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  • Keshi, NFF disagree on Eagles’ team list

    Keshi, NFF disagree on Eagles’ team list

    • Coach submits 38 names to Technical Committee

    There seems to be sharp disagreement between the Super Eagles Chief Coach, Stephen Keshi and the Technical Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) over the release of the Eagles’ team list for the 2014 World Cup holding in Brazil.

    The Eagles coach came out after over three hours of deliberations with the Committee which started after Keshi stormed the Glass House at exactly 3pm and spoke briefly with the anxious sports reporters that besieged the NFF secretariat.

    Keshi started by saying, “Mr Paul Bassey will address you guys, but I can tell you that everything went well at the meeting”.

    He, however, confirmed that he has submitted a team list of 37 to 38 to the NFF Technical Committee from where 30 players would be picked for submission to FIFA on May 10th, 2014.

    “I have about 37 to 38 players on my list from there I will select about 30 players because that is what FIFA needs (as provisional list) on May 10th, 2014”.

    Keshi also lamented the team list released by the media and disowned it. “I am worried about the list I have been reading on the pages of newspapers. I did not make that list and I am not happy that you guys are reporting this to mislead people,” he blasted.

    But the spokesperson of the NFF Technical Committee, Paul Bassey came out to tell the reporters that the release of the list has been postponed for a week.

    “We have decided to shelve the release of the list to give him (Keshi) some time for more consultations. First of all we are not in a hurry (to release) the list. No country going to the World Cup has released their team list. We have given him one week or two make consultations.

    “But we took the opportunity to discuss the World Cup programme that was presented by the Technical Department. We discussed camp site, personnel, we also looked at the media most especially the confusing list published and we are using this opportunity to plead to the media to wait for the authentic list of the players to be released by the Football Federation before it is published,” Bassey cautioned.

    He also cited the injured Austin Ejide as a case. Bassey said that Keshi needs to verify the injury to know if he would be ready for the World Cup. The NFF Technical Committee spokesman asked for patience to be able to deliver the best list for the World Cup.

    Keshi also spoke on the friendly against Scotland and disclosed that all players are expected at Craven Cottage England on May 27 so that they could have at least a day training before the friendly match.

  • Ejide’s, Musa’s, others’ injuries stop Eagles list

    Ejide’s, Musa’s, others’ injuries stop Eagles list

    • Keshi given one week to collate latest information

    Sportinglife can reveal exclusively today that the inability of Super Eagles chief coach Stephen Keshi to confirm if goalkeeper Austin Ejide, Ahmed Musa, Emmanuel Emenike and some others put before him during Tuesday’s meeting in Abuja were injured or not, compelled the NFF technical committee to defer the scrutiny of the 38-man list by one week.

    SportingLife scooped further that the NFF members were miffed that the coach presented a list of players whose current physical fitness levels he couldn’t attest to. This default in the list resulted in the need for the coach to reach out to the players to ascertain the veracity of the stories in the international media about their physical conditions for such a tough assignment as the World Cup in Brazil.

    Besides, the tehcnical committee didn’t see the need for the release of the 38-man squad when most of the 32 countries participating at the Brazil 2014 World Cup had not disclosed theirs with only Nigeria’s opening opponents iran making theirs public with a 28-man team.

    “We have tasked the coach to ascertain the fitness level of players such as Austin Ejide, Ahmed musa and Emmanuel Emenike, who only returned to action on Sunday night and some others that have been in-and-out of their European club matches.

    “We also didn’t see the need to release our list when most of the 32 countries participating at the Mundial have not released theirs. We have enough time, after all, it is aprovisional list and we know the deadline already. the coach knows those he wants to use hence we deferred the exercsie for a later day,” a source said.

  • NFF spies on Eagles’ World Cup opponents

    NFF spies on Eagles’ World Cup opponents

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) says it is doing everything necessary, including spying on opposing teams as the Super Eagles aim to excel at the World Cup.

    While adressing a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, NFF General Secretary Musa Amadu said the federation is not relenting in its task of monitoring their Group F opponents.

    “A lot of work is going on with regards to doing espionage on Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iran and Argentina. It is not like anybody is sleeping whether from the technical crew or from the Nigeria Football Federation. Everything is being done to monitor players of Nigeria, players of Bosnia, Iran and Argentina,” said Amadu.

