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Tag: Maigari

  • Maigari, others hail Brazil support for Eagles

    Maigari, others hail Brazil support for Eagles

    …Vows to make 2014 World Cup

    NFF President, Aminu Maigari and almost all members of his board who were in Brazil for the Confederations Cup championship have said they were so pleased with the support of the Brazilians that they will do anything to ensure that the team makes it to the 2014 World Cup.

    Among those who were thrilled by the support were Barr. Christopher Green, the Technical Committee Chairman of the NFF, Aminu Kawu, who heads the Nigerian Amateur League on the NFF board and of course NFF’s Director of Technical, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme.

    “We are so happy with the amount of support that we have here. I can’t imagine that despite us losing a match the fans were still rooting till the last moment and even lined up all the streets of Fortaleza to cheer the team. It’s simply unbelievable,” Maigari said.

    Green on his part says Nigerian fans should borrow a leaf from the huge support its national team received unsolicited from Brazilians in the course of the Confederations Cup. “We have to be a little more patriotic and support our own, look at the manner of support we are getting here, it could have been different even in Nigeria with the type of results we are getting,” he said.

    Kawu spoke in a similar vein, while Dr Ikpeme, simply added that his second coming to Brazil has afforded him the opportunity of knowing that football is not only a unifying force but a source of global convergence for peace, oneness and tranquility.

  • Eagles will qualify for 2014 World Cup – Maigari

    Eagles will qualify for 2014 World Cup – Maigari

    President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, on Wednesday assured Nigerians that the Super Eagles will qualify for next year’s FIFA World Cup finals in Brazil.

    “I have no doubt that we will qualify for the FIFA World Cup finals. We expected the team to win here but things didn’t turn out that way. However, nothing has changed. All we need do is beat Malawi in September and we’ll be through to the final round of the elimination series.

    “Not only will we get there, we will also conquer whichever team comes our way and get the ticket to the World Cup finals,” the NFF president told journalists.

    Maigari spoke at the Nigeria House in Windhoek, hours after the Super Eagles forced the Brave Warriors to a 1-1 draw in a hard-fought 2014 World Cup qualifying match at the Sam Nujoma Stadium.

    Following Malawi’s 2-2 draw with Kenya in Blantyre earlier in the day, the Group F became Nigeria’s to conquer with a win against the Namibians. But after a bright opening spell, during which Sunday Mba and Anthony Ujah missed opportunities, the hosts began to grow in confidence and looked dangerous going forward.

    The Brave Warriors combined pace and endeavour with commendable ball sense, but they found the central defensive network of Kenneth Omeruo and Godfrey Oboabona impregnable.

    At the other end, Germany-based forward Ujah shot wastefully over the bar with the net gaping.

    On the hour mark, the hosts could have taken the lead with a fierce shot, but Enyeama was equal to the task. Their attacking menace continued to cause apprehension among the few Nigerians at the stadium.

    In the 74th minute, Ahmed Musa, hero of the 1-0 victory over Kenya in Nairobi a week earlier, fluffed a great chance when clean on goal. And two minutes later, Namibia shot into the lead.

    Substitute Deon Hotto Kavendji was unmarked in the area to steer a pull-out from the left past Vincent Enyeama.

    As it has happened in all their four previous qualifying matches, Nigeria would not get a goal until after 80 minutes. Defender Godfrey Oboabona lashed a free-kick from the edge of the box, which goalkeeper Virgill Vries could only help into his net in the 83rd minute.

     

  • WCQ: Maigari, Babangida charge Eagles to defeat Kenya

    WCQ: Maigari, Babangida charge Eagles to defeat Kenya

    Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Aminu Maigari, has charged the Super Eagles to go for victory against Kenya on Wednesday.

    Maigari told MTNfootball.com, “I have no doubt that the Super Eagles will do us proud in this World Cup qualifier.

    “We all know what the three points in this game would do for the team. It’s a World Cup qualifier and we must pick vital away points to stay in control of our group. One of such important three points is the one from this game.

    “We have done everything to prepare the team. We have moved two steps ahead of the Kenyans to guard against any form of antics. So, we just pray that with luck on the side of the Eagles, they put the icing on the cake.”

    Former Nigeria international Tijjani Babangida also said the Eagles have all it takes to beat Kenya in Nairobi.

    “Eagles have all it takes to beat Kenya, but they must be prepared for war because the first leg result is a big morale booster to the Kenyans,” he said

    “The Eagles must play this game with all they have to win because it could decide if we will be in last round of World Cup qualifiers.”

    He also said he believes the Mexico friendly has toughened Eagles ahead of Wednesday’s clash.

    “The friendly against Mexico was good for the Eagles as it put them in match frame and gave them a chance to understand themselves more ahead of the clash. The boys and the coaches know what is at stake and I believe in them,” he said.

