RANGERS: Give Gov Chime, Fans & Supporters 2010 as 40th Birthday Gift--By Sixtus Ezennaya

RANGERS: Give Gov Chime, Fans & Supporters 2010 as 40th Birthday Gift When I was about to travel to Europe for the first time, I sent an email to one of my friends and classmates then at All Hallows Seminary Onitsha who was studying in Germany, now at St Mary Catholic Parish Awgbu, Awka Diocese, Rev. Fr. Dr. Poly Chuks Obikwelu on my excitement about the travel and perhaps my finding time to visit him. In his reply he wrote, “Come and see Europe and wonder what is wrong with Africa and Africans.” In my article after, I captioned it, “What is Wrong with Africa and Africans” as to Europe I went, saw and confirmed his bewilderment and consternation. The article, “Rangers: Give Chime, Fans and Supporters 2010 as 40th Birthday Gifts” is a child of circumstance arising from peoples’ demand. I wrote an article on the need for live commentaries of football on our radio stations. The phone calls, text messages and encomiums I received baffled me. Then I began to wonder: one, what football means to Nigerians and two, what the Flying Antelopes and once Indomitable Rangers International Football Club of Enugu represents. Many commendations centred on the need for live commentaries of our league and Federation Cups matches. Some applauded the fine write-up as they put it, as it reminisced the commentaries of Ernest Okonkwo of the olden days when football was for the men. Majority of the callers deviated completely from the discourse and wanted to know “What is Wrong with Rangers, their Coaches and Management.” One fan called from Texas – USA specifically and frowned at the Technical Crew. He wanted the whole crew changed or fortified adding that Rangers needed total overhaul. He recalled occasions when Rangers fans and supporters in Texas would be discussing about Rangers’ exploits in the past, and then their children and wives would ask then whether what they were saying about Rangers were true or exaggerations. The man said that during their end of the year party in December 2008, Osita Osadebey, Ikenga Superstar record albums on Rangers were played. They had thought that 2009 would be Rangers year but lo and betide (behold), it is not. Consequent of the same article, some supporters who wanted to see me, stormed my office. They however praised the team for being among the first fifth in the league though had wished for something better. During the discussions, they made many wonderful and useful suggestions on how to make Rangers a team to beat again. Most importantly, they wanted a strong, vibrant and virile Rangers Supporters Club in Nigeria like those of European Clubs.. It is from all these interactions that I got the empowerment for these admonitions. Modern football as a matter of fact has gone nuclear, scientific and classical but that of Nigeria still rigmarole at the amateur level despite its arrogative name of professional. Sports particularly football has made personalities. Rangers, by the virtue of its standing in the society, is no longer an ethnic, a tribal or state club. It is rather an institution which make or mar personalities. Chief Jim Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo picked the gubernatorial ticket of the Nigerian Peoples Party (NPP) in 1979 because of Rangers connection while all odds favoured Chief Mbazuluike Amechi (the boy is good). FIFA as one of the greatest independent world organizations recognised by the UNO, is more popular than the Security Council. President John Kuffor and John Atta Mills of Ghana were ex-club Chairmen of Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oaks respectively. As Rangers FC made Jim Nwobodo Governor of the old Anambra State in 1979, so has Rangers made many people very important personalities (VIPs) in the society. Therefore, the Enugu State Government should distance herself from the infamous and damaging insinuation that “Rangers Must be Managed by a Son of the Soil.” I used “managed” because modern professional, scientific and classical football do no longer talk of “Coaching.” A Coach teaches primarily how to head, trap, chest-trap etc the ball. Football management has technical language or jargon ipso facto needs technical managers. Nowadays, matches are even played, won and lost on the drawing board before it is played on the pitch. Rangers specifically speaking, as the only club side in the Professional and non-professional cadre in Nigeria that has never tasted relegation since it was founded, must be “managed” with a difference and class of touch. As a pace-setter, its management team must show class and be technically sound. That is why the team’s inability to win any trophy since 1985 is worrisome. For Rangers to have never won the Professional League or Federation (Challenge) Cup is a drawback on the team, its technical crew and well equipped management