The Nation Newspaper

Tag: FIFA

  • Nigeria escapes FIFA’s ban

    Nigeria escapes FIFA’s ban

    FIFA has said Nigeria will no longer be suspended after the Nigeria Football Federation complied with its recent directive, africanFootball.com reports.

    However, the world football governing body warned it will suspend the country if there were hindrances into the NFF elections later this month.

    Nigeria would have been suspended from all football related activities had persons claiming to have won elections into the NFF executive committee remain at the federation’s office on Monday morning.

    But the NFF president, Aminu Maigari and several members of his executive committee returned to work on Tuesday afternoon.

    This was the after the General Secretary Musa Amadu and top management staff of the NFF returned to work on Monday with Amadu confirming that the crisis was over.

    “We note that you and the management of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) were able to return to office and work without hindrance,” africanFootball.com quoted FIFA Secretary General, Jerome Valke, as saying in a letter dated September 8.

    “We also note that the persons claiming to have been elected vacated the premises of the NFF.

    “Against this background, we would like to confirm that the conditions set in FIFA’s aforementioned correspondence of September 3, 2014 have been complied with and that the NFF is accordingly not suspended.”

    However, FIFA warned that should there be any hindrance to planned elections into the executive committee this month, Nigeria would be automatically suspended till the FIFA congress in May 2015.

    “We welcome the positive steps which contributed to the normalisation of the situation. We now wait for the NFF executive committee to meet as soon as possible in order to convene an extraordinary general assembly to decide on the roadmap leading to the elections which should be open to all persons complying with the NFF statutes and regulations.

    “These elections should also be organised as soon as possible under the NFF statutes and regulations.

    “We would inform you should the electoral process be affected by any interference or mishap, the case will be referred again – and without prior notice or warning – to the appropriate FIFA bodies for immediate suspension of the NFF until the next FIFA congress,” Valke added.

     

  • NFF crisis: Nigeria gets FIFA’s September 8 deadline

    NFF crisis: Nigeria gets FIFA’s September 8 deadline

    The world football governing body, FIFA, has given a September 8 deadline for the Nigeria Football Federation to resolve its crisis or be suspended from international football.

    FIFA in a letter sent to the NFF on Wednesday said Nigeria would be suspended with immediate effect if the factional president of the federation, Chris Giwa and other purportedly elected officials of the body refuse to vacate the Glass House at the expiration of the deadline.

    The statement reads:  “Following the decision by the FIFA Emergency Committee, FIFA has today, September 3, 2014, sent a letter to the Nigeria Football Federation confirming that the NFF will be suspended with immediate effect should there still be persons claiming to have been elected to NFF positions on August 26, 2014 and occupying their offices on Monday, September 8, 2014 at 08.00 (Central European Time).

    “The decision follows events linked to the NFF general assembly held on August 26, 2014. While the said general assembly was duly convened by the NFF Executive Committee to adopt a new roadmap leading to the NFF elections, some members proceeded to hold elections in the absence of the NFF President, who was arrested by security forces for questioning.

    “In a letter sent on August 29, 2014, FIFA confirmed that it would not recognise the results of the aforementioned elections and that the matter would be brought to the respective FIFA bodies should there still be persons claiming to have been elected and occupying the NFF offices at midnight on September 1, 2014. On expiry of the deadline, some people were still claiming to have been elected and were occupying the NFF premises.”

  • Okon has big plans for Oshoala

    Okon has big plans for Oshoala

    Nigeria women senior national team head coach Edwin Okon has big plans for Rivers Angels starlet Asisat Oshoala, SL10 sources have exclusively gathered.

    The coach wants to pair the vastly improved Ikorodu-born ace with Guingamp forward Desire Oparanozie, with creative midfielder Cecilia Nku serving as a diamond behind them.

    Another option for the tactician is to switch to a 4-2-4 system, thereby accommodating the young kid alongside Oparanozie, Francisca Ordega (Pitea IF) and Esther Sunday (Minsk).

    The 2014 FIFA U-20 World Cup Golden Shoe and MVP winner made her official debut for the Falcons in a two-legged friendlies against Japan in September 2013.

    A product of FC Robo, Oshoala started as a striker in her early days as a footballer, but switched to a defensive midfield role due to her strength, agility and speed.

    At the beginning of the year, the 19-year-old was reverted back as a forward,and the decision helped her during the African Women’s Championship qualification games against Rwanda.

    She chipped in a handful of goals for the Federation Cup champions in the Nigeria Women Premier League and was the star of the recently concluded U-20 World Cup in Canada.

  • Ezeh professes love for Porto

    Nigeria Under-20 international Chidera Ezeh said he is delighted to be a Porto player and already feels at home at the Portuguese setup thanks to the encouragement he has received from compatriot Mikel Agu.

