The Nation Newspaper

Tag: FIFA

  • FIFA U-17 W/C: Coach challenges Flamingoes on goals

    FIFA U-17 W/C: Coach challenges Flamingoes on goals

    Head coach of the Nigeria U17 women national team, Bala Nikyu, has challenged his players to improve on their goal conversion ratio ahead of the FIFA 2014 women World Cup in Costa Rica.

    Nikyu in an appraisal of the Flamingoes, after two victories in two friendly games in Portugal, said the team is doing everything possible to ensure that no stone is left unturned in preparations for the World Cup.

    “I’m happy with the progress so far. Playing two matches and winning both is good, but not the ultimate.

    “We are still not good enough at converting chances when we create them, and we know that at the World Cup such chances are not easy to come by.

    “We missed some early chances against the Portuguese’s U14 boys, which, if it is at the World Cup could cost us,” he noted.

    “Winning the friendly games is not the issue, but watching the games and knowing where we are short, seeing lapses, and improving on them is what I’m after.

    “We had several scoring chances in the first five minutes but lost them. We will continue to work on improving at creating chances and also converting them,” he added.

    Nikyu, however, appealed to football loving Nigerians for their prayers, promising that they are all focused on recording success at the World Cup.

  • 25 Flamingoes for Portugal training

    25 Flamingoes for Portugal training

    Nigeria coach Bala Nkiyu has picked 25 players for a training tour of Portugal ahead of the 2014 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica.

    A 33-man delegation of the Nigeria U17 team made up 25 players and eight officials departed Abuja by 11pm on Friday for a training tour of Faro, Portugal, aboard a Lufthansa Airline flight.

    Expectedly on board were captain Biawo Tessy Kesiena, Chinwendu Ihezuo, who both starred at the last U17 Women’s World Cup in Azerbaijan.

    On the list also are Uchenna Kanu, Esther Elijah, Ugochi Emenayo, Aminat Yakubu, Cynthia Aku, Mary Ologbosere, Joy Duru and Joy Bokiri.

    The Flamingoes will play a friendly against their Belgian counterparts in Brussels on March 4 and other tune-up games with some clubs in Portugal during a 19-day training camp at the Browns Sport and Leisure Club in Faro, Portugal.

    The Nigeria U17 women will return to Faro from Brussels and then fly from Madrid, Spain to San Jose, capital of Costa Rica, on March 12, with their first match of the tournament against China on March 16.

    Nigeria will trade tackle with China, Mexico and Colombia in Group D at the tournament that will be played across four stadiums, three in San Jose and another in Liberia.

    The 25-man list is expected at the end of the training tour to be trimmed to 21 for the 4th FIFA U17 Women Finals in Costa Rica, taking place between March 15 and April 5.

     

    FULL SQUAD LIST:

    Goalkeepers: Vincent Mercy (Confluence Queens), Okeke Onyinyechi Patience (Inneh Queens), Dike Patience Ndidi (COD United Ladies), Fubiana Briggs (Pelican Stars)

    Defenders: Ologbosere Mary Nunumwen (Ibom Angels), Duru Joy Ndidi (Nasarawa Amazons), Emenayo Ugochi Cynthia (Nasarawa Amazons), Elijah Esther Olubunmi (Osun Babes), Mene Augusta Efe (Nasarawa Amazons), Anibaba Ayominde Awawu (FC Robo), Obidiya Alex Faith (Pelican Stars), Chika Edeh (Nasarawa Amazons), Dike Patience Ndidi (COD United Ladies).

    Midfielders: Biawo Tessy Kesiena (Delta Queens), ljeh Eluwemunor Desire (Delta Queens), Onyebuchi Ihuoma Goodness (Rivers Angels), Bokiri Joy Ebinemiere (Bayelsa Queens), Ginika Ikeh (Confluence Queens)

    Forwards: Aku Cynthia Onyedikachi (Rivers Angels), Ajibade Rashidat Busayo (FC Robo), Chinwendu Veronica Ihezuo (Pelican Stars), Kanu Uchenna Grace (Pelican Stars), Ikechukwu Vivian Obianuju –(COD United ladies), Yakubu Aminat (Rivers Angels), Agams Nkechinyere – (COD United ladies)

    Team officials: Bala Nkiyu (Head Coach), Ann Chiejine (Assistant Coach), Latif Yusuf (Goalkeeper Trainer), Larai Garba (Team Doctor), Amaka Enebe (Physiotherapist), Dupe Oyewale (Team Coordinator), Taiye Abawa (Team Secretary), Jennifer Okoye (Media Officer).

