Novelty match: Footballers need politicians for funds, says Aghahowa after backlash against ex-Super Eagles stars

Former Super Eagles striker, Julius Aghahowa, has waded into the argument that sportsmen, especially footballers, should avoid associating with politics.

According to him, sportsmen can’t avoid politicians because of the need for funds to participate in sporting activities.

Aghahowa said this when he appeared on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Friday.

“If people are clamouring for footballers or sportsmen not to be associated with politicians, I don’t know where they would get the funds to participate in competitions or to get involved,” the former Shakhtar Donetsk and Wigan Athletic forward said.

Proferring an alternative to sportmens’ association with politicians, Aghahowa advised private organisations to engage in the sponsorship of sports and sportsmen.

“Well, if you look at the sports scene in Africa, not just in Nigeria, you will see that sports are still under the hands of politicians; they are the ones sponsoring football and other sports,” the 40-year-old insisted.

“If you look at the leagues in Nigeria, almost all the club owners are sponsored by the state government, so how is that going to be possible at the moment? Maybe in the future, maybe when companies and private individuals get involved in sports; definitely that will be the way forward.”

Aghahowa said this following the backlash that trailed the novelty match his former colleague staged for the birthday of presidential hopeful, Bola Tinubu.

On the World Cup Play-offs between Ghana and Nigeria, Aghahowa said the Super Eagles should expect difficulties when they face the Black Stars.

“The rivalry between the two sides has been there. The Super Eagles should not forget that Ghana won’t let them come to their home and defeat them,” he said.

“They should expect difficulty there but at the end of the day we want to win, that’s the most important thing.

“I expect the Super Eagles to win, if you look at the players man for man and the form, we have more players in different positions.

“We are going to win by a goal or two in Ghana and then when we come back we’ll qualify”.