Idah to Nigerian players: You must know how to sing the National anthem before you play for the National team
Former Nigerian international and NFF Presidential aspirant Peterside Idah has said Nigerian players must be able to sing the National anthem before getting opportunity to represent the country.
Idah made this disclosure when he featured on Mid-Morning Sports show with George Iniabasi Essien and the Comfort 95.1fm, sports crew Monday September 12, 2022 .
The 47 year old goalkepeer turned Pundit based his assertion on the need to field players who are passionate about representing the country.
He said ” I said this yesterday on a TV station and I want to say this again , if you don’t know how to sing the national anthem of Nigeria , you will not play for Nigeria , ”
” We have invited a lot of players and people are asking , why are we not playing well ?
” This is one of the problems with our national team and I think we need to look at the root , ”
” The root is that people are no longer passionate about serving Nigeria. Players no longer have the heart to play for this great country . ”
Peterside Idah went further to reveal how he cried while singing the National anthem of Nigeria on his first day with the national team .
” I cried while we sang the national anthem because It was my passion to serve my country . ”
” I challenge any journalist , I challenge anyone to go to England and ask the English players if they cannot sing ‘ God bless the queen ‘ . I challenge anyone . ”
Rendition of the national anthem is one of the pre match formalities during international games.
Both set of players sing to their respective national anthems as a mark of honour to their countries before kickoff .
Players of countries like Italy are known to be deeply attached to the Italian national anthem . Some players cry for different reasons while singing their countries national anthem .
On the importance of the anthems , flags and other national symbols Peterside Idah stressed the need to revive the patriotic spirit and ensure the players are truly passionate and ready to represent the country .
” If you don’t have passion for this country , you cannot serve it properly . We must bring back patriotism not when people have no affiliation to the country so they just play and go . ” Idah stated .
Peterside Idah is one of 11 aspirants cleared for the NFF Presidential election on September 30 , 2022 , the Supersport analyst promised that if elected as NFF President , he will insist on players singing the national anthem before getting opportunity to represent Nigeria .
” Obviously talent is the first key but we will give them that condition to please learn our national anthem . ” He continued .
Born on the 25th of November 1974 , Peterside Idah played club football with the likes of BCC Lions , Enyimba International FC , Temba Classic before a stint with South Africa’s Moroka Swallows in 2001 to 2002 when he called time on active football .
Aside his punditry role with SuperSports , the NFF Presidential aspirant is a pastor at Christ Ambassadors Church in Johannesburg .
Passionately vocal in his contributions towards the growth of Football in Nigeria , Idah drew reference to the tearful scene of Athlete Tobi Amusan at the medal presentation ceremony following her historic gold medal win at the World Athletic Championship to buttress his message on patriotism .
” We all watched Amusan (Tobi) receiving her medal . Everyone Nigerian cried when
she was singing that anthem . You could see the excitement when the anthem was played . That’s what we are saying , it’s not about football let’s not be sentimental. ” Peterside Idah concluded .
