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Tag: CAF

  • Minister inaugurates committee for UNWTO/CAF meeting

    Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has inaugurated the planning committee for the 61st Meeting of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation/CAF taking place in Abuja, Nigeria, from June 4th-6th, 2018.

    The Minister, who performed the ceremony in Abuja on Tuesday, charged members of the committee to ensure the success of the event.

    “Today’s inauguration kick-starts our preparation for the hosting of the (UNWTO/CAF Meeting). The task ahead of us is enormous, but with the quality membership of the Planning Committee, we are up to the task and we will host a successful event,’’ he said.

    “You have been selected based on your knowledge and expertise in content, logistics and planning. Your role is to execute a successful event with professional inputs and assistance from the Ministry and the UNWTO. I have no doubt that you will take your assignments very seriously,” Alhaji Mohammed said.

    The Minister said the hosting right of the event, which was given to Nigeria, has clearly demonstrated the confidence of the CAF member states and the UNWTO in the country.

    He said the highlight of Nigeria’s relevance and acceptance by the Organization, within two years of its return after a period of absence, was further shown in his election as a Vice Chairman of the UNWTO General Assembly at an election held during the 22nd session of the UNWTO General Assembly in Chengdu, China, in September 2017.

    Alhaji Mohammed said the UNWTO meeting will afford the country the unique opportunity to project its image as a safe and desirable destination for leisure and business as well as promote the country’s tourism products and services.

    He said the meeting will also provide a platform for tourism stakeholders to interact with their counterparts from other countries, generate foreign exchange through accommodation in hotels, airfares and souvenirs purchased by foreign delegates, create direct and indirect employment, thereby alleviating poverty, and provide the platform for the training for public and private sector tourism officials.

    Membership of the planning committee cuts across the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Federal Capital Territory, extra-ministerial departments and agencies as well as the private sector.

  • CAF scraps award for home-based Players

    CAF scraps award for home-based Players

    The hope of African footballers who ply their trades not outside the shores of the continent have been dashed as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Wednesday Scrapped the award for their category.
    The decision to scrap the Africa-based Player award came just as the stage has already been set for the 2017 edition of CAF Award in Ghana.
    CAF President, Ahmad Ahmad, in a pre-award night presser, declared the category had been scrapped because there could not be any other best or “ two levels of football in Africa.”
    Nigeria’s Junior Ajayi – the only Nigerian on the list – was in the running list for this year’s “home-based” award, but, with this development, he could solemnly ditched whatever hopes he nursed for an honour.
    In the words of Ahmad: “There are no two levels of football in Africa. Best is best, not best for the bad or best for the best. That’s the reason.”
    He added: “It’s very simple – we want to promote African football.”
    The governing body of African Football had introduced the category in order to balance out what it realised was a lopsided yet more illustrious African Player of the Year award i.e having the AFCON and CHAN.
    However, it is not clear if the decision enjoyed a consensus in Ahmad’s power bloc.
    But, before bed time there will be an answer to the question of who would be the next African football king?
    In the race for the crown are; Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Gabon, Mohamed Salah (Egypt) and Sadio Mane (Senegal).
    The CAF Award for footballer of the year comes up in Accra, Ghana on Thursday.

  • Agege Stadium to be completed as scheduled – LASG

    Agege Stadium to be completed as scheduled – LASG

    Bolaji Yusuf, the Senior Special Adviser to Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode on Sports Infrastructure, on Wednesday assured Nigerians that the ongoing reconstruction of the Agege Township Stadium would be delivered as scheduled.

    Yusuf gave the assurance in an interview after an on the spot assessment to the stadium which, he said, the pace of work on it was satisfactory.

    Lagos State Government had directed speedy completion of the remodelling of the stadium ahead of the African Football Confederation    ( CAF ) inspection in December for the 2017/2018 Champions League.

    He said that there was a concerted effort to get the facility ready for MFM FC of Lagos for its CAF Champions League engagements next year.

    “We are on top of the reconstruction works on the facility and it is going on according to plans, we are expecting CAF inspection by December.

    Read also: MFM promises to deliver in CAF Champions League

    “I am sure that the stadium will get a pass mark. The new designs are diligently followed and we are sure to deliver the stadium.

    “Its part of the vision of the government to improve sports and a good sporting facility is also a catalyst for what we are talking about.

    “The stadium needs a facelift and that is what we are giving it. Lagos is known for standards and our sporting facilities will not be left out of the standard.

    “The government has committed huge sums of money for the reconstruction to upgrade it to a place where international matches can be held,’’ he said.

    Yusuf said that all the necessary adjustment on the stadium was in line with the recommendations from the CAF, adding that the plans would be followed strictly.

    “The stadium needs an upgrade as advised by CAF and all the remodelling plans will be followed strictly.

