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  • Pinnick lauds Gusau, Mustapha, Falode on key FIFA appointments

    Pinnick lauds Gusau, Mustapha, Falode on key FIFA appointments

    ​Amaju Melvin Pinnick, the Deputy Chair of the  FIFA Men’s National Teams Competitions Committee, has congratulated  the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Musa Gusau; legal luminary Abdulhakeem Mustapha (SAN) and seasoned football executive Ayishat ‘Aisha’ Falode on their appointments to key FIFA Standing Committees.

    ​In a landmark development that solidifies Nigeria’s influence in global football governance, these appointments place Nigerian expertise at the heart of FIFA’s decision-making structure: Gusau joins the FIFA Men’s Club Competitions Committee. Mustapha has been appointed to the Anti-Racism and Anti-Discrimination Committee while Falode takes a seat on the Media & Communications Committee.

    ​​As the Deputy Chair of the committee that oversees the organization and management of all FIFA Men’s National Team Competitions, Pinnick commended the trio for their recognition, describing it as “a reflection of Nigeria’s strategic relevance and intellectual capital within the international football community.”

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    ​He expressed particular admiration for Aisha Falode, noting her trailblazing achievements in sports journalism, women’s football administration and media leadership.

    ​“I am deeply honoured by my continued service within FIFA and humbled to work alongside Robert Harrison, Chair of the Men’s National Teams Competitions Committee,” Pinnick said.​“I wholeheartedly congratulate President Gusau, Abdulhakeem Mustapha, SAN, and Aisha Falode on their well-deserved appointments. Together, we represent a new era of professionalism, integrity, and innovation for Nigerian football on the world stage.”

    ​Pinnick further praised each appointee for their individual contributions to the game:​“To President Gusau, your steady and unifying leadership continues to uplift Nigerian football.

    ​“Abdulhakeem Mustapha, SAN, your integrity and intellect will strengthen FIFA’s stand against discrimination and injustice in the sport.

    ​“Aisha Falode, your evolution from journalist to global football executive inspires countless women across Africa. I am proud to serve alongside you all as we advance Nigeria’s legacy within FIFA,” he noted.

    ​Ayishat “Aisha” Falode’s appointment is particularly historic, as she continues to break barriers for women in African football administration. ​The former Chairperson of the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) holds the distinction of being the first female member of CAF’s Media and Communications Committee. This trailblazing record, coupled with her tireless championing of visibility, professionalism, and equity in the sport, cements her place among Africa’s foremost voices in football governance. Her inclusion on FIFA’s Media and Communications Committee is no doubt a momentous step.

  • Applause as Falode renders NWFL account

    Applause as Falode renders NWFL account

    The immediate past  chairperson of Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL), Aisha Falode, yesterday got all-round praises as she rendered her  stewardship as the head of the country’s women’s football.

    At an event tagged, ‘Brunch Meet Up With Aisha’, in Lagos yesterday, Falode said the event, which coincided with her irst anniversary into the board of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), was an opportunity to thank everyone that has contributed to her growth from her days in the media to being a top level football administrator.

    Witnessed by top echelon of Nigerian football community  and media,  Falode said the growth of the NWFL during her tenure between 2017 and 2022 would not have been possible without the support  of the critical football stakeholders.

    Guests in attendance included immediate past NFF President and FIFA Council member, Amaju Pinnick; former NFF 1st Vice President, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi; former Green Eagles captain, Chief Segun Odegbami; CEO of Brila FM, Dr Larry Izamoje; AIPS President (Africa) Mitchel Obi; former Nigeria international Waidi Akanni,  and a host of other important dignitaries.

    “There were many challenges when we came on board in 2017 because there was no genuine administrative and governance, as well as structural calendar for the women’s league; but with determination, we were able to turn so many things around,” Falode, the TV Diva, told her captivated audience. “In fact, the biggest problem we had was teams not honouring their matches because they didn’t  have the fund to pay for indemnity of match officials.

    “Right from the start and throughout my five-year tenure at the NWFL, we promptly paid indemnity of match officials and this brought credibility to women’s football but we would not have achieved much without the support of the NFF led by Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick.”

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    She praised the efforts of Tulcan Energy and MTN as well as governments of Lagos and Edo states for their support for women’s football development, adding that she was guided by the five pillars of women’s football as encapsulated by FIFA.

    “Of course, we did our best because we used the template by FIFA and the results were there for all to see in our drive to develop the game and the girl-child through football,” she said. “Over 90 percent of players in the Super Falcons today are products of the NWFL and we are proud of their achievements both at the club and national team levels.

    “Everyone can see that women’s football in Nigeria is now in the upward swing, judging by recent performance, especially at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.”

    While some prominent Super Falcons, including Barcelona forward Asisat Oshoala, eulogised Falode for her immense achievements over the years, through recorded video messages played at the gathering, former NFF President Pinnick said Falode’s giant strides at the NWFL did not come as a surprise because she’s not only competent but she’s a go-getter.

