The Nation Newspaper

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  • NFF commences implementation of clubs licensing system

    NFF commences implementation of clubs licensing system

    Pursuant to FIFA and CAF directives and in respect to a CAF circular dated November 26th 2013, on Clubs’ Licensing System. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has adopted the NFF Clubs Licensing Regulations as from January 31st 2014.

    By these directives from FIFA and CAF, it is mandatory for all Federations to adopt and implement the Clubs Licensing System for all clubs participating in the National and Confederations competitions by the set deadlines.

    The NFF Clubs Licensing Regulations is the basic document for Club Licensing System in Nigeria, through which 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.

    The Mandatory Clubs Licensing System has the following overall objectives:

    • Safe – guarding the credibility of club competitions

    • Improving the level of professionalism within the football family

    • Promoting sporting values in accordance with principles of fair play as well as safe and secure match environment

    • Promoting transparency in finances of clubs

    • Promoting transparency in the ownership of clubs

    • Promoting transparency in the control of Clubs

    The criteria which the Clubs shall comply with in order to obtain a License under the NFF Clubs Licensing Regulations are in six categories which include:

    • Sporting Criteria

    • Infrastructure Criteria

    • Personnel and Administrative Criteria

    • Legal Criteria

    • Financial Criteria and

    • Business, Commercial and Promotion Criteria

    In line with FIFA regulations on Club Licensing, the criteria outlined above are graded into three. The different grades are as follows:

    “A” Criteria – MUST: If a Club does not fulfil any “A” criteria, then it can not be granted a License to enter Confederations/National Club Competitions.

    “B” Criteria – MUST: If a Club does not fulfil any “B” Criteria, then it is sanctioned as specified in the NFF Club Licensing Regulations but may still receive a license to enter Confederations/National Club Competitions.

    ‘”C” Criteria – BEST PRACTICE: “C” Criteria are best practices recommendations. Non-fulfilment of any “C” Criteria does not lead to any sanction or to the refusal of license.

    The NFF Club Licensing Regulations, which shall be operated on an annual basis, shall apply to:

    • All Premier League Clubs

    • All Pro-League Clubs

    • Clubs that qualify for CAF Competitions not withstanding the class or division they play in, in the National Leagues.

    In accordance to CAF Circular, the operation of Clubs Licensing Regulations for all its members shall commence by November 2014 and countries that do not comply with the regulations may not be allowed to participate in National and CAF Club Competitions as from 2015 Season.

    The CAF directive requires implementation of the Licensing Regulations in two phases from January 2014 to November 30th 2014 as follows:

    Phase 1: Comprising four steps to be completed by January 31st 2014 as follows:

    • Insertion of the Statutory Clauses adopting Club Licensing System in the Federation Statutes

    • Establishment of National Club Licensing Regulations

    • Creation of decision-making bodies i.e. The First Instance Body (FIB) and the Appeal Body (AB) as stipulated in CAF Regulations.

    • Organisation of Seminar for Premier League Clubs

    Phase 2: Expiring November 2014 by which time the Federation must have completed all processes required, to ensure that the Club Licensing Regulations become operational. This includes organisation of national seminars and rendering the decision-making bodies operational and undergo the necessary work in order to permit the issuance of Licenses to Clubs based on the 6 regulatory criteria:

    The NFF has so far concluded the First Phase of the Licensing Regulations as required by CAF and has thus approved the statutory decision-making bodies as part thereof.

    The NFF has, in line with FIFA and CAF Club Licensing Regulations, delegated the operation of the Club Licensing System under the NFF Club Licensing Regulations to the LMC, which shall constitute the First Instance Body (FIB) whilst the NFF shall constitute the Appeals Body (AB).

    To this end, the following are the Members of the First Instance Body (FIB):

    Shehu Dikko – Chairman

    Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi – Member

    Salihu Abubakar – Member

    Barrister Ifeanyi Dike – Member

    Barrister Sampson Ebomhe – Member/Secretary

    The Members of the Appeals Body (AB) are:

    Barrister A. U. Mustapha – Chairman

    Dr. Mohammed Sanusi – Member

    Dr. Abu Ali – Member

    Mr. Cyril Dum Wite – Member

    Barr. Denen Ikya – Member

    Mr. Kunle Elebute – Member

    Barr. Okey Obi – Member/Secretary

    The First Instance Body (FIB) shall decide on whether a License shall be granted an applicant on the basis of documents provided and in accordance with the provisions of the NFF Club Licensing Regulations at the submission deadline set by the LMC.

