The 2017 NFF Match Commissioners’ seminar began in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja on Tuesday, with NFF President Amaju Pinnick declaring that the federation would start suspending match commissioners who are found guilty of dereliction of duty and/or whose reports are inconsistent with independent match reports.
To this end, the federation will start making use of independent assessors, as part of measures to further improve the domestic League.
Chairman of Chairmen of State FAs and NFF Executive Committee member, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, delivered Pinnick’s message at the opening ceremony inside the Conference Room of Sharon Ultimate Hotels, Abuja.
In his own address, Chairman of the NFF Match Commissioners Committee, Alhaji Babagana Kalli, noted that in as much as there has been improvement in the area of match commissioning over the years, “it is of high importance that we not only maintain the standards of the previous years, but also improve on them.
“Match commissioners have shown great resolve in ensuring better matches, which is one of the reasons why we now have a credible and respected Nigeria Professional Football League. They have worked hard to complement the efforts of the League Management Company (LMC) in taking the elite division to a new pedestal.
“However, the standards that we have seen in the top division must now be replicated in the other Leagues (Nigeria National League, Nigeria Women Football League and Nigeria Nation-Wide League) as a matter of urgency.
“I want to seriously recommend the dynamism, energy, focus, discipline, organisation and transparency of the LMC to the boards of the NNL, NWFL and the NNWL which were inaugurated recently.”
NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, who was represented by the Deputy General Secretary, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme, concurred that there has indeed been improvement in the work of the match commissioners over the years, but opined that there was room for improvement.
Premier League match commissioners took their turn on the first day of the seminar (Tuesday), with the NNL match commissioners to take the stage on Wednesday and the NWFL and NNWL commissioners to be on show on Thursday.
Among the resource persons at the seminar are Professor Musa Garba Yakassai, respected Referee Instructor Mohammed Ameenu, Mrs Edith Nwakire and Dr. Christian Emeruwa (National Integrity Officer and special assistant to NFF General Secretary).
Tag: nff
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NFF challenges match commissioners on diligence
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FIFA stops $1.5m grant to Nigeria
Football’s world governing body, FIFA has stopped the annual $ 1.5 million development grant to Nigeria after discovering “traces of corruption” on how previous funds were spent by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
AfricanFootball.com reports that FIFA went further to issue the NFF a final warning “to straighten its financial records.”
The Nigerian government is now expected to quickly step into this latest development after Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung, first expressed serious misgivings on the back of a FIFA query on how NFF used grants paid the federation.
NFF this week received the FIFA letter signed from the office in charge of the national associations.
FIFA member-associations including Nigeria began to receive increased annual grants under new president Gianni Infantino.
Previously the associations were paid $250,000 per annum.
But this has since been increased to between $1.2 million and $1.5 million to each FA.
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CASH-TO-PLAY CLAIMS: NFF dares Amokachi to name coaches
Former Nigeria captain, Daniel Amokachi has said the practice of local coaches being bribed to invite players onto the country’s national teams is endemic.
Despite no one being found guilty of the accusation, there have long been suspicions it happens in Nigeria.
“Agents always come to give money for their players to be invited to camp,” said Amokachi. “Does it have to be so?”
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has asked Amokachi to produce evidence to support his claims.
The 43-year-old, who won the Africa Cup of Nations as a player in 1994, said it is time people spoke up about an issue that he said has long bedevilled the Nigerian game.
“We know this thing has been going on for a while but we have to voice it,” the current manager of Finnish second tier side JS Hercules told BBC Sport.
Previously, Amokachi worked as an assistant to former Super Eagles coaches Stephen Keshi (2011-15), Shaibu Amodu (2008-10) and Austin Eguavoen (2005-2007).
He said that all three used to complain about the practice.
“Every time Amodu would tell me: ‘Can you listen to these useless agents that are calling me? They want to give me $10,000, $20,000 and $30,000 to bring their players in.’”
