The Nation Newspaper

Tag: nff

  • NFF contacts Redknapp on Super Eagles’ job

    NFF contacts Redknapp on Super Eagles’ job

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has approached former Tottenham manager, Harry Redknapp, to take over the Super Eagles job on full time.

    A source close to the team told British newspaper, Daily Star that Redknapp could be appointed Eagles’ manager within few days.

    The NFF last week named Salisu Yusuf as interim manager to take charge of two upcoming friendlies against Mali in Paris on May 27 and Luxembourg on June 1.

    Redknapp is largely untested at international level after narrowly missing out on the England job to Roy Hodgson in 2012.

    Last month, he concluded a two-game deal managing Jordan – reportedly a favour for the country’s FA president, Prince Ali bin al-Hussein.

     

  • NFF insults Yobo over testimonial – Emenike

    NFF insults Yobo over testimonial – Emenike

    Ex-Super Eagles striker, Emmanuel Emenike, has described as “an insult” the decision of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to fix another match on the same day Joseph Yobo’s testimonial match will be played even after the federation had approved the match to retire the former national team skipper.

    Nigeria will play a friendly against Mali in France on May 27, the same day the Yobo testimonial will be staged in Port Harcourt.

    Emenike told africanFootball.com the decision of the NFF was disrespectful to the ex- Everton defender who had served the country with total dedication and had a century of caps to prove.

    “If we are still on the same page of rebranding football, we should have the common sense of celebrating our heroes so that the younger ones in the team will live by example,” he told africanFootball.com

    “Yobo deserves the honour and everybody has to turn up to celebrate him. But it’s unfortunate that it’s the NFF who are now looking like the obstacle to this testimonial. The Super Eagles players are the ones who want to play the Yobo match, tell me how will that be possible if they are in for another national assignment on that same day.

    “We should change our mentality of ‘use and dump’ approach in order to reach greater heights of football in the world.”

  • NFF crisis

    NFF crisis

    •The football house must clean up its act

    Once again, the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) finds itself enmeshed in a crisis which tears at the very fabric of the country’s most popular sport. The latest calamity was apparently triggered by a Jos High Court’s relisting of a 2014 judgment purportedly sacking the current NFF board led by Mr. Amaju Pinnick in favour of Mr. Chris Giwa who opposed the elections which brought Pinnick to office.

    This mess has all the ingredients of similar calamities which have troubled the federation in the past, including those of 2006, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2015. There is the contentious nature of NFF statutes on the eligibility of candidates and the proper procedures for the calling of congresses and elections. Added to this is continual interference from individuals outside the NFF, especially political heads of the sports ministry, and the persistent tendency for aggrieved persons to take NFF-related issues to court in spite of well-known strictures to the contrary enunciated by Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), football’s global regulatory body.

    The consequences have been terrible for the Nigerian game. Administrative instability has hampered preparations for international competitions, aggravated the non-payment of salaries and allowances to coaches, backroom staff and players, and ultimately resulted in a sharp decline in the performance of the country’s national teams. The men’s senior squad, the Super Eagles, is currently ranked 67th in the world, behind countries like Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Cape Verde and Northern Ireland. It recently failed to qualify for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the second successive time.

    In response to the latest crisis, the NFF held an Extraordinary General Assembly at which Pinnick’s position as President was reaffirmed; Giwa and others were referred to the Federation’s Disciplinary Board for sundry infractions. FIFA has also come out with its customary warning of a total football ban if the Jos court’s decision is allowed to stand. Giwa has reacted with characteristic defiance and is threatening to file contempt of court charges against the NFF.

    It is surprising that the NFF is yet to put its house in order after so many repeated crises over the years. There has been little attempt to ensure that elections to the federation’s board are not subject to external meddling, primordial considerations and money. Successive ministers of sport keep getting entangled in NFF politics despite solemn promises not to become “Ministers of Football.” FIFA’s repeated interventions, well-meaning though they might be, often give embattled NFF boards the licence to act in defiance of the Federal Government. Competing factions heighten tensions by resorting to inflammatory speeches and thuggish behaviour.

