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Tag Godfrey Gaiya

Sport

CHAN: Elegbeleye, Gaiya call for proper management of Nigerian football league

NAN-S-22
CHAN
By Dorcas Jonah
Abuja, Feb. 5, 2018 (NAN) A former Director-General of the defunct National Sports Commission (NSC), Gbenga Elegbeleye, on Monday said a proper management of the Nigerian football league was needed now more than ever.

Elegbeleye told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that this would help in ensuring that Nigeria wins the next edition of the African Nations Championship (CHAN).

He said Morocco’s success at the 2018 CHAN it hosted goes a long way to show the quality of its league.

The former House of Representatives member said the way the Moroccans managed their league was more professional than what was obtainable in Nigeria.

“We have a lot of talents in this country, but unfortunately we don’t know how to manage it.

“However, I hope that in the next championship in 2020, we will with a proper management of the Nigerian league be able to win the trophy,’’ he said.

In another interview, a former Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Sports, Godfrey Gaiya, said foolball was not all about winning.

Gaiya said that Nigeria lost to Morocco because they were better prepared for the tournament.

He said the 4-0 thrashing of the home-based Super Eagles by the Atlas Lions at the Complexe Mohamed V stadium in Casablanca was expected.

“The Moroccans were better prepared and they made use of all the opportunities they had to win the championship,’’ Gaiya said.

He, however, said Nigeria did not perform badly considering that this was its third appearance in the CHAN event.

“Nigeria has tried, being its third appearance in CHAN. We first appeared at South Africa in 2014, where we came out as number three. Now we have come out as number two.

“So, I think it is a gradual progress and a smart improvement.

“Now, we should work hard to improve on our league and, hopefully, the next time we are participating we should be able to win the CHAN trophy,’’ the former lawmaker said.(NAN)
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

 

Sport

Eagles’ draw against Senegal a welcome development, Gaiya says

NAN-S-21
Eagles
By Dorcas Jonah
Abuja, March 24, 2017 (NAN) Godfrey Gaiya, a former Chairman of House Committee on Sports, on Friday said the 1-1 draw recorded by the Super Eagles against Senegal’s Teranga Lions was a useful result.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Super Eagles forced Senegal to a 1-1 draw in an international friendly at the Hive Stadium in London on Thursday.

“I thank God that the match ended in a draw. This is because Senegal’s national team is at the peak of its football performance now.

‘‘And for us to secure a 1-1 draw, having just camped for three days, is something to cheer. Don’t forget that Senegal have just returned from the 2017 African Nations Cup (AFCON).

“This means that the team had been playing together for a while before playing against the Super Eagles.

“For the Super Eagles to secure a draw is a welcome development, particularly when some of the players are just coming in for the first time to play for the national team.

“This goes to show that Nigeria have a lot of talents, and that at any point in time you can call up 11 players and expect that Nigeria will not be beaten,’’ Gaiya told NAN in Abuja.

He further said the draw was also good for Gernot Rohr, the Super Eagles’ Technical Adviser.

“It is at the same time a good scorecard for the new Technical Adviser. It is on record that he has taken over the national team,’’ the former lawmaker said.(NAN)
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(Edited by Mustapha Lamidi and Olawale Alabi)

Sport

JZ United is repositioning to regain NLO place, Gaiya says

NAN-S-25
Repositioning
By Dorcas Jonah
Abuja, Feb. 16, 2017 (NAN) Godfrey Gaiya, the Chairman of JZ United Football Club of Kafanchan, says the team is being repositioned to enable it return to the Nationwide League One (NLO).

Gaiya told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja that the team was scouting for a coach who would identify talents from the grassroots.

NAN reports that JZ United FC were relegated at the end of the 2015/2016 NLO season.

“The coach we had last season disappointed us. He did not have eyes for talents and that really affected our performance in the league.

“We are looking for a good coach who will be able to identify hidden talents in players and will be ready to build them up to make our new team.

“We don’t want to buy players because that is not the idea of the lower league. At this level, we should be able to identify raw talents from the grassroots and develop them to standard.

“Teams should not be playing in the league to win at all cost. Participating in the league is to enable teams to experiment and nurture a team for the future,’’ Gaiya said.

He, however, commended the league’s management body, urging the managers and other officials to be focused and manage the age level they have set fotr the competition.(NAN)
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)