The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Inyama

  • I didn’t criticise the referees – Inyama

    I didn’t criticise the referees – Inyama

    Abia Warriors   Football Club of  Umuahia Chairman, Emeka Inyama has described as mischievous and misleading, a report credited to him in one of Nigeria’s respected all-sports national tabloids, where he was quoted as saying that referees are killing the Nigerian League.

    “You can see that this story was simply fabricated to tarnish my image. That is why it is not credited to anybody and the so-called reporter who hid his name could not state when or where the interview took place. In the first place, I never granted any interview to anybody concerning officiating of the Nigerian Professional Football League. So, this is just an imagination of the writer”, Inyama clarified.

    “Even the worst critic would admit the good work the League Management Company (LMC) has done in the last couple of years. The positive changes and innovations have made the teams to be more confident that they can get good result at any venue if they played well and it is what makes the league thick”, the Abia Warriors Chairman said.

    Inyama, who disclosed that he has always been an architect of good and fair officiating, called on the various sports editors to ensure they verify sources of stories filed by their reporters before publication.

  • Inyama backs Amaju

    Inyama backs Amaju

    • Says those calling on him to quit are not fair

    Former board member of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Emeka Inyama has declared that those calling for the resignation of the president of the nation’s soccer federation, Amaju Pinnick, following the failure of Nigeria to qualify for AFCON 2017 are not being fair to the youthful NFF leader.

    Inyama stated that as a person who only left the NFF board some few months back, he knows how passionate the NFF president is about Nigeria football and his desire to take the game to the next level in the country.

    The Abia Warriors boss said the fact that Nigeria did not qualify for the 2017 Nations Cup does not mean we should rock the boat, especially for a board that has recorded several successes before now.

    “We all know that Nigeria has before now qualified for virtually every international tournament under this same board. Beyond qualifying for major tournaments, we have won in places like Chile (FIFA U-17), in Senegal at the U -23 Nations Cup and African Women Championship. The truth remains that we can’t win all the time. And when we fail to win, it should serve as an avenue to take stock and re strategise and not to make selfish calls for people who are working hard to quit.”

    Continuing Inyama said: ” The Amaju that I worked with in the NFF board is very passionate about our football. He is one young man who is ready to put in everything in an effort to get result. What he needs now is our support and encouragement ahead of the Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers.”

    Inyama whose side Abia Warriors has started this season’s Nigeria   Professional  Football League on a bright note also gave a pat on the back to the League Management Company (LMC) organisers of the league.

    “Our league is getting better with every season. This informs why the fans are getting back to the various league venues. The officiating has improved a great deal and this is why clubs now get results on the road. The LMC is getting it right and this is good for Nigerian football,” Inyama said.

    He was quick to add that the target of Abia Warriors this term is to finish in the top bracket of the league log and pick a continent ticket.

     

  • Inyama: The community will own Abia Warriors

    Inyama: The community will own Abia Warriors

    Abia Warriors chairman, Emeka Inyama has revealed plans to make the club a truly community owned club ahead of the 2015/16 Nigeria Professional Football League(NPFL) season.

    “We want to make the team a community based outfit,we want the fans to derive joy when visiting the stadium on match days. For Abia Warriors we are preparing, we have a new coach in no one else but Kennedy Boboye” the  administrator said.

    “We have fortified the team with some very good players, very well experienced .We want to make a serious impact in the league next season.

    Abia Warriors have finished in the top 10 of the NPFL table in the last two seasons but this time around Inyama feels the club is ready to pick a continental ticket.

    “We are contending for a continental slot. It may look like a very big ambition. That is our expectation and that’s what will drive us to our objectives.

    “We have been able to repackage the club, we are bringing the club to the  fans within the community. As the season gets underway, there will be lots of prizes to be won. We want the club to get close to its immediate environment.

    Inyama praised the impact of Chisom Chikatara at the ongoing African Nations Championship and revealed that despite the series of interests in the ‘’Kokanut Boy’’ the club will take a good decision that represents his interest.

    “Chisom Chikatara is a boy that I can’t stop celebrating. I’m not surprised that he has taken the tournament by storm and I hope he gets better. It is expected that when a rookie performs at that kind of level, interests will come. We will guide the boy in making the best decision in his career,”he said.

