The Nation Newspaper

Tag: nff

  • Maigari to Keshi: I’ve forgiven you

    Maigari to Keshi: I’ve forgiven you

    • Let’s work together

    • Big Boss gets shut up order on sensitive matters

    President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Aminu Maigari informed a gathering of stakeholders at a truce meeting in Brazil that he has forgiven Super Eagles chief coach Stephen Keshi for all the embarrassment he caused his federation through his utterances in the media.

    The meeting arose in Brazil following the draws made for the 2014 World Cup and the need for all parties involved with the preparation exercise for the Eagles to work as a team.

    SportingLife scooped that the truce session was brokered by NFF’s marketers Pamodzi Sports Marketing (PSM) with Maigari, Keshi and Barrister Christopher Green in attendance to enable all the parties state their grouse in a bid to find a lasting solution to the cold war existing between the coach and the federation.

    Part of Maigari’s grouse with Keshi was his penchant for leaking sensitive matters to the media which in the federation president’s words “put the federation in disrepute.”

    Maigari was also miffed that Keshi undermined their mutual relationship each time bad stories in the media between the body and the coach were published with particular mention of the outstanding salaries.

    Keshi used the opportunity to apologise for all that angered the federation especially the president who he described as his father and the one who backed him to secure the Super Eagles job, at a time when people had doubts about his technical savvy.

    It was resolved at the meeting that Keshi should handle the logistics specific to the team such as picking the team’s abode, training centre, e.t.c. while the NFF chiefs promised to give the coach all the support he needs to excel at the Mundial next year beginning with the opening game against Iran on June 16.

    Again, it was agreed that Keshi shouldn’t divulge sensitive issues to the media after the Big Boss denied leaking the information that he and his assistants were being owed salaries to the tune of seven months which have now been settled.

  • Go win CHAN, NFF tells Eagles

    Go win CHAN, NFF tells Eagles

    • Says Nigeria’s World Cup group not light

    Nigeria Football Federation President (NFF) Aminu Maigari has charged Super Eagles Chief Coach Stephen Keshi to do everything humanly possible to win next year’s Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) holding in South Africa.

    The NFF boss, who visited the Minister of Sports yesterday evening in the company of the Federation’s General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu, Director of Technical, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme and Shehu Dikko, a prominent member of the League Management Committee (LMC) to discuss issues relating to the Globacom Premier League, told SportingLife that Nigerians expect nothing less than bringing the Cup back home.

    “There is no target set for the team as regard the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) but let us just go there (South Africa) and lift the Cup “, he said with laughter.

    Maigari also told whoever cared to listen that Nigeria’s World Cup Group (F) will not be as easy as people were tipping it to be. He said all the 32 countries that qualified for the competition did so on merit and should not be discarded just like that without even kicking the ball.

    “Nobody can take for granted any of the 32 countries that qualified for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. But I am confident that Nigeria will go there to compete, represent the country and also do well in the competition.

    “But people should not take our group (F) for granted. They should not think our group is very light. I don’t agree with that.

    He, however, vowed to ensure the Eagles get the best of preparations to make Nigeria proud in the global football fiesta in Brazil next year.

    “Since the present Board of the NFF took over, we have thrown away what we called short-term preparations. We only believe in long-term preparations, in terms of training, discipline, blending and so many things so that the team get used to one another as well as get the required knowledge and tactical input from their technical crew. We also ensure that every needed thing is put in place and also done properly so that we’ll go to the World Cup and do well.

    “Nigeria is a big football-playing country and we are respected as far as the game is concerned all over the world. We must keep the country’s flag flying at all times, so, we need to prepare this team well for the task ahead and correct all the loop holes and lapses in the team.

    He also used the opportunity to put facts right as regards the final camping of the Eagles for the 2014 World Cup.

    As regards the final camping site for the Eagles for the 2014 World Cup, Maigari said: “We are waiting for action plans from the Coach (Keshi) and the NFF Technical Committee to come out with what they have designed for us to approve or ratify. So, very soon the camp site will be announced”, Maigari assured.

    He was confident as ever as regards the intervention of President Jonathan to help fund the World Cup campaign of the Eagles.

    “Funds will not be an issue, God willing, as far as the 2014 World Cup is concerned. The reason is that President Goodluck Jonathan over time has shown huge interest in Nigerian sports, most especially football. I even read in the dailies him tipping Nigeria to win the 2014 World Cup. So, if our dear President should say so, what fears do we have in terms of not only funds but everything?

    “What I am trying to say is that we don’t have any fears as far as funds are concerned. The Minister of Sports is solidly behind the Nigeria Football Federation and we don’t entertain any fears as regards funding the 2014 World Cup campaign in Brazil”, Maigari assured.