    Not only are both youngsters midfield players, Mikel Agu was also one of the best kept secrets of Porto, and did not sign a professional contract until he clocked 18, having joined the club at the age of 16.

    “We see often. Mikel Agu is a nice guy, he has made me feel at home and spoke to me on how he coped when he first came to Porto. And because of that,I really learnt so much from him. I know I have to be focused here,” Ezeh told SL10.ng.

    “I admire Ronaldo and Messi but I don’t want to be like them. I am created for a specific purpose, so I want to be who God says I will be.”

    After Chidera ‘s exploits at the 2013 FIFA Under-17s, he was courted by a host of clubs across Europe including Lazio and Arsenal, but he decided to pitch his tent at the Estádio do Dragão.

    The 16-year-old, who has fully recovered from a hamstring complaint he picked up on international duty, has spoken openly about his love for Porto.

    “I love this team with so much passion. I didn’t join Porto because of the money, rather I came here to develop and learn. And by His grace, surely I must have a good and bright future here,” he added.

  • Danagogo: FIFA will not ban Nigeria

    Danagogo: FIFA will not ban Nigeria

    Nigeria’s Sports Minister and Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Tammy Danagogo has expressed hope that world’s football governing body, FIFA, will not ban Nigeria as he urged them to wade into the internal wrangling in the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF).

    Danagogo expressed his confidence during a breakfast television programme, Good morning Nigeria on the Nigeria Television Authority(NTA) in Abuja yesterday.

    He said  FIFA should know that what is happening in the NFF is an internal wrangling among football stakeholders  who are angling to take control of the football house.

    “I am aware that FIFA does not ban countries over internal wrangling among stakeholders. What I expect FIFA to do is to listen to both sides in the dispute and fashion out a peaceful resolution of the crisis,” he said.

    According to the sports minister, “It is also not fair for FIFA to ban a country over the actions of individuals. If they feel that an individual has gone against their statutes, such individual should be singled out and sanctioned and not the entire country.”

    He added that he is also aware that FIFA or football federations ban some of their members for offences against the football statutes and expects that the same thing should apply in the present case of the NFF.

    “I don’t expect FIFA to ban Nigeria because we are in contact with them and have explained the position of things as they affect  the current crisis.

    “We expect that they would carefully look into the matter after listening to both sides and seek a peaceful resolution. If they say the way out is for another election to be held, we would ensure that it is done for peace to return to our football.”

    Meanwhile, Danagogo appeared before the House of Representatives committee on sports yesterday in a closed door session, after failing to appear before the committee on Monday.

  • Enyeama to miss Congo, South Africa clash

    Enyeama to miss Congo, South Africa clash

    •Cites family committments

    Nigeria international goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama has announced that he will be unavailable for Saturday’s 2015 Africa Nations Cup qualifier against Congo.

    Enyeama cited “family commitments” as the reason for his withdrawal from the squad.

    He added that he had already informed Super Eagles head coach, Stephen Keshi of his decision.

    “I spoke to the coach and explained to him why I couldn’t make it. I have some very pressing family issues to attend to at this time and it’s important for me to be there with my family at this time,” Enyeama said.

    Enyeama stated after the 2014 FIFA World Cup that he would be analyzing his future with the national team.

    He, however, told supersport.com in July that he has yet to call time on his international career.

    Speaking further on his decision to skip the game against Congo, Enyeama said he would be available for future matches of the Super Eagles.

    “I’ve told the coach that I will be available in future. But this time, I need to be there for my family,” he said.

    Enyeama has been capped 94 times for Nigeria at senior level.

  • Amadu threatened again as Giwa files FIFA defence

    Amadu threatened again as Giwa files FIFA defence

    NFF general secretary Musa Amadu, who is presently indisposed, has again been threatened with arrest by security agencies “to co-operate” as Chris Giwa insists on firing a defence to FIFA.

    Previously, Amadu has gone missing and on Tuesday was detained by the Directorate of State Security before he was taken away by Sports Minister Tammy Danagogo.

    Giwa’s defence to FIFA is that that elections on Tuesday in Abuja were free and fair and as such the world football governing body should recognise him as the duly elected president of the NFF.

    However, Giwa’s defence will not be complete without the approval of Amadu.

    Giwa said on Friday that his presentation will prove beyond reasonable doubt that his elections received the full blessing of the 44-man NFF congress.

    However, AfricanFootball.com findings that claims of a full-house at Chida Hotel hall, where Giwa was purportedly voted NFF president, are not true as only five bonafide members of the general assembly attended that meeting.

    Axed electoral committee chairman Amoni Biambo has also stated in his own presentation that Tuesday’s elections were free and fair as they adhered strictly to the guidelines.

    However, an official informed AfricanFootball.com that the documents to be presented to FIFA cannot stand proper scrutiny.

