Kyiv, Ukraine – Make we yarn about how football dey make brain for Ukraine right now. E no be small thing as Andriy Chevtchenko, the Baller wey don chop Ballon d’Or for 2004, don sit down as the president of the Ukrainian Football Association since January 2024. Dis man na real soldier for football, as e dey fight the war from the pitch for his country.
Chevtchenko don come back from service after e finish him playing career for Dynamo Kyiv in 2012. From 2016 to 2021, he carry the coach cap, but now e don enter presidential seat to help Ukraine weather the storm of war. Na so e tell everybody, ‘I no be here to enjoy life – I wan support my country.’ E no get power pass dis one, my padi!
Na serious matter wey dey ground, as Chevtchenko dey run football in the midst of real wahala. From aerial bombings to power cuts, dem dey face challenges wey fit scatter any league, but guess wetin? Ukrainian football dey hold ground and still dey run all the leagues and tournaments. Even U15 and U16 competitions still dey waka, no be joke!
The youth competitions dey shine for Ukraine, as dem don innovate new formats wey dey gather kids plus help build dem up. Just recently, dem gather some matches close to Russian border – talk about bravery, abi na madness? But na the spirit of resilience make dem dey push forward!
And guess wetin? Chevtchenko no just dey run normal league, he don set up one league for amputees! E no go fit forget say more than 100,000 of his people don lose limbs due to the conflict. This win na for those wey don fight and civilians wey dey find special platform to regain their strength.
Chevtchenko drop serious knowledge when e yarn say maintaining competitive football during war, na major task. E dey vex say if dem no strategize well, upcoming talents go lost to exile. He talk say this na critical matter wey require everywhere strong connection.
Omo, if you see how the national team dey enter pitch with the flag dey fly for dem body, e dey give hope! ‘When we play, we dey play for our freedom, not just for ball,’ he say. Football don turn powerful tool wey carry the message of the existence of Ukraine to the world.
The matter no stop for this one. Chevtchenko dey eye qualification for next World Cup with full focus. Na motivation wey dey drive all of them, especially as dem never qualify since 2006.
As dem dey prepare to face France, Chevtchenko talk say the upcoming match dey crucial to represent Ukraine internationally and push the nation’s pride with every kick of the ball. ‘Every match against France na high level challenge, and we go bring our A-game!’ Na so presidential parol dey sweet!
But the deal wey no fit pass unnoticed, na the deep connection wey the Ukrainians dey feel with other nations, especially as dem dey mark anniversary of the tragic Paris attacks. ‘We dey feel una pain, as we dey face similar threat,’ Chevtchenko add.
Na real heart matter as dem dey play beautiful game under serious circumstances. Football for Ukraine dey go beyond just sport; na life, culture, and survival. And with Chevtchenko at the helm, e no go allow anything cut dem from shining!
Do you have a news tip for NNN? Please email us at editor@nnn.ng