  • Curitiba stadium fit to host Iran vs Nigeria —FIFA

    Curitiba stadium fit to host Iran vs Nigeria —FIFA

    Curitiba’s Arena da Baixada has been given the green light to host Nigeria’s Super Eagles’ 2014 World Cup opening game against Iran on June 16.

    The Arena da Baixada retained its hosting rights for this summer’s World Cup despite facing a race against time to be ready for its first game.

    The venue, which is due to stage four group matches, has run into a series of delays due to various construction issues during its renovation, including a lengthy enforced stoppage after an investigation in October 2013 into serious safety breaches.

    However, after a detailed inspection of the site, FIFA has decided not to move the games to alternative venues, deciding that the Curitiba team had done enough to warrant the world governing body’s faith in the project.

    “It’s a race against a very tight deadline. Collective effort by all the stakeholders involved in Curitiba must continue at highest pace,” tweeted FIFA general-secretary Jerome Valcke, announcing the decision.

    He added that the continuation with the project was “based on the financial guarantees, the commitment by all stakeholders and progress made.”

  • NFF commences implementation of clubs licensing system

    NFF commences implementation of clubs licensing system

    Pursuant to FIFA and CAF directives and in respect to a CAF circular dated November 26th 2013, on Clubs’ Licensing System. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has adopted the NFF Clubs Licensing Regulations as from January 31st 2014.

    By these directives from FIFA and CAF, it is mandatory for all Federations to adopt and implement the Clubs Licensing System for all clubs participating in the National and Confederations competitions by the set deadlines.

    The NFF Clubs Licensing Regulations is the basic document for Club Licensing System in Nigeria, through which different members of the football family aim to promote common principles in the World of football such as sporting value, transparency in their finances, ownership and control of clubs, players and coaches welfare, and the credibility and integrity of club competitions.

    The Mandatory Clubs Licensing System has the following overall objectives:

    • Safe – guarding the credibility of club competitions

    • Improving the level of professionalism within the football family

    • Promoting sporting values in accordance with principles of fair play as well as safe and secure match environment

    • Promoting transparency in finances of clubs

    • Promoting transparency in the ownership of clubs

    • Promoting transparency in the control of Clubs

    The criteria which the Clubs shall comply with in order to obtain a License under the NFF Clubs Licensing Regulations are in six categories which include:

    • Sporting Criteria

    • Infrastructure Criteria

    • Personnel and Administrative Criteria

    • Legal Criteria

    • Financial Criteria and

    • Business, Commercial and Promotion Criteria

    In line with FIFA regulations on Club Licensing, the criteria outlined above are graded into three. The different grades are as follows:

    “A” Criteria – MUST: If a Club does not fulfil any “A” criteria, then it can not be granted a License to enter Confederations/National Club Competitions.

    “B” Criteria – MUST: If a Club does not fulfil any “B” Criteria, then it is sanctioned as specified in the NFF Club Licensing Regulations but may still receive a license to enter Confederations/National Club Competitions.

    ‘”C” Criteria – BEST PRACTICE: “C” Criteria are best practices recommendations. Non-fulfilment of any “C” Criteria does not lead to any sanction or to the refusal of license.

    The NFF Club Licensing Regulations, which shall be operated on an annual basis, shall apply to:

    • All Premier League Clubs

    • All Pro-League Clubs

    • Clubs that qualify for CAF Competitions not withstanding the class or division they play in, in the National Leagues.

    In accordance to CAF Circular, the operation of Clubs Licensing Regulations for all its members shall commence by November 2014 and countries that do not comply with the regulations may not be allowed to participate in National and CAF Club Competitions as from 2015 Season.

