The Nation Newspaper

Tag: nff

  • 2019 AFCON qualifiers: Super Eagles arrive France

    2019 AFCON qualifiers: Super Eagles arrive France

    Super Eagles players have arrived France  and will depart for Corsica by 5pm (local time) later on Tuesday for  preparations toward next month’s 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against South Africa in Uyo, Akwa Ibom.

    Meanwhile, the Gernot Rohr men will face Corsica on Friday at the Stade Francois Coty in Ajaccio, while they will confront Togo at the Stade Municipal de Saint Leu La Foret in Paris six days later.

    Nigeria and South Africa meet in the 2019 AFCON qualifier at the  Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, on June 10.

  • NFF yet to okay Rohr’s request to play Togo

    NFF yet to okay Rohr’s request to play Togo

    Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has requested an international friendly with the Togolese National Team during the national team’s get-together in France later this month.

    It has been claimed in some quarters that the friendly match has been signed, sealed, and delivered, but the Nigerian Federation are still weighing up the pros and cons of engaging The Sparrow Hawks few days before the Super Eagles face Bafana Bafana in a crucial African Cup of Nations qualifier.

    ”There was a request from Gernot Rohr to play a friendly against Togo during the training camp in France, ” a high-ranking Nigeria Football Federation official told allnigeriasoccer.com.

    ”They are supposed to return to Nigeria on June 1. We will work out the modalities if it is approved by the Nigeria Football Federation.”

    The Super Eagles are expected to train in Corsica and Paris for eight days (May 23-31) before flying to Abuja to resume their preparations for the AFCON qualifier against South Africa.

  • Ahead of 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier: NFF inspects Uyo Stadium

    Ahead of 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier: NFF inspects Uyo Stadium

    The Chairman of NFF Technical and Development Committee, Barrister Chris Green has expressed satisfaction with the current state of the playing turf of Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo that is slated to host the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Nigeria and South Africa in eight weeks’ time.

    Green, alongside NFF Deputy General Secretary, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme on Tuesday inspected the magnificent facility, nicknamed ‘Nest of Champions’ and which hosted the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between the Super Eagles and Tanzania in September 2016, as well as the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying battle between the Eagles and the Fennecs of Algeria five months ago.

    “We are delighted with the state of the playing turf and other facilities at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium,” Green told thenff.com. “I can tell you that the pitch is just as it was when the Super Eagles played Algeria in the World Cup qualifier in November last year.

    “The fact that Julius Berger has also started some work on the turf is even more re-assuring. They are adding manure, and afterwards will do cutting and rolling, and they have the benefit of the weather at this period. By the time we host South Africa on 10th June, the pitch will be one of the very best anywhere in Africa.”

    Tuesday’s visit to the capital of Akwa Ibom State was to ascertain the condition of the playing pitch and indeed other facilities at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, as well as the level of commitment of the State Government to hosting the big match.

    After the inspection, the team reported: “Every inch of the field is covered by grass and the grass is lush green. Julius Berger (the company that built the stadium) has commenced work on the field for the purpose of bringing it to the best standard possible. Every other facility is in good condition. The condition of the field, as it is now, is good enough for matches to be played on it. The Akwa Ibom State Government has continued to show desire and commitment to hosting the match.”

    However, in order to maintain the lush –green state of the pitch, the inspection team has advised that no activity be carried out on it until ongoing work is completed and the 2019 Cup of Nations qualifier between the Eagles and the Bafana Bafana is played.

    The ‘Nest of Champions’ will also play host to the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches between the Super Eagles and Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions (August 2017) and between the Super Eagles and the Chipolopolo of Zambia (October 2017).

    Also present during the inspection were Sir Monday Ebong Uko (State Commissioner for Youth and Sports), Hon. Akan Okon (State Commissioner for Special Duties), Mr. Aniedi Dickson (Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports), Mr. Emmanuel Iba (Chairman of Akwa Ibom State Football Association), Mr. Paul Bassey (Chairman of Akwa United Football Club/SSA to Governor on Sports), Mr. Victor Owokwure (the Stadium Manager), representatives of Akwa Ibom State Sports Council and representatives of Julius Berger construction company.