    In the meantime, under-fire Sports Minister Danagogo met with the committee on sports of the House of Representatives behind closed doors yesterday even after other major stakeholders in the latest crisis rocking Nigerian football made their presentations in public on Friday.

    Elections into the NFF executive committee are fixed for Thursday in Abuja.

  • NFF: Amadu threatened with arrest, Giwa files FIFA defence

    NFF: Amadu threatened with arrest, Giwa files FIFA defence

    The Nigeria Football Federation General Secretary, Musa Amadu, has again been threatened with arrest by security agencies if he fails to “co-operate” with the sports ministry bid to install Chris Giwa as president of the federation.

    However, Giwa has concluded plans to send his response to the World’s soccer governing body, FIFA, before Monday’s expiration of deadline given him to vacate the Glass House.

    Amadu was detained by the Directorate of State Security alongside the NFF president Aminu Maigari and the chairman of the federation’s technical committee, Chris Green, before last Tuesday’s  “kangaroo” election that produced Giwa as NFF president.

    Giwa had in a letter to FIFA said Tuesday’s elections were free and fair and as such the world football governing body should recognise him as the duly elected president of the federation, africanFootball.com reports.

    However, his defence will not be complete without the approval of Amadu, who was whisked to the congress venue by the Minister of Sports, Tamuno Danagogo.

    The factional NFF president, according to africanFootball.com, had said last Friday that his presentation will prove beyond reasonable doubt that his election received the full blessing of the 44-man congress.

    Findings however showed that only five bonafide members of the general assembly attended the meeting.

     

  • FIFA disowns new NFF board

    FIFA disowns new NFF board

    • Gives Giwa till Sept. 1 to vacate Glasshouse

    World football governing body, FIFA has refused to recognise Tuesday’s election of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) which ushered in Chris Giwa as president and members of its executive committee.

    In response, it has given the committee a September 1 deadline which expires at midnight to quit the Glasshouse or else appropriate action which could lead to another suspension will be taken.

    FIFA expressed sadness that despite the assurances, the planned general assembly that was billed to hold on Tuesday was disrupted owing to the arrest and detention of NFF President, Aminu Maigari by operatives of the state security service.

    All these, were communicated to NFF’s general secretary, Musa Amadu via mail by FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke on August 29.

    A copy of the letter was made available to the press on Friday.

    It states that “As a consequence, we will not recognise the outcome of the above mentioned elections and should there still be persons claiming to have been elected and occupying the NFF offices at midnight on Monday, September 1, 2014, we will bring the case to the appropriate FIFA body for sanctions, which may include the suspension of Nigeria.

    The general assembly was summoned to design a roadmap for the forthcoming elections billed for September 4 that has FIFA’s approval.

    Consequently, it has also frowned at the role being played by the sports ministry.

    Finally, we have learnt that the persons who claim to have been elected during the so-called ‘elective general assembly’ have come to the NFF offices claiming to be the legitimate president and members of the NFF. It also appears that the Ministry of Sports has recognised them.

    On July 18, FIFA lifted its suspension on Nigeria following the latter’s withdrawal of a court order served on the NFF board.  The direct consequence of a ban would see Nigeria forfeit its Africa Cup of Nations qualifiying matches against Congo Brazaville and South Africa next month.

  • Our position will convince FIFA — Giwa

    Our position will convince FIFA — Giwa

    President of Nigeria Football Federation, Ambassador Chris Giwa has allayed the fears of Nigerians over a letter from world football –governing body, FIFA of Friday, 29th August, 2014, saying that the NFF will relay a detailed and convincing response to the world body on Monday morning.

    “We have seen the letter from FIFA and digested the full content of it. Nothing has

    changed, as far as we are concerned. We will present our position to FIFA by Monday morning and they will be convinced beyond any reasonable doubt.

    “We call on Nigerians not to panic. The NFF is not intimidated and we do not expect any sanction because we have done the appropriate thing. For us, it is not about noise -making. FIFA has admitted in its letter that the General Assembly is the highest decision –making body of any association/federation. That is perfect,” Giwa noted.

    Giwa recalled that the General Assembly of Nigeria Football Federation had at the 69th meeting on Thursday, 28th November, 2013 decided that elective Congress would take place on 26th August, 2014

    “If FIFA admits that the General Assembly is the highest decision –making body, and the highest decision –making resolved at their meeting in 2013 that elections would take place on 26th August, 2013, no other body can change that decision. Certainly, the NFF Executive Committee is not qualified to change that decision.

    “FIFA talked about some persons walking away from the Congress as a result of the fact that some persons were arrested. We were not aware of that. The Congress went ahead and moved a motion to hold elections same day, in deference to the decision of General Assembly of November 28, 2013, and the motion was seconded and there was no counter motion.

    “There is absolutely nothing to fear. Our response is ready. FIFA will receive position of the Federation and will be convinced that elections have, indeed, taken place,” Giwa concluded.