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Tag: nff

  • Pinnick heads to Cairo for first AFCON meeting

    Pinnick heads to Cairo for first AFCON meeting

    NFF President Amaju Pinnick will on Wednesday in Cairo, Egypt preside over his first meeting as President of the Organizing Committee for the Africa Cup of Nations.

    Following the toppling of the old order at CAF seven months ago, leading to the enthronement of new blood headed by Mr. Ahmad, Nigeria’s Pinnick also won election as Member of the Executive Committee, and two months later was appointed the President of AFCON.

    It is the first time that the Organizing Committee for the Africa Cup of Nations is not headed by the CAF President.

    The Committee on AFCON is the largest in CAF, having about 35 members, and most of them being presidents of Member Associations. The 1st Vice President is South Africa FA boss, Dr. Danny Jordaan while Zimbabwe FA boss, Dr. Philip Chiyangwa is the 2nd Vice President.

    Thenff.com learnt that the principal agenda for Wednesday’s meeting at the CAF Headquarters is the AFCON 2019 and the issues around it, including the facility audit company to be appointed for auditing of the facilities that Cameroon has put forward for the hosting, and a decision to be taken on when the company will visit that country.

  • Business mogul,splashes N50m on Super  Eagles

    Business mogul,splashes N50m on Super  Eagles

    Multi –millionaire business mogul, Chief Kensington Adebutu, on Saturday rewarded the Super Eagles with the sum of N50 million, after the three –time African champions became the first African country to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

    Adebutu was full of praises for the Super Eagles for their determination, professionalism and commitment throughout the qualifying campaign, which saw them overhaul the so –called Group of Death with a game to spare.

    Speaking with the duo of midfielder Ogenyi Onazi and match –winner Alex Iwobi, the successful businessman urged the team not to rest on its oars, but to prepare hard to be worthy ambassadors of Nigeria and Africa at the FIFA World Cup finals in Russia next year summer.

     Meanwhile, defender Ola Aina, who played at junior level for England but opted to represent fatherland at senior level,  and was handed his Nigerian debut on Saturday is celebrating his birthday today.

    Aina, who was cleared by FIFA to dorn the green-and-white just before the away match against Cameroon in Yaounde last month, got his opportunity after left back Elderson Echiejile got injured in the 79th minute.

     “He did pretty well. He tackes well, joins the attack, has the heart for the big game and very calculating,” Rohr praised Aina at the post –match conference.

    In the same vein,the Super Eagles have qualified for the 2018 FIFA World Cup after playing seven matches, and wrapping up the ticket on 7th October 2017. Those seven matches include the home-and-away preliminary round against Swaziland in November 2016.

    After a 0-0 draw in Lobamba on 13th November, Moses Simon and Efe Ambrose got the goals that qualified Nigeria for the group phase at the Adokiye Amiesiamaka Stadium, Port Harcourt on 17th November 2015.

    On 9th October 2016, they defeated Zambia 2-1 in Ndola with goals from Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho and; on 12th November 2016, they overcame Algeria 3-1 in Uyo. Two of the goals were by Victor Moses and the other by Captain Mikel Obi.

    On 1st September 2017, African champions Cameroon suffered a 4-0 reverse in Uyo (the goals by Odion Ighalo, Mikel, Moses and Iheanacho), and three days later in Yaounde, the Eagles were forced to a 1-1 draw. Moses Simon scored Nigeria’s goal.

    On Saturday, 7th October 2017, the Super Eagles got the job done, beating the Chipolopolo 1-0 with a 74th minute goal by Alex Iwobi.

    Seven different players have scored Nigeria’s 13 goals of the series so far: Victor Moses (3), Mikel Obi, Alex Iwobi, Moses Simon, Kelechi Iheanacho (2 each), Odion Ighalo and Efe Ambrose (one each).

  • NFF signs partnership agreements with TGI Group, PayPorte

    NFF signs partnership agreements with TGI Group, PayPorte

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has signed partnership agreements with two companies, Tropical General Investments (TGI) Group and PayPorte for the sponsorship of the Super Eagles.

