The Nation Newspaper

Tag: nff

  • NFF: Mischief makers at work

    NFF: Mischief makers at work

    The attention of the Nigeria Football Federation has been drawn to a video being circulated by some persons who claim the said slide showed a couple of players of the Super Eagles refusing to shake hands with NFF President

    Amaju Pinnick as the Nigerian delegation arrived Yaounde, Cameroon on Sunday, 3rd September 2017 for a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Cameroon.

    The said players, Ahmed Musa and Victor Moses, (and Alloy Agu) never  showed disrespect to the NFF President, as can be attested to by the comments of Moses and Musa in the aftermath.

    Perhaps, the objective of the said video was to create disaffection between the NFF President and the said players, but this fell flat on its face as the players afterwards met with the NFF President and laughed the whole thing off as ridiculous.

    The truth is that by his position, the NFF President is father to players of all the National Teams. In reality, the present crop of players in the Super Eagles sees and takes Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick as a big brother, and holds him in very high esteem.

    Nothing has happened to change that perception. The NFF President came down from the Bombadier CRJ 1000 jet on landing and opted to stay by the aircraft to appreciate the players and officials on arrival. The said players, and even goalkeepers’ trainer Alloy Agu, obviously did not know that the NFF President, having flown with the delegation on the same aircraft, would still be waiting by the aircraft to shake hands with them.

    Nothing was planned. He stood there simply appreciating the troops that had decimated African champions Cameroon in Uyo and were determined to do a double over the Cameroonians in Yaounde.

    As the NFF and the Super Eagles unite to stay on the same page and prepare adequately for the MUST-WIN 2018 World Cup qualifying match against Zambia in Uyo next month, we appeal to all genuine stakeholders of Nigerian Football and friends of Nigeria elsewhere to focus on the many positives from the qualifying campaign so far, encourage both the Federation and the team to continue to give its best and appreciate that together, each will always achieve more. No scheme fashioned by anyone can bring schisms within the Super Eagles camp or between the NFF and the squad.

  • Mikel: We are keen to finish what we started

    Mikel: We are keen to finish what we started

    Mikel John Obi- led Super Eagles arrived Yaounde on Sunday afternoon for Monday’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon.

    A statement by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Sunday quoted Mikel as saying that the team was keen on consolidating on Friday’s 4-0 victory over Cameroon in Uyo.

    Nigeria achieved its highest win ever over Cameroon with the thumping of the Lions on Friday, but Mikel said he was aware the wounded Lions would want to salvage some pride.

    “We are just very keen to finish what we started. We started a job in Uyo and it is time to finish it.

    “If we can pick the World Cup ticket by Monday, why wait any longer? We are all very confident because we know our ability and what we are ready to bring to the party.

    “We are as hungry, perhaps, even more hungry than they are. It will be a tough affair but we will give our very best to take the three points.”

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigeria could become the first African team to earn a slot in Russia as early as Tuesday.

    The Eagles will qualify if they defeat the Cameroonians on Monday in Yaounde and Zambia fails to beat Algeria at the Stade Mustapha Tchaker in Blida on Tuesday.

    Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr has 23 fit players to select from, with goalkeepers Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Dele Ajiboye and Dele Alampasu.

    Also are defenders Uche Agbo, Abdullahi Shehu, Elderson Echiejile, Ola Aina, Leon Balogun, William Ekong, Tyronne Ebuehi and Chidozie Awaziem.

    Midfielders Mikel Obi, Ogenyi Onazi, John Ogu, Wilfred Ndidi, Oghenekaro Etebo and Mikel Agu, are also in contention for the game.

    The forwards include Ahmed Musa, Victor Moses, Odion Ighalo, Moses Simon, Anthony Nwakaeme and Kelechi Iheanacho.

    At the Hilton Hotel on Sunday to receive the Nigerian team was Cameroon’s Minister of Sport, Bidoung Mpaktt, who chatted briefly with NFF President Amaju Pinnick.

    FIFA has appointed respected Senegalese official Bakary Papa Gassama as the referee for Monday’s encounter.

    Gassama is to be assisted by Jean Claude Birumushahu from Burundi (Assistant 1), Marwa Aden Range from Kenya (Assistant 2) and Maudo Jallow from Gambia (Reserve Referee).

    Osama Hassan from Sudan will be match Commissioner at the game which will kick off 6 p.m.

  • NFF appoints Danjuma, others to Coach Falconets

    NFF appoints Danjuma, others to Coach Falconets

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has appointed Christopher Danjuma as Head Coach of the U20 Women National Team, also known as Falconets.