  • Plateau Utd’s NPFL ticket: Inyama salutes NFF Appeals Committee

    Plateau Utd’s NPFL ticket: Inyama salutes NFF Appeals Committee

    Chairman of the Nigeria National League,Emeka Inyama has heaved a sigh of relief following the resolution of protest and appeals from various clubs in the second tier League that has delayed the conclusion of the 2014/15 season.

    “I am extremely happy that all of that has come to a closed case and that we can now forge ahead with our plans to have the League ended, it was indeed a disturbing period for us but here we are now that we can put all that behind us,” he said.

    “I salute the Appeals Committee, led by Barrister Eddy Mark, for a thorough job. And the clubs too for complying and helping us move forward.”

    Emeka disclosed that strong signs are showing that the much awaited Super Four will hold in Abuja next week, though the NNL is yet to fix the date.

    With this development, Plateau United FC, Ikorodu United FC, Niger Tornadoes FC, and Mountain of Fire Ministries (MFM) FC , will slug it out in the Super Four battle of Supremacy to enable the NNL confirm the overall champion for the 2014/15 season.

    The Barrister Ibrahim Eddy Mark-led Appeals Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation has officially communicated the Nigeria National League (NNL) its findings and decisions on the separate appeals lodged by Kogi United FC, Lokoja and Plateau United FC, Jos.

    The Appeals Committee, following its findings, has found merit in the Appeal of Plateau United FC and the Appeal upheld, stating that the result of the match (2-1, in favour of Plateau United stands) and that it has set aside all the decisions of the Disciplinary Committee with a note that there can be no further appeal on the case.

    It cited Article 70, NFF Statutes, 2010. And in the appeal case filed by Kogi United FC,Lokoja against Adamawa United FC,Yola played on the 19th August, 2015, the committee after its findings had the appeal dismissed, and upheld the decision of the Disciplinary Committee.

    The Appeals Committee, however, notes that there can be no further appeal on the case. It cited Article 70, NFF Statutes, 2010.

  • Inyama boys Abia Warriors with N1million

    Inyama boys Abia Warriors with N1million

    Member of the NFF Executive Committee and Chairman of Glo Premier League side Abia Warriors of Umuahia has redeemed a pledge of N1m he made to the players before their 1-0 triumph against Glo Premier League leaders Heartland FC in Owerri on Wednesday.

    Only last Sunday, the Warriors suffered a 1-2 defeat to Wikki Tourists of Bauchi right in Umuahia, and an unhappy Inyama demanded a response from the players against Heartland FC.

    Heartland FC had spanked Kwara United FC 3-1 right in Ilorin the same day, and the game at the Dan Anyiam Stadium looked like an uphill task for the boys of Theodore Orji.

    “I told them that they could do it, and that if they did it, I would give them the sum of One Million Naira. I’m so happy they did not let me down. I will redeem my pledge immediately,” an excited Inyama, who is in London as Chairman of NFF Marketing Committee for the signing of a contract, said on Wednesday.

    Ifeanyi Onyeali scored the winner two minutes to the end, and the win brought Heartland’s unbeaten run in the Glo Premier League to a screeching halt.

  • ULUOCHA, ONYEKACHI DEALS: Anyansi, Inyama in closed door meeting

    ULUOCHA, ONYEKACHI DEALS: Anyansi, Inyama in closed door meeting

    SportingLife can exclusively report that Enyimba FC chairman Felix Anyasi was in Umuahia on Tuesday afternoon as part of his frantic efforts to sign Abia warriors’ duo of Chima Uluocha and Peter Onyekachi.

    The Chairman, Technical Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), was spotted at the Abia Warriors’ secretariat at No 35 School Road, Umuahia around 1pm.

    Anyasi was at the Abia Warriors’ Chairman, Emeka Inyama’s, office and they were engaged in talks for about three hours.

    It was gathered that the meeting lasted for three hours. It was between 1pm and 3pm.

    On Tuesday, SportingLife reported that the management of Enyimba FC had made enquiries on the availability and transfer value of Uluocha and Onyekachi.

    “Anyasi was in Umuahia yesterday. He came here to see Chief Emeka Inyama as regards a possible transfer move for Uluocha and Onyekachi. The two chairmen were together for about three hours. Nobody knows their conclusion and they did not discuss anything with anybody,” a source said to SportingLife.