  • I will quit if Nigeria fail to qualify for World Cup – Rohr

    I will quit if Nigeria fail to qualify for World Cup – Rohr

    Super Eagles Manager Gernot Rohr has said he is 100 per cent focus to qualify Nigeria for the 2018 World Cup in Russia but in case he failed the country focus he will be left with no option to honour his contract with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

    Rohr took over as coach of the Nigeria team last year on a two-year deal, which is tied to ensuring that Nigeria is in Russia. The qualification also means an automatic extension of his contract by another two years.

    Failure to qualify Nigeria for the World Cup will leave his future as coach of the team in the hands of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), but the coach on Monday said he will leave the team if they fail to qualify regardless of what the NFF decides.

    Rohr who fielded questions about his future if Nigeria fails to qualify for the World Cup in a live sport program on cable television mornitored on Monday night said;

    “If we fail to win the ticket to be at the World Cup, for me I’ll say goodbye, but at the moment we are hopeful of getting a result against Cameroon, it is a challenge am willing to take. However, if I fail, I’ll leave.”

    Although Nigeria currently leads their World Cup 2018 qualifiers group with four points ahead of their closest challengers Cameroon.

  • Uyo pitch gives NFF HEADACHE

    Uyo pitch gives NFF HEADACHE

    •Football boss to visit Akwa Ibom State governor
    •Rohr prefers Nest of Champions Stadium for Eagles
    •Adokie Amiesimaka Stadium Port Harcourt on standby

    With less than 66 days to the crucial 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Nigeria and South Africa on June 9, chieftains of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) are worried over the poor condition of the playing pitch of the Nest of Champions Stadium in Uyo, which they consider will hamper the performances of Super Eagles players against their Bafana Bafana foes, according to Sportinglife checks in France on Sunday night.

    Consequently, Sportinglife scooped that the federation’s President, Melvin Amaju Pinnick has assured his members that he would visit the Governor of Akwa Ibom, Udom Emmanuel on the need for repairs to be done on the pitch to make it acceptable for the match whenever CAF’s stadium inspectors come for inspection.

    Curiously, Eagles manager Gernot Rohr has told his employers that he would prefer to field his players against their South African counterparts inside the Nest of Champions Stadium than any other place in the country since the team hasn’t lost any match played there under his tutulege.

    Rohr’s nod for the Nest of Champions Stadium in Uyo has forced the federation’s members to shelve the idea of announcing the Adokie Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt as the venue for the Bafana Bafana game. Instead, the president’s visit to the state governor is expected to address the problem which they hope will be quickly done.

    Whispers from the Glasshouse suggested that the Adokie Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt has been kept as the alternative venue in the event that the nest of Champions Stadium’s pitch fails to pass the tests of CAF inspectors expected in the country soon.

  • NFF to regulate football academies

    NFF to regulate football academies

    •Lauds Irukka online on talent hunt

    The Nigeria Football Federation(NFF)is to  regulate football academies in the country.

    Speaking at the unveiling of former Super Eagles coach Samson Siasia as the brand ambassador of PSG-Irukka football talent hunt ,the Vice President of NFF, Seyi Akinwunmi said that the purpose of the regulation is to ensure that only football academies that meet the required standard operate in the country.

    According to him one of the objectives of the current NFF  is to ensure the development of youth football.

    He said for the objective to be achieved ,standard and compliance must be enforced  in football academies to enable them meet with the standard in  other climes.

    Akinwunmi commended Irukka online for its efforts at encouraging the development of football in the country.

    He said the talent hunt, which would hold in 14 cities across the country, would help to discover hidden talented footballers

    According to him, irukka online is doing the NFF in particular and Nigeria in general  a big favour by helping in the discovery and harnessing of young footballers .

    In his contribution ,the Managing Director, Irukka online , Chinedu Oguike said the purpose of the PSG-Irukka football talent hunt  is to produce the  Okochas`,Kanu Nwankwos and Mikel Obis of this world for Nigeria.

