Taribo West Vs NFF: Babayaro Replies Patrick Pascal, Chikelue Iloenyosi

Taribo West Vs NFF: Babayaro Replies Patrick Pascal, Chikelue Iloenyosi

By Niyi Busari

1996 Olympic gold medallist, Emmanuel Babayaro has said that all ex-internationals should be united and come together as a family and should not allow any interest cause rift between them, BSNSports.com.ng can report.

Reacting to Patrick Pascal and Chikelue Iloenyosi's outburst, Babayaro noted that football globally is a unifying factor and should not be used to divide all former Nigerian national team players adding that the energy used in fighting themselves should be diverted on finding lasting solutions to the challenges facing the sport in the country.

"This is not the time to fight each other, irrespective of our different opinions and camps. We use our energy on providing solutions and suggesting ideas that can turn around our leagues to something great. Taribo West is not interested in fighting any one including the federation. In fact, the last time we met, he gave me his phone to speak with some ex-internationals,he is more interested in the unity of football family and our the game will develop. Babayaro told BSN Sports.

"If Taribo West who played for the Flying Eagles, U23 Eagles and the Super Eagles at the world cup see anything wrong with our football, he view must not be seen, labelled and tagged as 'enemy' of football'. West has paid his dues and his view must be respected.

"It is disheartening to read ex-internationals using derogatory words to describe West because his view is different from theirs. No, we don't need that now." He concluded.

Taribo West in an interview had rated the Nigeria Football Federation low in the 2019 and warned that something must be done very quickly to put the game back on track.

West is the only Nigerian player to play for Inter Milan and AC Milan of Italy. He helped Nigeria won the gold medal in 1996 Olympics in USA.

In 2019, Nigeria failed to qualify for Championship of African Nations (CHAN), West African Football Union (WAFU) Championship, the Flying Eagles were knocked out in the second round at the 2019 FIFA U20 World Cup, Golden Eaglets were also bundled out at the second round by the Netherlands at the 2019 FIFA U17 World Cup.

The Super Falcons could not qualify for the 2020 Olympics after they were edged by Cote d'Ivoire on away goal rule while the U23 Eagles were unable to fly past their African counterparts, there's failed to pick the 2020 Olympics ticket.

Meanwhile, the Super Eagles finished third best team at the 2019 African Nations Cup in Egypt.