Sports

Keshi was our Second Gardner and Rohr should follow his Vestiges

Published

5 years ago

May 28, 2020

By Ola Aro

The Scriptures tell us that the Son of God (1st Adam) began His Sufferings in a Garden and brought them to a close in a Garden. That is an absolutely amazing display of God’s wisdom.
After all, Jesus is the second “Adam” undoing what Adam did and doing what Adam failed to do (Rom. 5:12-21; 1 Cor. 15:47-49).

For clarity, Keshi was our Jesus Christ, who fought for the Emancipation of home grown players. This was not done by those who tutored the Super Eagles team (in the past) as most of them were scared of taking risks. Thus, the issue of inferiority complex became a malaise our home based players had to live with, before Keshi’s installation as coach.

To me, Late Keshi, was the second Heavenly Gardener, who gave himself to the cultivation of the souls of his people through his Atoning Sacrifice and Continual intercession. Yet, he was crucified and embarrassed, despite the unprecedented achievements during his reigns against all evil snares, specifically from the people that appointed him, sorry I digress a little bit.

Why Rohr should follow Keshi’s footprints?
For NFF to renew the contract of Rohr despite his failings, it means he is the Heavenly Bridegroom, entering into His sufferings in a Garden (Nigeria) for the redemption of his brides (home based players) and the Church (Our league).

Rohr should stop the discrimination because some of the players he’s relying on were product(s) of Late Keshi’s pedagogy & other indigenous coaches – in terms of coaching.
Oghenekaro Etebo Ahmed Musa, Shehu Abdullahi, Simon MosesWilfred NdidiKelechi Iheanacho, Osimhen & Samuel Balogun, and Troost et AlWe are being unfair to Nigerian coaches, NFF and football stakeholders at large.
Was our league the best in Africa when Keshi made huge sacrifices for discovering home-based players and even took the biggest risk(s) by parading virgins at the Nations Cup?

If we continue to ridicule our home based players, it shows we are not sure of Rohr’s Technical Savvy.

How many home based players has he given level playing field with those Half baked foreign players? Life is a matter choice and chance. I wanted NFF to sack him (Rohr) after his very irresponsible and reckless approach against Argentina at World Cup in Russia. But then, it was NFF’s choice to gift him another chance. Should we now crucify NFF for that?

The only achievement Rohr has is finishing 3rd at the Nations cup, with all his Sophisticated foreign players not forgetting his insipid pattern of play.

This was the record, Keshi had as an auxiliary coach to late Amodu at Mali 2002. But our previous outing at the Nations Cup, South Africa 2013, Keshi won it with 13 to 14 debutants and some are saying Rohr should not gift home based opportunity to excel? If I were Rohr, I would have studied the method of success in Super Eagles during Keshi’s reign…

Rohr, a coach that keeps failing everytime in his failures to make decisive and accurate substitutions, specifically at both World Cup and Nations Cup; is opening his mouth to say, our local players are not good enough. That’s bunkum!

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Sports

Thrills as 2026 National Hockey Super League Opens in Abuja — NHF President Promises Greater Innovation

Published

5 hours ago

November 1, 2025

The Gleamer

Cyril Ogar
The atmosphere was electric on Saturday at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, as the 2026 National Hockey Super League officially kicked off in grand style.

The championship, which runs from November 1st to 9th, features 13 male and 8 female teams from across the country competing for supremacy in Nigeria’s top-tier hockey competition.

In the opening fixtures, Police Machine dominated IGP Flickers 9–1, Kada Stars overwhelmed Adamawa 13–0, Plateau edged Ekiti 1–0, while Niger Flickers crushed Team Katsina 10–0.

Speaking at the ceremony, President of the Nigeria Hockey Federation (NHF), Engr. Simon Nkom, expressed satisfaction with the smooth start, describing the league as a key milestone in the Federation’s renewed drive to strengthen grassroots hockey and promote national development of the sport.

“This is indeed a proud moment for us. We are here to witness a national event that we hold in very high esteem,” he said. “It’s a great way to end the year, return to our grassroots, and continue developing the game.”

Nkom, who also serves as an Executive Member of the African Hockey Federation Board, assured that the Federation will sustain its current momentum and introduce more innovations in 2027 to further elevate Nigerian hockey both locally and internationally.

“Our focus remains on building a strong foundation for our players and promoting discipline, teamwork, and fair play,” he added.

“Beyond monetary rewards, the experience gained here is invaluable. We will continue to recognize excellence through awards for Best Player, Best Goalkeeper, Youngest Player, and Most Disciplined Team.”

The Tournament Director, Mr. Falore Olajuyigbe, confirmed that the league will run for one week, ending on November 8th, with teams departing the following day. He praised the level of play and organization so far.

“The matches have been exciting and competitive. Attendance has been encouraging, and we’re confident that the quality of play will keep improving,” Olajuyigbe said.

He added that the tournament is benefitting from lessons learned during Nigeria’s participation in the African Club Championship in Ismailia, Egypt, noting that two Nigerian umpires who officiated at that continental event are also part of the officiating crew in Abuja.

As the 2026 National Hockey Super League unfolds, excitement continues to build among fans and players alike, with Abuja firmly at the center of Nigeria’s hockey action.

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