     

     

  • Maigari wants Eagles to show champion stuff

    Maigari wants Eagles to show champion stuff

    President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Aminu Maigari has charged the Super Eagles to dig their feet into the ground and show champion stuff when they take on Mexico’s El-Tri at the Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas.

    The high-profile friendly falls on different days on either side of the Atlantic, with the 8pm kick-off in Houston on Friday falling in the early hours of Saturday in Nigeria – Texas being six hours behind the West African nation.

    It is the fifth clash at senior level between the two nations, with the two most recent memorable meetings being a friendly in Juarez in October 2007 that ended 2-2 and a 1-1 draw at the Intercontinental Tournament for the King Fahd Cup (today’s FIFA Confederations Cup) in Riyald, Saudi Arabia in January 1995 that the Mexicans eventually edged on penalties to take third place.

    NFF has made it clear their priority is for the two FIFA World Cup qualifying matches in Kenya and Namibia, followed by the FIFA Confederations Cup, but the NFF President insists the African champions cannot afford to have a bad day in the office in America.

    Maigari, speaking on Thursday at the 63rd FIFA Congress in Port-Louis, Mauritius, said: “It is a friendly match, but the Super Eagles have to go there and play like the African champions that they are. I am happy to hear the Head Coach (Stephen Keshi) say they take the match serious.

    “Both teams are high up there in world reckoning and it is important that we live up to the billing as the champions of Africa. The fact that we are looking more to the World Cup qualifiers and the Confederations Cup does not mean we would put up a poor show at any match.

    “I am charging the boys to go all out and do the country proud. A good result against the Mexicans will help the team psychologically when confronting the Kenyans and the Namibians and the big teams in Brazil.”

    The 63rd FIFA Congress opened on Thursday at the Swami Vivekananda International Convention Centre in Port-Louis, Mauritius to round off today.

  • Maigari, Obaseki tip Elegbeleye for success

    Maigari, Obaseki tip Elegbeleye for success

    President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Aminu Maigari and former chairman of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL), Oyuiki Obaseki have both thrown their weights behind the newly appointed Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Gbenga Elegbeleye to succeed in his new post.

    Elegbeleye was announced as the new D-G of the NSC on Wednesday by President Goodluck Jonathan during the Federal Executive Council meeting.

    The appointment was with immediate effect and reactions have not stopped pouring in on the selection of the former Deputy Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Sports.

    NFF boss Maigari lauded the appointment of Elegbeleye while reacting to the appointment from Germany, where he is overseeing the camping exercise of the Super Eagles who are preparing for both 2014 World Cup qualifiers and the FIFA Confederation Cup.

    “I know Honourable Gbenga Elegbeleye to be very passionate about sports most especially the game of football which he loves so much. I have had the opportunity to work with him and I know that he has something to offer Nigerian sports.

    “My advice to him is that he should continue the way he is doing that has fetched him this appointment.

    “When he was Vice Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Sports, he did very well and we were proud of him. I would urge him to improve on this and work hard to improve sports in the country”, Maigari disclosed.

    Former NPL chairman, Obaseki also commended President Jonathan on the appointment of the new D-G of the NSC

    “Firstly, I want to commend President Goodluck Jonathan for his vision in appointing Gbenga Elegbeleye as the new Director-General of the National Sports Commission.

    “Elegbeleye is going to be a huge success as the new Director-General of the National Sports Commission. We all that know him believe that he will succeed by the grace of God.

    “My sincere advice to him is that he should not follow the footsteps of others who go there only to steal money.

    “He should cool it, articulate his plans and execute it without fear or favour because if he succeeds we will all praise him. If he fails, God forbid! We will castigate him.

    “He must not be in a hurry. Nobody should tell him do this or do that.

    “Let him cool it and look at all the plans and check through his programmes and advice given to him and determine what should be the best plans for Nigerian sports.

    “I pray that God should guide his footsteps and he will succeed by the grace of God”, the former League boss prayed.

  • 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.”

     

  • Maigari’s arrival boosts Golden Eaglets

    Maigari’s arrival boosts Golden Eaglets

    The rank and file of the Golden Eaglets got a boost ahead of their game against Cote d’Ivoire on Wednesday with the arrival of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Aminu Maigari at their posh Ryad Mogador Menara Hotel on Tuesday.

    The President who flew in to Casablanca earlier was accompanied to the team’s hotel by Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, the Director of Competitions at the NFF and Mr. Saad Wunti Abdullahi, the protocol and sport officer at the Nigeria Embassy in Morocco.

    Speaking with officials of the team immediately, Maigari said the NFF and indeed Nigerians were proud of the team following their convincing 6-1 victory over Ghana even as he charges them to remain focussed.

