Tag: CAF

A total of 30 women coaches have intensified their learning in the second of a three-module CAF C-License Coaching Course that started in the Federal Capital, Abuja last month.

The first module, held at the NFF/FIFA Technical Centre, MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja held 15^th  – 25^th v July, and was followed by a two-week internship at various clubs by the coaches.

 “The second module started on Monday, and we are generally impressed by the discipline, dedication and commitment of the coaches to the entire programme,” NFF Technical Director, Coach Augustine Eguavoen told thenff.com.

Former Nigeria captain and coach Eguavoen also confirmed that this second module, which will come to a close on Friday, 16th August, will be followed by another two-week internship, 23^rd  August – 4th  September.

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The third module, which comes with examinations for the participants, will take place 9^th  – 19^th  September.

Dr. Terry Babatunde Eguaoje, NFF’s Head of Education, is among the coach educators’ team, which also includes Coaches Isah Ladan Bosso, Wemimo Olanrewaju and Lawrence Ndaks.

Among the 30 participants are former Super Falcons’ stars Precious Dede, Joy Jegede, Esther Michael, Maureen Eke, Otas Ogbonmwan, Vera Okolo, Cecilia Nku, Taiwo Ajobiewe, Gloria Ofoegbu and Amenze Aighewi. There are also Barr. Victoria Nlemigbo and retired FIFA referee Folusho Ajayi.

A total of 30 women coaches have concluded the first of a three-module CAF C-License program in the Federal Capital, Abuja and are expected to commence a two-week internship with different teams in a few days.

Peopled largely by former Nigerian internationals and other serving coaches, the group was taken through a full week of rigorous classroom and practical sessions by a team of coach educators and resource persons, in a baptism of what the next two modules are likely to entail,

NFF Technical Director, Coach Augustine Eguavoen, told thenff.com that the first module has shown that the women coaches are actually desirous of learning.

 “I am very much impressed with their attitude, mannerisms and conduct through the first module. They impressed everyone, and the coach educators also told me they were impressed, and are looking forward to having them back for the second and concluding modules.

 “We are grateful for the leadership of the NFF for the support and encouragement for coach-education programmes all the time.”

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The participants will return to Abuja for the second module that is scheduled for 12^th – 20th August, after which they will go on another two-week internship, 23^rd  August – 4^th  September. The third module, which comes with examinations for the participants, will take place 9^th  – 19^th  September.

Dr. Terry Babatunde Eguaoje, NFF’s Head of Education, is among the coach educators’ team, which also includes Coaches Isah Ladan Bosso, Wemimo Olanrewaju and Lanrence Ndaks

Among the 30 participants are former Super Falcons’ stars Precious Dede, Joy Jegede, Esther Michael, Maureen Eke, Otas Ogbonmwan, Vera Okolo, Cecilia Nku, Taiwo Ajobiewe, Gloria Ofoegbu and Amenze Aighewi. There are also Barr. Victoria Nlemigbo and retired FIFA referee Folusho Ajayi.  

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has extended  the deadline for the registration of players for the 2024-25 CAF Inter Club competitions.

The  continental football governing body ,  said it has  extended the deadline date for the registration of players for the first preliminary round to Thursday, July  25^th as against last Thursday’s initial deadline.

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The one week extension will afford Nigeria’s teams on the continent who will start the club competitions from the first preliminary round stage: Enugu Rangers, Remo Stars and El-Kanemi Warriors to have ample time to round off their transfers and the registration of the players earmarked for the competitions.

Nigeria’s Enyimba  have been exempted from the first preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup because of their rating in the second tier club competition.

Mercurial Enyimba player, Eze Happy Ekwutoziam, has described the season as fruitful for the Peoples Elephant despite the setbacks they encountered before finishing the season in third spot.

Ekwutoziam had a good season on a personal note and he stated that Enyimba have reasons to be grateful having grabbed a continental ticket on the final day of the season following their 2-0 home win over Plateau United.

He poured out his heart in appreciation to the Aba fans and supporters, management, colleagues and technical team for making the season a worthwhile journey.

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 “Fantastic season I have had. To the team entirely we try all we could individually and as a family as well to retain the title but it wasn’t meant to be. It was that way due to so many human errors but I don’t want to talk much about it for now,” He said.

 “I really want to say a very big thank you to the whole of Enyimba family the fans, coaches and management for their support it wasn’t an easy one but they all stood by us.

“The season has ended and it’s time to have some rest and bounce back stronger for next season. Thank you all.”

Enyimba Football Club qualified for the continent following their third position on the league table behind Enugu Rangers and Remo Stars.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced key details for the 2024/25 Inter Clubs season.

The continental soccer ruling body  announced that the preliminary round of both CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup competitions will hold in the weekend of August 16^th  to 18^th  while the group stages would start from December this year and knockout phases to hold from March next year with the final games slated for May 2025.

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CAF stated that Algeria, Angola, Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Nigeria, RD Congo, South Africa, Sudan, Tunisia and Tanzania are the 12 countries that are eligible to present two teams each in both club competitions.

