The Nation Newspaper

Tag: nff

  • Don’t go near Eaglets, NFF warns scouts, agents

    Don’t go near Eaglets, NFF warns scouts, agents

    • Says Osimhen, Nwakali, others are FG properties
    • Vows not to issue players ITCs

    Agents and scouts masquarading as contacts for members of the Nigerian U-17 side Golden Eaglets, who emerged world champions in Chile at the FIFA U-17 World Cup last month, have been barred from entering into any agreement with clubs anywhere in the world.

    Disclosing this to SportingLife in Lagos on Thursday, President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Melvin Amaju Pinnick vowed not to issue International Transfer Certificate (ITC) to any member of the Golden Eaglets or the country’s age-grade teams.

    Pinnick described the Eaglets and others as Federal Government properties arguing that these boys could not have become cash cows but for the fact that they were exposed to the world through these international competitions, sweating in Nigeria’s colours.

    Pinnick insisted that the NFF would be involved in all the movements of the players in line with the dictates of the FIFA regulations, pointing out the federation will ensure that proceeds from the players’ international transfers are given to their parents not these shylock scouts and agents masquarading as the players’ contacts.

    Pinnick warned foriegn clubs and their agents or scouts dealing with anyone on the players to stop such a nefearious act since nothing would come out of such transactions except through the NFF in tandem with the players’ parents or designated relatives.

  • NFF wants Cote d’Ivoire, Italy friendlies for Eagles

    NFF wants Cote d’Ivoire, Italy friendlies for Eagles

    The Nigeria Football Federation is proposing international friendlies against Italy and African champions Cote d’Ivoire next year, the federation’s president has said.

    Amaju Pinnick told africanFootball.com that the NFF match agent has already began discussions with both teams for the friendlies to prepare the Super Eagles for the 2018 World Cup and 2017 African Nations Cup qualifiers.

    “Nothing has been concluded yet but we wish to play reigning African champions Cote d’Ivoire in London. There is a proposal to play the Italians, who are excited about playing Nigeria after we defeated Cameroon recently,” Pinnick told africanFootball.com.

    “We want to make the most every FIFA friendly window by playing top quality matches.”

    There will be two FIFA friendly windows in the first half of the new year, at the end of March, when Nigeria battle Egypt in 2017 AFCON qualifiers home and away and then between June 8 and 16.

    There will be another FIFA window between August 31 and September 8.

  • Don’t delay election into Nigerian league boards, member tells NFF

    Don’t delay election into Nigerian league boards, member tells NFF

    The Chairman of DSS Football Club, a Nigerian National League (NNL) side, Sunday Adeleye, has advised the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) to conduct elections into the board of the NNL as soon as possible, following the expiration of the tenure of the immediate past board headed by Emeka Inyama.

    Speaking to PREMIUM TIMES from Abuja, Adeleye said it is important to have a new board in place ahead of the next season of the Nigerian National League.

    “I think the NFF should announce a date for elections into the board as soon as possible,” he said.

    “The tenure of the last board has expired and we shouldn’t stay too long without having a body that will run the league, we cannot afford to have a vacuum because it will not be good for the league next season.

    “There has to be a body in place that will run the league for next season and I think it will be proper for a date to be announced so the elections can hold as soon as possible,” he said.

    The NFF had announced in a statement on Thursday, the expiration of the tenures of the National League, the Nationwide League One and the Women’s league boards.

    The expiration of their tenures means Emeka Inyama, Ahmad Kawu and Dilichukwu Onyedinma are no longer members of the executive committee of the NFF.

    Meanwhile, in the first games played in the Super 4 on Friday, Niger Tornadoes defeated Ikorodu United 1-0, while Plateau United beat MFM FC 2-1.

  • RIO 2018 OLYMPIC GAMES TICKET: NFF sure of Siasia’s boys

    RIO 2018 OLYMPIC GAMES TICKET: NFF sure of Siasia’s boys

    Nigeria Football Federation General Secretary Dr. Sanusi Muhammed is optimistic about the chances of the country’s U-23 team to qualify for next year’s Olympics.

    Samson Siasia’s men are zoned in Group B and would play their opening game on Sunday against Mali before facing Egypt and Algeria. And the NFF scribe is upbeat about the team’s chances while urging Nigerians to pray for the team’s success in Senegal.

    “The team is very ready for the task ahead and in good spirit. They have played two friendly matches, won one and drew the other. By tomorrow (Wednesday) they will leave Gambia for Senegal,” said Sanusi.

    “We have done the MRI test here and for those that are not here and those that have joined the team in Gambia have all done their MRI test and everything is okay. Those that have been decamped are coming back to Nigeria tomorrow (Wednesday).

    “So I can confidently tell you that the team is in good spirit and by the grace of God they will do Nigeria proud and we will qualify for next year’s Olympics.

    “What we are urging Nigeria to do is to be optimistic that victory is going to our portion. Let them continue to pray because united we stand, divided we fall. With prayers we can move mountain.

    “We have players that have the skills, abilities and everything but what we need is prayers for this team from all Nigerians and God will do it for us.”