    Danjuma will be assisted by Wemimo Matthew as 1st Assistant Coach,Mansur Abdullahi would be the 2nd Assistant Coach while Abdul-lateef Yusuf would serve as the Goalkeeper Trainer.

    According to a statement by NFF , the coaches are expected in Abuja on Aug. 23 to open camp for screening of players for FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifying match against Tanzania in September.

    According to fixtures released by CAF, Falconets will take on Tanzania in Nigeria on the weekend of  Sept. 15 -17 while the return leg will hold in Dar es Salaam two weeks later.

    The winner over both legs will then confront the winner of the fixture pairing Morocco against Senegal in November, before a final round of qualifying matches in Jan. 2018.

    The Falconets have played in every edition of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup, since it was launched as an U19 tournament in Canada 15 years ago.

    The team reached the quarter finals in Thailand 2004, Russia 2006 and Chile 2008, before finishing as runners –up at the 2010 finals in Germany and at the 2014 finals in Canada.

    The Falconets reached the semi finals in Japan in 2012, but failed to reach the knock –out stage in Papua New Guinea in 2016.

  • Bosso faults NFF criteria for national teams recruitment

    Bosso faults NFF criteria for national teams recruitment

     Nigeria Football Coaches Association (NFCA) has frown at the criteria and standard used by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for the employment of new coaches to the vacant national team jobs.
    NFF had advertised that the interested applicants should apply for the national teams coaching job with U-17, U20, U23 male and female categories, with at least CAF C license certificates as minimum requirements.
    But the association president, Ladan Bosso said the criteria requested by the NFF for the vacant jobs are too low.
    “We have categories of national teams; so also we have categories of coaches in this country too – that is the standard all over the world. So we will advise the NFF through the technical Committee that they should categorize the coaches according to the national teams’ categories,” Bosso told
    .
    “We have over 150 coaches with CAF B license in the country and we have over 300 coaches with CAF C license while we have 45 coaches with CAF A license. So therefore, we expected that the applicants for the head coach of the U-17, U-20 and U-23 must possess CAF A license while their assistants should have at least CAF B licenses.
    “The assistants’ coaches of the U-20 and U17 should possess CAF B and C licenses respectively with vast experiences. We as an association ready to accept responsibility for the coaches’ performances good or bad if the NFF yield to our advice.” 
  • NFF calls for support ahead of 2018 FIFA World Cup

    NFF calls for support ahead of 2018 FIFA World Cup

    President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick has stated that everything is set for the Super Eagles of Nigeria to achieve at least four points in the double-header 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier slated for September.

    Pinnick said that all that is needed now is for Nigerians to support the team with prayer and encouragement, as the country hopes to fly its flag at the Mundial.

    Speaking in an interview on Channels Television “Sports Tonight” on Wednesday, Pinnick revealed that he received the loss to South Africa “with a sense of philosophical calmness. The moment we were thinking that the Super Eagles were in high spirit, we experienced that loss. But the good thing is that we have immediately addressed some issue, that’s why there is a new goalkeeper trainer in the team, as well as work in other departments.”

    Pinnick further said “we have already booked the flight that will take the Eagles to Yaounde, after the match in Uyo, accommodation is ready and other logistics. We only appeal for support from Nigerians.”

    The NFF President further pleaded with the club owners and officials to bear with the Federation, and consider making a national sacrifice in releasing players for the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers against the Benin Republic.

    “‬We appeal to clubs that have players in the CHAN Eagles to see this as a sacrifice in the interest of the nation. This is a passionate appeal.”

    “The League has done so well in producing these players. Let them go and showcase themselves at the CHAN level.”

    Speaking on officiating in the local league, Pinnick said “I think we are getting there. I will rate the officiating of this season higher than last term, and I also have a dream of having a Nigerian Referee officiate a FIFA World Cup Match.”

    The Home-Based Eagles are currently camping in Kano ahead of the match against the Squirrels on August 13 at the Mathieu Kérékou stadium with the 2nd leg tie a week later at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano.

  • Bosso lauds NFF over payment of coaches’ salaries

    Bosso lauds NFF over payment of coaches’ salaries

     

    President of the Nigeria Football Coaches Association Ladan Bosso has heaped praises on the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for offsetting all outstanding salaries of past and present National team coaches.

    The Super Eagles technical adviser, Gernot Rohr and 28 other national team coaches were paid all their outstanding wages.

    The El Kanemi Warriors technical adviser believes that the gesture will motivate Nigerian coaches to do more for the national team while he urged his colleagues to reciprocate the gesture with more dedication and commitment.

