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  • NFF rejects ‘corrupt’ statement

    NFF rejects ‘corrupt’ statement

    • Says Glasshouse won’t join issues with Gov. Amaechi 

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has flatly rejected a statement by Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi that the Federation is graft-ridden.

    Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, Chairman of the NFF Media and Publicity Committee, Emeka Inyama said Amaechi’s statement at Monday’s Presidential Retreat on Sports at the Banquet Hall of State House, Abuja was in bad taste.

    “The present NFF Board is not corrupt and has been employing global best practices in its dealings.“While we are unwilling to join issues with the Chairman of the Governors’ Forum, plastic allegations of corruption against persons and institutions are weighty and damaging and should not be thrown in a flippant manner.

    “Of course, Governor Amaechi later told the NFF President and General Secretary at the private session that he was referring to a previous NFA administration. But he failed to make that clarification in his public statement, thereby leaving his speech to mischievous interpretation.

    “The present NFF administration is employing global best practices in running Nigerian football and the Executive Committee members are elected, just like other top public office holders. They deserve regard and respect.”

    Inyama noted that unsubstantiated allegations of graft against public office holders have become trendy, but cautioned that highly-placed individuals have a responsibility to refrain from unjust attacks against agencies that work assiduously for the progress of the nation.

    “Football is the biggest factor that unites Nigerians and the present NFF is very much alive to its responsibilities of ensuring that joy is derived anytime a national team steps out to represent the country. The board has assiduously striven to employ highest etiquettes in all its dealings including management of scarce resources in executing itsassignments.

    “The entire envelope of the NFF for this year is N1.9 Billion, while an average match of the Super Eagles cost about N120 million. There are 11 national teams, eight of which are always engaged in qualifying campaigns and championships. Yet, we get punched here and there for no justifiable reason.

    “The truth is that, without the financial support of the Governors of Cross River, Lagos, Kwara, Edo and Kaduna States, we would have found it difficult prosecuting all our international matches and competitions this year, and we thank them immensely,” Inyama concluded.

  • Presidential sport retreat: NFF is corrupt – Gov . Amaechi

    Presidential sport retreat: NFF is corrupt – Gov . Amaechi

    THE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has been labelled as the most corrupt institution in the country.

    This was the verdict of Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, who also called for the immediately dissolution of the board.

    The dissolution, the governor argued, was the key to Nigeria regaining its lost glory in football.

    NFF is currently being led by Alhaji Aminu Maigari.

    He spoke at the Presidential Sports Retreat with the theme: “Harnessing the Potential of Nigeria’s Sports Sector: From Playground to Podium.”

    Speaking on the topic, “State government and sports development” Ameachi said it was the high level of corruption in the football house that discouraged most governors from funding sports in the country.

    Ameachi who was articulating the position of the governors said the enormous corruption in the board prompted the then members of the Presidential Task Force in which he chaired, to recommend the dissolution of NFF and damn the consequence of the Federation of International Football Association banning the country for two years.

    He said: “We recommended that to stop FIFA from banning we should withdraw from international competition for two years. Let us come back home and start afresh. We will perform better later. Today what you have is an NFF that is corrupt.”

    He said what was sustainable was for the country to revive primary school sports and for the country to train qualified coaches if it wants to see result.

    Ameachi revealed that the presidential task force also recommended a total overhaul of the coaching crew in football. “We said that clearly the present coaching crew do not have what it takes to coach. We said they should be sent abroad for training while we hire a foreign coach to handle our team for a while just like Westerhof did.”

    Amaechi also listed bad implementation of policies as part of the country’s problem.

    “Part of the problem is the implementation. Mr. President you must insist on implementation else we will gather gain in 2015 to discuss sports,” he said.

    The governor further said he knew that State governors are capable of funding sporting activities if there was transparency.

    He said it was not right that public fund should be mismanaged as currently being done by some sports administrators.

    “Those who administer public institutions should do so judiciously and transparently,” he posited.

  • I did not embezzle N1m – NFF board member

    A board member of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ahmed Kawu, on Monday in Abuja denied reports in some sections of the media that he embezzled about N1 million.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the amount was part of the N5 million approved by the NFF to run the activities of the Nigeria Nationwide League (NNWL).

    Kawu, who is also the chairman of the league, told NAN that the allegation was the handiwork of detractors, who did not want the development of football in the country.

    The chairman said that the money was given as part payment to Vitalis Asonuka, a contractor, who furnished the secretariat of the league at the cost of N7 million.

    He said that the money was to enable Asonuka embark on his journey to the United States of America where a surgery had been arranged to correct his sight.