    “We expect people to see a brand new stadium when the work is done on it and it will also be a pride for everyone.

    “The stadium remodelling is not only for the team that wants to play continental matches there but others as well,’’ he said.

    Lagos-based MFM secured a ticket to play in the money-spinning CAF Champions League in the stadium which necessitated the upgrade.

    NAN

  • MFM promises to deliver in CAF Champions League

    MFM promises to deliver in CAF Champions League

    MFM FC of Lagos on Tuesday assured its teeming fans a good outing in the upcoming 2017/2018 CAF Champions League season campaign.

    The assurance was given by the club’s Media Officer, Olawale Quadri, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

    MFM secured a place to represent Nigeria in the continental competition, after taking the second position in the Nigeria Professional Football League season.

    Plateau United surprisingly emerged as the NPFL’s champion, ahead of other renowned teams in the league.

    In recognition of their good outing at the just-concluded league, players and officials of the club were hosted by Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode at Government House, Alausa.

    The governor promised to support the club with necessary logistics to enable it to prosecute assignments next season and outlined his government’s vision of providing a viable platform for youths to thrive.

    “We need to use sports as an instrument to build the economy of Lagos State and also direct the energy of our younger ones to things that are positive as exemplified by what is happening today,’’ Ambode had said.

    Speaking on the readiness of MFM for its maiden continental outing, Quadri said that the club was ready to justify the confidence placed on them by Lagos fans.

    “We so much appreciate the level of support we have received from Lagos fans since we gained promotion to the elite division even when we are in the lower league.

    “Lagos fans are passionate about football and we respect them a great deal; having this at the back of our minds, we promise not to let them down in the continent.

    “Our preparation towards our continental campaign is in top gear. Of course, we are shopping for some other good footballers to join us in our campaign at the CAF Champions League.

    “We need to reassure our fans that we will deliver a good outing during the continental campaign, we are ready to take on the clubs from Africa,’’ he said.

    On the issue of Stephen Odey who left the club mid-season for Europe, Quadri told NAN that it would be difficult to replace the striker.

    “Odey is an important player to us, considering his contributions towards our campaign in the league. He is the highest goal scorer and had since moved on to FC Zurich.

    “We miss him a lot and wish him well. It’s going to be hard to replace him, but we are trying to get a good replacement for him.

    “We will also shore up other departments too and we are presently scouting for good players to join the team. We have put the necessary machinery in place.

    “Some of the players are already aspiring to join the team, but we will ensure we pick the best out of them for the successful continental campaign,’’ Quadri said.

  • CAF: List of African Player of the Year, home and away

    CAF: List of African Player of the Year, home and away

    The Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Wednesday published the 30 most outstanding players in Africa in the last one year.

    The list which was published on CAF official website includes players nominated for African Player of the Year – Based in Africa 2017.

    The List:

    1. Ali Maaloul (Tunisia & Al Ahly)
    2. Bertrand Traore (Burkina Faso & Lyon)
    3. Cedric Bakambu (DR Congo & Villareal)
    4. Christian Atsu (Ghana & Newcastle)

       Related: Victor Moses, Troost-Ekong Named for CAF Award

    5. Christian Bassogog (Cameroon & Henan Jianye)
    6. Denis Onyango (Uganda & Mamelodi Sundowns)
    7. Eric Bailly (Cote d’Ivoire & Manchester United)
    8. Essam El Hadary (Egypt & Al Taawoun)
    9. Fabrice Ondoa (Cameroon & Sevilla)
    10. Fackson Kapumbu (Zambia & Zesco)
    11. Jean Michel Seri (Cote d’Ivoire & Nice)
    12. Junior Kabananga (DR Congo & Astana)
    13. Karim El Ahmadi (Morocco & Feyenoord)
    14. Keita Balde (Senegal & Monaco)
    15. Khalid Boutaib (Morocco & Yeni Malatyaspor)
    16. Mbwana Samata (Tanzania & Genk)
    17. Michael Olunga (Kenya & Girona)
    18. Mohamed Salah (Egypt & Liverpool)
    19. Moussa Marega (Mali & Porto)
    20. Naby Keita (Guinea & RB Leipzig)
    21. Percy Tau (South Africa & Mamelodi Sundowns)
    22. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon & Borussia Dortmund)
    23. Sadio Mane (Senegal & Liverpool)
    24. Thomas Partey (Ghana & Atletico Madrid)
    25. Victor Moses (Nigeria & Chelsea)
    26. Vincent Aboubakar (Cameroon & Porto)
    27. William Troost-Ekong (Nigeria & Bursaspor)
    28. Yacine Brahimi (Algeria & Porto)
    29. Youssef Msakni (Tunisia & Al Duhail)
    30. Yves Bissouma (Mali & Lille)

