Nigerian Football Association In Carlton Cole Blunder!

 

The last time the NFA expressed so much ineptitude with it's affairs by entering the wrong date of birth for Obafemi Martins many people complained but some of of thought every human is bound to make mistakes.

This time, you won't believe that apart from failing to keep proper records of Nigerian players,the NFA also does not know the rules of the game.

The BBC reports on its website that the NFA has erred by inviting Carlton Cole based on the fact Carlton Cole is already 24 which makes him unqualified to be invited to play for Nigeria after featuring for England U-21.

In a bizarre move, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has called up an ineligible player for their forthcoming 2010 World Cup qualifiers.

According to the BBC, 'the West Ham striker Carlton Cole is in the squad for the games against South Africa in September and Sierra Leone in October.

Cole, who has a Nigerian father and Sierra Leonean mother, has played for England at under-21 level.

But he cannot switch allegiance to Nigeria as he is now 24 years old.

FIFA allows players who have represented one country at junior level to switch to another country.

But the statutes of world football's governing body state that this can only happen if they are still under the age of 21.

Cole, whose full name is Carlton Cole Okirie, was born in England.

In the past, he had apparently been keen on playing for Nigeria, but he accepted an England under-21 call-up when he felt he had been overlooked by the Super Eagles.

Another surprise name included in the 20-man squad released by the NFF is defender Daniel Ola, who holds a Ghanaian passport.

The former Lazio and Chievo player, is now with Italian Serie B club AC Cesena'.

What does this kind of error say about Nigerians? I personally think it's the biggest embarrassment and someone is definitely not doing his job. Someone should loose a job for this. That's my take. Below is the full team list as released by the NFA with Cole and Daniel Ola conspicuously represented. I hope they have a good explanation.

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Nigeria super Eagles Squad:

Goalkeepers: Greg Etafia (Moroka Swallows, South Africa), Dele Aiyenugba (Bnei-Yehuda, Israel)

Defenders: Taye Taiwo (Marseille, France), Obinna Nwaneri (Sion, Switzerland), Joseph Yobo (Everton, England), Yusuf Muhammed (Al-Hilal, Sudan), Danny Shittu (Watford, England), Chidi Odiah (CSKA Moscow, Russia), Daniel Ola (AC Cesena, Italy)

Midfielders: Jon Mikel Obi (Chelsea, England), Seyi Olofinjana (Stoke City, England), Lukman Haruna (AS Monaco, France), Yusuf Atanda Ayila (Dynamo Kiev, Ukraine), Kalu Uche (Almeria, Spain)

Strikers: Obafemi Martins (Newcastle United, England), Nwankwo Kanu, John Utaka (both Portsmouth, England), Emmanuel Okoduwa (Dynamo Kiev, Ukraine), Yakubu Aiyegbeni (Everton, England), Carlton Cole (West Ham, England)