    The partnership which will last three years will make TGI Group’s products, such as Big Bull Rice, Chivita, Hollandia Yoghurt and Renew Starch, the official food of the Super Eagles.

    The agreement with the PayPorte on the other hand will make the company the official online shop for sales of Eagles’ jerseys for the next three years.

    Signing the agreement on Friday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, the Executive Director of TGI Group, Onyekachi Onubogu, noted that football is a unifying factor in Nigeria.

    Onubogu, who represented the TGI Group Managing Director, Rahul Savara, said: “We are enormously ecstatic to come on board as supporters of the Nigerian national football teams.

    “The sponsorship is a further demonstration of the commitment of our business to the development of Nigeria in all facets.

    “We strongly believe in our investments in the agricultural value chain and its impact on the socio-economic development of Nigeria.

    “And this new partnership we are starting with the NFF will allow us to expand our footprints to the development of football in the country.

    “We are resolutely committed to increasing our investments in the Nigerian economy, increasing employment and local content while supporting the communities we operate in.”

    The Chief Executive Officer of PayPorte, Eyo Bassey, said his company decided to partner with NFF as its own Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy.

    Bassey, who signed the agreement on behalf of his company, said his company intended to create an authentic and internationally accepted platform, where Nigerians can access sports merchandise.

    “This is a strategic partnership, as we are the preferred e-commerce company in this part of the world.

    “We have come to associate with NFF to reach out to our customers. We want to assist NFF to promote grassroots football in Nigeria,” Bassey said.

    The NFF president, Amaju Pinnick, signed the two agreements on behalf of NFF.

    Pinnick said the private sector partnership with NFF was borne out of the transparent ways his board members had handled football affairs so far.

    “The opportunity to have the support of TGI Group and the reward for the “Man of the Match” award will have a huge benefit for the team to achieve our goals.

    “We also talk a lot about creating memories and no doubt working with TGI Group will create some fantastic memories,” Pinnick said.

    NAN

  • ‘We can’t take our match against Zambia for granted’

    ‘We can’t take our match against Zambia for granted’

    An ex-international, Edema Fuludu, has urged the Super Eagles to be focused in their Oct.7 World Cup qualifier against the Chipolopolo of Zambia, and capitalise on goal-scoring opportunities.

    Fuludu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos that approaching the match as a must-win would enable the team to overcome the highly confident Zambians.

    The former attacking midfielder added that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) should give the players all the needed logistic support to enable them to excel in the must-win match.

    “This match cannot be taken for granted, the NFF I’m sure is putting everything in place to successfully glide through this hurdle.

    “The Zambians are very courageous, their victory against Algeria home and away should send a message to us that they are not a trainee-team.

    “This people have nothing to lose, so it’s all on us, we just need to win, our boys must not take this for granted,’’ Fuludu said.

    Fuludu, who was a former Manager of Warri Wolves, also warned the Super Eagles to be positive and pay less attention to the “psychological warfare’ ’ being used by the Zambians.

    “The Zambians are the team to watch, but regardless, we should remain positive, our greatest undoing will be over confidence, our victory at the first leg would toughen them.

    “They are coming here to prove a point to us, Russia 2018 is a must,’’ he said.

    NAN reports that Nigeria currently tops Group B of the Africa qualifying series for the Russia 2018 World Cup with 10 points followed by Zambia with seven points.

    An outright win over the Chipolopolo will on Saturday qualify the Super Eagles for the World Cup with a match to spare.

  • Pinnick inspects Agege Stadium

    Pinnick inspects Agege Stadium

    Top officials of the Nigeria Football Federation led by the President,  Amaju Melvin Pinnick, were at the Agege Stadium, Lagos on Sunday on a first inspection ahead of the grand finale of this year’s AITEO Cup competition.