which do not tandem with the soaring name and reputation it has garnered. It ought to march reputation with action, march Governor Chime’s commitment and support with trophies. I am aware that Rangers FC has “manufactured and graduated” more than enough technical managers who manage efficiently and effectively other clubs and give then what it takes to beat even Man U, Man city, Ajax, Arsenal, Chelsea, Barcelona etc. That Rangers lead while other clubs follow is not telling tales as Nigerian football was uplifted in 1975 when Rangers beat Great Olympics 2 – 1 in Accra. Previously, Ghana and her club-sides have diminished Nigeria and her club-sides. Christian Chukwu (MON) was one time the National Team Coach of the National Team of Kenya, the Harambe Stars. Michael Emenalo, an ex-Ranger, is the Chief Scout of the famous Chelsea FC of England. If he had not been technically qualified, no sentiments, no quota system, etc would have given him the job. Austin “Jay-Jay” Okocha, an ex Ranger, who is today football ambassador and idol captained Bolton Wonderers courtesy of his technical mastery of the game. America is a super nation because everybody has a stake in the venture. Though his root is African, Barak Obama is today an American President and helps to make America ticker. Prof Philip Emeagwali from Onitsha is today, an American citizen who can vote and be voted for, who before he visits Nigeria, American Government permits and even provides security. Prof Mobison from Awo Omama one of the geniuses who gave the world mobile telephone is also one of those America is very proud of. In fact, there abound other beacons of human beings, citizens by naturalization, who are sine-qua-non to America. In the same token, football is now a big business which should be devoid of sentiments. Nigeria like “Obi” who is always a boy, is stunted by quota system, federal character etc. The cankerworm is currently ravaging Nigerian Football. Who does not observe that National Teams, U17, U20, U23, and Super Eagles handlers are appointed to reflect national character and ethnic nationality not technical ability. Enugu State Government, please dissociate from this awkward policy which under-develops the game. Rangers dwindling performances gives sleepless nights to many. It is a total kill-joy. I was highly troubled by the boast and bragging of Dolphins FC spokesman before their group stage Federation Cup match at Jalingo in the Silver Bird radio Port Harcourt that Dolphins did no longer regard Rangers as a big threat. He made two references to their Challenge (Federation) Cup finals. At the end of their Jalingo match, Dolphins triumphed as boasted. I could still recall an interview where Emmanuel Okala narrated the commitment of every Rangers player; how he forfeited his American University Scholarship for Rangers. Another ex-Rangers player confided to me how they vowed never to be beaten by IICC Shooting Stars; how Nnamdi Anyafor was specifically and “technically” assigned to “police” Mathematical Segun Odegbami in their 1977 African Winners Cup semi-final match. Accepting the arduous task, Nnamdi a young school leaver, said, “I will rather go out of this pitch with one leg than any goal being scored by Segun Odegbami through my side.” It was in this match that Ernest Okonkwo gave Nnamdi Anyafor the nickname “Policeman” because he reduced IICC to playing with ten men by “caging” the dangerman, Segun Odegbami. Today, that “Biafran fighting spirit” is moribund in Rangers. Nowadays, that sense of commitment among the players, is no more. The day Rangers International Football Club of Enugu beat Kampala City Council Football Club 2 – 1 in Kampala, the gallantry marvelled, dazzled and excited President Idi Amin Dada of Uganda who ordered the Rangers boys to be treated to a party while the players of KCC he ordered to be caned.. The dogged zeal that enabled Rangers drew 2 – 2 with Green Buffalos of Zambia in Lusaka is unforgettable and indelible. Great Olympics of Ghana where the penalty specialist, Christian Madu, plied his trade before joining Rangers, did not escape from the wrought of Rangers demolition. The Police FC of Senegal, Mehala FC of Egypt and Canon Sportif of Yaoundé Cameroon do not flinch their respect for Rangers lion-heart. In fact the management of Rangers should relieve all these memories to ginger up the boys. The Technical Crew of Rangers should borrow a leaf from those of the yester-years. 2010 is special to African and Nigerian Football more so as teams like Shooting Stars, Ranchers Bees, Dolphins etc are back to the professional and elite league. Most importantly, 2010 is unique to Rangers as it attains the sagacious age of 40 years. Rangers, give Gov. Sullivan Chime and your teeming fans and supporters the League and Federation Cup in 2010 as 40th birthday gifts. Mr. Ezennaya writes for the World Igbo Times, Magazine London.