“Kick-off Dates: Preliminary Round from 16–18 August 2024, Group Stages from October to December 2024, Knockout Phase and Finals from March to May 2025.

“Top 12 Ranked Member Associations eligible for two clubs in both CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup: Algeria, Angola, Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Nigeria, RD Congo, South Africa, Sudan, Tunisia, Tanzania.”

Meanwhile, CAF  have asked Nigeria clubs and other affiliated countries to ensure they complete their registrations for the preliminary rounds before July 20^th , adding  there will be  ‘no  more transition from the CAF Champions League to the Confederation Cup for teams eliminated in the second round’.

The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Africa’s leading higher learning institution, the University of Cape Town (UCT) in Cairo, Egypt.

The agreement between the two Organizations will see the University of Cape Town provide bespoke courses and programmes as an Africa Centre of Education Excellence, which will be aimed at driving knowledge, creating capacity and strengthening administrative skills amongst Africa’s Football stakeholders. 

The  MoU, signed by CAF’s Secretary General Secretary, Véron Mosengo-Omba and the University of Cape Town Council Vice-Chancellor Professor Dayanand Reddy, will herald a new era in African football, prioritising education and skills development amongst the administrators entrusted with running Member Associations.

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Mosengo-Omba said: “The University of Cape Town is one of the leading centres of learning globally and CAF is very proud to be associated with such a reputable institution. The Agreement between the two Organizations also speaks to the work that has been done in turning CAF around and positioning it as amongst the best learning organizations in Africa.  The Agreement is anchored in the promise made by CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe three years ago to improve the efficiency and professionalism in African Football. We believe this collaboration will not only train the future leaders of football but also consolidate the skills and capacity of role players, thereby fostering the landscape of African football.”

UCT Council Chair, Advocate Norman Arendse, said: “UCT is absolutely delighted to partner CAF on this critically important project: to train and develop the leaders and future leaders of African football. UCT shares the vision of CAF, which is to develop and sustain a truly world class organization based entirely on excellence.”

Prof. Reddy remarked: “The partnership with CAF is further testimony to UCT’s commitment to engaging in collaboration aimed at strengthening capacity and unleashing leadership potential on our continent. We are proud to join hands with CAF in this exciting venture”.

Last year, the University of Cape Town was ranked the number one University in Africa in the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU). Earlier this year, the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings also placed the University of Cape Town first in Africa. 

The programme will  include a mix of online as well as on-site modules that will be held at the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business.

• Rivers United secure lone strike advantage over USM Alger

Rivers United are walking tightrope in their quest to qualify for the semi-final of the CAF Confederation Cup following their slim 1-0 victory over competition’s reigning champions, USM Alger in the first leg of the quarter final tie played yesterday at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo.

The Pride of Rivers has finished second in Group C with 12 points while USM which beat Young Africans of Tanzania on the away goals rule to lift the trophy last season, topped Group A with 13 points.

The game was expected to be fireworks with all the top officials of the Nigeria Premier Football League teams in Uyo to show solidarity.

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It was Rivers United that started the game with more purpose and it was not long they were rewarded with the opening goal through Augustine Okejepha in the 10th  minute.

The Pride of Rivers were unable to add to the solitary first half goal and must go to Algiers with the slim advantage ahead of the return leg billed for this weekend.

Rivers United must protect the one goal lead if they are to nick the ticket to the last four.

The Confederation of African Football has acceded to a request by the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) to move next month’s Women’s Olympic Football Tournament final qualifying fixture, first leg encounter between Nigeria and South Africa by one hour.

 “Concerned by the hot climatic condition in the country at the moment, we wrote to CAF to move the kick-off from 4pm to 5pm, in the interest of the players, and they have acceded to our request for the match to commence at 5pm, at the MKO Abiola National Stadium,” Ruth David, NFF’s Director of Competitions, told thenff.com.

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The game, which is the opening leg of the fixture that will determine which of the two teams will be one of Africa’s two flagbearers at this year’s Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in France, was initially scheduled to start at 4pm on Friday, 5th April.

Also, the South African Football Association has now chosen the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria for the return leg on Tuesday, 9^th  April. The encounter will commence at 7.30pm South Africa time (6.30pm Nigeria time).       

Rivers United skipper, Nyima Nwagua has stated that even though the reigning CAF Confederation Cup Champions, USM Alger of Algeria are the favourites ahead of their quarter final duel later this month, they have the conviction that they can upset the form book.

Nwagua who was reacting to the quarter final draw held in Cairo, Egypt on Tuesday said that they hope to utilise their home advantage in the first leg to put them in a fighting chance to qualify for the semi-final.

He said USM Alger would do well not to underrate them in both legs because they are also exploring what qualifying for the last four would do their season and their career individually.

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“For us to get to this stage of the competition means we meant business. We are ready to give our best against the best team. They are the favourites ahead of the game but are not afraid of them. We will do all we can to do well in the first leg,” Nwagua said.

“We know that qualifying for the next round would boost our confident and our career.”

Rivers United finished second in Group C with 12 points from six games behind Dreams FC of Ghana who face Stade Malien of Mali also in another quarter final tie.