    “I have received numerous messages congratulating the NFF and I over your Sunday’s victory against Ghana but I want you to tell the boys “not to get carried away yet’,” said the President who has graciously agreed to stay at the team’s hotel. “I have come to be with you because you are a team dear to the heart of Nigerians.

    “You had impressive qualifying results and we want you to convince the rest of the continent that you are the best team at this tournament,” he said.

    Coach Manu Garba (MFR) in the meantime, used the opportunity to thank Alhaji Maigari as well as the board and management of the NFF, for their unalloyed support to the team.

    “We can’t thank you enough sir and I’m using this opportunity to tell Nigerians that we remain focussed and by the grace of God, we shall be victorious at the end of this assignment,” he stated.

    Meanwhile, Alhaji Maigari is expected to meet the players during lunch

    time on Wednesday to boost-up their morale before the showdown against

    Cote d’Ivoire at the Grande Stade de Marrakech.

  • Maigari promises Eaglets will be world champions

    Maigari promises Eaglets will be world champions

    NFF President Aminu Maigari Maigari has predicted the Golden Eaglets will not only rule Africa but the rest of the world this year.

    The Nigeria U-17s humbled rivals Ghana 6-1 in their opening group game and victory on Wednesday afternoon against Cote d’Ivoire will propel them to the World Cup as well as the semis of the African championship.

    In a special interview with MTNFootball.com, Maigari also spoke about how positive he is that African champions Nigeria will qualify for next year’s World Cup in Brazil as well as what he expects of both the Eagles and the Flying Eagles in June.

    He also disclosed how the NFF plan to improve their poor finances after a rather expensive AFCON campaign.

    Were you surprised by the overwhelming reception the Eagles got for winning a third Nations Cup title?

    I was not surprised. We all appreciate what the various governments, individuals and organisations did after this feat, which was achieved almost two decades after our last triumph in Tunisia. I believe there will be more of this going forward.

    How have you handled the pressure of being African champions after a very long time?

    I’m used to the pressure because it’s a very demanding job being president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). I am dealing with over 160 million people who know the job better than I do. The only person who does not know the job is you who is in the hot seat. So, one keeps learning day by day.

    A journalist told me that I’m not fit to be president of the NFF and I told him, ‘I agree with you’. This is some one’s opinion but God gave me this job to do.

    The challenges are enormous and one needs to keep learning day by day. I’m willing to take in ideas from others who know this job better than I do because it is not about Aminu Maigari, it’s about Nigeria.

    What we all want is to put a smile on the faces of millions of Nigerians, men or women, old or young, because they are very passionate about this game which unites this country.

    So, we won’t relent in our efforts to ensure we succeed.

    When we took office, we had to grapple with so many issues, but we soldiered on to ensure we build our various teams to restore our lost glory.

    We opened our doors to others who have something to move this game forward and now we are beginning to see the results.

    Sir, Nigerian football is on a very high now.

    That’s right. We were crowned African champions in South Africa, but unfortunately we could not successfully defend our U20 crown in Algeria, but at least we have qualified for the U-20 World Cup.

    We now need reorganise the team and I have challenged the coaches to do so in time for the World Cup in June.

    What then do you expect of the Flying Eagles at the U20 World Cup in Turkey?

    We need to totally reorganise the team for the World Cup because from what I saw they lack in so many technical areas. The coaches need to sit up.

    Nigeria is blessed with talent in football and many other aspects of life and so I expect the coaches to go out there and scout for better talents for the team.

    Could this be done in good time for the World Cup?

    Certainly, the talents are there and it’s just a matter of putting them together to play as a team.

    So, what would be the target for Turkey 2013?

    To win the U20 World Cup. I always say that for any competition Nigeria enters, we want to be champions.

    Nigeria will be at the FIFA Confederations Cup as African champions in June in Brazil. What do we expect?

    Like I said earlier, we go to any competition to win it. We believe we have an abundance of talent and all we need do is to get them together and make the country proud.

    You must be proud that Nigeria are finally African champions after such a long wait, but are you satisfied with the team or do you think there is still room for improvement?

    Personally, by my own assessment, I would score the team around 50%. We have to discover fresh talent. The challenge then is to get this talent and make them play as a team.

    Currently the Nigeria U17s are also campaigning at the African U17 championship in Morocco.

    As usual, we expect the team to bring the cup back to Nigeria. Nigerians have already crowned them African champions. They are already proud of this team, who are a very high-scoring side and have conceded just a goal in the qualifiers. They will shake the world.

    By ‘shaking the world’ do you mean winning the World Cup in Dubai in October?

    Yes, winning the World Cup in Dubai. Mark this today that God’s willing they will be world champions.

    It seems a lot of effort and resources were invested in putting together this U17 team.

