Daily Independent Online.
*
Wednesday, June 30, 2004.
Falcons coach Mabo, Minister’s choice
By Ejiro
Femi-Babafemi
Reporter, Lagos
If words emanating
from the sports ministry are anything to go by, Super Falcons coach, Ismaila
Mabo is favourably tipped to guide the female national team to the Africa Women
Championship (AWC) in South Africa after the Olympics.
Despite
insinuations that Mabo was no longer competent to handle the team based on his
biased attitude in team selection and unorthodox style of coaching, indications
point to the fact that he has the support of the Sports Minister, Col. Musa
Mohammed who has penciled down the Plateau born coach for the job.
Indications that
Mabo who took over the Falcons leadership from Dan Evumen who was in charge of
Falcons Team B prior to the All Africa Games last year would be dropped after
Athens Olympics have evaporated..
Mabo later took over Falcons Team A from Sam Okpodu when the latter failed at
the World Cup in USA last September.
Sources revealed to
Daily Independent that the minister is using ethnic sentiments in retaining
Mabo who has fallen out of favour with female soccer buffs who had called for
his resignation after the Olympic qualifier against South Africa.
The source hinted
that Mabo can be assured of an extension if he justifies his outing at the
Olympics, an observation he noted would be the minister’s bait for
masterminding his stay.
Daily
Independent reliably gathered from a top sports ministry official that a
new coach would be named for the female team after their return from Athens, as
they were already tired of Mabo.
