Nigeiran President Goodluck Johnathan has suspended the country’s mens national team from international competition for two years following the Super Eagles “poor performance” in the World Cup.
Nigerian President Hands National Team Two Year Suspension For World Cup Failure
Nigeria finished with one point in three matches, losing to Argentina and Greece before earning a draw with South Korea in the third match of Group B play. The Super Eagles lost to Argentina 1-0 to open the tournament. After Kalu Uche put the team up early in their second match with Greece, Sani Kaita's red card had Lars Lagerback's squad playing a man down for an hour, eventually losing 2-1. The team earned a 2-2 draw against South Korea where Uche and Chinedu Obasi had chances to give Nigeria a win, which would have put the team into the knockout stage.
The Nigerian government spoke to reporters today regarding the decision:
“Mr President has directed that Nigeria will withdraw from all international football competition for the next two years to enable Nigeria to reorganise its football,” Ima Niboro, a special adviser to Goodluck Jonathan, told reporters.
“This directive became necessary following Nigeria’s poor performance in the ongoing FIFA World Cup.”
The suspension would preclude the Super Eagles from participation in the 2012 African Cup of Nations, to be jointly held in Gabon and Equitorial Guinea, and the 2013 Cup of Nations, to be held in Libya. Qualifying for both tournaments will begin in September, with Nigeria scheduled to play Madagascar in Abuja.
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