    Meanwhile, players and officials of Abia Warriors will resume training on Monday in preparation for the coming season.

  • Inyama, Bassey, two other Nigerians in CAN party

    Inyama, Bassey, two other Nigerians in CAN party

    Chairman of  the NFF Marketing, Sponsorship and Television Advisory Committee, High Chief Emeka Inyama and three other eminent Nigerians have been invited by the Confederation of African Football to play important roles at the 30th Africa Cup of Nations finals in Equatorial Guinea.

    NFF President, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick, was earlier appointed member of the Organising Committee for the championship, which will be staged in four Equatorial Guinean cities from 17th January – 8th February next year.

    Also invited is Etubom Paul Bassey, who served blamelessly on the CAF Media Committee for several years before becoming a General Coordinator. He will serve as a Security Officer at the tournament.

    Screen diva and respected administrator, Aisha Falode, who like Inyama is a member of the CAF Media Committee, will serve as media coordinator during the three –week, 16 –nation party, like Inyama.

    Samson Adamu, the organiser of the annual COPA Lagos Invitational Beach Soccer Tournament, will be an Assistant General Coordinator in Equatorial Guinea.

  • Inyama backs premier league newcomers to do well

    Inyama backs premier league newcomers to do well

    With the Nigeria Professional Football League (NFPL) just two matches away from conclusion, the Nigerian National League (NNL) chairman, High Chief Emeka Inyama has expressed his trust in the ability of the four teams which booked their tickets to compete in the elite division to do well when the new season kicks off.

    The second division season ended last month with four clubs qualifying for the 2013/2014 Premier league football season. The four teams are Giwa FC and Taraba United FC from Group A as well as Abia Warriors FC and Crown FC of Ogbomosho from Group B.

    Never in the recent time has the participating teams fought till the last match to know if they will pick promotion or demotion tickets to play either in the lucrative Nigeria Football Premier League or the amateur league next season than it was be witnessed on last match day.

    The above scenario has given the NNL chairman, Inyama the hope that the four clubs that gained promotion will not play the second fiddle to the more established teams in the premier league.

    According to him “there is no gainsaying the fact that the National League is very tough hence my belief that all the three clubs that qualified to join the premier league will give good account of their status.”

  • Inyama: Maigari’s NFF deserves applause

    Inyama: Maigari’s NFF deserves applause

    The present Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) administration led by Aminu Maigari has achieved so much within the past 16 months to deserve resounding applause from Nigerians, so says Emeka Inyama, Chairman of the NFF Media and Publicity Committee.

    Inyama, a foremost football journalist and publisher of note, took a critical look at the statistics of all National Teams since January 2012 and said: “The Maigari administration deserves not only commendation, but a rousing ovation for what it has achieved for Nigeria on the field. The great thing is, the achievements were not only on the field; there were plenty off the field as well.”

    For the records, no Nigeria National Football team has failed to qualify for continental or global competition since the beginning of Year 2012.

    The Super Eagles were successful in the qualifying race for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and eventually travelled to South Africa to triumph at the finals; the Flying Eagles qualified for the 2013 African Youth Championship and finished third in Algeria to qualify for the FIFA U-20 World Cup that takes place in Turkey 21st June – 13th July and; the Golden Eaglets qualified for the 2013 CAF U-17 Championship and only lost the final match to Cote d’Ivoire after a penalty shoot-out in Marrakech on Saturday.

    The Super Falcons qualified for the 8th African Women Championship and finished third in Equatorial Guinea; the Falconets qualified for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup and won plaudits from world football governors as they reached the semi finals and; the Flamingoes reached the quarter finals of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Azerbaijan and equalled a tournament record.

    Even the Beach Soccer team, also known as Supersand Eagles, did Nigeria proud by winning the COPA Lagos invitational tournament for the second successive edition and putting up a credible showing at the Samsung Intercontinental tournament in Dubai.

    “It has been fabulous showing here and there for Nigeria football in the past 16 months, and critics must give that to this administration.

    The records are there for all to see. In fact, Nigeria is the only African country to qualify to represent the continent at all major championships since the beginning of 2012.