    African Player of the Year – Based in Africa

    1. Achraf Bencharki (Morocco & Wydad Athletic Club)
    2. Ahmed Fathi (Egypt & Al Ahly)
    3. Alkhaly Bangoura (Guinea & Etoile du Sahel)
    4. Ali Maaloul (Tunisia & Al Ahly)
    5. Aristide Bance (Burkina Faso & Al Masry)
    6. Ayman Majid (Morocco & FUS Rabat)
    7. Aymen Mathlouthi (Tunisia & Etoile du Sahel)
    8. Ben Malango (DR Congo & TP Mazembe)
    9. Dean Furman (South Africa & Supersport United)
    10. Denis Onyango (Uganda & Mamelodi Sundowns)
    11. Elsamani Saadeldin (Sudan & Al Merreikh)
    12. Fackson Kapumbu (Zambia & Zesco)
    13. Fawzi Chaouchi (Algeria & MC Alger)
    14. Geoffrey Serunkuma (Uganda & KCCA)
    15. Jeremy Brockie (New Zealand & Supersport)
    16. Junior Ajayi (Nigeria & Al Ahly)
    17. Karim Aouadhi (Tunisia & CS Sfaxien)
    18. Mohamed Meftah (Algeria & USM Alger)
    19. Mohamed Ounnajem (Morocco & Wydad Athletic Club)
    20. Muaid Ellafi (Libya & Ahly Tripoli)
    21. Nasr Eldin Ahmed (Sudan & Hilal Obeid)
    22. Oussama Darfalou (Algeria & USM Alger)
    23. Percy Tau (South Africa & Mamelodi Sundowns)
    24. Sabelo Ndzinisa (Swaziland & Mbabane Swallows)
    25. Saber Khalifa (Tunisia & Club Africain)
    26. Saladin Said (Ethiopia & Saint George)
    27. Sylvain Gbohouo (Cote d’Ivoire & TP Mazembe)
    28. Tady Etekiama (DR Congo & AS Vita)
    29. Taha Yassine Khenissi (Tunisia & Esperance)
    30. Tarek Hamed (Egypt & Zamalek)

  • Nigeria Can Win 2018 World Cup in Russia – Pinnick

    Nigeria Can Win 2018 World Cup in Russia – Pinnick

    President of Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Pinnick, says Nigeria can lift the 2018 World Cup in Russia in the light of the preparations the association is putting in place.

    Pinnick expressed the optimism during the official opening of the Federation’s Annual General Assembly in Jos on Thursday.

    The NFF president said that the country was well positioned now after it had overcome the challenges that bedeviled the nation’s football, particularly the previous year.

    “Our highest achievement is the qualification for the World Cup. Secondly, the preparations for world cup have commenced in earnest as compared to the previous years.

    “With the kind of preparations we are putting in place, I think we can win the World Cup,” he said.

    On the financial aspect, Pinnick said that NFF had been given a clean bill of health, according to the report he received the previous night.

    The federation’s president commended the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Solomon Dalung, for his unflinching support to the football house.

    According to him, the minister makes sure that the federation meets all its needs during the Super Eagles’ qualification for the world cup.

    He said Dalung’s support also made the nation’s early qualification possible, with the Algeria’s match being a mere formality.

    Declaring the Assembly open, Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau thanked NFF for choosing the state for the event in spite the recent violent incidents caused by unidentified gunmen.

    Lalong, who was represented by the state Commissioner of Sports, Mr. Danladi Mann, commended the football house’s efforts at improving the administration of the nation’s football.

    The governor expressed the hope that Plateau United, the reigning champion of Nigeria Professional Football League, would win the CAF Champions League in its first participation in the tournament.

    In his remarks, Mr. Shehu Dikko, 2nd Vice-President of NFF said that sponsorship for the nation’s football had improved remarkably.

    He said that more sponsors were willing to partner with NFF and traced the development to what he said the body was doing in the football administration.

    Read Also:World Cup to Gulp 50% of NFF’s Budget for 2018?

  • Mabo charges CAF to encourage female football

    Mabo charges CAF to encourage female football

     Former Super Falcon Coach Ismalia Mabo, has decried the low pace of female football development in Africa and charged,. the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF)  to introduce more competitions  for women such as Champions League and Confederation Cup.
  • Kenya Forfeits AFCON Hosting Right, CAF Shops for New Country

    Kenya Forfeits AFCON Hosting Right, CAF Shops for New Country

    Confederation of African Football (CAF) is now faced with getting a new host country for  the January 2018 African Nations Championship.

    This development came as Kenya were stripped on Saturday of the right to host the African Nations Championship after CAF executive committee meeting in Accra.

    The decision was announced at a media conference after a one-day meeting of the African football “cabinet” headed by President Ahmad Ahmad from Madagascar.

