The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Hayatou

  • Hayatou hosts Maigari, four others Friday

    Hayatou hosts Maigari, four others Friday

    The President of the Confederation of African Football, Issa Hayatou, has invited the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Aminu Maigari and heads of four other federations whose national teams will be representing the continent at this summer’s FIFA World Cup, to a special meeting in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, on Friday.

    Kickoffnigeria.com reports that Hayatou is expected to task Maigari and his four counterparts from Algeria, Cameroun, Ghana and Ivory Coast on their teams’ preparations for the big event starting on June 12.

    No African team has made it to the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup in the past 19 editions.

    Only Cameroon (1990), Senegal (2002) and Ghana (2010) have flown Africa’s flag into the last eight of the tournament with Cameroon narrowly beaten by England in 1990 and Senegal eliminated by Turkey in Japan 12 years later. Ghana lost to Uruguay four years ago in South Africa.

    Nigeria, the reigning champions of Africa play two-time winners Argentina, Bosnia-Hercegovina and Iran in Group F, with Algeria up against Belgium, Russia and Korea Republic in Group H.

    Ghana will face Germany, Portugal and United States in Group G.

    Cameroon tackles Brazil, Croatia and Mexico in Group A and Cote d’Ivoire confronts Colombia, Greece and Japan in Group C.

     

  • Hayatou arrives Lagos for awards

    Hayatou arrives Lagos for awards

    The President of the Confederation of African Football, Isa Hayatou, arrived in Lagos on Wednesday, ahead of the January 9 Glo-CAF Awards.

    The 2013 African Player of the Year and other awards ceremony would take place at the Eko Convention Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos on Thursday night.

    Hayatou, who touched down at 1:45pm at the Muritala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, was received by the president of the Nigeria Football Federation, Aminu Maigari, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

    The NFF boss had some members of the body’s executive board in attendance.

    The CAF president was also accompanied by Amos Adamu, a former CAF executive board member, who was once the Director-General of the National Sports Commission in Nigeria.

    Maigari said he was certain that the Glo/CAF ceremony would be colourful, successful and reflect the uniqueness of the African heritage.

    “We are proud to have the CAF president and other members of the CAF executive board in Nigeria for this magnificent event.

    “We promise that while they remain in Nigeria, they will be treated to the best of hospitality because that is what we’re known for.

    “I’m optimistic that the ceremony will be glamorous and I’m hopeful that after the awards, Nigerians will have reasons to cheer,” the NFF president said.

    NAN reports that the biggest award for the night would be the African Player of the year award, which has Nigeria’s Mikel Obi and Ivoirian pair of Didier Drogba and Yaya Toure as contenders.

     

     

  • Glo-CAF Awards Maigari to receive Hayatou in Lagos

    Glo-CAF Awards Maigari to receive Hayatou in Lagos

    President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Aminu Maigari will be at the head of the NFF and Globacom’s reception party for the President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Issa Hayatou, in Lagos on Wednesday.

    Africa’s football supremo will arrive in Lagos at 1.25pm aboard a Cameroonian Airliner, and Maigari, alongside NFF Vice President, Mike Umeh, Members of the Executive Committee, Emeka Inyama, Deji Tinubu, Muazu Suleyman and Yusuf Ahmed Fresh, as well as Assistant Director (Media), Ademola Olajire and top officials of Globacom Communications will be on hand to receive him.

    Also coming on Wednesday are Members of the CAF Executive Committee including Magdi Shams El Din (Sudan), Constant Selemani Omari (DR Congo) and Algerian Mohamed Raouraoua, who is also a Member of the FIFA Executive Committee.

    Already in the country are Executive Committee members Anjorin Moucharafou (Benin Republic), Ahmad (Madagascar) and Adoum Djibrine (Chad), who all arrived on Tuesday. Kwesi Nyantakyi (Ghana) and Jacques Anouma from Cote d’Ivoire are scheduled to arrive on Thursday.

    The Glo-CAF Awards ceremony will take place at the Eko Convention Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos on Thursday night.

  • Hayatou to Eaglets: Win U-17 World Cup

    Hayatou to Eaglets: Win U-17 World Cup

    The President, Confederation of African Football (CAF), Issa Hayatou, has charged the Golden Eaglets to set a tournament record by winning a fourth FIFA U-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

    Hayatou gave the charge during a visit to the camp of the Golden Eaglets in the UAE.

    A statement issued by the Nigeria Football Federation, said that Hayatou visited the team in company of CAF’s first Vice-President, Almamy Camara, and Mohamed Raouraoua, a FIFA Executive Committee member.

    “You have displayed a high level of skills and intelligence in this tournament that we have not seen in an African team for a long time.

    “I am not surprised at your progress because I saw you at the African U-17 Championship in Morocco and I was highly impressed.

    “I am particularly excited with your performance against Uruguay, in spite of missing a number of injured players.

    “I believe you are already in the final. The African football family is fully behind you,” Hayatou was quoted in the statement as saying.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the CAF boss urged the Eaglets to forget the country’s triumphs in the past and focus on writing their own names in gold.

    He said: “Nigeria has won the competition three times before, but that was done by other players.

    “Now, it is your opportunity to write your own names in gold. I believe you have the talent, intelligence and resilience to go all the way.”

    The President of the NFF, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, assured that the Eaglets would be fully motivated to go all out against the Swedes in Tuesday’s semi-final tie at the Rashid Stadium, Dubai.