    “We are watching and monitoring the players of all the other countries whether they are playing, the players that are playing, those that are injured, those that are hot like [Edin] Dzeko and those that are not doing very well. A lot of hard work is going on as we speak.”

    The Super Eagles will play a friendly game against Scotland in May before proceeding to the United States for its final camping in June.

    “I know against Scotland more players will be invited. They will then go to the United States of America to camp and where the 23 players for the World Cup will then be selected,” he said.

    “I think we should go into this World Cup with confidence and optimism too. I don’t have any doubt about this competition this time around.”

    Nigeria will open their World Cup campaign against Iran before taking on Bosnia and then Argentina in their final Group F game.

    “If we go there and beat Iran [in the first game] we will qualify and go as far as we can go. Let us work together and I believe we have a very competent technical crew; I don’t have any doubt about it.

    “[Stephen Keshi] has played at the highest level and has seen it all. I am quite confident that we have sufficient materials both from the technical crew and the players to do the nation proud,” Amadu assured.

  • NFF don’t have enough cash — Amadu

    NFF don’t have enough cash — Amadu

    General secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation, Musa Amadu has revealed that the football house does not have enough cash to meet up with the $10,000 bonus promised the Super Eagles at the World Cup but was hopeful that their corporate partners would support the national team when the need arises.

    Amadu pointed out that the federation is currently grappling with a budget deficit as there is a shortfall between their estimated expenses and available funds. He is, though, optimistic that the corporate sponsors will oblige the federation with funds when the need arises.

    “As regards the shortfall in the budget, don’t forget that the whole estimate is based on the possibility of the team reaching the final. So, the shortfall can only reflect if we get that far.

    “And if God willing we do, we would beckon on our sponsors to bail us out. And you will agree with me that our sponsors would be willing to support a team that is playing in the final of the World Cup.”

    He also explained the rationale for their decision to revert to the $10,000 match bonus for the Super Eagles in this summer’s World Cup.

    “The truth is that we need to encourage our boys at the World Cup because it is the most important tournament in our calendar,” said Amadu.

    “By our calculation, we are not just going there to make up the numbers. We have continuously made it clear that our target is to surpass what we have done before at the World Cup in Brazil.”

  • NFF outlines duties for Falcons’, Eaglets’ crews

    NFF outlines duties for Falcons’, Eaglets’ crews

    The Nigeria Football Federation on Monday clearly spelt out for the respective crews of the Senior Women National Team (Super Falcons) and U-17 National Team (Golden Eaglets) their duties and responsibilities as both teams seek to build new, solid squads.

    At a parley at the Conference Room of the NFF Secretariat, Abuja, NFF’s Director of Competitions, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi warned of the dangers of persons taking over the duties of others in crews of the National Teams.

    “I have been mandated by the NFF President and the Chairman of Technical Committee to fully brief you all on the importance of sticking to your respective duties and carrying out your responsibilities well.

    “You must know the responsibilities that go with each role and the need to also tolerate and respect other persons and their roles, because you all come from different backgrounds to carry out a national assignment. We want the crews of all National Teams to be abreast of their duties and to do those duties to the best of their abilities.

    “For example, the Head Coach is the leader of the team at all times, while the Team Administrator is the head of administration, who handles all administrative and logistics matters,” Dr. Sanusi said.

    The Super Falcons are preparing for their 2014 African Women Championship final round qualifying fixture against the She-Amavubi of Rwanda, with the first leg coming up next month, while reigning world champions Eaglets have a 2015 African U-17 Championship qualifying fixture against either DR Congo or Burundi in July.

    While the Eaglets are billed to participate in the WAFU B Tournament taking place in Togo later this month, the NFF has secured an international friendly for the Falcons against the Indomitable

    Lionesses of Cameroon, to be played in Abuja on April 15.

