Who is a true Super Eagles’ Legend? ~ Sportty

The recently released Legend 11 during the inaugural edition of the AITEO-NFF Football Awards held at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos on Monday, February 19, has continued to headline major topic of discuss among football stakeholders’ that includes ex-internationals as well as various media platforms.

Arguments

The lines of argument in favour or against the names that were honoured on the night, centered largely on the non-inclusion of late Super Eagles stars, Rashidi Yekini, Stephen Keshi, Teslim Balogun, Mudashiru Lawal, and Best Ogedegbe (even post humorously). Others are Peter, Rufai, Samson Siasia, Emmanuel Okalla, etal among the awardees’.

For some of the stakeholders, they are still in the dark over the criteria or criterion employed by the football house in arriving with the final list of the Legend 11 that saw the likes of Ann Chiejine, Austin Eguavoen, Felix Owolabi, Nwankwo Kanu, Christian Chukwu, Uche Okechukwu, Segun Odegbami, Mercy Akide-Udoh, Thompson Usiyen, Augustine ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha, and Adokiye Amiesimaka make the cut.

In all fairness, the names of the ex-international on the Legend 11 contributed positively in defending Nigeria’s pride at major international football competitions at regional, continent or global competitions both in Super Eagles and Super Falcons.

Reactions Over the days, it has risen to an all time high as new comments/reactions are emerging in their numbers daily. Sports journalist, Adewale Ajayi feels bitter judging from his comment on the Legend 11 list on his Facebook timeline. “They came up with a list of Nigerian legends and deliberately omitted a legend of African football. The first Nigerian to be named African footballer of the year, Scored Nigeria's First World Cup goal, his goals, qualified Nigeria for a debut world cup appearance and he also won us the Nations cup in 94,” Adewale’s comment read in part.