Abdullahi’s sack won’t affect Eagles in Brazil – Toro

In a surprise move yesterday, President Goodluck Jonathan sacked the minister of sports who is presently away in Poland and replaced him with Barrister Tamuno Danagogo.
Speaking to Daily Trust yesterday, the former NFA scribe said the sacked minister of sports was not in charge of Nigerian football and so nobody should entertain any fears.
He said the body responsible for governing football in Nigeria, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is not affected so he does not see how the sack of the minister would affect the national team’s preparations.
Toro maintained that the administrative head of the ministry who is the Director General of the National Sports Commission, NSC, Gbenga Elegbeleye is of more importance in the set up.
He also recalled that before 1998 World Cup in France, Late Emeka Omeruah was sacked a day before the World Cup but the Super Eagles participation was not affected.
“I don’t see how the sack of the minister of sports will have adverse effect on the Super Eagles.
“The minister was not the one running Nigerian football, those in charge are still intact and they will continue with the team’s preparations.
“I remember vividly that a day before the 1998 World Cup in France, the then sports minister, Late Emeka Emeruwa was sacked but that did not affect the Eagles participation”, he said.
Toro in addition said the sack of the minister did not come to him as a surprise because it was not a permanent appointment.
“I do not see anything shocking about the minister’s sack. His appointment was political and if his time is up in the cabinet, I don’t see anything in it.
“He has been removed but sports will have to go on. He played his part and it is now time for another Nigerian to come and render services in the sector”, he stated.