The Moustached Journalist says;
In the ever-evolving world of sports, professionalism and structured management have become the cornerstones of success. However, the Nigerian football scene has often been plagued by unprofessional practices, notably the abrupt and wholesale dismissal of entire club management and football teams.
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This archaic trend not only disrupts the development of the sport but also tarnishes the reputation of Nigerian football on the global stage while causing more regression rather than continued expansion.
The realm of football, like any professional sport, thrives on stability, continuity, and mutual respect between management and players. However, recent events in Nigerian football have cast a shadow over these principles.
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Over the years, the Nigerian football landscape has been marred by numerous instances of unprofessional conduct, particularly concerning the abrupt laying off of entire club management teams and football squads.
This phenomenon not only hamper the careers of those directly affected but also has broader implications for the sport in Nigeria.
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While abrupt and unprofessional layoffs in Nigerian football clubs have become alarmingly common. Often driven by poor financial management, political interference, or sudden changes in club ownership, these dismissals typically occur without proper notice or severance arrangements.
In a startling move, Kwara United, a state-government-owned football club and prominent Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) club side, recently recruited 25 players out of the blue and terminated the contracts of its entire 22-man team made without prior warning or adherence to contractual obligations, leaving many individuals in financial and professional limbo.
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This decision was executed with absolutely no regard for the professional standards and human dignity expected in such circumstances, especially with the current economic downturn in a country as populous as ours.
As it stands, it has sent shockwaves through the football community, raising concerns about the implications for the future of Nigerian football.
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Meanwhile, players and staff found out about their dismissal through social media and news outlets rather than through official communication channels.
This single act of callousness shows a lack of professionalism; not only does it breach contractual obligations, but it also erodes trust within the club and its supporters.
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Rewinding the hands of the clock, following a series of poor performances in 2017 when the then-Abia State Government dismissed the entire coaching staff and several key players of Enyimba. This decision, rather than leading to immediate improvement, resulted in further instability and a prolonged period of a mixed bag of results for the club.
Fast forward to 2020, amidst financial difficulties exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, Heartland FC sacked nearly all its players and staff. This move, intended to alleviate financial strain, instead led to a loss of cohesion and a string of defeats that almost had the club relegated to the lower league in the season after that.
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One of the primary causes of these unprofessional layoffs is poor financial management. Many Nigerian football clubs operate on precarious budgets, often relying on irregular funding from state governments or private sponsors.
When funds dry up, club owners and management resort to drastic measures, including mass layoffs, to cut costs. The lack of financial planning and transparency exacerbates this issue, leading to sudden and severe consequences for employees.
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Another immediate consequence of these unprofessional layoffs is the destabilization of careers, especially those that this catastrophic event would affect the most are their immediate extended families and relatives who beckon on them for survival and sustainability.
Coaches, players, and staff suddenly find themselves without employment, often with little prospect of immediate re-employment due to the saturated job market. This not only affects their livelihoods but also their professional development and mental health.
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On a broader scale, the sport itself suffers. Constant turnover in club management and playing staff leads to instability, which in turn affects team performance.
The lack of continuity hampers long-term planning and development, resulting in poor performances both domestically and in continental competitions. This decline in quality can diminish fan interest and reduce revenue from ticket sales, sponsorships, and merchandise.
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It is not also far-fetched to say that the absence of stringent regulatory oversight by the apex football governing body in Nigeria allows these practices to persist which is still very much in trend in the Nigerian football circle, even at the grassroots level.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and other relevant organizations often fail to enforce rules and guidelines that protect the rights of coaches, players, and other staff members. This regulatory gap enables club owners and chairmen to act with impunity, knowing there will be little to no repercussions.
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Implementation of stringent financial regulations and promoting transparency can mitigate the issue of financial mismanagement. Clubs should be required to submit regular financial reports to the NFF or an independent regulatory body instituted by the top echelons of football administration.
This oversight can help identify and address financial issues before they lead to mass layoffs. Without these in place, one would just wake up to such distraught news about clubs sacking an entire football team and staff due to a nauseating excuse.
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The NFF must strengthen its regulatory frameworks to protect the rights of all football stakeholders, including enforcing contractual obligations, providing guidelines for fair dismissals, and imposing penalties on clubs that engage in unprofessional practices.
Establishing a dispute resolution mechanism can also help address grievances swiftly and fairly. This, however, can reduce so-called immunity being wagered by these public office holders and their cohorts.
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To reduce political interference, the NFF should encourage clubs to strive for greater independence from state governments. These initiatives, such as divestment, private ownership, and huge capital investment, can largely help refurbish Nigerian football to greater heights.
Additionally, clear rules should be established to prevent political changes from affecting club management and staff stability. Especially with the rates at which these state government-owned clubs are dwindling by seasons due to fiscal deficit, mismanagement and lack of continuity.
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While the immediate effects are damaging, the broader implications threaten the very fabric of the sport in the country. To safeguard the future of Nigerian football, there is an urgent need for a cultural shift towards professionalism, respect for contractual obligations, and a commitment to the welfare of players and staff.
Only then can Nigerian football hope to realize its full potential and compete on the global stage. Embracing modern, professional practices is essential for the growth and success of the sport on both domestic and international levels.
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By focusing on stability, transparency, and long-term development, Nigerian football can overcome these challenges and build a brighter future.