    Present at the meeting were Ademola Olajire (Assistant Director, Communications), Pascal Patrick, MON (Special Assistant to NFF President), Ruth David (Team Administrator, Falcons and Head of

    Federation Cup), Edwin Okon (Head Coach of Super Falcons), Emmanuel Amuneke (Head Coach, Eaglets), Christopher Danjuma (Assistant Coach, Super Falcons), Justin Madugu (Assistant Coach, Super Falcons), Emeka Amadi (Goalkeeper Trainer, Eaglets), Bala Mohammed (Goalkeeper Trainer, Super Falcons), Tayo Egbayelo (Team Administrator, Eaglets), Omoye Akhigbe (Doctor, Super Falcons), Ayodeji Olarinoye (Doctor, Eaglets), Ada Nwachukwu (Physiotherapist, Super Falcons), Abubakar Aliyu (Physiotherapist, Eaglets), (Henrietta Ukaigwe (Team Coordinator, Super Falcons), Prince Udofia (Team Coordinator, Eaglets), Morakinyo Abodunrin (Media Officer, Eaglets), Gracious Akujobi (Media Officer, Super Falcons) and Godiya Jezhi (Equipment Manager, Super Falcons).

  • Warri Wolves depart for Tunisia today

    Warri Wolves depart for Tunisia today

    A 30 man team of Warri Wolves will depart Nigeria for the second leg of the CAF Confederation Cup with Edo FA Chairman, Abel Ehigie as head of the delegation to be assisted by Emmanuel Adesanya from the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF).

    In a brief statement released to the press by the Media Manager of the club, Moses Etu, the team is made up of 18 players and 12 officials without Oghenekaro Etebo who is in Italy for trials and Captain Azubuike Egwekwe who got married last weekend.

    According to Etu, the team will board a Moroccan Airline to Morocco before moving to Tunisia for the crucial match which comes up on Sunday in Tunisia.

    Etu further said the team is well prepared to confront the Tunisians, hence, they have decided to go early to acclimatise before the make or mar encounter.

    He, therefore, urged Nigerians to pray for them as the task of scaling through is not impossible.

    ” We know that it will not be easy but we also know that nothing is impossible before God hence, our appeal to all Nigerians is to continue to py for the team”.

  • Aki, Pawpaw, eight others receive World Cup largesse

    Aki, Pawpaw, eight others receive World Cup largesse

    NOLLYWOOD’S diminutive duo of Chinedu Ikedieze( Aki) and Osita Iheme ( Pawpaw) will headline entertainment stars who will cheer the Super Eagles during the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

    They will be supported by eight other Nollywood stars whose identities are yet to be released.

    According to information, both stars, alongside the eight, will receive the sum of N138.4m to cheer the Nigeria’s national team.

    Consequently, it is reported that a number of Nollywood stars are currently making frantic calls to the National Assembly in the bid to benefit from the largesse.

    It will be recalled that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) recently announced that it had set aside the sum of $800,000 (about N138.4 million) to sponsor 10 Nigerians in the entertainment industry to cheer the Super Eagles during the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

    In the financial plan presented to the National Assembly, the NFF had revealed its decision to invite the duo of Aki and Pawpaw and eight other Nigerians in the entertainment industry for the world football fiesta in June.

  • ‘No financial crisis in NFF’

    ‘No financial crisis in NFF’

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has allayed fears over a perceived absence of funds for the prosecution of the Super Eagles’ campaign at the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals in Brazil.

    Earlier this month, the NFF urged Nigeria’s House of Representatives committee on sports to intervene in its budget shortfall to enable the Super Eagles prepare adequately for the World Cup.

    The NFF earmarked about N2 billion (about $11 million) for Nigeria’s participation at the 2014 World Cup finals.

    The breakdown of the budget indicates that the NFF has reverted to the earlier $10,000 (about N1.7 million) as match bonus for the Super Eagles’ players in the group stages of the World Cup.

    The footballers will also receive $12,500 (about N2.1 million) and $15,000 (about N2.6 million) if they qualify for the round of 16 and the quarterfinals respectively.

    Head coach Stephen Keshi would earn $20,000 (N3.4 million) win bonus at the group stage, while his three assistants will receive $15, 000 (about N2.6 million) each.

    Also, Keshi’s win bonus will be raised to $22,500 (about N3.8 million) and $25, 000 (N4.3 million) if the Eagles qualify for the round of 16 and quarterfinals stage respectively, while his three assistants’ win bonus as well as that of other officials in the team will also be increased at the same 25 per cent for the stages.

