The Federal Government has informed FIFA of its decision to recognize the Amaju-Pinnick- led Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) as the only football governing body in the country.
The Special Assistant to Vice-President on Media, Laolu Akande, disclosed the decision in a tweet on Monday.
“Government will also continue to work with all relevant stakeholders involved to resolve dispute in a timely manner.
“Federal Government is upholdiing NFF treaty and obligations to FIFA,” Akande stated.
Across section of soccer stakeholders in the country have raised the alarm that the ongoing crises rocking Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), would have multiple ripple effects on the Super Eagles’ chances of qualifying for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations.
With a ding-dong tussle for control of The Glasshouse now unravelling each week between the groups of Amaju Pinnick and Chris Giwa, a class of stakeholders were unanimous early Thursday that preparations for the Eagles’ match away to Seychelles is already being hampered.
After battling away to Seychelles on September 7, the Eagles will return to face Libya at home a week later, which means they have less than four weeks to prepare for two crucial matches, but nothing yet appears in place.
Airing their views at a roundtable of analysis of topical football issues, the stakeholders warned that Nigeria might be on the verge of missing AFCON for the third edition running, considering that the NFF crises are distractions for the players, coaches and officials.
One of the stakeholders lamented during a radio programme monitored in Lagos: “I fear for our chances of qualifying for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroun, because nothing is yet in place in terms of preparations.
“I wonder who will arrange for the Eagles’ camping and allowances. Who will give consent to Gernot Rohr’s team list? Who will the coach even report to? These are salient issues we have to settle immediately, otherwise, it will be doom for Nigeria again at AFCON 2019, which would be the third time running that we will not qualify. God forbid.”
The congress of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has opened a window for possible reconciliation of all aggrieved stakeholders including Chris Giwa and his group, with a pending court case to retrace their steps and reconcile with the football family.
Among the terms was for the aggrieved parties to within two weeks ensure dismissal of all pending court cases against NFF and its leadership.
It urged them to file affidavits in court to affirm to be bound by and uphold the football statutes as well as undertake not to take any football matter to court but, to resolve any disputes and/or grievances within the available alternative dispute resolutions mechanism enshrined in the football statutes.
Reading a communique issued at the end of the NFF’s extra ordinary general assembly held in Bénin City, Sir Eze Chukwuemeka said the congress would empowered the NFF Executive Committee to commence the process of removing any penalties on persons that are currently under sanctions for breaches of the NFF Statutes provided they complied with the resolutions.
The communique warned that any member that takes any football matter to the ordinary courts of law would be automatically expelled from all football activities with immediate effect from the date of filing such law suit.
It described the suit in Jos as an unnecessary distraction to and detraction from the sustainable growth of football in Nigeria and has the potential to get Nigeria suspended from being a member of the global football family, FIFA.
On the issue of Giwa FC that was expelled from the NPFL in 2016, the communique noted that the club was expelled for multiple breaches of the framework and rules of the league and the claim or challenge by Chris Giwa to NFF leadership.
It explained that Giwa FC was never expelled from participating in league football totally but relegated to the lower league as provided in the league rules.
According to the communique, “As part of reconciliation, the Congress has mandated the Executive Committee to, upon application by Giwa FC, immediately permit the registration of Giwa FC to commence participation in the 2018 Nigeria National League.
“All matches are to be rescheduled in the league to accommodate the club and NFF shall provide reasonable support to the clubs in the division to accommodate these additional matches with Giwa FC, which are not captured in their budgets.”
The communique urged the National Assembly to fast-track the conclusion of the NFF Bill which is said would provide the platform that would completely eliminate most of the current challenges being experienced and ensure the sustainable development of football in Nigeria.
“The Congress further noted that the NFF Statutes would consequently be duly amended to conform to the current realities of modern football management and the provisions of the NFF Bill as well as ensure inclusivity and optimization of service delivery at all levels
“The Executive Committee is endorsed to review the ongoing NFF electoral processes, guidelines and reopen the process for any qualified interested stakeholder to participate, including those that may qualify after meeting the set conditions of taking football matters out of ordinary courts.
“The Congress implored all stakeholders interested in being part of NFF Executive Committee to subject themselves to and come through the legitimate electoral process as outlined in the statutes and, assures all parties of the support of the football family; provided they assume their positions through the legitimate process.”
Carl Ikeme has a future with the Super Eagles of Nigeria after he retired from professional football, this, NationSport can report
It was gathered that the Nigeria Football Federation has planned to enroll the retired Super Eagles’ goalkeeper in a coaching school as a goalkeeper trainer and then absorb him into the technical crew of the team.
NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi on Sunday made this known in a statement made available
adding that Federation has been in contact with Ikeme, who announced his retirement from the game on Friday, with a view to train him.
He said, `”Carl Ikeme was an embodiment of absolute dedication, commitment and patriotic fervour in the games that he played for the Super Eagles.
“”The circumstances of his retirement from the game are somewhat depressing, even as we thank God for his life.
“”The Nigeria Football Federation will find the resources to send him on a coaching course, and afterwards absorb him into the technical crew of the Super Eagles.
““That is the least we can do for such a dedicated patriot,”
Sanusi revealed that the NFF was aware of Ikeme’s plan to retire from football.
“”A few weeks ago, he had spoken on phone with the NFF President and 1st Vice President of CAF, Mr. Amaju Pinnick, to intimate him on his (Ikeme’s) desire to retire.
“”Even though he was sad about it, the NFF President commended his fighting spirit and respected his decision, and also said he would rather allow the player or his club to break the news,’’ he state
The Wolverhampton Wanderers FC of England goalie was diagnosed with acute leukaemia in July 2017 and entered into complete remission only last month.
He announced his decision to retire from the beautiful game of football on Friday.
Ikeme played 191 games for Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, and was pivotal in the club’s promotion from League One to the English Championship.
He is currently being heavily celebrated for uniting a club more renowned for its divisive tendencies.
Ikeme was in goal for the Super Eagles in 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Swaziland home and away.
He also played in the away game to Zambia, the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Tanzania home and away and against Egypt at home.
He also played for Nigeria in friendly matches against Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon and Niger Republic.
…postpones league resumption
The Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation ( NFF ) led by Chris Giwa, has appointed Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme Acting General Secretary of the football house following corruption allegation leveled against former General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the announcement was made on Tuesday night after an exhaustive meeting of the NFF Executive Committee at the football secretariat in Abuja.
Sanusi had been mandated to step aside sequel to investigations into allegations of financial corruption levelled against him to give way for the appointment of an acting scribe pending when the Executive Committee will announce a substantive General Secretary.
The Chairman, Communique Drafting Committee, Otunba Dele Ajayi, who addressed newsmen after their meeting, said the present NFF leadership had decided to restore match bonuses and allowances to all age group teams.
“We are new in office, we have to collate records and when we are done with that we will let you know.
“If we say we are restoring the match bonuses and allowances of all age group teams, it does not mean we will pay arrears immediately.
“The board will meet to decide whether to pay outstanding debts to the teams or continue on a clean slate.
“We will later fashion out a way to pay the outstanding debts and we are starting again to pay allowances to the age grade teams,” Dele Ajayi said.
According to him, the teams in question are the U-23 team, Flying Eagles, Golden Eaglets, Falconets and the Flamingoes.
He said the Giwa-led NFF had taken note of the various national teams preparations for Africa and World Cup qualifiers, noting that financial and moral support would be given to them to succeed.
“The board notes the activities of NFF for the rest of the year which include the Flying Eagles qualifiers against Mauritania, as well as the Falconets World Cup preparation and tournament.
“We have also noted the Super Eagles Nations Cup qualifiers against Seychelles in September and the Golden Eaglets African Nations qualifier in Niger Republic in September,” he added.
The executive committee also resolved that the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) earlier scheduled to resume on July 18, be postponed by two weeks.
It would be recalled the League Management Company had on Tuesday announced an indefinite suspension of the Premier League following the leadership crisis in the NFF.
The Giwa-led board has also fixed an emergency congress on July 27 to find a lasting solution to the perennial crisis in Nigerian football.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), with its deadly boardroom politics, appears on the move again. No special gift for guessing right: Nigerian football may just be heading south again.
After the Russia 2018 World Cup ouster, almost everyone agrees Nigeria has at least a modicum of a team that could compete with, and perhaps beat the world in the nearest future.
But beating the world is not just luxurious dreaming. It s hard work; and doing crucial things, at the right time. To turn the Eagles into true world beaters in four years time, there would appear well laid out competitive programmes, even by FIFA and CAF calendar.
There are two AFCONS (2019 and 2021) and one Olympic Games. Now, if you do the right thing at the right time, NFF would try to qualify the team for all these competitions. Even the Olympics, which features the U-23, with provisions for three over-aged players, would also be put to maximum use. Draft as many of the present available stars their clubs can release, within the Olympics age, to join the fray.
