Tag: nff

With barely a month to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Group D qualifiers between Nigeria  and  Benin,  the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) is  sharply divided  over the choice of  the new manager for the Super Eagles following the resignation of Finidi George on June 15.

NationSport  gathered  that the NFF is finding it difficult to  make a final choice between French coach   Eric Chelle and  Belgian Tom Saintfiet for the  vacant position.

According to multiple sources,  majority  of the NFF’s board members  have   settled for  Chelle,  the former  Head  Coach of  Mali due to his successful spell with the  West African side where  he recorded  an impressive  79 percent winning  ratio.

However, some fraction of the body who  has the backing  of an influential former  NFF President, is angling for  Saintfiet, the  former Head coach of  Gambia.

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“Chelle has a win ration of 79 per cent with the Mali national team. He has knowledge of African football and can take Eagles to the next level. We can also look at other top coaches around the world but certainly not Saintfiet,”  a source who is privy to the  discussion  stated. “In 22 games as the coach of Mali, Chelle won 14 drew 5 and lost 3, scoring 36 goals and conceding 12 goals. “

However, it was claimed that Saintfiet who led The Gambia to their first African Cup of Nations, reaching the quarterfinals has a lower goal percentage compared to Chelle and could compound the problem of the Super Eagles who has just 21 percent scoring ratio in the last one year.

Nigeria is drawn in Group D along with neighbouring Benin, Libya and Rwanda  for 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification tournament.

With the double header in September  where  Nigeria takes on Republic of Benin between September 2 and 6 at home and away to  Rwanda between September 6 and 9 ,the NFF will need to make a decision as quickly as possible.

The Nigeria Football Federation has requested for applications from suitably qualified candidates for the vacant position of the Coach of U20 Men National Team, otherwise known as Flying Eagles.

The public notice, which is on the Federation’s website (https://thenff.com/job/vacancy-for-the-position-of-u-20-male-national-team-head-coach/)has specified for candidates to possess at least a CAF B License, must have been in football coaching for at least five years, be conversant with Nigeria’s domestic game, possess strong leadership qualities and be able to communicate effectively in English language.

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Candidates must also be upright and transparent in the discharge of their duties, be ready and willing to work with the NFF Technical Department and NFF Technical Sub-Committee, must have attained some level of success in coaching in the past three years and be ready to work cordially with the NFF leadership.

Applications are invited from all Nigerian coaches, including those working in the diaspora.

Applications will close at midnight of Sunday, 4th August 2024, with a successful candidate to be named  after a thorough screening process.

An initiative of the Nigeria Football Federation to reform, rehabilitate and reintegrate into the society, young girls who are in correctional centres across the country, has been received with great enthusiasm by the Honourable Minister of Interior, Hon.(Dr) Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

On the tail of a presentation made to the Minister and Management Staff of the ministry in Abuja yesterday   by NFF Executive Committee Member and Chairman of the Women’s Football Sub-Committee Madam Aisha Falode, the Minister applauded the NFF for the noble concept, and vowed to set machinery in motion to ensure the realization of the objectives attached to the initiative.

 “I am hugely impressed by this presentation, which shows clearly that the NFF is aware of its responsibilities to the community, aside from preparing our National Teams for matches and tournaments. The reason why there is always an up-shoot in the number of persons in correctional centres is that when they are released, they have nowhere to go other than that place from where they ended up in the centre. I see this project as filling that gap for them, giving them hope and the means by which to bring that hope to reality.

“A ‘correctional centre’ is different from a ‘prison’. While the former is a place of correction, reformation and rebirth, a prison is a place of incarceration. Those in correctional centres should have the opportunity to get reformed and reintegrated back into the society. The NFF has wowed me with this. Sport is not just a means of entertainment; it is the biggest instrument that can bridge the gap between the powerful and the vulnerable.”

Earlier, President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau told the Minister that the Federation believes it has services to render to the community at large, apart from organization of football matches, and has picked on the vexed issue of growing number of girls in correctional centres as a first initiative.

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“We are primed to use the instrumentality of football to collaborate with relevant agencies and ministries to activate processes for the reform and rehabilitation of these young ladies, so that they can be reintegrated into the society, and be useful to themselves and the society.

“The NFF is ready and willing to go the whole distance on this project. We will work with relevant agencies and ministries, and network with organisations and foundations to arrange vocational training for these girls in order that they will have a future.”

Falode’s presentation, titled FootballGood-Naija; EmpowerHer, highlighted rising figures of ladies in correctional centres across the country, as well as those awaiting trial and those already convicted, and was pegged on the ‘Gender Empowerment’ initiative of the Confederation of African Football which pilot programs had taken place in Sierra Leone, Ghana and Liberia.

Among the objectives are to support better reintegration prospects post-release; improve physical and mental well-being; develop and enhance life skills and self-esteem; foster a culture of sportsmanship, discipline and teamwork; identify and develop football refereeing and coaching potentials and; use football as a tool for education, skill-building and leadership development among young people.