    “We must appreciate the NFF board under Amaju Pinnick. What they have just done is unprecedented in the history of Nigeria football. They paid 28 coaches in all; present and past coaches. That is a massive achievement that deserves commendation from all stakeholders,” Bosso said.

    He added: “LMC should emulate what NFF has done to ensure that club owners pay all their coaches as at when due. When coaches receive their salaries regularly it will go a long way in eradicating corrupt practices in the coaching business. I thereby warned my colleagues to appreciate this gesture from the NFF and any allegations of corrupt practices against any coach would not be accepted by the association. It might force us to seize coaching license of any coach found wanting of corrupt practices.”

  • Cameroun will meet a better Eagles-Rohr

    Cameroun will meet a better Eagles-Rohr

    Mr Gernot Rohr, Super Eagles Technical Adviser on Tuesday said that Cameroun would meet a better and experienced Super Eagles in the World Cup qualifying match by Aug. 28.

    Rohr gave the assurance in an interview with the News agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja while speaking on way forward for the team.

    He said that Cameroun would not find it easy like South Africa because he was going to field the best legs in Super Eagles.

    ‘’South Africa met an inexperienced and younger Eagles, that is why they won the match.

    ‘’We did not play with our main team, many of our experienced players were not in the match mainly due to injury, but they will be ready for Cameroun,’’ Rohr said.

    The Technical Adviser, who assured Nigerians of victory in the next five matches, sued for total support for the Eagles.

    He said that all hands were on deck to ensure that victory was achieved in the Aug. 28 World Cup campaign against Cameroun.

    According to him, Nigeria still has  chances of qualifying; therefore, there is no cause for alarm or panic.

    Rohr expressed confidence in the ability of the Super Eagles to overrun all their opponents in both the World Cup and Nations Cup qualifiers.

    NAN recalls that the Super Eagles were smashed 2-0 by visiting South Africans in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom, on June 10 in AFCON qualifiers.

  • AFCON qualifiers: Bafana Bafana arrives Wednesday

    AFCON qualifiers: Bafana Bafana arrives Wednesday

    • As Eagles commence training

    The South African Football Association has confirmed that the Bafana Bafana delegation will fly to Nigeria on Wednesday ahead of Saturday’s Africa Cup of Nations with the Super Eagles slated for the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

    Meanwhile, 21 invited  Super Eagles players, alongside their  technical crew and backroom staff, have commenced training sessions today ahead of  Saturday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

    Although the Bafana Bafana have never beaten the Super Eagles in a competitive game, Nigerians would remember that a 2-2 draw at the same venue between both teams in November 2014 meant the Eagles missed the cut for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations finals.

    Tokelo Rantie scored both goals, before left –sided midfielder Sone Aluko also replied with a brace – something that is a usual occurrence in matches between both nations.

    Before Rantie and Aluko, Rashidi Yekini (of blessed memory), pacy wingers Tijani Babangida and Osaze Odemwingie and forwards Uche Nwofor and Ejike Uzoenyi had bagged braces in matches between both nations at senior level.

    Midfielder Ogenyi Onazi, who will lead out the Super Eagles on Saturday in the absence of recuperating captain Mikel John Obi, told thenff.com on Tuesday: “It is a big game, and we are one for the big occasion.

    I have confidence in the group that we have now and the ambition oozing in the camp. We want to go to the World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations. Starting well on Saturday will be key to our aspiration

    Winger Ahmed Musa, who netted a brace in a 3-0 defeat of Togo in a friendly in Paris on Thursday, alongside defender Kenneth Omeruo and newly–wed wing back Elderson Echiejile were the only squad members given until Tuesday to arrive camp.

    Nigeria’s army on Saturday will include former junior international Kelechi Iheanacho, who has scored in seven of his last eight matches for the Super Eagles, as well as record scorer in the FIFA U17 World Cup, Victor Osimhen. There are also this season’s top scorer in the Austrian Bundesliga, Olanrewaju Kayode, the pacy Moses Simon and the nimble –footed Alex Iwobi.

    The last outing between both teams was a friendly match at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit two years ago, which ended 1-1. Ahmed Musa scored a late goal in a game in which Daniel Akpeyi (likely to start in goal for Nigeria on Saturday) saved a penalty, but there was still time for the Bafana Bafana to draw level.

