Jonathan Bars Super Eagles For Two Years

PHOTO: SUPER EAGLES STRIKERS OBAFEMI MARTINS (M) AND KANU NWANKWO (R).

San Francisco, June 30, (THEWILL) – The embarrassing and under par performance of Nigeria’s soccer team, the Super Eagles at the world cup in South Africa has earned the team a two-year suspension from international competitions.

President Goodluck Jonathan’s Adviser on Media, Mr. Ima Niboro told State House correspondents that President Jonathan today issued the suspension order in Abuja following the team’s poor performance at the World Cup.

"Mr. President has directed that Nigeria will withdraw from all international football competition for the next two years to enable Nigeria to reorganize its football,"

"This directive became necessary following Nigeria's poor performance in the ongoing FIFA World Cup."

The Super Eagles were bottom in their group with two loses and one draw in three group matches played.

Nigeria may incur a ban from FIFA following the decision. A statement from FIFA said, "We have no official information on this matter. However, in general, FIFA's position regarding political interference in football is well known."

In previous instances, FIFA has suspended national football bodies in countries where governments have interfered in the administration of the sport.

Nigerian Football Federation NFF in a statement said, "Discipline will continue to be key issue in Nigerian national team camps, national youth teams will be exposed to more international tournaments and the senior teams will be made to play more friendly games."

After meeting the country's World Cup organizing committee, Jonathan also said the accounts of the committee should be audited.

"If any financial misappropriation is discovered, all officials responsible will be held accountable," Niboro said.

Niboro added that the sports minister would formally write FIFA to inform the soccer governing body of the decision. He said the minister for the federal capital territory, FCT, Bala Mohammed has been directed to construct a "Football House" where the team could be based.

"The problem of Nigerian football is structural. We need to reorganize the structures and there is need to withdraw from all international football competition so that we can put our house in order," the spokesman said.

Former England international and Nigerian citizen, John Fashanu told local sports radio,

"It's the right decision for Nigerian soccer. President Jonathan has made a bold step to clean up the rot. We need to move the country in football.

"We cannot be held to ransom by anybody."

The NFF has said it will retain Swedish coach Lars Lagerback as technical adviser to help in growing young talents.