– Calls On Warring Factions To Sheath Sword

Technical manager of Rivers United Stanley Eguma says the leadership crisis rocking the NFF is doing more harm than good to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), which has been on indefinite suspension as a result.

Eguma’s men resumed training at their new camp base in Ogoni just before the conclusion of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, but have been made to continue preparing for the uncertain resumption of the current NPFL campaign.

The former Enyimba assistant coach disclosed that the prolonged break is taking its toll on the team, both on and off the pitch.

“It (the NFF crisis) has not done any good to us and to football entirely,” the long-serving tactician told www.busybuddiesng.com . “You know it’s like the zeal and the enthusiasm in the league is gradually winding away.

“And the players too; who have been in camp for some time now training, training, training, preparing…the whole thing is looking very bad, and there’s a lot of uncertainty. Players are training but they don’t know when the league will resume.

“And then, it’s also not helping us in our program technically, because we prepare our players based on the time and situation of the competition. So, it’s like everybody is in suspense.”

Last week, an Extra-Ordinary Congress of the NFF held in Benin City “mandated the Executive Committee to ensure the commencement of all football programs, including leagues…..” But despite this resolution, there’s still no date for the resumption of the NPFL as Amaju Pinnick and Chris Giwa are still locked in a court battle for the control of football in Nigeria.

Eguma has advised both factions to sheath their swords and drop every ‘selfish and personal interest’ for the good of the game in the country.

“For me, I will appeal to them to bury their hatchets and for the sake of football in Nigeria; they should bury their hatchets and work for the progress of this game.

“Let them consider (the) future – those that will take over tomorrow, the youths that are going to take over tomorrow. Let them consider them (the youths) and forget about selfish and personal interest. That will not help the game in the country,” Eguma, who won the league with Rivers United (then Dolphins) in 2011, advised.

Currently placed 9th on the NPFL table, Rivers United are expected to face 7-time champions, Enyimba away from home when the league eventually resumes.