Off-field Chaos Costing Africans World Cup- Siasia
Nigeria’s U23 coach Samson Siasia says an African country could win the World Cup but for the shambolic management of national teams by African governments.
Siasia, who has led the Dream Team to the semi-finals of the ongoing Olympic Games despite the disastrous management of the team by the sports minister, added that pitiful state of sports administration is blighting Africa's chances.
The former striker's claims rings very true of what affected Ghana's chances at the 2014 World Cup where several failed government promises led to a player revolt which affected their chances.
Promised appearance fees were not paid by government when the promise was made which led to fury among the players.
Similarly, Siasia steered Nigeria to the semi-finals of the Olympics Games on Saturday despite a chaotic and embarrassing build-up to the competition in Brazil with rows over player’s allowances erupting when the tournament started.
The Dream Team arrived in Brazil just hours before the kick off of their the 5-4 win over Japan as they were stranded because the sports ministry did not provide the funds for the federation to book flight tickets.
With several governments in Africa maintaining a stranglehold over national teams they are obliged to fund the national team but its often rocked with chaos and shambles similar to what Nigeria and Ghana have witnessed in recent times.
Siasia believes the management of African national teams is preventing the continent from winning the World Cup as they have talents to excel on the pitch.
“I think that’s an issue we have not just in Nigeria. I think it’s the case with most African countries,” said Siasia.
“I think if African countries were better prepared they might have a shot at the World Cup.
“But the problems, it’s always the same thing and it’s not good trying to compete with having problems.
“Hopefully we might find a way to change the way we prepare and have a shot. African countries won’t win the World Cup having these problems.”
Ghana's sports minister Nii Lante Vanderpuye has already started a campaign of playing down the importance of the Black Stars with the World Cup qualifiers looming.
He has slammed the players of the Black Stars, coach of the team while picking petty fights with the federation, a self-destructive move with their opponents preparing for the qualifiers.
The squad is laden with talents but such posturing by the ministry could affect Ghana's chance of qualifying for the World Cup and excelling in next year's 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.
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