A former Super Eagles goalkeeper Idah Peterside, has said Victor Osimhen, Asisat Oshoala, and Chiamaka Nnadozie’s win at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards on Monday is a positive omen for Nigerian football.
“The recognition of Asisat in the female category, Osimhen in the male category, and Chiamaka as Goalkeeper of the Year is an encouraging and positive sign that Nigeria still possesses exceptional talents,” Peterside said in a live interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Tuesday.
The former goalie said the trio’s victory “is like a beacon of light in a previously dark tunnel,” noting that the “national teams have faced challenges in recent months and years.”
He also highlighted the importance of nurturing talents at grassroots levels and commended Osimhen’s acknowledgement of Emmanuel Amunike before accepting his award.
Peterside recounted Osimhen’s journey, starting from a modest background eight years ago, underscoring the potential for discovering and developing talent at the grassroots level.
‘Need For Structures’
Idah Peterside on Sunrise Daily on Friday, June 2, 2023.
The former goalkeeper also pointed out the need for effective structures in both local and national football to consistently produce outstanding players.
“When you look at the trajectory of every one of those players, the structures down came from Nigeria. Asisat played for the local teams, Chiamaka played for the local teams, and now they’re playing in Europe,” Peterside said.
“That’s why it is so important—very vital that the structures must be right.”
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He urged investment in grassroots football and football associations, stating that such investments would yield a considerable number of talented players for Nigeria on the international stage.
“We’ve been hearing structures, but the structure here has to be right at that national level to be able to produce great players,” the former goalie said.
“Look at how they’re doing very well internationally; if we invest more in our grassroots football if we invest more in our FAs, they will begin to chunk these kinds of players, you see.”
Excited about the achievements of these players, Peterside concluded, “Imagine how many talents we can have; we have great potential in Nigeria. Their success in wearing the green colour symbolises the rich source from which they emanate.”
‘Daunting Development’
Nigeria players pose for a group photo before the start of the Australia and New Zealand 2023 Women’s World Cup Group B football match between Ireland and Nigeria at Brisbane Stadium in Brisbane on July 31, 2023. (Photo by Patrick Hamilton / AFP)
Peterside also pointed out the issue of overemphasising players abroad, asserting that it negatively impacts the development of football in Nigeria.
“I think a whole lot of emphasis has been placed on players that are playing outside the country and with that, it is daunting our development. You find out that no one looks into our league; no one looks into our league; no one is bothered about what happens in our states in leagues; and in FAS, the attention has drifted to Europe.
“When you look at the female team in every tournament, you will see that we have a whole lot of players that are playing at home.”
Peterside also criticised the trend in Africa where there is excessive dependence on FIFA, expressing concern that every action is accompanied by FIFA involvement.
File photo: L-R: Fifa President, Infantino; former NFF President, Pinnick and former CAF President, Ahmad Ahmad.
He advocated for greater independence and self-development within African football, stressing the need for autonomy from FIFA’s constant oversight.
“What is happening in Africa is that we are beginning to depend so much on FIFA, which is not right. Every other Federation wants to be independent from FIFA and we can now meet at FIFA.
“Everything we do, FIFA sends us a secretary. Every time there’s an opening of a nursery school, you see the FIFA president there.
“And we have been saying to the CAF president, our union is not FIFA, we need to develop ourselves.”