  • MARCH 5 WORLD CUP FRIENDLY : Eagles to play unnamed Europe foe-NFF

    MARCH 5 WORLD CUP FRIENDLY : Eagles to play unnamed Europe foe-NFF

    The Super Eagles will kick off their World Cup build-up with a friendly on March 5 in Europe, officials have informed MTNFootball.com. However, an opponent has yet to be named.

    “We will make use of the first FIFA friendly window on March 5 and so play a friendly in Europe,” General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Musa Amadu, told MTNFootball.com.

    Amadu also disclosed that the NFF will hope to soon conclude on major decisions on the preparations for the World Cup.

    “Issues like the training base and opponents for friendly matches will soon be decided on after last week’s draw in Brazil,” Amadu said.

    He told MTNFootball.com he was not aware of a proposed friendly between Nigeria and England in Nigeria in March.

    Last week, a section of the media reported a major brewery was planning a friendly for the Eagles against fellow World Cup finalists England to be played in Nigeria as part of the build-up to Brazil 2014.

    Nigeria are drawn against Argentina, Iran and Bosnia-Herzegovina in the first round. They open their campaign on June 16 against Iran in Curtiba.

  • Selection of Team Base Camp: NFF gives Keshi free hand

    Selection of Team Base Camp: NFF gives Keshi free hand

    For the very first time in the history of Nigeria’s participation in the FIFA World Cup finals, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has given Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, the free hand to determine where his wards will make home at next year’s finals.

    Keshi, who captained Nigeria in her very first appearance at the FIFA World Cup finals, in USA in 1994, said he cherished the opportunity by the Aminu Maigari administration and would always strive for the best for Nigeria.

    “I am happy to have been given the free hand to select the Team Base Cam (TBC). You may think it is a small gesture but not every Head Coach has that privilege. I am certainly going to use the opportunity to select the best for our team.”

    Keshi’s African champions will contend with two-time world champions Argentina, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Iran in Group F. Keshi is presently inspecting a number of possible camps in the South American nation, and specifically around Sao Paulo.

    Most of the 32 participating member associations are also looking around Sao Paulo for their team base camp. A total of 83 TBCs were offered in the final TBC Brochure.

    A Team Base Camp consists of a Team Base Camp Hotel and a Team Camp Base Training Site. All participating member associations must confirm their Team Base Camp before the end of next month.

    All teams must report at their Team Base Camp no later that five days before their first match of the tournament. In the case of Nigeria, that means no later than 11th June, five days before the Super Eagles clash with Iran at the 41,000–capacity Arena da Baixada in Curitiba – a city of 1.7million people in the south of Brazil.

    The Eagles will then tackle Bosnia-Herzegovina at the 42,000–capacity Arena Pantanal in Cuiaba, a city of approximately 550,000 people in the centre west, on Saturday, 21st June, before flying to the south again to play Argentina in what is Group F’s most anticipated game.

    That match comes up at the 48,000 –capacity Estadio Beira-Rio in Porto Alegre, a city of more than 1.4million people, on Wednesday, 25th June.

  • NFF advises journalists on 2014 FIFA World Cup accreditation

    NFF advises journalists on 2014 FIFA World Cup accreditation

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has advised Nigerian journalists intending to report the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals from Brazil to, without delay, apply for media accreditation through the usual FIFA Media Channel.

    “The media accreditation for the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals opened on the FIFA Media Channel on 7th December, 2013 and it is important that our journalists start the process immediately,” NFF’s Assistant Director (Media), Ademola Olajire said at the weekend.

    Media accreditation, according to information made available at the team seminar on the eve of the Final Draw in Costa do Sauipe, Salvador, will close on 31st January, 2014.

    FIFA will begin the distribution of accreditation approval letters by 28th February, 2014 and media ticketing for the 48 group stage matches will be launched on 17th March, while media persons will start to receive ticketing approvals as from 5th May.

  • NFF seeks World Cup base for Eagles

    NFF seeks World Cup base for Eagles

    Nigeria Football Federation officials are working on a plan for the African football champions to train in Colombia, Argentina or the United States for next year’s World Cup in Brazil.

    “We plan to camp the team in Colombia, Argentina or the United States of America,” supersport.com quoted Chris Green, the head of the NFF technical committee, as saying on Wednesday.

    “These countries share the same climatic conditions with Brazil. We will be inspecting many camp sites to finally decide where to camp the team.”

    Brazil 2014 will be Nigeria’s fifth World Cup appearance after debuting at the 1994 tournament in the U.S.

    The NFF is waiting for the outcome of Friday’s World Cup finals draw before deciding on the base.

     

  • 2014 budget: FG agrees to NFF’s demand

    2014 budget: FG agrees to NFF’s demand

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will receive increased funding from the Federal Government in 2014.

    Disclosing this, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Sports, Godfrey Gaiya said the reason for this is the increased number of major global competitions the NFF will prosecute next year.

    “If you look at 2014, it is a year that is loaded. Consequently, more money will be required to execute such programmes,” Gaiya exclusively told supersport.com.