Even as you build, continue playing Grade A friendly matches, on FIFA Windows; and use them to hone the team, drop those whose forms are dropping and integrate new discoveries. If you do that religiously, and over four years, the probability of welding together a formidable team would be high.
But if morning shows the day, what is NFF doing? Embarking on self-destruction, with partisans vying for the board chair, not without, it would appear, some government collusion. Yet, by any standard, given NFF’s — or its predecessor, NFA’s — performance down the ages, this is clearly the best performed board ever.
So, why is success faced with doom, as if it were some unmitigated failure? That’s the Nigerian jinx. At the earliest hint of any life-changing process, reactionary forces, join in with both legs to thwart it. Like the PMB presidency, like Amaju’s NFF presidency!
Did Hardball say “success”? Yes! True, the Eagles were knocked out after the first round of matches. But that was on the field. Previously, most distractions came from outside of it: delayed payment of coaches, players bonus problems, needless bickering, all fatal distractions.
This last experience? If there was anything like that, it certainly was not reported; and the nose of the Nigerian press corps is not the most inactive in sniffing out scandals and other rot. Then, for the first time after the last World Cup in Brazil, Nigeria appears to at last have a team they could groom; and a manager ready to do the grooming with his technical assistants.
But again, the NFF warriors have to barge in with fierce personal agenda, which has absolutely nothing to do with national interest.
Hardball thinks the president should move in and use his influence to calm the storm. If stakeholders are tired of Amaju Pinnick’s presidency, the board elections are around the corner. Let them gather their supporters and let Pinnick gather his, and let’s see who would clinch the mandate.
That would appear much better than the current farce playing out, willy-nilly trying to get out Amaju, at the tail end of his tenure. Though the partisans thrust a reported court verdict, the sports minister would appear quite complicit in the plot.
Hardball does not care about these individual interests. If the narrative tilts towards Pinninck, it’s strictly on the strength of his achievement of his board. But Hardball cares a lot about the pleasure and joy, a high performing Eagles bring to bear, on Nigerians of all faiths, tribes and creed. You could still recapture, the roar and caper of pride that Musa’s two beautiful goals, against Iceland, elicited from Nigerians!
Sure, that should count for something for this bickering, petty elite? That is why President Muhammadu Buhari should call them to order, starting with his own minister.
A Jos Federal High Court on Wednesday fixed July 10 to hear a new motion filed by immediate past NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, challenging the exparte order it granted Chris Giwa, current President of the federation.
Pinnick approached the court for the relief after the Supreme Court judgment which ordered him to comply with the lower court’s order that compelled him to vacate the office for Giwa.
Justice Musa Kurya, the Presiding Judge in the case between Yahaya Adama and Alhaji Aminu Maigari had, on June 5, made an exparte order asking Pinnick’s NFF leadership to vacate the Glass House for the Giwa-led executive.
But Pinnick, through his counsel, Festus Keyamo (SAN), stormed the court with two motions demanding for the vacation of the order granted Giwa and others, pending the determination of an application challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the case.
Though the case was heard in the chamber, the two counsels in the matter spoke to newsmen shortly after.
Mr Festus Ukpe, who stood in for Keyamo, explained: “ We came to court to challenge the order which the court gave to Giwa led Exco.
“Our aim or intention was to move our two motions, but the counsel to Adama and Ogba, Mr Habila Ardzard, opposed it on the ground that they only got possession of the motions today (Wednesday).
“We told the judge that there was need for the court to hear these motions because of our fear of what Giwa will do in these few days that he claims he has power over Glass House.
“That is why we argued that there was the need for the judge to vacate his order since we were not given fair hearing in the matter, which we are not a party to but for our interest.’’
Ukpe said that after both sides made their submissions, the judge ruled and fixed July 10 for the hearing of the motions because of the urgency.
Also, Ardzard said he had to oppose Pinnick from moving the motions “because by law, we are entitled to seven days within which we could study the motion and reply from the date of its receipt.
“We were only asked to come to court today and when we came we were told that there were two motions which pinnick’s counsel intended to move today (Wednesday).
“Of course, we had to oppose it and the court finally ruled in our favour and therefore, fixed July 10 for the hearing of the motions’’.
Nonetheless, the order granted Giwa subsists until Tuesday, July 10 when the motions would be heard on their merit.
A Jos Federal High Court on Wednesday fixed July 10 to hear a new motion filed by immediate past NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, challenging the exparte order it granted Chris Giwa, current President of the federation.
Pinnick approached the court for the relief after the Supreme Court judgment which ordered him to comply with the lower court’s order that compelled him to vacate the office for Giwa.