    If order and stability are to be restored to the house of football, the rule of law must become the only measure for the conduct of the NFF’s affairs. It is said that the contentious Decree 101 still distorts the relationship between the NFF and the sports ministry; it should be dealt with once and for all. Government’s overwhelming influence in the selection of NFF presidents must also be eliminated so that the federation can become a truly autonomous body. That would also mean a significant reduction in government allocations to the federation: the NFF cannot be dependent on public funding only to claim total independence of government when it suits it.

    NFF board members who breach the rules should be properly sanctioned with temporary or permanent bans in order to eliminate their nuisance value. The current situation in which individuals continually disrupt the activities of the federation whenever they wish simply cannot continue.

    Football is Nigeria’s pre-eminent national sport. Those who seek to administer it on behalf of the citizenry can no longer continue to engage in shows of shame which dishonour the game and demean those who so passionately support it.

  • NFF confirms Mali, Luxembourg friendlies for Eagles

    NFF confirms Mali, Luxembourg friendlies for Eagles

    Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Wednesday confirmed two international friendlies against Mali and Luxembourg as part of preparations for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers slated to commence in October.

    According to the Super Eagles official twitter handle, Nigeria will face Mali on May 27 in Paris, before confronting Luxembourg in Luxembourg on June 1.

    Nigeria was expected to play Chad during the time in continuation of the African Nations Cup (AFCON) qualifiers before the East African nation pulled out due to financial constraints, africanFootball.com reports.

    Nigeria was eliminated from the AFCON race in March.

  • NFF technical committee to meet on Eagles’ coach

    NFF technical committee to meet on Eagles’ coach

    The technical committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will meet Wednesday in Abuja to put together a tight case on why the country must hire a foreign coach to lead the Super Eagles during the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.

    The country’s Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung, has demanded for a technical report from the NFF on the matter.

    The deadline for the submission of the report is next week, africanFootball.com reports.

    The minister has said he will approve the engagement of a foreign coach should the NFF convince him, but warned at the same time that government will not pay for the coach.

  • …NFF appeals ruling, insists status quo remains

    …NFF appeals ruling, insists status quo remains

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have appealed a motion to vacate the order and a motion for a stay-of-execution against the judgment of the Jos High Court, which on Friday re-listed a case brought by Chris Giwa against the NFF administration of Amaju Pinnick.

    In re-listing the case for hearing on 30th May, the court also restored the order that the election and congress of 30th September 2014 be nullified.

    According to an NFF statement, since an appeal, a motion to vacate the order and a stay-of-execution has been filed, on the same day as the judgment, the status quo remains.

    “This is a sad one primarily because we have enjoyed a period of peace and have been able to work without the court-today-court-tomorrow situation of the last half of 2014,” said NFF vice-president Seyi Akinwunmi.

    “We have filed for stay-of-execution and that means the status quo remains and anything done is done at the actors’ peril. I can assure football –loving Nigerians that there is no reason to panic as we are in full charge and there is no trouble whatsoever. There is no order for the Giwa group to take over the Glass House. In fact many of his so-called board members have called to dissociate themselves from the matter.”

    It would be recalled that the Giwa-led group had gone to court and withdrawn the case in October 2014, but then later went to the Court of Arbitration for Sports, which threw out their case.

  • NFF CELEBRATES 15TH ANNIVERSARY DINNER IN STYLE

    IT was an evening of fun on Wednesday 6th April, 2016 at Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, Oniru estate, Victoria Island, Lagos as New Nigeria Foundation (NNF) marked its 15th anniversary in grand style.

    The event comprised of dinner and talk on national issues with the theme; ‘Building a New Nigeria that works’.

    Dr. Pascal Dozie (CON), Chairman Board of New Nigeria Foundation in his speech, noted that Nigerians have to be optimistic and leave all worries behind.

