Tag: nff

The Nigeria Football Federation has commiserated with the family and friends, as well as his protégés and the Nigeria football fraternity in general, over the death on Wednesday evening of former Nigeria international player and one-time Coach of the Super Eagles, Monday Sinclair.

Widely-known as ‘Professor’ for his in-depth knowledge and understanding of the beautiful game, Sinclair played for the senior national team of Nigeria a few years after independence, and several years later, became an oak in the teaching of the game at the grassroots level.

 “We mourn deeply with the immediate family, friends and relatives of ‘Professor’ Monday Sinclair over his demise. It is yet another sad day in Nigeria football. Our prayer is that God will stop the tap of grief and sorrow in our football and in the larger society.

 “We pray that the Almighty will grant the late Sinclair eternal rest and also grant those loved ones he has left behind, including the coaching fraternity, the fortitude to bear the big loss,” NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, said .

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Reputed for his flair for discovering new blood who possess the ability, vision and determination to excel, and for imbuing his teams with the free-flowing pattern, Sinclair was an exemplary miner, nurturer and transformer of talents, and contributed immensely to the growth of the football career of a number of former players of the Super Eagles, particularly the late goalkeeper Peter Rufai, defender Taribo West and striker Finidi George.

In 1997, following the departure of Frenchman Philippe Troussier (The White Witchdoctor) after Nigeria’s qualification for the 1998 FIFA World Cup finals, then Nigeria Football Association appointed Monday Sinclair as interim Head Coach of the Super Eagles.

At domestic level, Sinclair coached a number of clubs, most notably Sharks of Port Harcourt with distinction, and his legacy of hard work, unique teaching pedagogy, class and charisma will endure for decades to come. 

NFF has officially launched the Coaches Educators Course, positioning itself as the sixth country in Africa to implement this initiative.

The inauguration ceremony took place on Thursday, July 17^th , in Abuja and was led by Dr. Mohammed Sanusi (MON), the NFF General Secretary.

During the event, Dr. Sanusi expressed his enthusiasm regarding the comprehensive planning that has brought this programme: “We are pleased to host this course at this time, marking the second iteration of the program. I had the privilege of being part of the inaugural batch, and we acknowledge the vital importance of developing elite coaches who can engage in educational initiatives.”

He distinguished between coaching education and conventional coaching courses, elaborated on the nuances and scientific methodologies embedded within coaching education. “Coaching education transcends the framework of a standard coaching course. While a coaching course predominantly focuses on techniques and tactics, coaching education encompasses the application of diverse methodologies and the effective transfer of technical and tactical knowledge to equip participants with essential skills. Participants in this programme will undergo evaluations upon completion. Those that demonstrate exceptional qualities will qualify for advanced coaching courses, while others will have the opportunity to progress to ‘C’ and ‘D’ level courses.”

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He stressed the significance of active participation, emphasising that attendees must be assessed on their teaching abilities rather than merely receiving information passively. In his concluding remarks, he underscored the importance of attentiveness during the lessons, advocating for continual improvement in knowledge and attitude, which will, in turn, influence the attitudes and behaviours of others.

“I am confident that the instructor from CAF will effectively address the essential topics in this course. We anticipate measurable changes by the course’s conclusion, which will reflect the learning outcomes achieved. A notable shift in attitudes and behaviours will serve as validation that participants have successfully completed the coaching course and can effectively disseminate their newly-acquired knowledge within their respective roles.”

Among attendees at the official opening were CAF Expert, Michael Amenga; National Technical Director Augustine Eguavoen; NFF Director of Finance and Administration Paulinus Anameje; NFF’s Director of Legal Services, Barr. Okey Obi; Deputy Director (Technical), Mrs Faith Ben-Anuge; Head of Education Dr. Terry Eguaoje and all fifteen participating coaches.

The Nigeria Football Federation has felicitated with the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service,  Bashir Adewale Adeniyi , on his election as Chairperson of the World Customs Organization (WCO).

At the elections in Brussels, Belgium, Adeniyi swept to victory to become the first Nigerian to lead the 73-year-old organization, which has 186 member-nations.