    “It all started when we were directed in a letter by Mohammed Sanusi, the NFF Director of Competition, to leave the football secretariat, an accommodation was given to us, but it was not furnished and we had no money.

    “We advertised to enable us get those that can help us furnish the office. Our aim was to have a befitting office where sponsors can come and do business.

    “Somebody eventually emerged and we told him that we had no money to execute the contract, but that he would be paid as soon as we get money. He furnished our office for N7 million,” he said.

    Kawu said, “Unfortunately the man (contractor) fell sick after three months and was about losing his sight.

    “He came begging us if we can give him part of his money after securing a United States visa where he was to be operated upon to enable him regain his sight.

    “Since we were still waiting for the release of the N5 million approved by the FA board, I took him to the General Secretary, Musa Amadu.

    “I thought that he will understand and release our money because the man deserved to be helped, but he said there was no money.

    “Finally, he released N1 million to us on loan, so we decided to give it to the man, he helped us so why won’t we help him by giving him part of his money?” he asked.

     

  • Flamingoes apologise to NFF, Nigerians

    Flamingoes apologise to NFF, Nigerians

    •Team decamped

    COACH of the national U-17 side, Flamingoes, Peter Dedevbo has apologized to his employers, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and by extension, Nigerian soccer fans over his team’s inability to go past the quarterfinal stage of the ongoing FIFA U-17 World Cup in Azerbaijan.

    The team, which had showed so much prospect coming into the competition after dominating the group stages, succumbed to defeat in the hands of France via penalties and Coach Dedevbo has said he and his girls are truly sorry for the ouster because of the immense support and goodwill they enjoyed both from the federation and the country.

    “We are really deeply saddened that we could not go past the quarterfinal stage of the competition and are sorry because we enjoyed tremendous support from the Nigerian Football Federation and soccer-loving Nigerians before and during this competition.

    “We did not plan to come back now because we thought we were going to make it to at least the finals. This is the saddest thing and we apologise for disappointing Nigerians who have had so much faith in us.

    “We didn’t take our chances and I cannot explain why. These are the same girls who had been scoring goals but when it matters most, they couldn’t find the back of the net. We really regret it and are still living with the shock” he said.

    The team, which arrived Lagos aboard a Turkish airline on Friday night have since been decamped.

  • NFF to Nigerians: Pray for Flamingoes

    The Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) has tasked Nigerians to put the Women’s U-17 team in their prayers as they prepare for tougher matches at the ongoing FIFA World Cup in Azerbaijan.

    Speaking against the backdrop of their 11-0 white wash and record equalling defeat of hosts, Azerbaijan, the NFF’s Director of Competitions, Dr Mohammed Sanusi said the ladies have made their compatriots happy with their displays against their hapless European nation but urged against lowering their guard against Colombia owing to the feat achieved in their first two matches.

    Dr Sanusi noted that with Nigerians’ support through their prayers, the Flamingoes would be more clinical in front of goals and would not be hitting the cross bar or the woodwork as witnessed in their first match where loads of chances were frittered away.

    “The Flamingoes have raised the flag of Nigeria very well and are a more improved side to the one that played Canada in the first match. We are proud of them and are sure they will be in the final by the grace of God.

    “What we want from Nigerians is their prayers. We lost many scoring chances in the match against Canada and those chances are as good as goals under ideal settings.

    “This is because when you play the ball and it hit the bar is as good as the one that has gone in. It is here we beckon on Nigerians for their prayers to ask for God’s favour so that they can be more clinical and fortunate in front of goal as they march toward the final,” Sanusi appeals to Nigerians.

    With the 11-0 victory over Azerbaijan Flamingoes are top of Group A with 4 points and a massive +11 goals difference ahead of Canada who are on +1 goal difference.

    Colombia (3 points) and Azerbaijan(none) are 3rd and 4th respectively.

    Flamingoes wide margin win also equalled the record of the most goals scored in a FIFA U-17 match set few days earlier in the match between North Korea and Gambia which ended 11-0 also in favour of the Asian giants.

    The Nigerians have their last group match against Colombia on Saturday in Baku.

     

  • Glo presents N350m sponsorship cheque to NFF

    Glo presents N350m sponsorship cheque to NFF

    Globacom on Tuesday in Abuja presented a cheque of three hundred and fifty million naira (N350m) to the Nigerian Football Federation as the five-year sponsorship deal it signed with the Federation last year entered its second season.