    “Just look at the records: Nigeria represented Africa at the 2012 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Japan; represented Africa at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Azerbaijan; will represent Africa at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup; will represent Africa at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey and will also represent Africa at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in United Arab Emirates.

    “The Golden Eaglets, who were unlucky to lose the African U-17 Championship trophy to Cote d’Ivoire in Morocco, were playing at the tournament for the first time since 2007. This team has already been tipped for greatness by several seasoned and respected commentators across the world.”

    Briefly, the Super Eagles have played a total of 21 matches in the past 16 months, in the process winning the Africa Cup of Nations for the country for the first time in 19 years and only the third time in the competition’s 56-year history.

    The Flying Eagles played 17 matches, winning seven and losing six, three of which came at the Cape Town International Tournament before the team came into its mettle. The team is to be overhauled for the challenge of the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey in the summer.

    The Golden Eaglets, runners-up at the African U-17 Championship in Morocco, will represent Africa at the FIFA U-17 World Cup UAE 2013, alongside Cote d’Ivoire, Tunisia and Morocco.

    “Off the field, the Maigari administration can boast of having restructured the Secretariat in line with FIFA and CAF organogram; organised several quality coaching and refereeing courses; kept a level head to work harmoniously with the supervising National Sports Commission; established great rapport with all Nigerian Embassies abroad; arranged more friendly matches for the National Team than any administration before it; embarked on aggressive marketing drive.

    “It paid greater attention to the welfare of coaches, players and staff and; taking matches of the National Teams round the country for more Nigerians to see and feel the teams at close quarters.”

     

  • Eagles, Kenya match a wake-up call-Inyama

    Eagles, Kenya match a wake-up call-Inyama

    Says Afcon allowance issue not an excuse

    Confident of Eagles victory in Nairobi

     

    Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Board member Emeka Inyama has warned the Super Eagles to be wary of other so called small football countries in Nigeria’s 2014 World Cup qualifying group adding that the resilience and hard posture put up by the Harambee Stars of Kenya in the 1-1 score draw in the 2014 World Cup qualifier held in Calabar last Saturday should serve as a wake-up call to the Nigerian senior team

    “The Super Eagles’ 1-1 score draw result was a lesson for the players, the coaches, the entire team and even the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). Again it confirms general belief in football that if you don’t prepare to win, you prepare to fail,” he said.

    “It’s a wake-up call to the team and also a wake-up call to everybody. There are no minnows in football anymore in today’s football. Three teams South Africa, Cape Verde and Burkina Faso showed it (in the last AFCON 2013) that there are no more minnows in Africa football nay the world too.”

    On whether the none payment of the AFCON final match bonuses contributed to the unimpressive performance of the Super Eagles against Kenya last Saturday, Inyama described this as unfounded and not an excuse at all.

    “Allowances don’t play football. It (allowance) doesn’t play on the pitch. I don’t know how. It doesn’t at all. For the kind of money these boys have made over this period, I think they don’t need to talk about money this time. In fact, they have been paid.”

    When asked if the Eagles AFCON allowances were paid before the Kenya match, the Nigeria National League Board Chairman replied, “it does not matter. There is no time line for paying the money, the important thing is that the money has been paid. The (AFCON 2013 final match bonuses and allowances) money is not up to what they are earning in a week in their clubs (in Europe).”

    Inyama also dismissed the excuses given that the players may have been slowed down by fatigue having played at the last Africa Cup of Nations and now returned to their clubs to play in their various leagues and even in European club competitions.

    “Since they returned from the Nations Cup they have been playing well in their various clubs before coming for the Kenya match. Some of them have been scoring goals and they have been making their (first eleven) teams. So fatigue should not be an excuse.

    “In the (Kenya) match we had several scoring chances at goal. You cannot also say that the Kenyans outplayed us. Football game is sometimes like that because in terms of ball possession we were better, in terms of attempts at goal we have the upper hand but we just couldn’t score the goals. Maybe we felt the absence of Emmanuel Emenike,” he added.

    As regards Kenya’s complain of neglect by the Nigeria Football Federation, the NFF Board member told SportingLife that, “we have been hosting matches in the past one or two years and this is the first time there is a complain. They (Kenya) came with a mind set and we are not bothered. When we are going back to Kenya we are going to beat Kenya in Kenya that I can assure you today.”