President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, who is also President of WAFU, said: “The NFF heartily congratulates CG Adeniyi on his well-deserved victory. We are not in any way surprised because he has always possessed those innate leadership qualities that discerning persons will always notice and easily gain the confidence to entrust him with even higher responsibilities. In the short period that he has headed the Nigeria Customs Service, the CG has continued to demonstrate competence and sagacity, as well as resilience and a creative spirit.

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“The NFF and the Nigeria football family have no doubt that he has the qualities, people skills, knowledge, the broad worldview and the wisdom to lead the global body to new heights of excellence.”

CG Bashir Adewale Adeniyi has been an ardent supporter and a principal galvanizer of the various National Teams, showing up at different venues whenever Nigeria National Teams are involved in matches and competitions, and demonstrating his love for the players and technical and administrative officials.

 “We believe that his new role will afford CG Adeniyi even a greater pedestal to continue to support the National Teams and Nigeria football generally,” Gusau added.

The Nigeria Football Federation has set in motion a media campaign, nicknamed Mission X, to mobilize and galvanize Nigerian ball fans at home and in the diaspora to support the Super Falcons’ quest for a 10th Africa Cup of Nations title in Morocco next month.

With nine titles to their name, from 12 championships that have been contested since the Confederation of African Football launched the event as a tournament in 1998, Africa’s most-decorated women National Team heads to Morocco with one mission: to clinch an epic 10^th  title.

“We are committed to fully supporting the Super Falcons’ campaign for a 10^th  continental title, and that is why we are launching the Mission X campaign to sensitize football-loving Nigerians at home and in the diaspora, young and old, in high and low places, and male and female, to also come out and support the team.

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 “The Super Falcons remain the most decorated National Team in African football. We are proud of what they have achieved and what they intend to achieve in Morocco,” NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, said from the United States of America.

Sanusi added: “We want the Super Falcons to feel the energy of our football-passionate fans everywhere they go, from Abuja to Casablanca, where they will play their group stage matches, and at any other venue they have to play their knockout games in Morocco.”

The Super Falcons also won the lone ticket granted Africa for the FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in 1991 (China) and 1995 (Sweden), but there was no tournament-format Africa Cup of Nations competition in those years.

This is Mission X. One Team. One Goal. One More Star. Kindly follow the link: https://youtu.be/shN97wVofDQ

Ogun State, the Gateway State, has signed up to be a strategic partner of the Nigeria Football Federation in delivering events, programmes and activities of the football-governing body, in a way that will strengthen the football economy as the country strives to create a vibrant sports economy to support the New Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

This pact was sealed in Abeokuta on Sunday after the President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau and a delegation paid a courtesy visit to the Governor of Ogun State  Prince Dapo Abiodun.

The Gateway State, renown and applauded for the excellent serenity it offers, alongside remarkable sporting and social infrastructure, has over the years and decades played host to matches of the various National Teams, as well as matches of major tournaments that Nigeria has hosted, including the FIFA U17 World Cup finals in 2009. The State has also hosted matches of Confederation of African Football club competitions.

Recently, the magnificent facility in Ikenne-Remo (Remo Stars Stadium), built by billionaire football investor and philanthropist, Hon. Kunle Soname, has played host to matches of the senior women national team, Super Falcons, and the U17 girls, Flamingos.

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Few days to the commencement of the 2025 National Sports Festival which the State is hosting, Gusau led a delegation of the NFF to inform His Excellency that, as a result of Ogun State’s ever-growing sporting and cultural relevance in the Nigerian, African and global context, the NFF has decided that the State host the forthcoming friendly matches of the Super Falcons against their Cameroonian counterparts, Indomitable Lionesses.

The first match will take place at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne-Remo on Saturday, 31st May while the second match will take place at the newly-renovated MKO Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta on Tuesday, 3rd June.

Ogun State has also been handed the hosting right for the WAFU B U17 Boys Championship that Nigeria will stage in September this year.

Gusau’s delegation included the NFF 2nd Vice President/Chairman NPFL, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye and; Members of the NFF Executive Committee, Alhaji Ganiyu Majekodunmi, His Excellency Silas Agara and Ms Aisha Falode.

