Former Nigerian striker Henry Makinwa has expressed reservations about Super Eagles players taking their phones to the pitch during training and matches.
The former Abia Warriors and Katsina United coach made this observation while reacting to a Facebook post by a United Kingdom-based former NFF presidential aspirant, David Doherty, who bitterly complained about the perpetual lateness of Kelechi Iheanacho and Udinese shotstopper Maduka Okoye to the Super Eagles camp.
“Have you guys noticed too they go the field with their phones? Poor lyrics and shameful,” stated Makinwa, who excelled in the colours of defunct Iwuanyanwu Nationale and Concord in the 90s before venturing abroad to ply his trade in Europe and Asia.
Doherty shared his worries about both players: “This attitude of Kelechi Iheanacho and Maduka Okoye coming to the Super Eagles camp late needs to be addressed by the NFF. It is unbecoming of both players. In the last Super Eagles camping, both players were latecomers for no concrete reason.
”In the last game Sevilla played on Sunday, Kelechi Iheanacho was not even part of the team. The last game Udinese played was also on Sunday.
“A player who was given a late call-up made it to the camp earlier than both players. I cannot remember the last time Iheanacho came to the camp of the Super Eagles early.
“This late camping attitude was one of the reasons we lost against Benin Republic.
Until some of these players are used as scapegoats, this attitude will continue.
“We can’t afford to ignore the little details that make a big difference in well-organised systems like those in Europe or other African countries.
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“Players and the NFF need a code of conduct. How can the NFF address issues when they don’t do things right themselves?
“We need all players on the ground when preparing for important matches. It’s Wednesday, and you’re playing on Saturday!
“This never happens in England, France, Morocco, or Senegal. Only in Nigerian football do we cover up everything and still complain about the results.
They must provide valid reasons for their late arrival at camp.”