    The CAF directive requires implementation of the Licensing Regulations in two phases from January 2014 to November 30th 2014 as follows:

    Phase 1: Comprising four steps to be completed by January 31st 2014 as follows:

    • Insertion of the Statutory Clauses adopting Club Licensing System in the Federation Statutes

    • Establishment of National Club Licensing Regulations

    • Creation of decision-making bodies i.e. The First Instance Body (FIB) and the Appeal Body (AB) as stipulated in CAF Regulations.

    • Organisation of Seminar for Premier League Clubs

    Phase 2: Expiring November 2014 by which time the Federation must have completed all processes required, to ensure that the Club Licensing Regulations become operational. This includes organisation of national seminars and rendering the decision-making bodies operational and undergo the necessary work in order to permit the issuance of Licenses to Clubs based on the 6 regulatory criteria:

    The NFF has so far concluded the First Phase of the Licensing Regulations as required by CAF and has thus approved the statutory decision-making bodies as part thereof.

    The NFF has, in line with FIFA and CAF Club Licensing Regulations, delegated the operation of the Club Licensing System under the NFF Club Licensing Regulations to the LMC, which shall constitute the First Instance Body (FIB) whilst the NFF shall constitute the Appeals Body (AB).

    To this end, the following are the Members of the First Instance Body (FIB):

    Shehu Dikko – Chairman

    Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi – Member

    Salihu Abubakar – Member

    Barrister Ifeanyi Dike – Member

    Barrister Sampson Ebomhe – Member/Secretary

    The Members of the Appeals Body (AB) are:

    Barrister A. U. Mustapha – Chairman

    Dr. Mohammed Sanusi – Member

    Dr. Abu Ali – Member

    Mr. Cyril Dum Wite – Member

    Barr. Denen Ikya – Member

    Mr. Kunle Elebute – Member

    Barr. Okey Obi – Member/Secretary

    The First Instance Body (FIB) shall decide on whether a License shall be granted an applicant on the basis of documents provided and in accordance with the provisions of the NFF Club Licensing Regulations at the submission deadline set by the LMC.

    The Appeals Body (AB) shall decide on appeals submitted in writing and make a final and binding decision on whether a license shall be granted.

    The public presentation of NFF Club Licensing Regulations 2014/2015 and the formal inauguration of the two Decision-Making Bodies will be done in due course.

    The Clubs Licensing System shall formally become operational in Nigeria as from November 30, 2014 and only clubs that meet the requirements will participate National/Confederations Club Competitions as from 2014/2015 season.

    All Clubs are therefore enjoined to work and cooperate with the LMC to ensure the smooth implementation process of the NFF Clubs Licensing Regulations from February 2014 to November 30, 2014.

  • Flamingoes begin training tour Febuary 19

    Flamingoes begin training tour Febuary 19

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Tuesday in Abuja said the national under-17 women team would leave for a training tour of Faro, Portugal on Wednesday, Feb. 19.

    NFF’s Director of Competitions, Mohammed Sanusi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) the tour was part of preparations for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica.

    Sanusi said the team, known as Flamingoes, would be in Faro for three weeks before proceeding to Costa Rica for the World Cup scheduled for March 15 to April 4.

    “The team will be leaving Nigeria on Feb. 19 on a three-week training tour to Faro, Portugal.

    “This is for them to acclimatise, in view of the weather over there in Costa Rica, and for them to play some friendly matches before the competition starts,” he said.

    Sanusi said the NFF had confidence in the team’s technical crew and the players to perform well, going by the preparations they have been having.

    NAN reports that the Flamingoes qualified for the fourth edition of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup without kicking a ball after South Sudan withdrew from the African qualifiers.

    The team has been drawn in Group D with Mexico, China and Colombia for the tournament.

  • Technical committee backs Yobo, Ike Uche return

    Technical committee backs Yobo, Ike Uche return

    •Says, it will bring strength, depth

    By Uchenna Ajah

    Ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, Chairman, technical committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Barrister Chris Green, has given his backing for the possible return of out of favour Super Eagles captain, Joseph Yobo and striker, Ikechukwu Uche to the National team.