    The Appeals Body (AB) shall decide on appeals submitted in writing and make a final and binding decision on whether a license shall be granted.

    The public presentation of NFF Club Licensing Regulations 2014/2015 and the formal inauguration of the two Decision-Making Bodies will be done in due course.

    The Clubs Licensing System shall formally become operational in Nigeria as from November 30, 2014 and only clubs that meet the requirements will participate National/Confederations Club Competitions as from 2014/2015 season.

    All Clubs are therefore enjoined to work and cooperate with the LMC to ensure the smooth implementation process of the NFF Clubs Licensing Regulations from February 2014 to November 30, 2014.

  • Flamingoes begin training tour Febuary 19

    Flamingoes begin training tour Febuary 19

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Tuesday in Abuja said the national under-17 women team would leave for a training tour of Faro, Portugal on Wednesday, Feb. 19.

    NFF’s Director of Competitions, Mohammed Sanusi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) the tour was part of preparations for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica.

    Sanusi said the team, known as Flamingoes, would be in Faro for three weeks before proceeding to Costa Rica for the World Cup scheduled for March 15 to April 4.

    “The team will be leaving Nigeria on Feb. 19 on a three-week training tour to Faro, Portugal.

    “This is for them to acclimatise, in view of the weather over there in Costa Rica, and for them to play some friendly matches before the competition starts,” he said.

    Sanusi said the NFF had confidence in the team’s technical crew and the players to perform well, going by the preparations they have been having.

    NAN reports that the Flamingoes qualified for the fourth edition of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup without kicking a ball after South Sudan withdrew from the African qualifiers.

    The team has been drawn in Group D with Mexico, China and Colombia for the tournament.

  • PRESIDENTIAL RECEPTION CHAN Eagles hit Abuja Wednesday

    PRESIDENTIAL RECEPTION CHAN Eagles hit Abuja Wednesday

    Ahead of Thursday’s President reception of the bronze winning Super Eagles to the 2014 African Nations Championship (CHAN) in South Africa, squad members are expected to regroup in Abuja from Wednesday.

    SportingLife scoopped that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in conjuction with the sports ministry have already secured accomodation for squad members alonsgide their coaches and other technical staff.

    “The players and officials who took part in the 2014 CHAN are expected to arrive Abuja from Wednesday, February 12. They will be staying at the Bolton White Appartment, Abuja where the NFF and the sports ministry have reserved accomomdation for them,” our source added.

    Last week, a top official of the Ministry of Sports, Julius Ogunro, who is the Special Assistant to the Sports Minister, Bolaji Abdullahi, confirmed in a television interview that President Goodluck Jonathan, will host the players and officials following their bronze medal at the just concluded CHAN.

  • Manu Garba divides technical committee

    Manu Garba divides technical committee

    By Uchenna Ajah

    SportingLife can authoritatively reveal that the issue of elevating Golden Eaglets Manu Garba and assistants to the vacant Flying Eagles job is one of the top issues to be discussed during Wednesday’s meeting of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) technical committee in Abuja.

    A member of the body told SportingLife that while some members are backing the World Cup winning coach to be moved up to the Under-20 National team so as to take up the post vacated by erstwhile handler, John Obuh, others prefer Garba to remains with the Golden Eaglets to gather more experience with the cadet Eaglets.

    “The issue of Manu Garba is on the agenda of the technical committee meeting billed for Wednesday I can confirm, but we will not be making any announcement until after our deliberations. Already, some members are of the opinion that we should move Garba to the Flying Eagles team. However, others share a different opinion as they will prefer him to remain with the Golden Eaglets and gather more experience. By and large, the technical committee will only make our final pronouncement after Wednesday’s discussions,” our source added.

    The Flying Eagles will begin their qualifying campaign in May 2014 during the second round of the qualifiers after missing the first round having been drawn bye.

