Green blames poor administration for Nigeria's decline in African club competition
Rivers United Sole Administrator, Barrister Christopher Green, has attributed Nigeria’s declining fortunes in African club competitions to years of poor football administration.
The former Rivers State Commissioner for Sports spoke ahead of Rivers United’s CAF Champions League first-leg qualifying round clash against Ivorian hosts FC San-Pédro at the Stade Laurent Pokou in San-Pédro on Saturday.
Despite his concerns over the state of Nigerian football, Green expressed confidence that Rivers United can secure a positive result and progress to the next round of the competition.
He said the team is in high spirits and fully focused on making a strong start to its continental campaign.
“For us here at Rivers United, the boys are okay, the team is okay, and everybody is in high spirits. We are preparing our team very well because, as you know, Rivers United is a big brand and everybody is ready to go,” Green said.
“We are here in San-Pédro, a cool and quiet city, taking a walk around the city to have a feel of the calm nature and prepare for the game.”
Green described the encounter as an important opportunity for Rivers United to take a step towards the bigger stages of the Champions League, while cautioning against placing unnecessary pressure on the players.
“For me and to me, it’s like any other game because it’s the beginning. There’s nothing other than doing your best to get yourself to a bigger stage, like the return leg or the second round.
“There’s nothing extraordinary since it’s not the final of the competition. However, we need to give our best to succeed in our campaign,” he added.
Assessing the prospects of Nigeria’s four representatives in this season’s CAF inter-club competitions, Green urged all the teams to give their best in an effort to restore the country’s reputation on the continent.
He lamented the decline in the domestic game, particularly the steady exodus of players, which he believes has weakened the quality and competitiveness of Nigerian clubs.
“Let the four teams just go out and do their best because back home, as we all know, it has not been rosy for our football.
“We’ve had free falling and our football has dipped for some time. Domestically, it’s not what it used to be and, cumulatively, some of the teams we have today are not among the feared teams in Africa anymore because the players are leaving the country in droves and no one wants to remain,” he stated.
Green blamed persistent administrative shortcomings for the situation, saying the effects have spread across virtually every aspect of football development in the country.
“Administratively, Nigeria has been unable to get it right. To me, with what they are doing now and what they want to do to reform, the future looks bright, but before this time, it was bleak.
“Let’s begin to see the turn of events, look for the brighter side and wish every club in Nigeria the best,” he said.
The Rivers United administrator called for a fundamental overhaul of football management in Nigeria, insisting that the country must return to the basics by building a properly structured and sustainable football system.
“Let’s return from the past, sit down to prepare our league, prepare our football, manage it properly, ensure the right things are done, get the right persons to be in the right positions, and let’s hope we don’t have these problems and other institutional lapses again,” Green said.
He also urged Nigerians and football stakeholders to support the reform agenda of the National Sports Commission (NSC), expressing confidence in the leadership of its Chairman, Shehu Dikko, and Director General, Bukola Olopade.
“Let’s follow the lead of the National Sports Commission because, from what I have observed and seen, they have a good blueprint for sports and football in Nigeria. Let’s pray for the best.
“At least, at the helm of affairs in the National Sports Commission, we have tested people in the likes of the Chairman, Shehu Dikko, and the Director General, Bukola Olopade. They have all it takes and can be trusted with the responsibilities that have been entrusted to them.
“I know they are going to lead well and lead us properly,” Green concluded.
The Rivers United versus FC San-Pédro encounter is scheduled for 4pm local time in Côte d’Ivoire, 5pm Nigerian time, at the Stade Laurent Pokou.
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