With the Minister were the Controller-General of Nigerian Correctional Service, Haliru Nababa; Permanent Secretary in Ministry of Interior, Dr. Aishetu Ndayako; Director of Press, Ozoya Imohimi; Director Joint Services Department, Atinuke Ajiboye and Director of Legal Services, Omofese Era.

Also on the NFF delegation were the Deputy General Secretary, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme; Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire; Director of Legal Services, Okey Obi; Director of Technical, Augustine Eguavoen; Director of Competitions, Ruth David and; Chief Protocol Officer, Emmanuel Ayanbunmi.

Former Nigeria International defender Juwon Oshaniwa has urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to fast track the selection process of finding a replacement for Finidi George.

The Eagles have been without a coach since the resignation of Finidi George last month and with the qualifiers for the 2025 African Cup of Nations is slated for September, October and November, Oshaniwa said that the NFF must act immediately to forestall another sad tales.

Oshaniwa who spoke with Brila FM said:  “The NFF cannot afford to be comfortable with the Eagles without a coach less than two months before the start of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers.

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” Maybe those people that said our group is tough or not, they are right but you know any team coming to play against Nigeria, it’s like their World Cup or their final World Cup game,” Oshaniwa added.

” So it’s not going to be easy or a walk in the park, but I think those in charge of appointing coaches should just hasten up things and make sure things are put in place”, he said.

Oshaniwa was part of the Super Eagles team to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and was also in the Eagles squad to the 2013 AFCON in South Africa which Nigeria won.

The Nigeria Football Federation has announced that the grand finale of the country’s oldest Cup competition will now take place at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos on Saturday, 29th  June.

Earlier scheduled for the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja (which would have seen the city host the final for the first time in the competition’s history), the NFF and GTI announced on Sunday they have opted for the good old venue on Lagos Island, which hosted the final of the competition consecutively between 1945 and 1972.

First known as Association Ground, then as King George V and later as Lagos City Ground, the venue later became known as Onikan Stadium after it was rebuilt in the 1980s. It became known as Mobolaji Johnson Arena in 2021.

The last grand finale to take place at the famous venue was also a memorable one. In 1972, Bendel Insurance FC led Mighty Jets FC 2-0 before two late goals by the late Sam Garba Okoye tied the game, and it had to be replayed two days later at the Liberty Stadium (now known as the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium), Ibadan.

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Apart from the Mobolaji Johnson Arena on the waterfront, the City of Lagos has hosted several other finals of the competition now known as President Federation Cup. The National Stadium, Surulere – built for the 2nd All-Africa Games that Nigeria hosted in 1973 – hosted the grand finale between 1974 and 1987, as well as the 1990, 1991, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002 finals.

The Teslim Balogun Stadium, adjacent to the National Stadium in Surulere, hosted the finale in 2007 and 2009, and then consecutively between 2011 and 2016 while Agege City Stadium hosted the 2017 grand finale.

This year’s grand finale will see Rivers Angels confront Naija Ratels in the women’s event, while Abia Warriors take on El-Kanemi Warriors in the men’s event.

President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau  is expected  to inaugurate the Federation’s Futsal and Beach Soccer Sub-Committee today  at the NFF Secretariat in Abuja.

The committee has as chairman, Otuekong Nse Essien with the Chairman of Chairmen of Nigeria Football, Alhaji Ahmed Yusuf (Fresh) as vice chairman. The members are Aminu Mohammed Inuwa, Hon. Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande, Hajji Liameed Gafaar, Mr. Richard Jideaka and Yabagi Alhaji Baba. Abubakar D. Umar (Barde) is secretary.

The Futsal and Beach Soccer Sub-Committee is responsible for the organization of all futsal and beach soccer competitions and deals with all matters relating to futsal and beach soccer.

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Nigeria has been a continental, and to some extent global, power in beach soccer in previous years, with the Supersand Eagles winning the Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations in 2007 and 2009 and reaching the quarter-finals of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Italy 13 years ago.

The Confederation of African Football last week conducted the draw for this year’s Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series with the Supersand Eagles drawn to play Mauritania home and away next month. A total of 14 countries will be involved in the qualifiers, with the seven winners to join hosts Egypt at the finals.

Mauritania will host the Supersand Eagles on a day between 19^th  and 21^st  July, with Nigeria hosting the return leg a week later.

For the first time ever, the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup will take place on African soil, when Seychelles stages the tournament next year. 

Former Super Eagles striker Victor Anichebe has waded into the never-ending drama that has overtaken Nigerian football by demanding the disbandment of the ‘clueless’ and ‘leaderless’ Nigeria Football Federation( NFF).

Finidi George has quit as Super Eagles coach, Napoli striker Victor Osimhen has openly disrespected the former national team coach as Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup are in shambles.

The NFF have also made an about-turn to appoint a foreign coach just weeks after they announced that they went with the yearnings of Nigerians for a local coach to head the Super Eagles.

Former Everton striker Anichebe, who won 11 caps with the Super Eagles and featured at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, laid the blame squarely with the NFF.

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“…the whole federation is a complete and utter mess, completely clueless, lack foresight, no clue about football,” he said on social media. “What was their hiring process? Foes anyone even know? Nepotism at its finest.