    Pinnick was joined by 1st Vice President, Barr. Seyi Akinwunmi, 2nd Vice President/LMC chairman, Mr. Shehu Dikko, Executive Committee members Sharif Rabiu Inuwa and Aisha Falode, President of the Nigeria Referees Association, Tade Azeez, NFF’s Director of Communications Ademola Olajire and CAF Assistant General Coordinator Samson Adamu.

    The inspection team checked out several areas of the facility, nicknamed The Temple, and which has been slated to host the men’s grand finale of the AITEO Cup competition on Sunday, 15th October 2017.

    Akinwunmi, who is also Chairman of the AITEO Cup Organizing Committee, told thenff.com after the inspection: “There are a few things we have to put right but, generally, we have a good facility here.

    “From Monday (2nd October), work will begin on the few areas that we must put right and the other make –shift facilities that we would have to put up to achieve what we are determined to achieve.”

  • NFF Board marks three years in office

    NFF Board marks three years in office

    The Nigeria Football Federation Board(NFF)   led by Amaju Pinnick is celebrating three years in office. The board  was elected on 30th September 2014 into office in Warri as the Executive Committee of Nigeria Football Federation.

    However, on 30thSeptember 2017, celebration in the house of a principal figure in the Committee in Lagos brought them together in an atmosphere of panache, warmth and laughter.

    NFF 1st Vice President, Barr. Seyi Akinwunmi on Saturday gave out his daughter, Adebanke in marriage to Soromfechukwu Uzomah, at a gorgeous ceremony in Lagos. The day kicked off with the traditional wedding followed by the church service at Trinity House and a memorable reception at The Dorchester, close by Trinity House on Victoria Island, Lagos.

    The Nigerian Football fraternity was fully represented. NFF President Amaju Pinnick, 2nd Vice President/LMC chairman Shehu Dikko, Executive Committee members Ibrahim Musa Gusau, Sunday Dele-Ajayi, Yusuf Ahmed ‘Fresh’, Chidi Ofo Okenwa, Sharif Rabiu Inuwa, Musa Duhu, Mohammed Alkali and Aisha Falode, LMC CEO Nduka Irabor and NFF Deputy General Secretary Emmanuel Ikpeme were joined by Communications and Protocol Directors Ademola Olajire and Tunde Aderibigbe.

    There were also Chairman of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Mr. Ayodeji Tinubu (a former Member of the NFF Board), Members of Ogun State and Lagos State Executive Councils, former NFF Board Members Taiwo Ogunjobi and Ahmad Kawu, former NFF General Secretary Bolaji Ojo-Oba, Chairman of Club Owners Isaac Danladi, his secretary Jude Anyadufu, former Lagos State Director of Sports Kweku Tandoh, Radio Brila CEO Larry Izamoje, Members of the Lagos FA Board, Players’ Union scribe Austin Popo, foremost sports journalists and other football stakeholders.

    An excited Pinnick said: “I am very happy for Barr. Seyi (Akinwunmi); it is a thing of joy to give out one’s son or daughter in marriage. The calibre of people I see here underscores the solidity of the unity of our football family.”

    Meanwhile, in  three years, Pinnick’s Board has won six major trophies, including the FIFA U17 World Cup, two Women AFCON titles and the Africa U23 and Africa U20 men titles, plus Olympic men’s football bronze. There have also been capacity building programs for referees, coaches and administrators, extensive support for FIFA and CAF –sanctioned coaching license and referee courses, credible partnership agreements with leading corporates and a ringing voice and presence for Nigeria in international football politics.

    Failure to qualify for successive AFCON finals in 2015 and 2017 and the U20 and U17 AFCON this year have been hard punches on the field of play, but Pinnick insists the Board’s vision of building a sustainable football culture and hard focus on youth development remain unshaken.

    Election into the CAF Executive Committee, preceeded by appointment into the influential Organizing Committee for FIFA Competitions and followed by appointments into the CAF Emergency Committee and as President of AFCON, have amounted to a meteoric rise that has made Pinnick the highest –placed Nigerian football official in history.