Justice Musa Kurya, the Presiding Judge in the case between Yahaya Adama and Alhaji Aminu Maigari had, on June 5, made an exparte order asking Pinnick’s NFF leadership to vacate the Glass House for the Giwa-led executive.
But Pinnick, through his counsel, Festus Keyamo (SAN), stormed the court with two motions demanding for the vacation of the order granted Giwa and others, pending the determination of an application challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the case.
Though the case was heard in the chamber, the two counsels in the matter spoke to newsmen shortly after.
Mr Festus Ukpe, who stood in for Keyamo, explained: “ We came to court to challenge the order which the court gave to Giwa led Exco.
“Our aim or intention was to move our two motions, but the counsel to Adama and Ogba, Mr Habila Ardzard, opposed it on the ground that they only got possession of the motions today (Wednesday).
“We told the judge that there was need for the court to hear these motions because of our fear of what Giwa will do in these few days that he claims he has power over Glass House.
“That is why we argued that there was the need for the judge to vacate his order since we were not given fair hearing in the matter, which we are not a party to but for our interest.’’
Ukpe said that after both sides made their submissions, the judge ruled and fixed July 10 for the hearing of the motions because of the urgency.
Also, Ardzard said he had to oppose Pinnick from moving the motions “because by law, we are entitled to seven days within which we could study the motion and reply from the date of its receipt.
“We were only asked to come to court today and when we came we were told that there were two motions which pinnick’s counsel intended to move today (Wednesday).
“Of course, we had to oppose it and the court finally ruled in our favour and therefore, fixed July 10 for the hearing of the motions’’.
Nonetheless, the order granted Giwa subsists until Tuesday, July 10 when the motions would be heard on their merit.
There is no end in sight for the confusion trailing leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) even with the Nation still leaking her wounds following early exit of the Super Eagles from the ongoing World cup in Russia.
The power tussle between incumbent President of the Federation Amaju Pinnick and Ambassador Chris Giwa which has continued to swing like a pendulum in the courts, took a new dimension on Monday when the Sports Minister Barrister Solomon Dalung directed Pinnick and his Executives to obey the court order of June 5th 2018 delivered by Honorable Justice M. H. Kurya sitting at the Federal High Court Jos.
The minister said the directive became necessary after he received a written notification signed for the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice requesting the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports to ensure compliance.
The notification according to the Minister states thus;
‘I have been directed to notify you of the Orders dated June 5th 2018 made by Honorable Justice M. H. Kurya sitting at the Federal High Court Jos in respect of the above mentioned suit between Yahaya Adama Vs Alhaji Aminu Maigari which states that the election of the NFF held on August 26, 2014 under the leadership of Amb Chris Giwa be given recognition pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed in this case and that the purported ban of the Executive Committee elected on August 26, 2014 from football activities of the NFF is unconstitutional, null and void.
‘It is trite law that court orders are sacrosanct and any act of disobedience to it constitutes threat to the rule of law. Consequent upon the above, you are hereby advised to comply with the orders of court made therein which for now, is the valid and binding order of court, in the absence of any other subsisting order or judgment to the contrary’.
Consequently, Barrister Dalung has however directed the parties involved to comply with the court order.
“This is a court order and not from Dalung. I will not want to go to Kuje prison because of disobedience of court orders.
Therefore, I hereby comply with the court orders of June 5th 2018, while Mr Amaju Pinnick and others are also directed to comply with same.” the minister’s statement said
Dalung who prior to his appointment as Minister of sports was working with the Prisons washed his hands off the consequences of non compliance with the court order saying” “This is a court order and not from Dalung. I will not want to go to Kuje prison because of disobedience of court orders. Therefore, I hereby comply with the court orders of June 5th 2018, while Mr Amaju Pinnick and others are also directed to comply with same.”
Giwa reportedly addressed staff of the Glass House on Monday with Amaju Pinnick still in Russia as an Executive member of the World Soccer Ruling body FIFA. While Giwa supporters insist the ruling means immediate vacation of office by the Amaju Pinnick group, others say continuing the legal battle is almost unnecessary as a new election is due in September with no guarantees that the incumbent will return.
Bitrus Bewarang, the Chairman of Technical Committee of NFF, has said that the federation would be meeting to review the performance of Super Eagles at the 2018 Russia World Cup.
Bewarang, who spoke with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at Hilton Hotel in St. Petersburg, said the federation was yet to do a review of the Eagles’ matches at the Mundial.
‘‘On returning home, NFF will meet to do a review of Super Eagles’ ouster in the competition with a view to avoid a re-occurrence in future.
‘’This will enable the federation to know the strength and weaknesses of the team, do a surgical operation with a view to moving forward,’’ he said.
NAN reports that the Super Eagles lost the first Group D match 0-2 to Croatia in the opening game, won their second match 2-0 against Iceland but failed to qualify to the round of 16 after a 1-2 loss to Argentina.
He said that it was unfortunate the Nigerian system thrived on fire-brigade approach to things.
‘‘Ordinarily, like most advanced countries do we are supposed to start preparing for the next World Cup now, but Nigeria will wait till the eve of another one before swinging into action,’’ Bewarang said.
He said that the NFF seemed to emphasise on the development of age grade players, where there would be U-13 and U-15 competitions.
‘‘For instance, if a player is U-15 now, in four years he would be 19 years old. This was what happened in the case of Kylan Mbape of France who has the energy and skill to perform,’’ he said.
Speaking on the needed synergy between the Coach of the team, Garnet Rohr and the Technical Committee, Bewarang said that the relationship existing was not too cordial.
‘‘Personally I have relationship and access to Rohr but it is not official. There must be a situation whereby my committee will be able to make input into what he is doing.
‘’Though, they say there is a subsisting contract with him, the agreement must be such that will accommodate the contributions of the committee,’’ he said.
He cited example of the arrangement before U. S. ’94 World Cup where even though Coach Clemens Westerhof already had his team intact but still bent backwards to accommodate some other good players.
‘‘You can recall how the likes of Sunday Oliseh, Chidi Nwanu and Mike Emenalo, who were discovered to be good later, were absorbed to earn better result to the benefit of the country,’’ he said.
This, he said, led to the spectacular performance of Nigeria in that edition of World Cup where Super Eagles stunned to the globe to reach the round of 16.
NAN reports that after the Eagles’ brilliant performance leading to Nigeria’s qualification to the World Cup, NFF renewed Rohr’s contract for another two years, an agreement ton end in 2020.
Seyi Akinwunmi, the first Vice-President, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), on Tuesday said the Super Eagles had put behind them the disappointment of defeat by Croatia to face the next matches.
He said that the Eagles were now ready to go for the maximum points in their remaining encounters in Group D at the FIFA World Cup.
Akinwunmi’s words of assurance were contained in a statement by the Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire, on Tuesday in Lagos.
He quoted the Chairman of NFF organising committee saying the football house is expecting a match winning performance against Iceland on Friday.
“Akinwunmi told a gathering of the cream of Nigeria’s media representatives in Saint Petersburg that the NFF expected a match-winning performance from the three-time African champions against Iceland on Friday.
“Like all Nigerians back home, and like the team itself, the NFF was not happy with the loss to Croatia. But the Eagles have climbed that cloud now and ready to conquer.
“They have put behind them the defeat and looking ahead with determination to the remaining two games.
“I can confirm to you that the team is not lacking motivation in any way. Our agreement with them was that they would get their entire money for the group phase once they qualify.”
He added that “it is not a match-by-match basis. So, they are aware that if they win the remaining matches or just achieve the minimum to qualify from the group.
“’Regardless of this, they will still earn the money for all three matches.”
Akinwunmi praised Sports and Youth Development Minister, Solomon Dalung, for rallying Nigerians behind the team and staying behind in Russia to support the team in the remaining matches.
“We cannot fully express our appreciation to the Sports Minister, who has called on Nigerians to keep supporting the team and personally expressed belief in the team’s ability to reach the knockout rounds.
“We still have him with us here in Russia and he will lead the delegation to the match against Iceland in Volgograd.
“The Sports Minister led a Federal Government delegation to Russia and led the delegation to Kaliningrad for the first match, alongside the Nigeria Ambassador, Prof. Steve Davies Ugbah.
He called on President Muhammadu Buhari to speak to the team before the match, adding that government support is total for the team.
According to him, motivation is huge, so they have no reason not to go all out on Friday.
“Dalung also greatly inspired the Eagles during the qualifying race, personally leading the delegation to the matches in Zambia and Cameroon.
“He was also on ground in Uyo for all the home matches against Algeria, Cameroon and Zambia.
“It is now left for the team to go all out and give Nigerians joy by winning their remaining games.
“He also disclosed that the Eagles will depart their Essentuki team camp in the Stavropol region of Russia to Volgograd on Thursday, ahead of Friday evening’s clash,’’ the statement read in part. (NAN)