It is not often that one gets a big guy speaking on matters that he is so familiar with. When a world class footballer who has dazzled fans on the pitch and now occupies the highest political office in his country talks football, the world should listen. That is what President Muhammadu Buhari did when his counterpart from Liberia came calling at Aso Rock in Abuja, last Monday.
President George Weah of Liberia is in a class of his own. He is about the only footballer decorated severally by FIFA who has become the Head of a sovereign nation. Last Monday, he flew into Abuja to declare that Nigeria’s Super Eagles would be going to Russia this June to represent not just Nigeria but the entire African continent at the World Cup.
The Liberian President, who spoke in an interview with the State House correspondents after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, also warned those in charge of the Sports Ministry to refrain from tampering with monies meant for the welfare of players during tournaments.
He said he had struggled for so long to get Liberia to qualify for the World Cup but could not succeed. “I think Nigerian team is a model, we all followed them. I have played with great Nigerian players… I played against them. Now you have a new generation, the fact that they qualified is a good thing for Nigeria. But I hope that they will prepare very early because they are going to represent Africa and we will be there to watch them, for them to bring home the trophy for the first time if it is possible.”
President Weah argued that the issue is not in going to the World Cup, but in doing well. “I want every African government to know that if you win the World Cup it is a pride to Africa, it is not just to Nigeria, so we must do everything to ensure that the players are not stressed. We must make sure they concentrate, make sure their incentives are given to them to motivate them.
He expatiated further, “Some of the things you see at the World Cup, you will see an entire team go to represent a whole country and you will hear that one minister took the money… they did not pay these players and the players are causing problem. When players are going to camp, it is to relax and focus. And for them to be in camp they must have everything there for them not to worry.”
Mr. Weah used his experience in Europe as a player to further buttress his point. “When we go to camp, we have nothing to do. The only thing we have to do is to take a shower and prepare for the game, everything is laid down there and so you have no excuse”. Well, it is hoped that since President Buhari heard it all, things will change.
