By
Akeem Lawal
NIGERIAN football lovers and fans have condemned Enugu
State government and the management of Rangers International following the ‘rickety
truck’ used by the Nigeria Professional Football League champions to celebrate
with their fans for winning the league trophy for the first time after 32
years.
Many would have expected the use of a more decent open
bus during the trophy tour of the Coal City on Saturday, but club supporters that
turned up in their custom t-shirts and the sheer passion of football fans were
disappointed with the rickety, badly beat up 14-wheeler lumberjack truck that
was used to convey the victorious team.
Former Nigeria international, Oladimeji Lawal put the
blame on the system and leadership of the country.
“Sometimes I laugh
when Nigerians cry wolves over issues, Rangers waited 32 years to get back the
trophy right? Can anyone tell me what has changed in the leadership ideology in
those lengthy years? I keep saying it football or sports in general to them has
no serious meaning. Let’s assume it’s the governor's daughter's wedding, a
Cadillac or limousine will be provided at all cost, no matter what it takes.
“I have complained and wrote on similar issues for long, that
how can our leaders allow a lot of casual workers, working with the foreign
investors in Nigeria be transported to work in trucks instead of buses daily. It's
a shame, embarrassing to our leadership,” the Saudi ’89 FIFA Under-20 World Cup silver medalist wrote in a comment on Facebook.
Another Facebook user, Monday Nas Ozoya also wrote: “To
all my football lovers, what is worth doing is worth doing well. We are talking
about the Nigerian premier league and the league champion paraded like Rangers
just did. What happened to the grassroots football then. It just tells you the
kind of managers and administrators we have in Nigeria. Congratulations once
again for the great performance.”
In his reaction, Olusoji Fabuda said: “Hence forth LMC
should issue a condition or guild line to meet me by any champion of the NPFL
before going on trophy tour, this is an eye opener to the organiser of the
league, just a bad trophy tour have messed the beauty we saw during the games.
It is bad.”
Muokwue Maxwell Omo said, “What nonsense is this, so
Enugu government can't afford to buy a decker bus for Rangers. Men I wish it
was Ifeanyi Ubah FC that won the league make
una see efizi in grand style.”
Larry Lawson wrote: “Up Rangers...but it's disappointing
seeing the league winner of Nigeria pro league in this kind of truck...where
are all the sponsors? ???
Ikechukwu Al Barney Amaku said, “It’s a shame ENSG, ENSFA
and Management of Rangers International made a show of shame for this history
makers.”
Udeme George said, “Good idea, but bad image for the
league, I am not going to be kind with words, but this is terrible. Can we show
this to the world, investors, or sponsors? This parade should have been
overseen by the LMC, if Enugu Rangers knew they were going to mess it up, Enugu
state Government you failed on this one. Whoever organized this has failed, bus
parade is not a do or die. This should have been taken care of by a sponsor, shocking
pictures, not good for a brand as big as the champions of the NPFL.”
However, touched by public outcry, the club has
apologised through their Twitter handle for the show of shame.
“We are sincerely sorry for the embarrassment yesterday
during our victory parade. God bless you all — Rangers Int. FC,” the club said
via (@RangersIntFC).
No comments:
Post a Comment