    Eagles for Battle
    Daniel Akpeyi
    Ikechukwu Ezenwa
    Dele Alampasu
    Kenneth Omeruo
    William Ekong
    Abdullahi Shehu
    Tyronne Ebuehi
    Elderson Echiejile
    Chidozie Awaziem
    Maroof Youssef
    Ogenyi Onazi
    Wilfred Ndidi
    Oghenekaro Etebo
    John Ogu
    Uche Agbo
    Mikel Agu
    Alhassan Ibrahim
    Ahmed Musa
    Kelechi Iheanacho
    Moses Simon
    Alex Iwobi
    Henry Onyekuru
    Victor Osimhen
    Olanrewaju Kayode

     

    NIGERIA & SOUTH AFRICA AT SENIOR LEVEL

    10 Oct 1992: Nigeria 4 South Africa 0 – Lagos (World Cup Qualifier)
    16 Jan 1993: South Africa 0 Nigeria 0 – Jo’burg (World Cup Qualifier)
    10 Feb 2000: Nigeria 2 South Africa 0 – Lagos (AFCON semi final)
    31 Jan 2004: South Africa 0 Nigeria 4 – Monastir (AFCON group stage)
    17 Nov 2004: South Africa 2 Nigeria 1 – Jo’burg (Mandela Challenge)
    1 June 2008: Nigeria 2 South Africa 0 – Abuja (World Cup Qualifier)
    6 Sep 2008: South Africa 0 Nigeria 1 – Port Elizabeth (World Cup Qual.)
    11 Aug 2013: South Africa 0 Nigeria 2 – Durban (Mandela Challenge)
    19 Jan 2014: South Africa 1 Nigeria 3 – Cape Town (CHAN group stage)
    10 Sept 2014: South Africa 0 Nigeria 0 – Cape Town (AFCON Qualifier)
    19 Nov 2014: Nigeria 2 South Africa 2 – Uyo (AFCON Qualifier)
    29 Mar 2015: South Africa 1 Nigeria 1 – Nelspruit (Friendly)

  • NFF announceS N2.5bN sponsorship deal

    NFF announceS N2.5bN sponsorship deal

    Top Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) chieftain has announced that a sponsorship worth N2.2bn has been secured for the country’s cup competition, the Federation Cup.

    NFF executive committee member Ibrahim Gusau said at the ABS FC kit sponsorship announcement in Ilorin covered by, according to SCORENigeria.

    The deal, he said, is worth N2.5 billion but did not give any further details.

    “Don’t worry by next week, everything being equal, the media will be briefed on it and then details disclosed,” he assured.

    Gusau, who represented NFF president at the unveiling of the sponsorship package between ABS FC and sportswear manufacturing giants Puma on Thursday in Ilorin, said the official unveiling of the Federation Cup deal will be done in Lagos next week.

    The Federation Cup, Nigeria’s longest running club competition,  has been without sponsors since the initial sponsorship deal with Lagos State Government lapsed.

  • Pinnick, Dikko, Aiteo chieftains meet Eagles in Paris

    Pinnick, Dikko, Aiteo chieftains meet Eagles in Paris

    NFF President Amaju Pinnick, 2nd Vice President/LMC chairman Shehu Dikko and top executives of Nigeria’s foremost energy solutions company, Aiteo Group were at the Super Eagles’ Hyatt Regency Hotel camp in Paris on Thursday.

    The NFF and Aiteo Group signed a landmark 5-Year partnership agreement five weeks ago, which made the energy solutions company Optimum Partner of the NFF.

    The company’s Deputy Managing Director,Francis Peters and the Group Executive Director (Corporate Services/ General Counsel), Barr. Andrew Obinna Onyearu, were with Pinnick and Dikko.

    NFF and Aiteo Group’s agreement is to take care of the remuneration of Coaches of all the National Teams, taking a huge financial burden off the shoulders of the Football Federation – a move the NFF President has described as the first of several to come.

    “We have come to introduce these unique Nigerians (Peters and Onyearu) to you (Super Eagles), so that you can put your minds at rest that all your interests are receiving the right kind of attention by the NFF,” Pinnick assured.

    “Aiteo have matched their words with action. The issue of payment of Coaches of the National Teams will no longer be a headache for the NFF. The first set of payments have been made and all those concerned will begin to get their confirmations any moment from now.”

    Both Mr. Peters and Barr. Onyearu commended the NFF President and his Executive Committee for their efforts in attracting Corporate Nigeria to the Nigerian game, urging the Eagles to stay focused and committed to getting good results on the pitch.

    Peters said the partnership with the NFF is only the beginning of many more relationships in the near future.

    “We commend this NFF leadership for their foresight and ingenuity. They approached us and we saw that we can help to solve some of these financial challenges and also contribute our quota to the development of the game. We are happy to partner with them. This is just the beginning. I am sure there is still so much more to come,” Peters concluded.