    Yet, the former Executive Chairman of Delta State Sports Commission told thenff.com that the Board is not rolling out the drums yet, but working hard to ensure no stone is left unturned for eventual victory in Saturday’s all –important 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying showdown between the Super Eagles and Zambia’s Chipolopolo in Uyo. A win will see Nigeria book a ticket to football’s greatest showpiece in Russia next year summer.

    “Every Board of the NFF has opportunity to qualify for the FIFA World Cup only once, as it happens every four years and the life of any Board is four years. We are so close to getting it and that is our big focus for now. All the drumming, singing and back –slapping can wait until the evening of Saturday.”

  • Yusuf eyes 3 points against Zambia

    Yusuf eyes 3 points against Zambia

     Salisu Yusuf, Super Eagles Assistant Coach, on Saturday said that winning Zambia in the Group B World Cup campaign was imperative to secure a very comfortable lead.

    Yusuf said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja while speaking on the team’s preparations for Zambia.

    He said that the match against Zambia would be given all attention and seriousness in order to seal the desired qualification ticket.

    The coach, also described the team  as good side, urged his players to explore all avenues available to cage them.

    “Zambians of recent have displayed quality football by beating Algeria in home and away matches.

    “That shows that they are not to be underrated at all by any opponent especially Nigeria,” Yusuf said.

    He said that the technical management of the team would work in synergy to defeat the Zambian side.

    According to him, we are improving on our strength and also working on our weaknesses for victory.

    The super Eagles will on Oct. 7 in Nigeria meet the Zambian national team in their World Cup qualifiers.

    Nigeria at present leads the Group B with 10 points and followed by Zambia with seven points.

  • Falconets off to Dar es Salaam, promise victory

    Falconets off to Dar es Salaam, promise victory

    Nigeria’s U20 women football team Falconets, will go all out for victory in Sunday’s 2018 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifying first round, second leg match against their Tanzanian counterparts in Dar es Salaam.

    A contingent of 18 players and eight technical and backroom staff, led by NFF Executive Committee member, Babagana Kalli, departed from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Thursday aboard an Ethiopian Airline flight. They are scheduled to connect Dar es Salaam from Addis Ababa in the early hours of Friday.

    A goal by wing back Lilian Tule and a brace from Rasheedat Ajibade saw the Falconets winning the first leg 3-0 at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium penultimate weekend – comfortable cushion for the two –time World Cup silver medallists to approach the return leg with confidence.

    Coach Chris Danjuma told thenff.com before departure from Abuja: “We won the first leg 3-0 but that does not mean we will rest on our oars. We should have won more comfortably but threw away a number of chances.

    “The truth is we have to be more clinical in front of goal. After the first leg, we have worked on some areas that we realized needed serious attention, and I have confidence that we will get a handsome result in Dar es Salaam.

  • WAFU Final: Super Eagles to lock horns with Black Stars  

    WAFU Final: Super Eagles to lock horns with Black Stars  

  • W/Cup Qualifier: NFF insists on Godswill Akpabio Stadium

    W/Cup Qualifier: NFF insists on Godswill Akpabio Stadium

    The Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) General-Secretary, Dr. Sanusi Mohammed has reiterated that the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, will host the world cup qualifier between Nigeria and Zambia amidst speculations of growing security challenges in the South East.

    Sanusi who spoke with Sportinglife in a chat at the Glasshouse, said he has assured some foreign based- players who called to expressed worries over the tension in the South East that adequate security arrangement will be made to ensure a hitch free game in Uyo.

    He further said that it would be unfair to take the match out of Uyo considering the support from the state and the fans who stood behind the Super Eagles from the beginning of the qualifiers.

    The Scribe revealed that there will be different shows and fire works at the stadium to celebrate our qualification.

    ” I know that people are worried including the players over the growing security challenges in the South East but I have assured them that the Federation has no intention to move the all important match to another venue. The players are at home in Uyo and moving the match to another will affect the players,” Sanusi said.

    The Super Eagles will host the Chipolopolo of Zambia in a must win game on October 7, 2017 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital.