Elijah Charges Clubs On Players’ Welfare

Former Nigeria junior international, Samuel Elijah, has advised the professional clubs in the country to make the welfare of their players as their main priority since they (the players) are the main actors in the game.
Elijah, who is now part of the backroom staff of the Kwara Football Academy (KFA), wants the clubs playing in the Globacom Premier League and in the Nigeria National League (NNL) also known as the National Division I League to recognise that the players are important in the scheme of things.
The former Flying Eagles’ player believes that having the talents is not enough to make the Nigerian league the best as the welfare package for the players would also play its part in ensuring that the principal actors, which are the players, give their best whenever they don the colours of their clubs.
“The number one issue is for the clubs to have the welfare of the players at heart because by the time you take care of the welfare of the players, then you can expect good football. For me, I think that is what is lacking in our league for now. I believe that by now, any serious club should have settled their players’ signing-on fees and other allowances before the start of the season. These are the things that serve as motivation to the players to give in their best. If you fail to pay a player, his mind will be distracted from the game no matter how good that player might be because he will definitely have responsibilities to take care of. Without settling the players (in terms of signing-on fees and allowances) I don’t think erring clubs should be talking about next season. If the clubs settle the players and coaches, then we would witness beautiful football next season,” the former Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) defender said.
Elijah also praised the defenders of Bayelsa United, Enyimba, Heartland Football Club and Warri Wolves that took part in the Super Four for ensuring that they kept the strikers at bay.
Only four goals were scored in six games at the Super Four held last week at the Ilorin Township Stadium.