    Sanusi however praised Siaisa for the mature way he had handled his mother’s kidnap issue and carried on with his work.

    “Samson Siasia is a man. I can always say that he is a man because when I spoke with him and wanted to psyche him up he told me that we just have to pray for the release of his mother. He said that if people are trying to distract him from what he is supposed to do for the country he said that by the grace of God he won’t be distracted,” he added.

  • Players’ union dispute: APFON may shun NFF parley

    Players’ union dispute: APFON may shun NFF parley

    The Association of Professional Footballers of Nigeria (APFON), the country’s official players’ union, has demanded for more clarification on a proposed meeting called by NFF with another body NANF today in Lagos.

    In a letter dated 26th November 2015 and addressed to NFF general secretary and copied the executive board members of the NFF, APFON said: “The Union has asked for more clarification on the agenda of the meeting. APFON has observed with great concern the invitation of another body NANF which was expelled by the world Players Union body FIFPRO since November 2008, through a letter dated 20th November 2009, signed by the General Secretary of FIFPRO AFRICA Division, Stephane Burchkalter, sent to APFON and copied the Nigeria Football Federation, as part of the meeting to discuss the facilitation of the real protection of the interest of Nigeria Players as contained in the NFF letter.

    “As a responsible body which believes in the rule of law and in strict adherence to the position of  FIFPRO on the status of the Players’ Union in Nigeria, the Union finds it unethical and unprofessional to attend a meeting with a body that has already been expelled by the world players’ body.

    “The Players Union further emphasisedthe fact that the NFF do not need another external  body outside the official players Union affiliated to the NFF to discuss the facilitation of the protection of Players rights and interest in Nigeria

    “In view of the foregoing,  APFON can’t guarantee its presence in the meeting until the issues raised in our response to NFF invitation are clarified.”

  • WCQ: FIFA rejects Nigeria’s bid to change match venue

    WCQ: FIFA rejects Nigeria’s bid to change match venue

    Football’s world football governing body, FIFA, has turned down Nigeria’s request for Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier against Swaziland to be moved from Port Harcourt to Abuja.

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), according to africanFootball.com, demanded the match be moved to Abuja for “logistical reasons,” but FIFA said the application was not received within the mandatory 10 days allowed for such a request.

    “The request failed because it was not done within the 10-day window allowed for such a request,” an official told africanFootball.com.

    The southern Nigerian oil city of Port Harcourt has hosted Nigeria’s home games this year thanks to the generosity of Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, but his election has now been nullified by a tribunal which ordered a new vote.

    Swaziland held star-studded Nigeria to a goalless draw in the first leg of the 2018 World Cup qualifier in Lobambo and the return clash is slated for Tuesday afternoon in Port Harcourt.

    The overall winners of this match-up will advance to the group stage of the qualifying series for Russia 2018.

  • Plateau Utd’s NPFL ticket: Inyama salutes NFF Appeals Committee

    Plateau Utd’s NPFL ticket: Inyama salutes NFF Appeals Committee

    Chairman of the Nigeria National League,Emeka Inyama has heaved a sigh of relief following the resolution of protest and appeals from various clubs in the second tier League that has delayed the conclusion of the 2014/15 season.

    “I am extremely happy that all of that has come to a closed case and that we can now forge ahead with our plans to have the League ended, it was indeed a disturbing period for us but here we are now that we can put all that behind us,” he said.

    “I salute the Appeals Committee, led by Barrister Eddy Mark, for a thorough job. And the clubs too for complying and helping us move forward.”

    Emeka disclosed that strong signs are showing that the much awaited Super Four will hold in Abuja next week, though the NNL is yet to fix the date.

    With this development, Plateau United FC, Ikorodu United FC, Niger Tornadoes FC, and Mountain of Fire Ministries (MFM) FC , will slug it out in the Super Four battle of Supremacy to enable the NNL confirm the overall champion for the 2014/15 season.

    The Barrister Ibrahim Eddy Mark-led Appeals Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation has officially communicated the Nigeria National League (NNL) its findings and decisions on the separate appeals lodged by Kogi United FC, Lokoja and Plateau United FC, Jos.

    The Appeals Committee, following its findings, has found merit in the Appeal of Plateau United FC and the Appeal upheld, stating that the result of the match (2-1, in favour of Plateau United stands) and that it has set aside all the decisions of the Disciplinary Committee with a note that there can be no further appeal on the case.

    It cited Article 70, NFF Statutes, 2010. And in the appeal case filed by Kogi United FC,Lokoja against Adamawa United FC,Yola played on the 19th August, 2015, the committee after its findings had the appeal dismissed, and upheld the decision of the Disciplinary Committee.

    The Appeals Committee, however, notes that there can be no further appeal on the case. It cited Article 70, NFF Statutes, 2010.

  • NFF to retain Amuneke

    NFF to retain Amuneke

    Top officials have disclosed that win or lose tonight’s U-17 World Cup final, coach Emmanuel Amuneke will retain his post as the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) adopt a new strategy to consolidate on the gains at this level of the game.

