By Oluwatobiloba Kumoye
From the entertainment scene to the business sector, Nigeria to South Africa, Africa to Australia, sports administrators and sports loving Nigerians, the impressive outing of the Super Eagles is receiving commendation and some pleasant words.
The latest public figure to join the long list of individuals and corporate bodies who are celebrating the Super Eagles, is a highly distinguished and noteworthy record producer, PuffyTee.
The entertainment mogul described the Super Eagles’ impressive CAF Africa Cup of Nations, (AFCON), campaign as the result of collective brilliance and technicality.
He made this known on Tuesdayduring an interview where he said that Nigeria’s performance is a solid 8 out of 10.
“Under the leadership of Coach Eric Chelle, the Super Eagles displayed tactical and collective brilliance for the World to see. Everywhere in the world, it’s all about the Super Eagles’ impressive performance.
“It’s not just another bronze medal as some may say, but a statement of strength and character, it proves that we are still a force to reckon with in African football and that Nigerians never back down,” he said.
PuffyTee who is the producer behind the hit song Yahooze by Olu Maintain, highlighted some of the players he believes were phenomenal.
“The players of the day for me were Ademola Lookman, Akor Adams and heroic shot-stopper, Stanley Nwabali and Alex Iwobi. Everyone did well but these four were exceptional. By every measure this campaign deserves an 8 out of 10, they were strong, inspiring and full of promise,” PuffyTee stressed.
He praised the Super Eagles’ for recovering quickly from their Morocco heartbreak.
“Although the semi finals loss was very heartbreaking, they showed resilience, bounced back and reminded us that setbacks are just a phase,” PuffyTee explained.
He urged the coach to pay more attention to strategy and game plans.
“Only that at times the Team acts above par, football on the continent is evolving and we need to step up our game, interchange and strategy and style of play. But nonetheless we still remain a force to reckon with, he stated.
Looking into the future, the world famous hitmaker, called for more development in the Nigerian football circuit, adding that only then can we sustain the momentum.
“If Nigeria is to rise by 2027 we must act now, we have to invest in youth development and in our League, building academies for young talents,” he said.
He went on to highlight some of the avoidable issues that Football in Nigeria is suffering from.
“One of my sons is a talented goalkeeper who trains everyday, every time I look at him while training I see potential that just needs to be groomed and developed. There are places for young stars outside the country, but here, there is no pathway. Just look at our stadium, hmm, let me not even go there,” he emphasized.
PuffyTee, an ardent Arsenal fan, who has a passion for football further noted that to develop grassroot football, coaches and managers also need to be taken care of.
“We must empower coaches and managers and invest in the NPFL. This is the number one reason why a good number of our players play for other countries. Not that they don’t want to play, but there is this fear, look at how they are even owing the players bonuses, when it’s time to pay they’ll delay it.
“These are not dreams, these are necessities, if we work on this we will continue to dominate the football scene,” he concluded.