    Senegal will stage the championship between March 8 and 22 with the four top placed teams qualifying for the 2015 FIFA U20 World Cup in New Zealand.

  • Technical committee backs Yobo, Ike Uche return

    Technical committee backs Yobo, Ike Uche return

    •Says, it will bring strength, depth

    By Uchenna Ajah

    Ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, Chairman, technical committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Barrister Chris Green, has given his backing for the possible return of out of favour Super Eagles captain, Joseph Yobo and striker, Ikechukwu Uche to the National team.

    Green revealed that both players are Nigerians and are eligible to play for the Super Eagles even as he noted that Keshi has always affirmed that Yobo remains the Captain of the team.

    “Really, I don’t have any qualms about that because those two players are Nigerian players, Keshi insists Yobo is the captain and once you’re a captain you are a member of the squad, in fact he is the head of the team.”

    The former Rivers state FA chairman further admitted that it will bring strength and depth to the team and there will be competition for shirts in the Super Eagles team.

    “It will be good to also invite Ike Uche back to the team; it will bring strength, it will bring competition and all I’m craving as the Chairman of the technical committee of the federation is to get our best legs to play at the world Cup,” Green was quoted as saying by Lagos-based Brila FM.

     

  • Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup: SWAN charges Keshi, NFF on teamwork

    Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup: SWAN charges Keshi, NFF on teamwork

    The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, (SWAN) Lagos chapter, has called on the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, and Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, to close ranks and uphold the spirit of teamwork in order to steady-foot Nigeria’s preparation for the Brazil 2014 World Cup.

    The call by Lagos SWAN is in reaction to on-going conflict on the appointment of an assistant coach in addition to Daniel Amokachi and Ike Shorunmi to beef up the technical crew of team.

    SWAN observed in the statement signed by its chairman, Fred Edoreh, and secretary, Emma Njoku, that “whereas Keshi is insisting on the reinstatement of Sylvanus Okpalla while the NFF is insisting that Okpalla remains sacked as a matter of disciplinary action for alleged insubordination, what is required is for both bench and management to approach the matter with sobriety and not grandstanding.”

    SWAN pointed out that the nation is disturbed about this discourse and how it will rub off on our World Cup campaign and urged the parties to listen to each other. “We are informed that both Keshi and the NFF agree on the need for an assistant especially in the area of training. We are further assured that Keshi has been given liberty to seek the assistant, local or foreign, by himself but within the prisms of affordability and acceptability. The contention is whether the NFF should reverse itself on the issue of discipline with regards to Sylvanus Okpalla as Keshi is said to be insisting. We believe that the conflict can be resolved with a sense of mutual understanding and respect between employee and employer. We are in no doubt that the NFF would and should give Keshi all necessary support to succeed, but it is also crucial that the institutional authority and discipline within the organisation of the NFF be respected and maintained, without which it will be condemned to a house corrosive disorder with potential ripples into other grades of our male and female national teams. We therefore advise both parties to understand each other and work out a common ground before it is too late and do not allow the issue to degenerate into a major distraction.”

    According to SWAN, there are basic assurances which makes the matter a lot simpler to resolve. “While there have been fears that talks about a foreign technical assistant might just be a ploy on the part of the NFF to bring in a foreign technical adviser above Keshi, we are assured from our inquiries that the football house is not contemplating any such thing which they very well know holds no guarantee and have amounted to no reasonable effect over the years. With this fear satisfactorily assuaged, the issue of seeking an assistant coach can not therefore become another bone in our neck.”

  • USA 8-Nation tourney: Eagles‘ll play — NFF

    USA 8-Nation tourney: Eagles‘ll play — NFF

    • Yet to get formal letter
    • GlassHouse says Okpala’s sack final

    Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president, Aminu Maigari on Sunday exclusively informed SportingLife that Nigeria will participate in the eight-nation tourney in the U.S., provided the GlassHouse gets a formal letter from the tournament organisers.

    Maigari, speaking during a telephone interview from Abuja, revealed that the NFF was yet to get any formal invitation for the tourney, but that once they get the letter, they will mandate Eagles’ coaches to prepare the team adequately for the games.

    “The thought of the Eagles playing world-class teams like Spain, Cote d’Ivoire, Bolivia would be very revealing. Indeed, playing against these countries would help Keshi prune his team and chose the best players for the World Cup.