    Slow preparations for the January 12/February 4 tournament led to a decision widely anticipated for several weeks.

    A CAF inspection team departed Kenya in September to report that only one of the four venues was ready to stage the tournament restricted to home-based footballers.

    Some CAF officials in Accra also expressed concern about the political situation in Kenya, where recently annulled presidential elections are set to be rerun late October.

    It is the second time the regional economic powerhouse has lost the right to stage a CAF competition after being replaced by South Africa as 1996 Africa Cup of Nations hosts.

    Kenya would have been the second successive east African country to stage the CHAN after Rwanda in 2016.

    Other hosts since the 2009 inception of the Nations Championship were the Ivory Coast, Sudan and South Africa.

    There has been media speculation that Morocco or South Africa may replace Kenya.

    Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Congo Brazzaville, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Sudan, Uganda and Zambia have qualified for the 2018 finals.

    Kenya completed the line-up as the host nation — a position they now forfeit.

  • CAF appoints Pinnick member of emergency committee

    CAF appoints Pinnick member of emergency committee

    President of Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, has been handed extra duties following his inclusion in the CAF Emergency Committee on Friday.  The decision to include him in the Emergency committee was taken at the just concluded CAF Extraordinary General Assembly holding in Rabat, Morocco. The proposal for his appoint had earlier made but finally rectified at the Assembly. Pinnick  is also President, Organising Committee for the Africa Cup of Nations.

    While CAF standing Committees were reduced from 19 to 11,Fouzi Lekjaa, a member of the CAF Executive Committee was appointed 3rd CAF Vice President even as he retains his positions as president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation and President of  the Finance Committee respectively.

    Media information dished out via CAF website announced as follows:

    At the end of the CAF Extraordinary General Assembly held on Friday, 21 July 2017, in Rabat, Morocco, which saw the adoption

    by a large majority (50 votes for and 3 abstentions) for amendment to the organization’s statutes, a meeting of the

    Executive Committee was convened by CAF President Ahmad. This was in order to implement some of the new statutory provisions.

    Fouzi Lekjaa, a member of the CAF Executive Committee was appointed 3rd CAF Vice President. The latter, also president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, retains the post of president of the Finance Committee.

    The number of CAF Standing Committees has been reduced from 19 to 11. The Judicial and Compliance bodies whose presidents are to be elected by the General Assembly have been expanded with the creation of a Governance Committee.

    The CAF Executive Committee also appointed president and vice presidents of the Standing committees, whose members will be appointed in the near future.

    Finance Committee

    President: Fouzi Lekjaa

    Organizing Committee for the Africa Cup of Nations

    President: Amaju Pinnick

    Vice Presidents: Danny Jordaan

    Philip Chiyangwa (President, Southern Zone)

    Organizing Committee for the African Nations Championship

    President: Musa Bility

    Vice Presidents: Rui Da Costa

    douard Ngaissona (President, Central Zone)

    Organizing Committee for Inter-Club Competitions and Management of Club Licensing System

    President: Tarek Bouchamaoui

    Vice President: Ahmed Yahyia

    Mutassim Gaafar (President, Central-East Zone)

    Organizing Committee for Youth Africa Cup of Nations (U-17, U-20, U-23)

    President: Danny Jordaan

    Vice President: Almamy Kabele Camara

    Organizing Committee for Women’s Football

    President: Isha Johanssen

    Vice President: Lydia Nsekera

    Committee for development of Futsal and Beach Soccer

    President: Moses Magogo

    Vice President: Wadie Jary (President, North Zone)

    Referees Committee

    President: Suleiman Waberi

    Vice President: Lim Kee-Chong

    Committee on Legal Affairs and National Associations

    President: Ahmed Yahyia

    Vice Presidents: Augustin Senghor (President, Zone West A)

    Hani Abo Rida

    Medical Committee

    President: Adoum Djibrine

    Vice President: Yacine Zerguini

    Technical and Development Committee

    President: Kalusha Bwalya

    Vice President: Leodegar Tenga

    The CAF Executive Committee also approved the CAF President’s proposal to appoint Amaju Pinnick as a member of the Emergency

    Committee. This follows the enlargement of this structure which is induced by the statutory reform with the creation of the post of 3rd Vice President, who also happens to be the president of the Finance Committee.

    Another major point of the reform of the statutes, which led to the enlargement of the CAF Executive Committee, is that

    African members of the FIFA Council are full members of the CAF Executive Committee, with voting rights.

    The terms of office of the FIFA Council and the CAF Executive Committee are therefore no longer cumulative.

  • Rivers United lose in CAF Confederation Cup

    Two second half goals confine Rivers United FC to a 0-2 loss at home in Port Harcourt to Club Africain of Tunisia in a Group A Match Day 5 fixture to drop out of contention for the semi-finals in the CAF Confederation Cup competition.