“But he’s a man of integrity and wouldn’t take it. I worked with Keshi and it was the same scenario. With Eguavoen, it was the same. If these three names mentioned had not had integrity, definitely they would have fallen victim.”
Mohammed Sanusi, the NFF General Secretary, rejected Amokachi’s allegations while also calling on him to furnish the organisation with more information.
“I think it is unfair to make such allegations and not mention the names of those involved,” Sanusi told BBC Sport.
“It would be fair if he mentions the names of those who have either approached him or approached some people to give them money. He should also mention people who he knew collected money. I think that will be the best way to go about it.
“I have not heard of this issue from any quarter and I can tell you that the NFF will not tolerate this kind of behaviour. If Amokachi has evidence of what he has said he should bring it forward and we will take it up.”
The former international, who enjoyed a fruitful career in Europe with Anderlecht (Belgium), Everton (England) and Besiktas (Turkey), said he has been inspired to speak out after being accused of the practice .
It came after Nigeria, African champions in 2013, failed to qualify for next month’s Nations Cup in Gabon.
“Someone accused me lately, (saying) ‘the reason Nigeria did not qualify is because all you coaches demand bribes. You understand? I felt the pain.”
“So if he is painting me as a bad egg among a few, then somebody like me cannot be quiet about it. Coaches will confirm people bring money but they will not say it.
“Players will confess, even assistant coaches will confirm this thing is going on, but the system does not allow you because a lot of us are hungry and afraid that ‘when I say this, I will never be near that office again.’”
In October, Amokachi asked the national anti-graft agency to investigate high-level corruption blighting football in Nigeria – but is yet to hear back.
As a player, the former striker contested the 1994 and 1998 World Cups and won Olympic gold with his home nation in 1996.
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NFF to refund FIFA cash they can’t account for-audit report
World football governing body, FIFA, have warned the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to refund any cash paid to them for football development they could not account for.
This followed a rash of queries raised by FIFA over the $801,229 development grant they paid the NFF. The review was done between August 16 to 18, 2016.
The audit by PricewaterhouseCoppers (PwC) said the money was spent without supporting documentation, like receipts, invoices and contracts.
FIFA have, therefore, warned that if the NFF could not provide adequate supporting documentation for the disbursements, it should make refund on sums unaccounted for.
They also expressed displeasure with the unrestrained practice of cash payments, which they maintained should have been greatly minimised.
Further investigations revealed that as many as 19 issues were raised by the auditors.
The Nigerian sports ministry has already demanded for an independent and full-scale audit of the books of the NFF caused by the litany of queries of how the FIFA grants were disbursed.
Sports Minister Solomon Dalung has said he is yet to receive a detailed explanation from the NFF as promised in a communiqué after the federation’s Annual General Assembly in Lagos last week.
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FG pays protesting Falcons, Super Eagles bonuses
The Federal Government has released more than a million dollars to cover outstanding entitlements for the country’s football teams including the women’s team whose members protested at the National Assembly on Wednesday.
According to an official statement, the office of the Accountant General of the Federation has released $1,173,820.00 to pay outstanding win bonus for the Super Eagles in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers and for the Super Falcons participation at the 10th Women’s Africa Nations Cup in Cameroon.
The female players carried placards with various inscriptions demanding they be paid their entitlements and have vowed not to release the trophy they won in Cameroon until they are paid.
The ladies are holed up at their Abuja hotel since they returned to Nigeria from Cameroon in protest over the non-payment of their entitlements despite reassurances from top officials including the country’s Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung.
Super Eagles, africanFootball.com reports will also be paid a win bonus of $5,000-a-player for the victories against Zambia and Algeria in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Nigeria leads the qualifying group for Russia 2018 on six points from two matches.
Cameroon lies second with two points, while both Zambia and Algeria have a point each.
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Falcons: Presidency summons Pinnick, others
The Presidency has summoned the president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick and other top officials of the federation following Wednesday’s protest at the National Assembly by the country’s women’s team.
