Psady:
I wish you where in their shoes as at that time, then the world would know how patriotic you truly are.

fergie001:


SOURCE That was Abacha time.The withdrawal from the Nation Cup them affected Rasheed Yekeen who wanted to enhance his soccer record in 1996.By 1998 Nation Cup Raheed Yekeen had lost its potency as a striker. The military era was reputed for selfish interest as a result of glorified criminality. Consequent upon execution of Ogomi 9 Britain, Commonwealth and South African sactioned Nigeria. Abacha out if his pride and stubbornness decided that Nigeria would not go for the championship. Where is Abacha today? Live a good life and let history smile on you later.

Psady:
may we not see their kind(abacha) again.

Maxymilliano:

So as an act of patriotism, the players rather cashed-out from the power-drunk tyrant than forging ahead with the original plans as defending champion to represent the country for honor

paulolee:
this sanni abacha really caused us so many troubles with his controversial military regime..
I still remember d wild celebrations in d whole of Nigeria wen he was confirmed n announced dead...I bin tink say we win world cup o.
any celebration dt can come close is to hear dt our current oga don resign from president sit....people go fall cow dt day

Chinny024:
I comment in honour of Ken Saro Wiwa...The door to Freedom of speech should not shut...So where is Abacha?.,how far. You gruesomely killed professors,parents and elites of the nation just for your selfish interest....
Islamabad no be today!!!

assent:


Then you don't know the meaning of patriotism

verybadmouth:
Money wey dem don spend finish. The value of that 20k dollars as at then was 450k naira.

Check my signature for your fastest route to getting your dream job.

FlipModeSquade:

They were paid less than the bonuses had they gone for the tournament..

They never had any solidarity with anybody..

Their SAFETY were not GUARANTEED..



Did you ask him and he refused to talk?

Or should he have gone to the market square,like a mad man and be shouting at the top of his voice?

Maxymilliano:

So as an act of patriotism, the players rather cashed- out the power-drunk tyrant than forging ahead with the original plans as defending champion to represent the country for honor

Tosman12:
you guyz are lucky he showed the honour of telling you the truth , this propagandist buhari democrazy government will pretend all is well and lure you to your massacre rather then come out clean.....

Englandboy:
So why didn't you say this all this years

Maxymilliano:

So as an act of patriotism, the players rather cashed-out from the power-drunk tyrant than forging ahead with the original plans as defending champion to represent the country for honor

Birikiti:
This shows how history can be slightly deflected to portray some characters or decisions in a different light. The facts on ground as at that period were as follows

1. Abacha's government was facing legibility issues, especially on the home front following the annulment of June 12, 1993 elections. Strike actions, riots, sit at home protests were prevalent.

2. Ogoni activists led by Ken Saro Wiwa, were agitating for clean-up in their land messed up by Shell's onshore oil exploration

3. There was a mob action against some Ogoni chiefs who were perceived as saboteurs and 7 (or so) of them were lynhed

4. Abacha arrested Ken Saro Wiwa and 8 others (or so) for being the instigators of the mob action. They were tried and sentenced to death

5. International appeal for their release was mounted with Nelson Mandela (legendary President of South Africa) in forefront.

6. While negotiations and appeals were still ongoing, Abacha proceeded to execute the Ogoni activists summarily!

7. Serious international backlash ensued with Nigeria's expulsion from Commonwealth Org and many others. Nigeria became a pariah nation

8. Mandela was lobbying and using his international clout to make life difficult for Nigerian government via sanctions and trade embargoes

9. Abacha wanting to spite Mandela and knowing the AFCON (holding in South Africa) cannot be the same without the defending champions and the widely acclaimed Super Eagles, chose to pull the team out of the competition.

10. The whole Nigerian nation was disappointed. Football was the only thing bringing the nation together and Nigerians were looking forward to a superb display in South Africa.

11. Nigerian team was loaded to the hilt! Every position had 2 or more options & Nigerian players were playing for some of the best teams in Europe

12. Goal keepers: Peter Rufai, Willy Agbonibavre, Alloy Agu, Ike Shorunmu, Joseph Dosu
Right Backs: Augustine Eguavoen, Mobi Oparaku
Left Backs: Benedict Iroha, Celestine Babayaro
Center Backs: Uche Okechukwu, Chidi Nwanu, Taribo West, Uche Okafor, Godwin Okpara
Def. Midfielders: Sunday Oliseh, Garba Lawal, Karibe Oigwe
Att. Midefielders: Jay Jay Okocha, Wilson Oruma, Mutiu Adepoju, Thompson Oliha
Right Wing: Finidi George, Tijani Babangida
Left Wingers: Emmanuel Amunike, Victor ikpeba
Support Strikers: Daniel Amokachi, Kanu Nwankwo, Samson Siasia,
Strikers: Rashidi Yekini, Efan Ekoku
Coach: Bonfrere Jo

Imagine having this pool of players to choose a final team from and being denied participation because of political reasons. The cup was sure banker.

Personally, I think the players should have promised Abacha the cup. Mandela having to hand over the cup to Nigeria would have been a more fitting revenge than pulling out of the competition.

...and that thing about security not being guaranteed is a fallacy. We all know that organizers and host countries are tasked with security guarantees for all participating teams in any competition. More so, the anger of the international committee was towards Abacha and his cronies and not towards the players who were adored across Africa for their exploits during that period.

So this is the correct history. make of it what you will.

iyke2frankeze:

Don’t worry God will soon repeat that same miracle for us again.

fergie001:


SOURCE