By Mike Oboh
Nigeria football league champions, Plateau United football club has called on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to find the best way out of the COVID 19 pandemic for the club sides in the country to make a mark at the continental level.
Coach of Plateau United, Abdullahi Maikaba in an interview with Daybreak Sports said the inaction of the clubs was hampering their preparations ahead of the CAF Champions League and the Confederation Cup competitions.
Maikaba said though his club has completed its recruitment for the forth coming season, the lack of training as a team have not been made possible because of the challenges associated with the pandemic.
He said the NFF and the sports ministry should work out a process which will facilitate the commencement of the league games in the country.
He said though the challenges are more intimidating, the authorities should take a clue from other countries where football is being played.
Maikaba said for his club, the players are training individually and would love to have whatever checks is put in place to have them together to prepare well for the continental champions league.
According to him, since the pandemic started in the country and the league was put on hold, it has been difficult, for football to be played, thereby creating some gaps for the teams.
“My thought is for the authorities to come out with a model as done by other countries to return football to action, how long are we going to wait while others are moving on despite COVID 19, there are ways others have done it, Nigeria should take a clue.
“My players for the season have been recruited but the problem we are facing is the lack of team work because of the prevailing situation in the country, our players are training individually and this not enough for the task ahead, we need cohesion and team work, all these are lacking at the moment, so my worries is not only for our clubs but other co-campaigners in the continent, if we are not in competitive mood before the continental show flags off, we may not be too lucky.
“So, if the NFF and the Ministry of Sports come out quick for the way out, the better for all,” Maikaba said.
