Nigeria

The country’s President, Goodluck Jonathan, had taken the measure on Thursday in the wake of the team’s poor showing at the World Cup.

He issued a statement that Nigeria’s team would not be allowed to play in international competitions for the next two years, and would only be able to play in friendly matches.

FIFA’s reaction was swift, threatening to suspend the country from the organisation which would mean they could not play any matches, and financial sanctions could also be imposed.

FIFA had issued an ultimatum that Nigeria had until Monday night to reverse their decision.

“Mr President will not rescind the decision because it’s the best decision for football development in Nigeria,” a presidency source said.

“Mr President and his team had weighed the consequences of this decision and arrived at this decision as in the interest of the nation. We need to restructure and reorganise our football for effective and commendable results.”

“FIFA will today send a letter to the Nigerian football federation indicating that the government of Nigeria has until Monday 6pm (1600 GMT) to cancel its decision to withdraw Nigeria’s participation in all FIFA and CAF organised football competitions,” FIFA spokesman Nicolas Maingot told a news briefing on Friday.

After meeting the country’s World Cup organising committee, Jonathan also said the accounts of the committee should be audited, and named an 11-member caretaker committee to sort out the administration and management of the game.

Maingot said FIFA would not recognise the management committee, but would send an executive member of the world body to attempt last minute mediation on Monday.

If the Nigerian government fails to heed FIFA’s ultimatum, it risks getting cut-off from all FIFA activities, including junior and female competitions. FIFA funding to the football association could also be cut.

“A suspension goes beyond the suspension of the national team, it also involves the freezing of the financial help and no referees can participate in international competition,” Maingot said.

Nigeria were set to begin their bid to qualify for the 2012 African Nations Cup finals in September against Madagascar.

They also qualified for the upcoming women’s world championships at under-20 and under-17 level and their top club side Heartland is to play in the African Champions League group phase later this month.

A ban would also cut access to its development courses and stop the annual payment of $250,000 each member association receives, cash that is much needed by Nigerian football.

This latest episode is not the first time Nigerian political authorities have been at loggerheads with football governing bodies over political interference.

Nigeria were banned by the Confederation of African Football in 1996 when then President Sani Abacha withdrew the team from the African Nations Cup finals in South Africa because he had been criticised by Nelson Mandela over the judicial execution of political opponents.

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Greece

Vassilis Torosidis netted a 71st minute winner to secure a first ever World Cup victory for the Greeks.

Kalu Uche had given Nigeria the lead from a free-kick, but after Sani Kaita was sent off, Greece drew level through Dimitris Sapingidis.

Nigeria can still qualify for the round of 16 if they beat South Korea in their final group game and Argentina see off Greece.

“We started the game well, controlled the game, got the goal and then had a sending off. That caused us problems, especially in the first half,” Nigeria coach Lars Lagerback said after the match.

“The positive thing is that if Argentina win their game we still have a chance to qualify,” Lagerback said.

Greece coach Otto Rehhagel was delighted with the outcome.

“We are going to take on Argentina, a world class team. They will clearly be better than us and we have got to see how to cope with them,” he said.

“We all know the Argentine team is of extraordinary quality.”

Nigeria struck first, on 16 minutes, when Uche’s free-kick eluded everyone including goalkeeper Alexandros Tzorvas.

But in the 33rd minute Kaita was red carded for foolishly kicking out at Torosidis.

Rehhagel reacted by replacing defensive midfielder Socratis Papastathopoulos with striker Giorgos Samaras, who minutes later had a shot cleared off the line.

Salpingidis found space to drive home his country’s first ever World Cup goal with a 44th minute strike that deflected off Nigeria midfielder Haruna Lukman.

Nigeria substitute Chinedu Obasi missed an open goal after a swift counter-attack, but Greece went close again through Samaras before Torosidis stabbed home a second after Enyeama had spilled a low Alexandros Tziolis shot.

Russian-based Kaita apologised after the match for the incident which turned the game.

“I apologise to everyone. To the Nigerian people, the officials and my team mates,” the 24-year-old said.

“I accept the red card as a justified decision, I am very disappointed, I hope Argentina can help us out,” Kaita added.

Nigeria forward Nwankwo Kanu remained typically relaxed about his country’s chances.

“If you look at the table it is not really bad, but we need a win,” he told reporters.

“We cannot go for a draw, we have to go all out and make sure that we win and then it depends on what happens between Argentina and Greece.”

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The forward is hoping to be part of the Super Eagles squad for the tournament and will be looking to play some part in their Group B games against Argentina, South Korea and Greece.

Utaka was not involved in the African Nations Cup but is hopeful of making it into the World Cup and he thinks Nigeria (9/2 to win Group B) can take “full advantage” of the thousands of African fans who will flood to the tournament.

Even though Nigeria have to face one of the pre-tournament favourites in Argentina (8/1 – World Cup 2010 Outright) in their first game on June 12th, the forward thinks they can “do well” against their South African opponents and also prove themselves a “tough nut to crack” for any sides they come up against.

Speaking about their opening game (Argentina 4/7 to win, Nigeria 4/1, draw 13/5 at World Cup match bets), Utaka told Nigeria’s sports daily Complete Sports: “It’s a game both sides want to win. But to the surprise of many Nigerians, the Super Eagles stand a chance of winning that game in my own opinion.”

If Nigeria make it out of Group B they are could face the likes of France, Mexico or even World Cup hosts South Africa in the second round, but Utaka thinks the Super Eagles could go even further than this.

“We can go all the way to the semi-finals of South Africa 2010 World Cup no doubt. It may look daunting, but it is possible if we put in adequate preparations and then believe in ourselves,” he said.

Nigeria only recently got a new coach, with former Sweden boss Lars Lagerback replacing Shuaibu Amodu, and he got off to a winning start with a 5-2 victory over Congo DR.

Another forward hoping to impress the new manager is Everton striker Victor Anichebe, who has just returned from a serious knee injury and told EvertonTV he is still “hopeful” about his chances off making it into the Nigeria World Cup squad.

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