    “It’s only a person like Aisha that can bring me out for an occasion such as this,” said Pinnick, who flew in from Accra to grace the occasion. “I’m on a FIFA assignment but I had to excuse myself to be part of this occasion because she has made so much sacrifice for Nigerian football and NWFL in particular.”

    Barrister Akinwunmi said Falode deserves praises for her drive in ensuring that women’s football is kept in the front burner during her tenure at NWFL.

    Both Odegbami and Izamoje said Falode has been a breath of fresh air since her days in the media, long before her foray into football administration.

    Yet Falode said her low point  at NWFL was her inability to drive through governance structure because of the stubborn nature of the people in the league.

    “Governance was tough because even when we agreed on issues at the meeting, the administrators of these teams will go ahead and do something else; all the same, I stamped my foot down to ensure reason prevailed in all of those cases just for the growth of women football,” Falode stated.

  • Falode praises Falcons

    Nigeria’s head of delegation to the African Women Cup of Nations, Aisha Falode has commended the Super Falcons for reaching the final, which she says is their own part of a bargain agreed with the officials before the competition began, footballlive.ng reports.

    Falode, who is an executive committee member of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and chairperson of the Women League (NWFL), said the players responded well to her charge that they should just concentrate on playing their game, while the officials take care of all welfare issues, bonuses and other emoluments.

    Falode also thanked the NFF leadership for giving adequate attention to the Falcons, as she stressed that it is not only the male team, Super Eagles that deserve support and fat welfare packages.

    The ace sports broadcaster-turned-administrator reckoned that the Eagles cannot survive without the Falcons, but admitted that the ladies will now have to confirm that once again by winning their ninth continental title today.

    Falode said: “We always believe in the Super Falcons to get us result. We always believe that they are not only strong mentally but physically.

    “We are now on the right track. The girls are motivated, they are concentrating, they are strong as individuals and as a unit.

    “They have been given everything they need to perform and excel. They have been paid their bonuses and allowances.

    “They’ve kept their part of the agreement, so we just have to do our own part as well, which we have done, but we will still do more.”

  • Falode to speak at SWAG, AIPS seminar in Ghana

    Nigeria Football Federation, (NFF), board member and Chairperson of the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL), Aisha Falode, will on November 26, 2018 speak at a one-day seminar jointly organised by the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) and the Association of International Press Sports (AIPS) Africa on women’s football in Africa, as part of activities for the 2018 Africa Women Cup of Nations (AWCON), to be hosted by Ghana.

    The one-day seminar with the theme “Raising the bar for today’s women’s sports journalists”, will be held at the Swiss Spirits Hotel and Suits Alisa, Accra, on Monday, November 26, at 11:00 am.

    A statement from the secretariat of the Association stated that, Falode was found to be the best resource person for the seminar, as she is a tested Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) media personality, broadcast journalist and presently the Chairperson of the highly-rated Nigeria Women’s Football League.

    The organisers said the seminar is expected is to bring together sports journalists from participating countries in the AWCON and sports journalists in Ghana.

    The seminar would be attended by Mr Mitchel Obi, President of AIPS Africa and an AIPS Executive Committee member.

    According to SWAG, Mr Obi would also use the opportunity to address sports journalists on contemporary challenges facing the African journalists and the future.

    SWAG called on all sports journalists in Ghana and participating countries in theI2018 AWCON to endeavour to attend the one-day seminar.

  • Coach lauds Falode for repositioning female league

    ONE of the leading lights in Nigerian women football league, Azaka Olabisi Catherine, has commended Head of the Nigeria Women Football League, Aisha Falode, for her immense contribution to the development of female soccer in the country.

    The organizer of the annual four-a-side football tournament, Awori Youth Competition, disclosed this at the 2018 edition of the tournament in Lagos.

    The former Jagunmole FC mid-fielder now a youth coach, urged participants at the tournament to remain focused and steadfast in their bid to produce the next big stars for the country’s football.

    “This tournament has already yielded great dividends with various youngsters emerging as potential stars for Nigeria’s national teams as well as for teams in the national league,” Catherine disclosed.

  • S’South NFF Congress okays Falode for Women’s League

    S’South NFF Congress okays Falode for Women’s League

    • Passes vote of confidence on NFF leadership

    It was back-slapping galore last Friday in Port Harcourt as the South South Congress of the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) met to address pressing football issues ahead of elections into some arms of the football fraternity in the country.

    The meeting, which was held at Aldgate Hotel, Perekule Street, GRA Phase 2 in the Garden City, had all the Chairmen and Secretaries, including other stakeholders of the South South football community in attendance. It was convened by the Rivers FA boss and Chairman of two NFF Sub-committees,  Christopher Green. He is also an Executive Committee member of the NFF.

    After robust discussion of members from Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo and River states, the congress unanimously agreed that first rate women’s sportscaster and football administrator, Aisha Falode, be adopted as the zone’s candidate for the forthcoming Nigerian Women’s League election.