Pinnick has also divided his executive committee members after he unilaterally decided to contest for a seat on the executive committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) next year, africanFootball.com reports.
The ladies had been pressing for their entitlements since winning the African Women Championship (AWC) in Cameroon.
The Chief of Staff at the Presidency, Abba Kyari addressed the players when they stormed the National Assembly to protest the non-payment of their entitlements by the NFF.
He promised the players will be paid this week.
The ladies led by skipper Rita Chikwelu displayed various placards to protest their shabby treatment by the NFF.
The players have also rejected the assurances of Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung, who admitted no provision was made to pay them because officials did not expect the team to win the AWC in Cameroon.
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AWCON 2016: Falcons to play Cameroon in final : Beat South Africa 1-0
Nigeria’s Super Falcons remain on course for a 10th women’s AFCON final after they beat South Africa 1-0 to now face hosts Cameroon in the championship game on Saturday.
Desire Oparanozie was the match winner for the defending champions when her hugely deflected free kick in the 54th minute proved to be the difference between the two teams.
South Africa had a goal chalked off in the first half for offside, otherwise Nigeria dominated with the magical Ngozi Okobi and skipper Rita Chikwelu pulling the strings in midfield.
Late in the game, Ugo Njoku almost caused an own goal but goalkeeper Alaba Jonathan was alert to keep out the danger, before Faith Ikidi made two goal line clearances in quick succession as Banyana Banyana poured forward in a bid to draw level.
Saturday’s final will be a repeat of the 2014 championship game in Namibia which Nigeria won 2-0 at the expense of the Cameroonians.
Ghana and South Africa will play the third-place game on Friday.
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AWCON: Super Falcons held by Black Queens
Defending champions Super Falcons played out a 1-1 draw with Black Queens of Ghana Wednesday at the on going African Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) Group B Match in Cameroon.
The Super Falcons still leads the standings on four points thanks to their big win over Mali.
However, the Black Queens were the more impressive side on Wednesday even though they fell behind in the 19th minute, when Portia Boakye turned the ball into her own net.
They drew level just before half time through a penalty taken by Elizabeth Addo after she was fouled inside the box.
There were no goals after the restart with both sides spurning several chances to go in front.
On Sunday, Nigeria will face Kenya and Ghana battle fellow West Africans Mali to determine the overall winners of the group. -
10th Women’s African Cup of Nations kicks off today .As Super Falcons meet Mali on Sunday
The opening ceremony of the 10th Women’s African Cup of Nations will take place today as host Cameroon and Egypt lock horns in the first game at the Yaounde Stadium.
However, the tournament’s defending champions, Nigeria’s Super Falcons will battle their
Malian counterpart on Sunday at the Limbe Stadium. The Falcons who have won the
championship for a record seven times are placed in Group B with Ghana, Mali and Kenya. A
total of eight teams will play in the tournament.
Meanwhile, the initial dates of the championship were October 8 to 22 2016, but were
changed due to weather considerations. In the same vein, on 6 August 2015, the CAF
Executive Committee decided to change the name of the tournament from the African Women’s
Championship to the Africa Women Cup of Nations, similar to the men’s version.
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U-20 World Cup: Falconets defeat Canada 3-1
Super Falconet’s midfielder, Rasheedat Ajibade who was named the Live Your Goals Player of the Match against Canada, has dedicated her award to her teammates and Coach, Peter Dedevbo.
In an interview, she stated; “I am excited and grateful to God for this award. Ajibade began. I am dedicating this award to my teammates for their support and especially to Coach Peter Dedevbo for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to be part of the team.”
However, Ajibade revealed that there is a huge difference between playing at the U-20 World Cup and playing at the U-17 cadre.
“The difference is very clear, the pressure in the U-17 is not as strong as what I am experiencing here. It is more like the higher you go, the hotter it becomes.”
Meanwhile, Nigeria will lock horns with Spain in Group B, while Canada tackles Japan on November 20.