The Nigeria Football Federation has defended the recent quarter-finals draw for the 2025 President Federation Cup, saying it was conducted in line with the best global practices.

A member of the NFF Executive Committee Board, George Aluo, stated that criticism over venues for the quarterfinals was unfortunate.

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Going by the fixtures released yesterday by the football body, Abakaliki FC will take on Nasarawa United in Benin, Wikki Tourists will clash with Ikorodu City in Bwari, Abuja, Akwa United and Kwara United will fight it out in Enugu, just as Area 3, Abuja, will host the encounter between Rangers International and Plateau United. All matches are scheduled for May 3rd for the emergence of semifinalists in a leg affair.

However, there have been criticisms over the Ikorodu United vs Wikki Tourist tie billed for Abuja, with a section of the press saying the venue is skewed in favour of the Bauchi team. 

Aluo, also the Chairman of the Nigeria National League (NNL), said: “Some of our media men need better education, and newsmen should not be like the fans out there on the streets. In the English FA Cup, it is always a one-legged pairing that can see a club like Arsenal host Manchester United at home.

The Nigeria Football Federation has secured the approval of the Confederation of African Football to organize a CAF Educators’ Course between 16th and 25th June 2025.

 “This programme is part of our quest to increase the number of CAF-Licensed Coach Educators across the length and breadth of Nigeria. There will be only 20 participants. Applicants must have CAF B-License, be proficient in the English language, have a teaching background, be passionate in helping other coaches and must have competence in computer software such as PowerPoint, Excel and Word.

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 “They must also be 50 years old or younger. They have to submit copies of previous coaching certificates, a recent photograph and data page of their international passport to an email (nffheadofeducation@gmail.com), on or before Friday, 25th April 2025,” NFF Technical Director, Coach Augustine Eguavoen explained to thenff.com.

Eguavoen also disclosed that a CAF CMS Registration link will be sent to all successful applicants to complete their registration.

The Nigeria Football Federation says it is ‘deeply saddened’ by the death on Saturday of another member of the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations-winning Green Eagles squad, Charles Bassey. He was 71.

Bassey died after protracted illness in his native town of Eket, Akwa Ibom State, hours after it was confirmed that the captain of that team, ‘Chairman’ Christian Chukwuemeka Chukwu, had passed on in Enugu.

“This has been a day of double tragedy, and the NFF and the entire Nigeria football fraternity are deeply saddened by the turn of events. We lost ‘Chairman’ Chukwu earlier in the day; now, we have to mourn Charles Bassey. May God Almighty grant their souls eternal rest,” NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, said.

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Forward Charles Bassey was in the 22-man squad that became Nigeria’s first Africa Cup of Nations champions, after a 3-0 defeat of Algeria’s Fennecs at the National Stadium, Surulere on Saturday, 22nd March 1980.

Afterwards, he coached various clubs within the country, including Calabar Rovers, home-town club Mobil Pegasus, BCC Lions of Gboko, Flash Flamingoes of Benin, Akwa United and Wikki Tourists of Bauchi.

His death brings to nine the number of persons in that squad that have departed, following the passing on of goalkeepers Best Ogedegbe and Moses Effiong, defenders Christian Chukwu, Okechukwu Isima and Tunde Bamidele, midfielders Aloysius Atuegbu and Mudashiru Lawal and forward Martins Eyo.

By Tunde Liadi

Nigeria Football Federation has announced the death of an NPFL Match Commissioner, Mohammed Sani Abdul, following  an auto accident on his way back to Maiduguri, the Borno State capital yesterday.

The NPFL Match Commissioner was going to back to his base in Maiduguri where he worked as an auditor at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital after he had commissioned the Plateau United versus Kwara United league tie in Jos. The tie ended goalless.

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“On a sad note, we mourn Mohammed Sani Abdul, an NPFL match commissioner and an auditor at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, who died in an auto accident while returning to Maiduguri after commissioning the Plateau United/Kwara United NPFL game in Jos. May his soul RIP,” the NFF wrote on its verified X account.