The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, has disclosed that President Bola Tinubu has exhibited dedication by allocating a significant sum for clearing the outstanding debt inherited by the national team, the Super Eagles.
Enoh also credited Nigeria’s impressive performance at the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON), hosted in Côte d’Ivoire, to the collaborative efforts and resolve of all parties involved in Nigerian football.
However, he stressed that there is still substantial work ahead for both the Ministry and the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to raise Nigerian football to its rightful status on the continent and globally.
During a recent media interview, Enoh emphasized the importance of nurturing local football, with a particular focus on enhancing the Nigerian league. He underscored increased funding as a critical element in the overall development of sports.
Enoh’s remarks were conveyed in a statement by Diana-Mary Nsan, S.A. Media to the Honourable Minister of Sports Development on Saturday.
“The success we witnessed at the 2023 AFCON was a result of various factors – firstly, the leadership of the country, Mr. President, showed dedication by allocating a substantial amount to settle the inherited debts owed to the National Team members,” Enoh stated.
“This gave me confidence that things would go well at the AFCON. Additionally, other factors such as the Ministry’s operations, the NFF, and the support of Nigerians contributed to our performance at the AFCON.”
He outlined the next objectives for the nation, which include building on the AFCON momentum and securing qualification for both the 2025 AFCON and the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“We face the challenge of qualifying for the upcoming AFCON and the 2026 World Cup, but we also need to address other issues. For instance, we aim to resolve coaching matters and return to a phase where foreign-based players compete with local players for national team spots. This entails focusing on our local football to enhance its competitiveness and technical standards, including coaching,” he concluded.