WCQ: Defeating Cameroon will be tough for Super Eagles - Former Sports Minister

Former Minister of Sports and Chairman of National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bala Bawa Ka’Oje in a new interview with Extra Time opened up on the forthcoming FIFA World Cup qualifier between the Super Eagles and Indomitable Lions of Cameroon, including problems bedevilling the sports industry in the country and proffered solutions.

Excerpts:

It is true you left the sports ministry for more than a decade, what is the driving force that has kept you conversant with what is happening in the industry till date?
According to records, I was once the Minister of Sports and the first Chairman of National Sports Commission. I can tell you I am still very much in sports. Sports is my passion, it is in my blood. Even before I became Sports Minister and Chairman of NSC I was in the sports circle, so it is simply passion that connects me to the industry on daily basis.

Are you comfortable with the recent happenings in our sports industry?

I must tell you, I am keenly following the happenings in sports in our country and I can tell you that all is not well.

Sports is the major source of our joy in this country, but you can see that rather than giving us joy, we are always sad with the results we get from participating in sports, particularly football.

Nigerians love football so much that when any of our national teams like the Super Eagles, Flying Eagles or the Golden Eaglets are playing, we give them total support, but you can see that the results we are getting now are not encouraging.

You are talking about football; the Super Eagles missed out in two consecutive Africa Cup of Nations finals and just in June the team lost to South Africa in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. We are to play Cameroon in a two-legged qualifier for the world cup now. Are you worried?

To say I am worried is an understatement. I am afraid! Cameroon is the reigning African champion. You saw what they played. It was difficult for our team to stand out against South Africa; is it against African champion they can stand out? I know anything is possible in football, but you know the game between Nigeria and Cameroon has never been a tea party. They have always been a very difficult opponent to Nigeria. I am really afraid.

Sir, are you saying Super Eagles cannot beat the Indomitable Lions?

No. I am not totally saying we cannot beat Cameroon, but what I am saying is that Nigeria defeating Cameroon could be tough like America killing Osama Bin Laden!
You know the whole Presidents (past and present) of America had sleepless night when they were trying to kill Osama Bin Laden. Their citizens were not at rest too. That was because Osama Bin Laden proved very difficult to haunt down. America put in every resources, time and all funds to make sure he was killed. We need to put in all our resources in place to stop Cameroon from denying us a place in Russia 2018 World Cup.

What can be done to actualize the dream of Nigeria hoisting her flag at Russia 2018?

The Super Eagles must be adequately prepared. The NFF, technical crew, players, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Sports Minister, federal government, corporate bodies and all Nigerians must contribute in whatever capacity if we can make our dream of beating Cameroon be a reality.

What is your advice to NFF and what must they do to overcome their continuous lack of funds to drive their programmes?

They know what to do. They should stop hiding their income in order to have sympathy from government to attract more money from them. They should make their various sources of income public as well as their expenditure. This will also endear government to them to help and even attract more sponsors to them.