    That’s right. We have worked with a long-term plan that ensured good preparation for the team, like we have done for all the other national teams. We will continue to support them until they succeed.

    The Super Eagles are now walking a tight rope on the way to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Will they qualify for the World Cup?

    God willing we will be in Brazil for the World Cup next year.

    But obviously you must have been disappointed you did not beat Kenya at home last month.

    Yes, we all were, but that’s part of the game. The players too were disappointed. Now we have to go and play better in Kenya and win.

    But Malawi will be the biggest threat to the Eagles qualification. They have two outstanding home games, while the Eagles have two away games with the final qualifier between the two teams in Nigeria in September.

    I’m not bothered about home or away, you only have to be at your best always. Nothing stops us from winning away from home. We will go to Kenya and win.

    The NFF’s financial position is poor especially after the sports minister recently disclosed that you have spent about half your annual budget already on the Nations Cup.

    Our marketing committee is up and doing and they will soon come out with a marketing strategy to help us generate more funds for the federation.

    We must reduce our dependence on government as regards funds and so we are working on various marketing plans in this regard to support our programmes.

    Thank you for your time, Mr. President.

    The pleasure is mine.

  • African students honour Maigari, NFF

    African students honour Maigari, NFF

    The African Students Union Parliament on Thursday in Abuja, honoured NFF President, Aminu Maigari and the Federation as a corporate body for Nigeria’s triumph at this year’s Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

    As explained by the Speaker of the African Students Union Parliament, Rt. Hon. Addei Mohammed from the Kigali Institute of Science and Technology, Maigari’s capacity, courage and character has singled him out as an exemplary Pan-Africanist whose style of leadership can be likened to the former Ghanaian President, late Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah.

    “It is no longer news that in African countries, football serves as a basic unifying factor and whoever contributes to the development of football in any country of Africa is contributing to, not just the unity of such country, but also to the development of the youth,” he said.

    “Aminu Maigari’s energy and dynamism has driven Nigeria football from a low point to a very high level, and alongside his Board and Management, he continues to work very hard to take it to the highest point.”

    Describing Maigari as a visionary leader, icon, charismatic personality and epitome of development, the Students Parliament conferred on him the ASUP 2012/2013 Kwame Nkrumah Exemplary Leadership Merit Award.

    The ASUP Executives then presented a plaque of the same award to Maigari, while it presented a certificated Corporate Merit Award to the NFF, which was received by 1st Vice President, Mike Umeh.

    Apart from Rt. Hon. Addei Mohammed who flew in from Kigali, there were also Hon. Alao Assoua Walakaye Elias (Majority Leader, from University of Cheik Antar Diop, Senegal); Comrade Saint Solomon (Chief Whip, from University of Ghana, Legon); Comrade Nseh Donald (Director of Programs, from University of Uyo); Comrade Nwankwo Henry Nkem (Nigerian Coordinator, from Nasarawa State University); Comrade Baba Adamu (Deputy Nigerian Coordinator, from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria) and; Comrade Joy Onuora (Deputy Director, Gender Matters).

    NFF President Aminu Maigari was joined at the Federation’s Boardroom by Umeh (1st Vice President), Emeka Inyama (Chairman, Media and Publicity Committee), Hon. Shehu Adamu (Chairman, Finance Committee), Barr. Musa Amadu (General Secretary), Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme (Director of Technical), Mr. Idris Adama (Director of Marketing), special assistants Taiwo Odebunmi, Ibrahim Gusau and Tunde Aderibigbe, assistant chief legal officer Barr. Okey Obi and principal sports officer Dr. Christian Emeruwa.

  • SUPER EAGLES JOB Maigari took a risk hiring me —Keshi

    SUPER EAGLES JOB Maigari took a risk hiring me —Keshi

    STEPHEN Keshi has admitted that Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) boss, Aminu Maigari took a risk appointing him as Super Eagles coach.

    The AFCON 2013 winning coach revealed this when he was presented with a Range Rover and Toyota Camry promised him by Globacom Chairman, Dr. Mike Adenuga (Jnr), GCON on Monday.

    “Maigari took a risk asking me to come back to Nigeria to take charge of the Super Eagles. He told me confidently that I should come and take charge of the team, that he had belief in me.

    “Nobody gave me an atom of confidence that any Nigerian or a ‘black man’ so to speak can coach the Eagles let alone guiding the team to win the Nations Cup in South Africa.

    “I also want to thank him and the NFF for their support too during the AFCON.”

    The Big Boss then fingered a section of the press for the sour relationship between the Glass House and him.

    “Before the Cup of Nations, during and after, my relationship with Maigari and the NFF has been very cordial.

    “The recent fuss is being caused by bad press, as the speculations almost tore us apart. But I would have thought that we should be partners in progress as regards the new status of the Super Eagles who are current African champions,” he said.