    The NFF has since announced that the Nigerian government would be expected to provide about N1.2 billion of the total funds needed to prosecute the campaign.

    This will only cater for the total estimate up to the round of 16 stage of the competition in the shape of match bonuses, air tickets and estacodes.

    The federation has now exclusively revealed to supersport.com how it intends to shop for the shortfall of about N800 million.

    “We intend to speak with our sponsors and we have consultants who are specially contracted for this purpose. We want to assure Nigerians that we will be adequately ready, as a federation to meet our demands of providing the necessary logistics for the Super Eagles in Brazil,” NFF technical committee chairman, Barrister Chris Green told supersport.com.

    He added that plans have already “been activated in that regard” as the Super Eagles look to make a big impression in Brazil.

  • 2014 activities: NFF budgets N3.9bn

    2014 activities: NFF budgets N3.9bn

    It has emerged that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is budgeting to spend about N3.9bn for all its 2014 programmes.

    The federation is also planning to hold the association’s Annual General Meeting for August 26 or August 27 in Abuja. The event would take a huge part of the money being asked for.

    The sum is totally different from the N2.8bn budget they plan to spend on the 2014 World Cup alone.

    Secretary-General of the NFF, Musa Amadu, noted that if the money is approved it would cater for other national teams’ competitions, since that of the Super Eagles had been taken care of.

    “NFF’s events for 2014, as well as overhead costs and capital projects like the furnishing of its new secretariat and personnel matters will also be catered for in the main budget,” Amadu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    This year’s AGM would see another round of elections in the NFF for the next four years.

  • Nembe, Giwa’s suspension: We acted right, says LMC

    Nembe, Giwa’s suspension: We acted right, says LMC

    The League Management Company (LMC) has clarified that the decision not to register Nembe City FC and Giwa FC from participation in the Glo Premier League 2013/14 was neither arbitrary nor premeditated but was in exercise of its responsibilities to ensure fair play, transparency and compliance with registration requirements of the league.

    “The decisions fall within the powers of the LMC as the First Instance Body appointed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Club Licensing Regulations for Globacom Premier League”, declared Harry Iwuala, LMC’s Special Projects Manager.

    He made this clarification in a statement last night and said the decision was consistent with the responsibility of the LMC to protect every interest in the League especially the employees such as the players, coaches and others engaged by Clubs for various services.

    According to Iwuala, “The LMC couldn’t have acted arbitrarily when we spent time and resources to organise a workshop last January to sensitise and prepare the Clubs on the imperatives of the registration requirements. We had a member of the LMC, Shehu Dikko and a legal practitioner familiar with the FIFA and CAF Club Licensing Regulations speak extensively on the requirements. It is apparent that the LMC had given enough notice to the clubs of its intent to apply the criteria for admission to the League fairly and without fear or favour”.

    He further remarked that “It is very evident that the league commencement date had been delayed severally to allow for a break from the past, when clubs made a mockery of the registration process and denied the nation’s football of the benefits of a well structured league”.

    The LMC, he argued, had merely applied existing rules which the clubs were to have operated over the years but had only amplified sections that have hitherto been applied in breach.

    In his words, “For instance, in asking for a performance guarantee from the Clubs, the LMC has merely sought to enforce compliance with Article 1.5 (5) of the 2012 Regulations which requires all participating clubs to provide irrevocable letters of commitment from their owners confirming financial status and capabilities to play in the season. The sanction for non-compliance with this requirement is automatic withdrawal or deregistration of the club from the league”.

    He further explained that the registration requirements implemented at this stage was to condition the Clubs towards meeting the more stringent FIFA and CAF Club Licensing regulation that has been adopted by the NFF and which will become operational from November 30, 2014.

    “The NFF Club Licensing Regulations states clearly that it is the basic document for club licensing system, through which the different members of the football family aim to promote common principles in the world of football such as sporting value, transparency in their finances, ownership and control of clubs, players and coaches’ welfare, and the credibility and integrity of club competitions. It will ensure that clubs attain minimum standards required by FIFA and CAF for National Championship and Cup competitions,“ Iwuala said.

    He then advised any aggrieved party to take its case to the NFF bodies responsible for appeals and who are the final arbiters in such matters.