    Green revealed that both players are Nigerians and are eligible to play for the Super Eagles even as he noted that Keshi has always affirmed that Yobo remains the Captain of the team.

    “Really, I don’t have any qualms about that because those two players are Nigerian players, Keshi insists Yobo is the captain and once you’re a captain you are a member of the squad, in fact he is the head of the team.”

    The former Rivers state FA chairman further admitted that it will bring strength and depth to the team and there will be competition for shirts in the Super Eagles team.

    “It will be good to also invite Ike Uche back to the team; it will bring strength, it will bring competition and all I’m craving as the Chairman of the technical committee of the federation is to get our best legs to play at the world Cup,” Green was quoted as saying by Lagos-based Brila FM.

     

  • Black Maidens ready to avenge Flamingoes defeat

    Black Maidens ready to avenge Flamingoes defeat

    Ghana’s U17 Women team, the Black Maidens, will attempt to draw level in the two-leg friendly series with the Flamingoes of Nigeria as the two countries meet today in Accra.

    The Black Maidens lost the first-leg 3-1 in Abuja, but they can now count on home advantage to get one past their rivals at the Accra Sports Stadium.

    The two-leg friendly series form part of preparations for either side ahead of their participation at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica which starts in March of this year.

    The Black Maidens together with Nigeria and Zambia are Africa’s three representatives at this year’s World Cup.

    Ghana will be making their fourth-straight appearance at the World Cup where they are paired with North Korea, Germany and Canada in the same group.

  • Eagles W/C squad to emerge after Mexico friendly

    Eagles W/C squad to emerge after Mexico friendly

    From Rasaq Oboirien in Cape Town

    SUPER Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi has stated that he would use the international friendly game against Mexico in Atlanta, United States of America to get part of the team that would make it to the World Cup in June.

    When asked about his plan from here to Brazil, he said: “In three weeks time, we should be preparing for the game against Mexico in Atlanta in March. I think that’s the only FIFA free day we might have before the mundial kicks off, and any other game that comes after then is secondary.

    “So the game in Atlanta, I intend using to know the players that would make my World Cup team and also give others the opportunity to express themselves or match the standard I intend taking to Brazil. And thereafter, we would have a couple of weeks to rest for the professionals to finish their league and then join the team before we now then go back to Houston, Texas for camping.”

  • Shun violence, FIFA instructor urges fans

    Shun violence, FIFA instructor urges fans

    A FIFA Instructor, Emmanuel Obafemi, has called on football fans to shun violence at league venues.

    Obafemi made the call on Tuesday in Ilorin at a seminar organised for ABS FC and Kwara United players as well as fans, officials and management staff of both clubs.

    The FIFA instructor urged fans to allow referees to be punished by an appropriate body rather than resort to self help. He said referees had enormous powers to do the right thing in accordance with the laws and rules of the game.

    Obafemi, who is also the Registrar of the University of Ilorin, further warned players against unnecessary bookings during games. He urged club officials to remove unnecessary booking penalties from a player’s salary.

    Obafemi, who cautioned players against improper dressing during matches, charged the management of clubs to pay players’ salaries as and when due. He advised the Kwara Football Association to help control crowd at the stadium when the season kicks off on Saturday.

    The Permanent Secretary, Kwara Ministry of Sports, Rhoda Ajiboye, said the seminar was to enable everyone reassess the role they played last season and adjust where necessary. Ajiboye called for all hands to be on deck to return Kwara United and ABS FC to the Globacom Premier League next season.

    In his address, the Chairman of Kwara Football Association, Busari Ishola, praised Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed for bringing in technocrats into football administration.

  • Alampasu set to seal Juventus deal

    Alampasu set to seal Juventus deal

    Super Eagles goalkeeper, Dele Alampasu is set to seal a deal with Italian giants, Juventus.

    The Serie A table toppers have been targeting the Nigerian and are set to sign him on.

    Alampasu emerged the best goalkeeper at the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates, winning the golden gloves.

    The feat ensured Stephen Keshi extended invitation to the player who made the final squad to the African Nations Championship currently holding in South Africa.