    Presenting the cheque to the President of NFF, Aminu Maigari at the GlassHouse, Abuja, Director of Mike Adenuga Group, Niyi Adewunmi said: “Globacom believes that its sposorship of the NFF and the national teams will make Nigerian football to soar, hence we have come to fulfill the promise we made last year by paying for the second season of the sponsorship.”

    He reassured the Federation and all Nigerians that “Globacom believes that this is a partnership that works and must continue to deliver value to the delight of all Nigerians.”

    He announced to the NFF board that Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr. (GCON) has encouraged the Federation to ensure that “Nigeria qualifies for the next Africa Cup of Nations, the World Cup and indeed all the other major football events,” adding that “Globacom is ready to support you all through as we are very happy to support the development of Nigerian football.”

    Last year, Globacom and NFF signed a five-year sponsorship agreement package to sponsor the national football teams and the Federation Cup from 2011-2016. The company paid the first installment last year.

    Receiving the cheque, a highly-elated Chairman of the Federation, Maigari thanked Globacom for its consistency in supporting Nigerian football, and assured Nigerians that “we will not let you down by ensuring that Nigeria qualifies for the African Nations Cup and other major football competitions.”

    He noted that the payment has come at the right time when the Federation was facing financial challenges in meeting its obligations to its coaches and other stakeholders.

    The Federation Chairman further commended Globacom for launching a football academy, the Glo Soccer Academy, touted as the biggest sccer reality TV show in Africa. He noted that the “Glo Soccer Academy is the only recognised football academy in the country as you applied all the due processes, got your license and complied to the rules of the process.”

    In his remarks, the Federation’s Marketing Consultant, Mike Itamuegbor said that by this payment, Globacom has demonstrated commitment to ensuring that this relationship produces maximum result to the benefit all stakeholders. He recognised that Globacom has been contributing massively to the development of Nigerian football since inception and assured Globacom that “NFF understands the value of the relationship.”

  • NFF: No plan B for Eagles

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) says there is ‘no plan B’ as the Super Eagles look to qualify for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.
    The Nigerian national team failed to qualify for the 2012 edition of the AFCON as they were pipped to the post by Guinea in the final round of qualifying.
    Liberia’s Lone Star currently stand between the Super Eagles and a place at the 2013 Afcon and after a 2-2 draw between both nations in the first leg of the final round of qualifying, the NFF has declared failure to qualify for the 2013 edition will not be tolerated.
    “We have just one option for the 2013 AFCON and that is to qualify for the tournament. We don’t have an option B. We refuse to be negative,” Chris Green, chairman of the NFF technical committee told supersport.com.
    Super Eagles’ coach, Stephen Keshi had declared recently that he would quit his post if Nigeria fail to qualify for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and Green said it would be difficult to see the ‘Big Boss’ staying on should Nigeria fail to go past Liberia.
    “It goes without saying. If you can’t qualify, what are you doing (staying on as Super Eagles coach). If you can’t go past Liberia, what are we talking about? What pedigree has Liberia?
    “However, I don’t think Keshi made those comments in bad faith. What Keshi is saying is that his heart and soul are in this assignment and that he will do all he can to see Nigeria’s flag hoisted in South Africa next year,” he said.
  • Eagles: Too big to fly