    He said Irukka online decided to make Samson Siasia ,the brand ambassador  of the talent hunt because  of his great achievement  in the development  of youth football in the country.

    According to him,with Siasia and the technical crew, the talent hunt would produce those that would bring honour to Nigeria in the game of football in the near future

    He urged talented young footballers to make use of the opportunity being provided by the talent hunt to realise their dreams of playing in big leagues in the world.

  • OUTSTANDING APPEARANCE FEES: NFF, Dalung to meet next week over Eagles’ cash

    OUTSTANDING APPEARANCE FEES: NFF, Dalung to meet next week over Eagles’ cash

    President Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Amaju Pinnick yesterday told SportingLife that Super Eagles players’ match appearance fees for their last friendly match will be paid after a meeting with the sport Minister next week in Abuja.

    Pinnick, who explained how the 500,000 dollars from FIFA in preparation for the two friendly matches played in London was spent, said: “Three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000) was spent on accommondation, feeding, stadium rental, transport, general logistics for the two friendly matches booked in London.”

    Clearing the air on when exactly will the foreign based players get their appreance fees for the match, he said: “I have a meeting with the Minister next week on the outstanding of the Super Eagles.”

    Pinnick denied he received any money from CAF.

    Each Super Eagles’ player is entitled to $2,000 as appearance fees.

    Money was received from Guinness and N70 million from government’s allocation for February.

  • Int’l friendly: Fans decry NFF’s inability to broadcast match live

    Nigerians on Friday took to twitter to vent their anger for the failure of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and television stations to broadcast live the Super Eagles friendly match against Senegal.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Fenerbahçe striker Moussa Sow opened scoring in the 53rd minute for the Teranga Lions of Senegal.

    But Manchester City’s youngster Kelechi Iheanacho, rescued a draw for Nigeria when he struck from the spot in the 81st minute.

    Some of the fans who were left fuming after the game also complained about their inability to access a live streaming link which had been shared by some officials of the NFF.

    Justice Prince said on his twitter handle that “such a match like Nigeria vs Senegal wasn’t on TV. Africa’s heavyweight. Isokay. Una #wehdone’’

    Wilson Jnr said: “It’s pathetic, even Supersports didn’t show our match…#NIG VS SEN’’.

    Favour Onyeoziri said: “So, you mean not even one TV station aired the Nigeria vs Senegal match?

    “One website even told me to pay N500 to stream the Nigeria vs Senegal match live. After paying, which network will I use to stream? AT&T?”

    Oma Akatugba said: “I absolutely enjoyed Nigeria vs Senegal but I didn’t watch it.’’

    For Yerekimea Tonbra, “Mr Pinnick just failed his KPI with the Nigeria Vs Senegal match, Nigerians couldn’t watch their national team in action and there was no commentary sef’’.

    Attamah Ifeanyi wrote: “I think it is pathetic considering how huge a football-loving nation Nigeria is. Not even a single TV station covered the Nigeria VS Senegal match!’’.

    Also, John Raul said: “No one in the most populated country in Africa watched the game! Shame #NGASEN.

    Meanwhile, one of the sites platforms which had internet broadcast rights have apologised for its failure to satisfy its clients.

    The apology letter on its site read: “Dear esteemed customers, we regret our inability to broadcast the Nigeria vs Senegal football match which was slated for 9 p.m. Nigerian time on March 23, 2017.

    “This was as a result of technical hitches experienced in getting the signals to us from our London technical partners.

    “Please be assured that full refunds of fees paid on our platform wwwurlivestream.com to watch the match will be paid within the next seven working days.

    “Once again, we are really sorry,’’ it said.