    “The journey so far has not been encouraging. Some may doubt those who have been beneficiaries of what has happened. Though some efforts have been made and some progress achieved, but there are still more problems to be solved including issues with energy, education, infrastructure, poverty, youth employment. We have become used to fuel scarcity, interrupted power and other economic issues, but we have to be optimistic as a patriotic Nigerians, he said.

    The event was spiced up with activities by an energetic dancing group, who entertained the audience with a mind blowing performance. The excitement was further heightened when a Masquerade turned up for the corporate dinner. He caused a shock and stir with his stunts dance style as guess watched in amazement.

    Award was by presented to the speaker of the night, Prof. Akin Oyebode by Prof. (Mrs) Grace Alele Williams.

    In attendance were notable personalities ranging from academic professors, business icons and art enthusiasts like Mr. Yanju Adegbite (MC of the event), Professor Obafemi Ajibola, Professor Akin Oyebode among others.

    New Nigeria Foundation (NNF) started in November 2000. A Non-Governmental Organization aims to promote sustainable community development initiatives through public-private partnerships. NFF mobilizes resources from international development and UN agencies, Nigeria private and public institution, federal and state governments and other sources that may be available to undertake development activities.

  • Court sacks Pinnick as NFF chairman

    Court sacks Pinnick as NFF chairman

    A Federal high court sitting in Jos Friday granted the prayers of Yahaya Adama and Senator Obinna Ogba, to relist the case which among other things had sought to nullify the Warri General Assembly and the subsequent elective congress that turned in Amaju Pinnick as President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

    Justice Musa Haruna Kurya in delivering his ruling on the matter went ahead to also sustain all the previous orders of the court, effectively making Ambassador Chris Giwa the Head of the federation until the final determination of the suit.

    By the orders of the court Friday, the Minister of Sports is compelled to recognize the Mr. Giwa Led Board of the NFF as the recognized board by law.

    The order also bars anybody from interfering with the duties and functions of the NFF board under the leadership of Chris Giwa.

    The court, by ruling, has effectively set aside all the proceedings and decisions of the Warri Extra Ordinary meeting of the 20th September, 2014 and the Elective Congress of 30th September, 2014 which elected Amaju Pinnick as President of the NFF.

    However, Amaju Pinnick vowed to appeal against the high court judgement.

    Speaking shortly after the ruling of the court, counsel to Pinnick, Barrister Damon Dashe told newsmen that his clients will certainly appeal the decisions of the court.

    On his part Counsel to Yahaya Adama and Senator Obinna Ogba, Barrister Habila Azard Said his clients have been vindicated and that “they can now settle down and resume all their functions because that is all we have been fighting for.”

    The Case has been adjourned to the 30th of May for hearing of the substantive matter.

  • AFCON 2017 FAILURE: Kanu criticises NFF

    AFCON 2017 FAILURE: Kanu criticises NFF

    Former Super Eagles captain, Nwankwo Kanu has criticised the Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) leadership which he says contributed to the national team failing to qualify for two consecutive Africa Cup of Nations.

    Nigeria’s loss in Egypt ruled them out of contention for Gabon 2017, leaving Kanu upset with the NFF.

    “What is happening with Nigerian football is that the top management is not what it is supposed to be so what is below is being affected,” Kanu told BBC Sport exclusively from Uganda.

    Ex-Arsenal forward, Kanu was in Uganda as an ambassador for both Unicef and Chinese cable station TV StarTimes, helping to market Ugandan players to the Chinese Premier League. He said the Nigeria Federation has to change its style of leadership if Nigeria are to achieve success.

    “When the head is not right, even your body won’t be right”, said Kanu.

    The two time African footballer of the year said it was a huge loss for Nigeria – who also failed to qualify for Equatorial Guinea in 2015 – to miss another Africa Cup of Nations.

    “When we are not at the Nations Cup, it’s not the same,” said Kanu.

    Kanu also highlighted the instability surrounding Nigeria coaches.

    Samson Siasia was placed in temporary charge of the Super Eagles for the Egypt qualifiers following the resignation of Sunday Oliseh.

    As the NFF search for a permanent successor to Oliseh, Kanu maintained it is worth persisting with a local coach.