    Previous coaches at U-17 have often been automatically promoted to the country’s U-20 team, but with disappointing results.

    John Obuh was elevated to the U-20 national team after he guided the country to the final of the 2009 U-17 World Cup, which incidentally Nigeria hosted. He subsequently reached the last eight of the U-20 World Cup in 2011, before he crashed out in the Round of 16 two years later.

    Manu Garba won the U-17 World Cup in style in 2013, but he could only lead the Flying Eagles to the Round of 16 at this year’s U20 World Cup in New Zealand.

    The U-20 records of Obuh and Manu are insignificant for a country who were beaten finalists twice, in 1989 and 2005, and placed third in 1985 at the U20 World Cup.

    “It is expected that the (NFF) president (Amaju Pinnick) will announce Amuneke will stay on as U17 coach so as to build on the experience and gains of his first stint as head coach. The arrangement of automatically promoting a coach from U17 to U20 has not worked because we are talking of two different levels of the game,” a top official disclosed.

    “Take the example of Mexico. The coach who led them to the final two years ago in Abu Dhabi is the same man who guided them to the semi-finals in Chile. There are many such examples.”

    Amuneke has endured a less than cordial relationship with his employers, but Pinnick himself has come out to reveal he resisted pressures to sack him after the Eaglets finished a disappointing fourth at the CAF U17 Championship in Niger earlier this year.

    The NFF boss has equally commended the former Barcelona winger for staying focused and thereby getting the job done.

    “He has clearly rubbished all insinuations and dark innuendoes against him and has continued to do a marvelous job quietly. He has earned his respect,” Pinnick said glowingly of Amuneke.

  • FIFA PRESIDENCY: NFF tells Odegbami to face reality

    FIFA PRESIDENCY: NFF tells Odegbami to face reality

    The Nigeria Football Federation has chastised former Nigerian international player Olusegun Odegbami to stop his campaign of calumny against the NFF and prominent Nigerian football figures and face up to the reality that he undid him own campaign for a slot at the FIFA Presidency.

    Former Green Eagles’ captain Odegbami failed to secure the statutory five nominations needed to put him on the ballot for next year’s FIFA Presidential election, and has been relentless in throwing salvos against the NFF and prominent figures like Dr. Amos Adamu and Chief Orji Uzor Kalu.

    “We are thoroughly disappointed at the conduct of Chief Odegbami since his failed bid,” Hon. Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande, Chairman of the NFF Media and Publicity Committee, stated. “He was his own big problem, with the letter he wrote castigating the leadership of FIFA and CAF, which he brazenly copied to these eminent figures.

    “We consider Chief Odegbami an elder statesman in Nigeria football, but he has been throwing a lot of tantrums lately. He has been accusing very prominent and illustrious persons of so many things, and pretending to be a saint.”

    Yahaya-Kwande, also a ranking member of the House of Representatives, said the onus was on Odegbami to secure his five nominations outside NFF’s endorsement.

    “The NFF is aware that Odegbami reached out to the Football Associations of Ghana, Togo, Benin Republic and Zambia. How is his failure the fault of the NFF? They told him to his face that they were opposed to him because of his statements against the President of CAF, who is now Acting FIFA President.

    “He said the NFF wasted time in endorsing him. As far back as September 8, we set out conditions for himself and Chief Orji Kalu to meet before we could endorse either of them. We always emphasized extensive consultations by the aspirants. It is outrightly mischievous for him to give the impression that the NFF was his problem. The NFF President was in Cairo, Egypt to campaign for him for the five nominations, but where was Odegbami himself on the day that mattered?

    “Let it be said that Nigeria was the only country where more than one person showed interest in the race. Odegbami was a great football player and brought honour to Nigeria, but Chief Kalu also brought honour to Nigeria through extensive support for Enyimba to win top laurels.It is also true that Kalu announced his interest before Odegbami did.”

    Yahaya-Kwande emphasized that none of the candidates who eventually got on the ballot relied solely on their National Association to get the five nominations for them.

    “Odegbami has this strange idea that everyone else is tainted and he is not! He worked against himself. It is not NFF’s problem; it is his problem, entirely.”

  • NFF sends Plateau Utd controversial decision

    NFF sends Plateau Utd controversial decision

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has finally communicated Plateau United FC of Jos on the highly controversial decision of the Barr. Christopher Green-led Organising and Disciplinary Committee, O&D, to nullify the garnered points the Simon Lalong boys accrued in their match-day 14 tie of the Nigeria National League against Spotlight FC of Katsina in Katsina.

    The General Manager of the Club, Bitrus Yilgor Bewarang who had a chat with allnigeriasoccer.com Sunday said the Club has appealed the decision of the O&D and added that he believes justice would prevail.

    The O&D Originally gave the points to Spotlight FC, thereby gifting Second placed Adamawa United of Yola the sole promotion ticket to the NPFL from NNL division A1.

    Christopher Green, the Chairman of the O&D tabled the reasons his committee had to give the points to the hosts, arguing that the referees officiated the game without their wrist-watches.

    With the new development Nigerians are waiting and watching to see what would happen, as the drama continues.