    Eaglets Coach, Manu Garba, called his boys “great warriors of Africa”, noting that Hayatou’s visit was a massive motivation.

    Garba assured that the Eaglets cannot fail Africa at this stage.

    “We will take our remaining challenges in the tournament one at a time, starting with the semi-final game against Sweden on Tuesday evening.”

     

  • Hayatou consoles NFF over late Oliha

    Hayatou consoles NFF over late Oliha

    The Confederation of African Football President, Issa Hayatou, has sent his condolences to the Nigerian Football Federation after the death of former Super Eagles player, Thompson Oliha.

    President Hayatou highlighted his sadness and Africa’s football family’s sorrow about the passing away of the former Super Eagles player on June 30th 2013.

    The midfielder delighted African football fans as part of one of the most talented African teams ever, especially in 1994 after winning the Orange Cup of Nations in Tunisia.

    The CAF President and its Executive Committee convey to the family of the deceased and to the Nigerian football family CAF’s deepest condolences

    The 44-year-old former Super Eagles midfielder’s died in Kwara’s state capital, Ilorin”.

  • Jonathan, Hayatou, Awujale, others hail Adenuga at 60

    Jonathan, Hayatou, Awujale, others hail Adenuga at 60

    President Goodluck Jonathan has commiserated with Globacom Chairman, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr., on his 60th birthday.

    Adenuga, one of Africa’s frontline businessmen, was born on April 29, 1953.

    He was recently conferred with Nigeria’s second highest national honour, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), for his contribution to the nation’s growth.

    Jonathan said Adenuga is celebrating 60 years of great achievements and described him as “diligent, committed, patriotic and selfless”.

    He said: “You are celebrating 60 years of a remarkable life filled with monumental achievements in entrepreneurship, philanthropy and dedicated service to God and country.

    “On behalf of the government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I join your family, friends, protégés and well-wishers in thanking God for your exemplary life. It is my prayer that the Almighty God will continue to bless you with robust health and enduring happiness.”

    The Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, described Adenuga as “a prized asset to the country”.

    He said the businessman has created jobs for thousands of people.

    President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Issa Hayatou said Adenuga has not only affected Africa positively through his business accomplishments, but has also been the pillar of sports in the continent.

    Hayatou said: “I wish you a happy birthday. You are a pillar of African football. You are a grand sponsor of the CAF, as well as Nigerian and Ghanaian national football teams. May God protect you and give you good health to continue to grow your business and help grow African football, Ghanaian football and Nigerian football.”

    Publisher of Ovation Mr. Dele Momodu and a former Managing Director of Sun Mr. Mike Awoyinfa, in their columns, hailed Adenuga for his resilience, business acumen, outstanding achievements and exemplary humility.

  • Hayatou re-elected CAF President

    Hayatou re-elected CAF President

    Cameroonian Issa Hayatou was on Sunday unanimously re-elected President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for a new term until 2017.

    Hayatou, 66, ran unopposed at the 35th ordinary General Assembly of the continental body held in Marrakesh, Morocco.

    Hayatou was elected head of the African Confederation for the first time in 1988 in Morocco, on the sidelines of the African Cup of Nations football competition.

    Jacques Anouma of Cote d’Ivoire wanted to oppose Hayatou at this CAF congress, but a change to the election rules disqualified him.

    Anouma’s attempt to overturn the decision to disqualify non-executive members from the election was rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

    CAS ruled on March 5 that the CAF Executive Committee had jurisdiction to refuse Anouma’s candidature which the CAF Statutes adopted in September 2012.

    The statutes, according to CAS, were applicable in assessing the validity of the candidates in the presidential election.

    CAS added that Anouma did not meet these criteria because he had never been a member of the CAF Executive Committee.

    Hayatou, who already declared that this would be his last contest for the CAF presidency, is the fifth CAF president and by far the longest serving.

    His predecessors are Ethiopian Ydnekatchew Tessema, who served 15 years, Egyptian Abdel Aziz Moustafa (10 years), Sudanese Abdel Halim Mohammad (5 years) and Egyptian Abdel Aziz Abdallah Salem (1 year).

    Among those who attended the opening were the presidents of the 54 national associations and FIFA President Sepp Blatter.

    Blatter hailed Hayatou’s leadership of African football over the last quarter of a century, saying that African football had become world famous and made commendable strides during this period.

    He also commended Morocco for the continued development of its football infrastructure, including the recent launching of its professional league.

    The FIFA president added: “As a result, Morocco will become the first African nation to host FIFA World Club Cup in December this year and that is in recognition of the enormous work Morocco has undertaken.”

  • Hayatou ‘sole candidate’ for CAF job

    Hayatou ‘sole candidate’ for CAF job

    The Confederation of African Football said Issa Hayatou is the only official candidate for its presidential election in March, despite Jacques Anouma having tried to enter the race.

    Hayatou, a FIFA vice president from Cameroon who has led CAF since 1987, appears to have a clear run after engineering a change in election rules in September, SuperSport.com reports.

    The Ivory Coast Football Federation nominated Anouma, who also sits on FIFA’s executive committee, but he is barred by a rule which allows only voting members of the CAF board to stand.

    Liberian officials want to challenge Hayatou’s new rules at the Court of Arbitration for Sport but were told they must first exhaust CAF’s internal appeals process.

    The CAF election congress is scheduled for March 10 in Marrakech, Morocco.