    “Look at Stephen Keshi, he won the nations Cup and led the Super Eagles to the last 16 at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil,” Kanu explained.

    During his time in Uganda, Kanu had the opportunity to play football with children in Katanga, and saw some local matches.

    “I watched a game between KCCA FC and SC Villa in the 2016 Star Times Cup a few days ago and I saw a lot of talent that can go to the professional level.”

  • NFF CHIEFS REVEAL: Eagles target 2018 FIFA World Cup

    NFF CHIEFS REVEAL: Eagles target 2018 FIFA World Cup

    The Nigeria Football Federation  (NFF) has issued a statement following the failure of the Super Eagles to qualify for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations finals:

     The NFF, like most Nigerians, are saddened by the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations final competition, following a 1-0 defeat by seven –time African champions Egypt in Alexandria on  March 29.

    We see this failure to qualify as an unfortunate turn of events, because it came despite the undoubted efforts of the coaching crew led by  Samson Siasia and the players led by the captain, Mikel Obi, and the efforts of the NFF leadership who not only supported the technical crew but also provided necessary support regarding comfortable travelling arrangement and accommodation for the team’s home and away matches.

     Football being the paramount national pastime in our dear country, we understand and share the disappointment in the land. But we crave the indulgence of all to continue to support the team and the NFF going forward as we continue to nurture and navigate a painful but positive path towards a glorious future for Nigeria football.

     It is rather unfortunate that Chad, one of the teams in the qualification group, suddenly pulled out of the race, leaving only three teams left in the group, and only the winner of the the group guaranteed qualification. This appeared to have taken away our worst –case scenario of qualification. However, our legal unit is looking at the propriety of changing the rules midstream.

     In the next one week, the Technical and Development Committee will meet to make recommendations to the NFF Board on the way forward for the Super Eagles, but already, we can disclose that the NFF has now fully shifted its focus to activating its already prepared plan to give the team all the support it needs to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, while continuing to build a sustainable football culture for Nigeria in order to make Nigerian football once more a force to be reckoned with.

     Failure to reach the Africa Cup of Nations remains a gnawing pain, but we have decided to take a number of positives from the unsuccessful campaign and in particular the two matches against Egypt. The development of a new and youthful team playing swashbuckling, strong, resolute and exciting kind of football Nigeria has been known for was a soothing balm even in the face of the challenging campaign.

     In preparing for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers starting later this year, the NFF will ensure that it utilises all FIFA windows for international friendlies for the Super Eagles, starting in June with two games against teams of high ranking. The outstanding Cup of Nations qualifier against Tanzania in September would also serve as a tune –up for the World Cup qualification games.

     We want to use this medium to commend the efforts of Samson Siasia and Emmanuel Amuneke, who took very seriously and professionally the job of preparing the Super Eagles for the matches, with only three weeks to do the job. They have shown extraordinary courage and purposefulness, and the NFF will never forget their contributions to Nigeria football.

     As it is, Nigeria is one of only three teams that will represent Africa at this year’s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, having won the Africa U-23 Cup of Nations in Senegal in December 2015. The NFF will give  Siasia all the support to excel at the Games, by winning the football gold. We will also continue to support the U-20 men squad, managed by Amuneke, in order to ensure the team’s qualification for the 2017 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations and the U-20 World Cup, as well as the U-17 boys for the 2017 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations and the U-17 World Cup, for which we are the defending champions.

     We are also working on maximum support for the women’s National Teams ahead of the African Women Cup of Nations, the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup and the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup – all taking place this year.

     Our sincere appreciation goes to the Federal Government for continued support for Nigeria football, and our sponsors for the invaluable role they play in the nation’s football development. We particularly commend the  Minister of Youth and Sports and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, for their very kind gesture and solid support for the Super Eagles in both matches against Egypt, and indeed other matches before these.

     The NFF Board remains united and resolute in its commitment to building a sustainable football culture for our dear country, by employing resources at its disposal diligently, purposefully and responsibly.