Sports

Keshi was our Second Gardner and Rohr should follow his Vestiges

Published

6 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

NSC DG, Olopade Celebrates Nigeria at 66, Assures of More Progressive Sports Development Under President Tinubu

Published

15 hours ago

October 1, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has congratulated Nigerians as the nation celebrates its 66th Independence Anniversary, describing the milestone as a reflection of Nigeria’s resilience, unity and remarkable capacity to excel on the global stage, particularly through sports.

Hon. Olopade said Nigeria at 66 is an occasion every Nigerian should be proud of, noting that despite the challenges encountered over the years, the country has continued to make significant progress and produce achievements capable of inspiring generations.

The DG said the sports sector has particular reasons to celebrate, pointing to a series of performances and milestones by Nigerian athletes and teams across the global sporting landscape.

“Today, we celebrate the resilience of our people, the strength of our unity and our belief in the promise of our great country, especially through sports.

“As we raise our flag with pride, may we remain committed to building a nation where every Nigerian has the opportunity to dream, thrive and succeed.”

Hon. Olopade said the progress being witnessed in Nigerian sports aligns with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria Sports Development (RHINSE), which he said is focused on creating a stronger and more sustainable pathway for athletes, while positioning sports as a tool for national development, youth empowerment and global recognition.

He pointed to Nigeria’s outstanding performance at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games as one of the latest examples of the country’s sporting potential. Team Nigeria returned from Glasgow with 24 medals, comprising 10 gold, seven silver and seven bronze, finishing seventh overall and as the highest-ranked African nation at the Games. The campaign also produced three world records and a number of historic milestones across para powerlifting, athletics, weightlifting, para athletics and judo.

Among the standout performances was that of Team Nigeria captain Folashade Oluwafemiayo, who won gold in para powerlifting and twice broke the world record during the competition, ultimately lifting 175kg. Goodness Nwachukwu also successfully defended her Commonwealth title in the women’s para discus and set a new world record, while Nigeria recorded historic Commonwealth gold medals through Samuel Ogazi in the men’s 400m, Ezekiel Nathaniel in the men’s 400m hurdles and Chukwuebuka Enekwechi in the men’s shot put.

“Today, Nigeria is a global force in para-sports, and athletes such as Folashade Oluwafemiayo and Goodness Nwachukwu continue to demonstrate the extraordinary talent and determination that exist within our country,” Hon. Olopade said.

He also celebrated the continued dominance of D’Tigress, Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, which in 2025 became the first nation to win five consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket titles after defeating Mali 78-64 in the final in Abidjan in the last edition. The achievement extended Nigeria’s unbeaten run in the competition to 29 games and secured qualification for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup pathway.

On the global athletics scene, Hon. Olopade highlighted the continued excellence of Tobi Amusan and the emergence of a new generation of Nigerian sprinters. Amusan won silver in the women’s 100m hurdles at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest in September 2026, clocking 12.34 seconds in the final, while Kayinsola Ajayi added another significant milestone by winning Commonwealth bronze in the men’s 100m and helping Nigeria to bronze in the men’s 4x100m relay in Glasgow.

Nigeria’s football heritage, Hon. Olopade noted, remains another major source of national pride. The country holds the record for the most FIFA U-17 World Cup titles, with five championships won by the Golden Eaglets in 1985, 1993, 2007, 2013 and 2015.

He also pointed to the country’s growing influence in emerging sports, including flag football. Nigeria made history by winning both the men’s and women’s titles at the inaugural IFAF Africa Flag Football Championship in Cairo in 2025, earning qualification for the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships ahead of the sport’s Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028.

“These achievements across athletics, para-sports, basketball, football, weightlifting, flag football and other sports remind us that Nigeria possesses immense sporting talent,” the DG said.

“From our champions who continue to break world records to our young athletes who are announcing themselves on the international stage, the Nigerian flag continues to fly with pride around the world. This is why the development of sports must remain a national priority. Our responsibility is not only to celebrate champions after they emerge, but to build the systems, facilities, competitions and opportunities that allow more young Nigerians to become champions.”

“As we celebrate 66 years of our independence, we celebrate Nigeria’s past, but we must also look confidently toward the future. Our athletes have shown us what is possible when talent meets opportunity, preparation and support. The task before us is to ensure that more Nigerians have that opportunity,” the DG added.

“On behalf of the National Sports Commission, I wish all Nigerians a happy 66th Independence Anniversary. May our great nation continue to grow in strength, unity, prosperity and sporting excellence,” Hon. Olopade concluded.

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