     

  • NFF seeks accountability of funds

    NFF seeks accountability of funds

    The Executive Committee of Nigeria Football Federation  at  the  meeting  held at the NFF Secretariat, Abuja on Tuesday, have resolved  to  mandated the Secretariat as well as the Internal Audit and Finance committees to continue to liaise with the Nigeria Football Federation’s Auditors, PriceWaterHouse Coopers (PWC) with a view to entrenching total discipline and accountability in the Federation’s financial transactions.
    Other decisions taken are as follows: The Committee commended the NFF Integrity Unit for some of itsobservations and the guidelines it rolled out recently.  In addition, it was unanimously decided that effective from the end of the current football season (2), no two (2) Clubs under the umbrella of one Holding Company/State Government/ Individual Owner shall be eligible to participate in the same League.

    The Executive Committee observed a one-minute silence in honour of the Chairman of Kaduna State Football Association, Hon. Abdulkadir Magaji, who passed away on 17th January 2017 and the wife of the HonourableMinister of Youth and Sports, Barr. Solomon Dalung (Mrs. Briskila Dalung) who died on 29th January 2017.

    The Committee expressed deep appreciation to the Federal Government and to the Federation’s corporate partners for tremendous support towards the execution of several programmes and activities during the Year 2016, and respectfully requested for even greater support for the Federation’s programmes in Year 2017.
     The Committee formally welcomed the Chairmen of the newly –composed Boards of the Nigeria National League (Mr. Chidi Ofo Okenwa), NigeriaWomen Football League (Ms. Aisha Falode) and Nation-WideLeague One (Alh. Mohammed Alkali) who, by their position, are statutorily Members of theCommittee. Alh. Musa Duhu, who won bye-election to replace the deceased Alh. Hussaini Modibbo, also took his seat on the Executive Committee for the first time and was also duly welcomed.
     In the same vein, the  Executive Committee praised the Local Organizing Committee of the CAF BeachSoccer Africa Cup of Nations headed by its 1st Vice President, Barr. Seyi Akinwunmi for the successful organization of the Championship. It also commended the Beach Soccer National Team, Supersand Eagles, for finishing second in the competition, thereby qualifying to represent Africa at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Bahamas 2017.
     The Committee congratulated its 2nd Vice President/LMC Chairman, Mr. Shehu Dikko on being named The SUN Newspapers’ Sports Personalityof Year 2016, and hailed his several ground breaking feats inthe administration of the League Management Company. It also applauded the smooth take –off of the present Nigeria Professional Football League Season, now in Week 7.
    The Executive Committee challenged all four (4) clubs representing Nigeria in this year’s CAF Champions League (Rangers International FC and RiversUnited FC) and CAF Confederation Cup (Wikki Tourist FC and FC IfeanyiUbah) to intensify their preparations and strive to do the nation proud in the competitions.
    The Executive Committee also approved the immediate implementation of the new sharing formula of monies from registration of participating clubs in the Men and Women Federation Cup competitions, with 60% due to the NFF and 40%
    going to the Football Association in the various States.
    The Executive Committee unanimously agreed to support its President, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick in his quest for a seat on the CAF Executive Committee, at the forthcoming 39th Ordinary Congress of CAF in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia while also respectfully appealing to the Government of Nigeria to see Pinnick’s quest as a Nigerian Project and give himsupport.
  • 2018 World Cup: Pinnick declares war on witches, wizard

    2018 World Cup: Pinnick declares war on witches, wizard

    The President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amanju Pinnick has suggested an holistic approach to improving the fortunes of the Super Eagles in major competitions.
    Pinnick said: “We are going to approach 2017 with realistic, tactical, practical, objective and prayerful tendencies
    In an interview with Sportpage Nigeria, Pinnick was of the opinion that the Glass House amongst other things would be more prayerful to battle the ‘spiritual forces’ against the NFF.
    “No doubt, there are loads of Spiritual forces against the NFF and its programmes so prayers conquer and answereth all,” he  stated.
    Pinnick also said the NFF would ensure that  Programmes and tournaments are going to be worked on the feasibility study of the  NFF’s economic or financial standing.
    The President also intends to apply tactics in solving perceived problems and proffering solutions
    On being practical, he said: “We would do what is practicable in every given situation as a panacea for positive results. We would also  isolate sentiments completely in assessing situations and plans in building opinions and taking major decisions.”