 “How can results be achieved with a leaderless bunch at the helm.

 “The whole organisation needs to be disbanded and started again.”

Anichebe also said  Osimhen  was wrong to go on social media and castigate former  Super Eagles coach Finidi George.

 “VO (Victor Osimhen) was wrong with coming out publicly, I’m sure he understands this now, but in the heat of the moment it’s difficult,” he maintained.

“This could have been done in private even though I fully understand he doesn’t want anyone to tarnish his image and commitment that he has worked tirelessly to maintain.”

Ibrahim Gusau endured most probably his most uncomfortable four hours since he was elected president of the NFF as Sports Minister John Enoh ripped through the bungling football federation as the chances of Nigeria qualifying for the 2026 World Cup are now in complete shambles.

Thursday morning meeting with top NFF officials and Super Eagles coach Finidi George was at the instance of the Sports Minister.

It was meant to be a routine parley as the minister and the NFF have so far enjoyed a cordial working relationship.

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It turned out not to be so as he did not spare the NFF or Finidi when he read out the riot act.

“The Minister was clearly upset, disgusted, with how Nigeria’s campaign to qualify for the World Cup has gone so horribly wrong,” a source told SCORENigeria

“He has always been known to be a gentleman, but he was not nice at all on this day.

“He left no one in doubt that this has impacted negatively on his tenure as minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria particularly at a time the Presidency is assessing the performance of the members of the Federal Executive Council,” the source added.

The Guild of Sports Editors  has  challenged the board  of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to ensure the qualification of  the  Super Eagles to the 2026 World Cup finals  to be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico lest they must  resign.

  The body comprising managers of sports units in the country’s major media organizations, said it viewed with dismay the poor performance of the Super Eagles in the ongoing qualifying series for the World Cup, adding it is unacceptable that Nigeria is struggling in fifth position in a group that houses  Lesotho, Rwanda, Benin Republic, Zimbabwe and South Africa.

 Rising from a meeting yesterday, the Guild said that although the situation in Group C looks irredeemable after four games, Nigeria could still qualify for the World Cup if the NFF puts its acts  in order.

  In a communiqué signed by its president, Mr. Tony Ubani, the Guild noted with dismay: “We are shocked by the manner Nigeria’s bid to return to the World Cup after missing the 2022 edition is being mismanaged by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) through wrong and belated decisions and inability to set the rules for the national team. 

  “The NFF waited until just a month to the resumption of the qualifiers before naming a coach through a process flawed by many stakeholders because it did not follow due process.

  “They kept quiet when some of the members of the new technical crew rejected their appointments; they have not shown leadership even when some of the players rejected invitation to the national team.

  “Now is not the time to apportion blames, but the NFF must know that Nigerians cannot tolerate failure to qualify for the World Cup, especially now that Africa’s slot has been increased to nine countries.”

  On the technical crew, the editors said that Coach Finidi George has failed to galvanize his players to serve the country to the best of their ability, adding that Skipper William Troost-Ekong, who was left out of the last two games, should be brought back to offer leadership to the squad.

  The Guild called for a complete overhaul of the NFF’s technical department, saying that the committee should contain only football persons with sound technical knowledge of the game.

  “The technical department is supposed to be the engine room of the federation, which should direct what happens at the national teams. It is not a place for politically-correct individuals who know little or nothing about the game.”

  The editors lamented that Nigeria could only secure three out of 12 available points after four matches to languish in fifth position in Group C, saying that such poor form could have been avoided if the relevant persons did their jobs properly.

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  To arrest the situation, the body urged the NFF to scout for more corporate support for the Super Eagles, saying that the federation should spread its net to generate the resources that would aid its preparations for the remaining matches in the qualifying series.

  It added: “The NFF must change its priority and take the national teams as the first among its responsibilities. The practice of packing the country’s delegation to matches with states’ FA chairmen and nebulous stakeholders, who add nothing to the Super Eagles, must be stopped. Monies saved from pesticides that are paid to these ‘stakeholders’ should be used to address issues in the national team, including remuneration for assistant coaches.”

  The body also urged the NFF to check the way players are invited to the national team, saying that most of the players in the current Super Eagles’ squad have no business to be  in the team.

  “Some of the players are no longer relevant in the Super Eagles; their cycle is done. The entire Super Eagles system needs an overhaul and those officials, who have nothing more to add to the team, should go.

  “The NFF should also investigate the players’ attitude to these qualifiers to find out if their output is a form of protest. We say this because some players can do anything to sack the coach if they don’t like him.

  “So going forward, the NFF must ensure that only players willing to serve the country are invited to the national teams. It is embarrassing to see players pulling out of national assignments. It suggests that the NFF did not do its homework before inviting such players to camp.

  “The NFF must also ensure that going forward players do not stroll into camp two days before any match. There must be a timeline for players to join the camp and appropriate sanction for anybody that flouts that timeline.”

  On the technical crew, the editors said that Coach Finidi George has failed to galvanize his players to serve the country to the best of their ability, adding that Skipper William Troost-Ekong, who was left out of the last two games, should be brought back to offer leadership to the squad.