    Eagles: Too big to fly

    Travelling with the Super Eagles can be fun. They excite one with the delusion that they are doing Nigerians a big favour. They think they are super beings and consider others as leaches, who must quickly be blown out like catarrh in the nostrils. Their swagger irritates largely because they hardly can fill the immigration forms unguided.
    Little wonder, the fans don’t flock around them. Elsewhere, the convergence of stars attracts lovers of the game to them. Soccer freaks cherish such moments, taking pictures, getting autographs and, possibly having some souvenirs. Not so for the Super Eagles; they treat their fans like the plague.
    Going to Liberia on Friday morning threw up the best opportunity for the players to change their ways towards others. Not so for these bunch, like the folks before them.
    You will expect that such early morning movement will elicit greetings from the young men when they see elders. No way! Instead, they block their ear-drums, pretending to be listening to music, Yet will acknowledge greetings from one another. In fact, we had a good laugh watching them, their ear phones on, chatting. It is evident that this is the Eagles subtle way of shunning people.
    As we boarded the chartered IRS aircraft, the players, officials, high ranking government functionaries, including Senators, House of Representatives and NFF Board members were instructed to lead the way. Others boarded after them. But it was inside the aircraft that this distasteful scenario happened.
    An elderly member of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club was shocked at the way a top Eagles star refused to allow him sit beside him.
    Having boarded the aircraft earlier, the star sat at the aisle, spreading his legs majestically. Not even the friendly tap from this elderly supporter could sway the chap. As the elderly one walked towards the inner row, he muttered inaudible words. My heart sank. Another supporter walked towards another Eagles star who sat alone, asking to sit beside him; he refused. I couldn’t stomach this because the airline officials had done a head count and knew the number of vacant seats. I beckoned on one of the airline officials who intervened. Guess what? The irritant chose to sit with another mate, who sat alone in one of the two- seaters. Unwittingly, the aircraft had been fouled by bad blood. Soon, the aircraft was in the skies, flying its two hours 45 minutes course.
    With 18 aeronautical miles to the Roberts International Airport in Liberia, the pilot informed us of a final descent, urging us to look towards the left to admire the Atlantic Ocean and its amazing waves.
    Then the spectacle for those who have been there would be a smile. In three minutes, the aircraft roared as if it was taking a plunge into the ocean, a big sigh sprang out from the hitherto snoring aircraft of over 93people. Soon, the aircraft found its length on the runway, spending much of 12 minutes flying low on the Atlantic.
    Then the panic. AIT’s Wale spoke the mind of many panic-stricken passengers when he said in Yoruba: “Se airplane fe we ninu odo n i(Does the aircraft want to swim?) Then smiles and backslapping as the pilot put the aircraft on the runway to roll to a gradual halt on its tyres.
    It was drizzling. There was some turbulence before the final descent. (We were forewarned by the pilot).
    Having walked through immigration, I went straight to the elderly supporter to plead with him. Once I raised the issue, his face got winked, but my friend broke into a reluctant smile as I teased him with his favourite song. Before then, he had said in Yoruba: Ade, ori nkan timori. Boy yen o nisorire. (Ade, did you see what I saw? That boy won’t do well), he sighed heavily.
    The elderly supporter later withdrew the curse. When the game began, the irritant was one of the culprits who ruined our victory dance. As he fumbled, my mind went to the

  • NFF approves Falcons’ programme

    • Team opens camp in Abuja September 16
    • Football House shops for friendlies for team

     

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has approved the programme submitted by the Head Coach of the Super Falcons, Kadiri Ikhana, towards the 8th edition of the African Women’s Championship(AWC) slated for Equatorial Guinea, a top official has revealed.

    The Chairman, Technical Sub Committee of the NFF, Barrister Christopher Green, who made this known to SportingLife said that the approval given to the programme was with immediate effect as the team is expected in Abuja on Sunday September 16 to regroup for the continuation of the preparation for the AWC billed to start in Equatorial Guinea on October 28th through November 11th in Malabo.

    Barrister Green also noted that international friendly matches are being worked out for the Falcons to keep them in good stead for the successful defence of the title won two years ago in South Africa.

    “They are going to resume camp on Sunday this weekend and the programme submitted by coach Kadiri Ikhana has been approved of.

    “We are working on getting some international matches for them but for now I can’t lay my hands on any because discussions are still ongoing with those countries,” he confirmed.

    Falcons are the most successful African country in the competition having lifted 6 of the 7 previous editions including victories in the first five editions of the tourney from 1998 through 2006. They claimed bronze medal in 2008 in Equatorial Guinea before winning their 6th title in 2010 in South Africa.

  • Eagles Cordinator blasts CAF over poor pitches

    Emmanuel Attah

    Super Eagles Coordinator Emmanuel Attah has called on Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) to take the issue of bad pitches in Africa very serious as it could hamper the results of matches if care is not taken.

    Speaking on the backdrop of 2-2 score draw between Eagles and the Lone Star of Liberia in Monrovia on Saturday, the former FCT Football Federation boss revealed that the poor condition of the Samuel Doe Stadium really affected the performance of the Nigerian team in the match.

    “Confederation of Africa Football should do something drastic about the issue of bad pitches in Africa. It is not good for our football because most of our players ply their football trade in Europe and play on good pitches and you don’t expect them to come to Africa and get injured while playing on bad pitches after coming home to help their countries. This may eventually ruin their career. The performance of some of these players may be hindered by these bad pitches to the detriment of the nations they play for,” he said.

    “ So CAF must consider this issue very seriously because it affects the quality of play and the overall performance of teams in the continent.”

    He is, however, confident of Eagles’ victory over Liberia when the two teams meet next month in Nigeria. “We wanted to win in Liberia to compensate President Goodluck Jonathan for supporting us and personally visiting us in our training session before we departed for Monrovia and we also planned to win and make soccer loving Nigerians happy too. But we won’t cry over a split milk. Better still, the 2-2 draw has put us in a strong position to finally pick the qualification ticket for the 2013 Africa Nations Cup finals in South Africa,” he added.