation has also promised to meet in July to discuss the campaign.
But Captain Patrice Evra, who was dropped by Domenech for the South Africa match, says he will reveal details of what happened in the French camp before then.
“I promise to tell the truth about every minute of what I went through,” said Manchester United defender Evra. “French people need to know the truth because the France team belongs to them and nobody else.
“It’s time for us to apologise. It hurts even more because that could have been done on Monday. I could have done it as the team captain but the coach would not let me.”
“The end of one world” was the headline in sports daily L’Equipe, which accused Domenech of “taking people for fools”.
Le Parisien carried a front-page headline over a photograph of Domenech saying: “Thank you and goodbye!”
Meanwhile, football’s governing body FIFA said it had not decided yet whether to take action against Domenech for refusing to shake the hand of South Africa Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira following the match on Tuesday.
The Brazilian said he believed the snub related to comments he had made about France’s qualification for the tournament, which owed much to a handball by Henry in their play-off win over Ireland in November.
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