    The communiqué described Falode as not only passionate and knowledgeable about the game, with cognate international experience, they also believed she has the capacity to help revive the dwindling fortunes of women football in the country by attracting sponsorship for the game, instead of the present situation that has seen complaints being hauled at the NFF leadership for not providing money for the women’s game in the country.

    The South South NFF Congress urged other geo-political zones to join it in reviving the women’s game in the country. “We are sure our brothers and sisters from other zones will join hands with us to give a new direction to Women’s Football in the country as it has suffered in recent times.”

    The congress also passed a vote of confidence on the leadership of the NFF, saying under Amaju Pinnick, it has done well through victories at the U-17 World Cup, qualification for various tournaments including the Women’s U-17 World Cup and the Super Eagles’ continued battle to make it to the next World Cup in Russia and the upcoming Afcon Championship in Gabon.

  • W/Cup Qualifier: Falode tips Falconets to beat S/Africa

    W/Cup Qualifier: Falode tips Falconets to beat S/Africa

    National Women’s teams Co-ordinator and Chairperson of Edo Queens of Benin City, Aisha Falode, has said she is sure that the national U-20 Women’s national team,  other wise known as the Super Falconets, which narrowly lost the last World Cup final to Germany, has the capacity not only to qualify for the next World Cup but go all the way and win the trophy.

    The Nigerian side take on their South African counterparts this weekend in Johannesburg, with a 2-1 lead advantage, but Falode said going by the support the NFF has given to the team and the huge confidence that the players have exhibited she is sure that the team will come away with a win on Saturday. It’s the final round qualifier for the Junior Women’s World Cup

    “The Nigeria league system might be in some form of quandary at the moment but I know that the girls we have are ready to do the nation proud and that I know will be demonstrated on Saturday in Johannesburg. Falode revealed that as a woman, her passion for football and especially Women’s football will never waiver assuring that in due course she will be part of the process of revitalizing Nigerian women’s football.

  • Falode Charges Falconets: Give Nigeria a befitting centenary gift

    Falode Charges Falconets: Give Nigeria a befitting centenary gift

    The coordinator of Nigerian women teams, Aisha Falode has poured encomiums on the Falconets for their five-star performance against North Korea at the ongoing FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Canada.

    The Falconets demolished the Asian giants 6-2 in Wednesday’s semifinal clash at the Moncton Stadium in Moncton, Canada to pave the way for a repeat of 2010 edition final showdown against European heavyweights, Germany on Sunday at the Olympic Stadium in Montreal.

    Championship topscorer, Asisat Oshoala netted four goals in the one-sided encounter while forward, Courtney Dike and super-substitute and Rivers Angels star, Uchechi Sunday scored a goal to complete the goal feast against the Koreans.

    The CAF media committee member charged the nation’s campaigners to go all out for a resounding victory aimed at avenging the painful 2010 edition of the championship final defeat in the hands of the Germans.

    “I must commend the Falconets for their flawless performance in the championship more so the thumbing of North Korea in the semifinal clash in Moncton on Wednesday.

    “I commend the side once again for reaching their second final at the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup to confront 2010 conquerors, Germany.

    “I charge them not to miss the golden opportunity to avenge the Germans’ defeat and in like manner write their names in gold as the first Nigerian side to win the coveted world title at Under-20 cadre.

    “Falconets have the potentials and qualities to overpower the Germans, the world title will be the icing on the cake of Nigeria’s Centenary celebration as well as a comeback gift to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari who has been supportive to the national women teams,” said Falode.

    Falode said the superlative performance of the Falconets at the biennial football showpiece in Canada is strong indication that if the women teams were well funded and supported they will challenge for the highest honour at the world stage.

    “Falconets have already lit the torch to what the women’s teams can achieve at the world stage once they receive the kind of attention and support given to the men’s counterparts.

    “I pray that by the time the Falconets comeback with the world title Nigerians will wholeheartedly embrace women football and accord them due respect,” Falode enthused.

    The Germany, Nigeria epic final showdown will hold on Sunday at the Olympic Stadium in Montreal to be preceded by the losers’ clash between European heavyweights, France and North Korea at same ground.

  • Falode, Ukaigwe get Eagles plaudits on Imo award

    Falode, Ukaigwe get Eagles plaudits on Imo award

    Super Eagles Administrator, Dayo Enebi Achor, has hailed the achievement award given to National Womens’ Team Coordinator, Aisha Falode and first hand women’s football administrator and journalist, Henrietta Ukaigwe by the Umuokam town in Umudurunna Autonomous Community in Abba Nwangele Local Government Area of Imo State.

    The awards were scheduled to be handed out on December 31st at a ceremony to be hosted by the community. Achor said the awards apart from being well deserved should also help in bringing out the best in the two frontline female journalists, adding that the Super Eagles and himseld believe all national teams will celebrate the awards.

    He also acknowledged that the leadership of the national team and by extension that of the NFF should have been physically present at the award ceremony but for the current tight schedule of the parties ahead of the CHAN tourney in South Africa and the World Cup preparations in Brazil. The award ceremony will hold at the Umuokam Community Hall on New Year’s eve.