    The lawmaker, however, revealed that the ball is now in the court of the NFF in that regard.

    “It’s now up to the leadership of the NFF to come up with a proposal to that effect. If they do that, I can assure you that the parliament will favourably look at such a proposal. If they have a need to ask for more, they will outline such in a proposal to the House,” he said.

    Head coach of the Nigeria national team, Stephen Keshi is currently owed salaries, with the NFF identifying lack of funds as the reason for the anomaly.

  • BRAZIL 2014 fifa world cup: Eagles get Code of Conduct

    BRAZIL 2014 fifa world cup: Eagles get Code of Conduct

    • Nigeria moves to avoid World Cup bonus row

    • FG grants NFF approval to implement directives

    Nigeria football officials are set to implement a code of conduct which they hope will prevent future rows with the national team over bonus payments.

    The move is designed to ensure there is no repeat of the dispute that almost caused the country to miss out on this year’s FIFA Confederations Cup.

    Players threatened to strike over a 50 per cent cut in their bonus for June’s 2014 World Cup qualifiers in Kenya and Namibia.

    Sports Minister Bolaji Abdullahi has forwarded a code of conduct, drafted by a committee at his ministry, for immediate implementation by the country’s football federation.

    “That’s the right step to take [approach the football body] so that the Nigeria Football Federation can ratify and implement this before the World Cup,” Julius Ogunro, Special Assistant to the Sports Minister, told BBC Sport.

    “It [the code of conduct] was kept away to allow the team focus solely on securing a World Cup ticket.

    “Now is the right time to get it done and the NFF as a parastatal of the sports ministry are well aware of its importance.

    “We need to prevent a bonus row like the one which fuelled anger and almost embarrassed the country before the last Confederations Cup in Brazil.”

    Back in June, Nigeria’s players had initially refused to go to the Confederations Cup following their 1-1 draw in Namibia in a World Cup qualifier as they were unhappy with the bonus payments offered by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

    The sports ministry intervened and made extra money available, eventually allowing the squad to travel to Brazil – two days late and only about 36 hours before Nigeria’s opening game against Tahiti.

    The five-part document spells out the obligations of the NFF, coaches and players called up to the national team. Non-compliance could lead to fines, suspensions or even expulsions.

    Pay rows have often surrounded Nigerian teams, with coaches not paid regularly, while players have resisted any attempts to review their win bonus during important qualifiers or at major tournaments.

    There have been several attempts to introduce a code but they have often been met by stiff resistance from players in the past.

    “This will hopefully bring an end to ugly incidents that often portray the country in a bad light during major tournaments,” Ogunro said.

    The poor financial position of the NFF has already forced the country to cut their backroom staff and slashed the salaries and allowances of the various national team coaches, excluding coach Stephen Keshi.

  • NFF sets CHAN win target

    T HE Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) has set a target of starting the new year with another silverware as the home based Super Eagles play at the African Nations Championship(CHAN) in January.

    The outgoing year has been very fruitful for the country after the Super Eagles opened the 2013 with the AFCON crown and the Golden Eaglets with the FIFA U-17 World Cup trophy in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) among other accolades in the year about to pass by.

    Speaking with SportingLife on telephone, the NFF’s Chairman, Technical Sub Committee, Christopher Green said that the Football House has not given the Super Eagles’ boss any ultimatum with which to perform at the competition meant for domestic league players.

    Green affirmed that it was the duty of the NFF to set goals of what the body intends to achieve at the start of the year so as to keep pace with the expectations of Nigerians.

  • NSC plans retreat on Eaglets in Calabar Dec. 20

    NSC plans retreat on Eaglets in Calabar Dec. 20

    The National Sports Commission (NSC) is putting together a retreat on sustaining Nigeria’s performance at the FIFA Under-17 World Championship.

    According to a release signed by the Special Assistant on Media to the Honourable Minister of Sports, Julius Ogunro, yesterday, “The Cross River State Government will host the retreat, which will take place in Calabar, on December 20th, 2013.

    “lt will focus on providing the right orientation for the footballers of the victorious Under-17 side, the Golden Eaglets, on their career progress; drawing a blueprint for sustaining Nigeria’s performance at age-grade competitions, among others.

    “Participants will be drawn from the NSC, Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), business community, ex-footballers and other sports stakeholders.”

    Some issues/topics that will be discussed at the retreat will include Developing the Right Social Skills; the ABC of Football Contracts; the Attitude for Success; Image and Media Management; Financial Management and others.

    The Honourable Minister of Sports and Chairman of the NSC, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the retreat was essential in order to document the strategies that ensured our success at the FIFA Under 17 World Cup for future purpose. He also explained that it was necessary to properly guide the young players to make the right career decisions.

    “I am sure this is the first time we are having this kind of retreat after a successful outing at a major championship. We want to provide these young boys with the knowledge, which would help them make the right career choice,” he disclosed.