    “I’m very excited. I can assure that once we get a formal letter, we will accept to be part of the tournament. No doubt, Eagles need such matches and that’s why we are taking the friendly game against Mexico on March 5 seriously.

    “So far, only the Mexico game has been confirmed. We are still hoping that all our plans to arrange another friendly against Croatia comes to fruition sooner than expected.”

    On the clamour to recall Sylvanus Okpala to the Eagles’ technical crew, Maigari was emphatic in his response that no external pressure would make the NFF rescind its decision to sack the former Nigeria international.

    Said he: “As a matter of finality, Okpala was axed for gross insurbordination. In fact, Keshi knows why Okpala was sacked and as an employee of the federation, he cannot dictate to us.

    “No manner of pressure will compel us to take Okpala back into the team. Yes, we told Keshi to look for an assistant to help him but if he can’t find anybody apart from Okpala, then, he will go to the World Cup like that.”

     

  • NFF name U-17, U20 coaches Wednesday

    NFF name U-17, U20 coaches Wednesday

    Nigeria are to announce new coaches for their U17 and U20 teams on Wednesday after the NFF technical committee meet in Abuja.

    Manu Garba who led Nigeria to win a record fourth FIFA U17 World Cup is widely expected to be promoted to head the U20 team after coach John Obuh “stepped aside” in July.

    It is however left to be seen who will replace him in the Nigeria U17 team.

    His first assistant, Emmanuel Amuneke, was favoured for the top post, but lately second assistant coach Nduka Ugbade has gained ground to lead the U17s.

    Officials have argued they wish for continuity and so the need to stick with the U17 coaches.

    Both the Golden Eaglets and the Flying Eagles will begin their qualifying campaigns for continental glory later this year.

  • NFF ‘close’ to sealing Croatia friendly

    NFF ‘close’ to sealing Croatia friendly

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has moved “very close” to tying up a World Cup warm-up against Croatia, MTNFootball.com reports.

    Nigeria will face Mexico on March 5 in Atlanta as part of the Super Eagles preparations for the World Cup and officials have now said they are about to seal another friendly against Croatia.

    “We are 95 per cent close to sealing a friendly against Croatia ahead of the World Cup,” NFF spokesman Ademola Olajire told MTNFootball.com.

    The country’s official match organisers also said they are working on the final details of the Croatia match.

    The Nigerians want to play Croatia because it will afford them a chance to play against a team with a similar style with Group F rivals Bosnia-Herzegovina.

    The African champions will also play Argentina and Iran at the World Cup.

     

  • EAGLES CODE OF CONDUCT: NFF to change name

    EAGLES CODE OF CONDUCT: NFF to change name

    Plans to replace the name of the code of conduct, drafted for the Super Eagles has commenced by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

    A federation source revealed to SportingLife that NFF big weights have been rubbing minds to arrive on a suitable name that would also convey the message.”I am sure before the World Cup, a name would have been gotten. It will no longer be called the code of conduct,” said the source.

    “We believe that having another name instead of the former sounds ideal. The term code of conduct is commonly used that is why we want to be different.

    The written rules detailing how players of the different national teams are expected to conduct themselves while in camp is a five-part document that was drafted following the revolt of Eagles players over bonus payment in Namibia last year.

    The document also spells out players conduct via the social media network such as Twitter and Facebook. In the past, players resorted to the social networking site to vent their anger on coaches.

    The section on media states, “Not publish, or cause to be published (including on Twitter and Facebook), anything that may cause offence or embarrass any member of The NFF, national squads or management. If any player wishes to publicly comment on any aspect of playing for Nigeria, including in books, newspaper columns, podcasts, vodcasts, diaries and any other online media services, including social networking sites, prior permission of the NFF Media Office is required.

    “No Twitter or Facebook comments the day before and day of matches, unless authorised by the Head Coach and the Team Media Officer; no Twitter or social media disclosing team or injuries the day before or on the day of the match; any comment in the media that is likely to cause embarrassment to or lower the reputation and integrity of the team, team management, the federation or the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is prohibited; and players should desist from making any comments that could be political in nature.”

    The 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil may serve as the first major test for the team.