The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)

  • Pinnick presents Pitch Awards gong to Okowa

    President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr Amaju Pinnick on Wednesday in Asaba presented the award of Football Friendly Governor of the Year to Governor Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa of Delta State.

    Governor Okowa won the award at the sixth edition of the Nigeria Pitch Awards held in Asaba on Saturday, but neither the Delta State number one citizen nor the NFF supremo were present at the occasion.

    Pinnick, also the 1st Vice President of the Confederation of African Football, was summoned to France as a result of some issues related to CAF, and left Asaba on the eve of the awards, which held at the Golden Tulip Hotel hours after the Nigeria/Zimbabwe pre-AFCON 2019 send forth friendly at the Stephen Keshi Stadium. NFF 1st Vice President, Seyi Akinwunmi represented Pinnick at the event.

    Read Also: FG charges Pinnick with $8,400, N4bn fraud

    “I am happy to present this award to Your Excellency, knowing that you are fully deserving of the gong going by what you have done for Nigerian Football in the past one year,” Pinnick said as he presented the award trophy and certificate to Governor Okowa.

    Governor Okowa and his administration have hosted several activities of the NFF in the past one year, including four matches of the Super Eagles (Vs Uganda in November 2018; Vs Seychelles in March 2019; Vs Egypt in March 2019 and; Vs Zimbabwe in June 2019); one match of the U23 National Team (Vs Libya in March 2019); the Annual General Assembly of the NFF in October 2018 and; a pre-Extraordinary General Assembly of the NFF in August 2018.

  • Norway vs Nigeria: Falcons going for three points

    After the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) cleared all their outstanding entitlements, the Super Falcons have declared they are in the mood and spirit to take all three points off the Grasshoppers of Norway in their first match of the 8th FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Reims on Saturday.

    One of only seven teams to have made it to every edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup finals since the inaugural competition in 1991, the Falcons have made it out of the group stage only once previously, and that was 20 years ago.

    A 2-1 defeat of North Korea and a 2-0 win over Denmark, on either side of a 7-1 roasting by Team USA, steered the African champions to the quarterfinals, where they came back from three goals down to level with Brazil before losing by the golden goal in extra time.

    Nigeria’s closest walk to the knockout rounds since then was Germany 2011, where they lost by the odd goal to both France and Germany and then defeated Canada by the odd goal.

    Midfielder Ngozi Okobi told thenff.com: “It is true that we have not really pulled our weight at the FIFA World Cup before now. But I can say we have the team to do that here in France.

    Read Also: Falcons off to France today

    The NFF has done well by ensuring good preparation for the team, with the tournaments that we played. A lot is hanging on the first match against Norway. If we are able to get a good result, then we will take it from there.”

    Norway comes into the encounter with the mindset that they should be able to steamroll the African champions. Only last week, the Grasshoppers hammered another African representative, South Africa 7-2 in a friendly. And going back 24 years, at the second edition of the FIFA World Cup staged by Sweden, Norway lashed Nigeria 8-0 in a group stage encounter in Helsinborg.

    Head Coach Thomas Dennerby is asking his girls to take it one match at a time and develop a positive mindset about the finals.

    “A positive mindset is key to what we are here for. You must believe in yourselves and have confidence in what you can do here. You must give it your best,” he told the players after Thursday’s training session at the Stade Jean Boucton in Reims.

    A good number of the Nigerian mainstream play their club football in the Scandinavia region, to which Norway belongs. These include defender Osinachi Ohale, Ngozi Ebere and Faith Michael, midfielders Rita Chikwelu, Ngozi Okobi, Ogonna Chukwudi and Halimatu Ayinde, and forwards Anam Imo and Rasheedat Ajibade. These players should, indeed, have a very good idea of how Norway will set up and activate at the Stade Auguste-Delaune on Saturday night.

    Pacy forward Asisat Oshoala, who has sealed a permanent move to FC Barcelona Ladies, was on Wednesday appointed team assistant captain.

    23 SUPER FALCONS AT FRANCE 2019

    GOALKEEPERS: Tochukwu Oluehi (Rivers Angels); Alaba Jonathan (Bayelsa Queens); Chiamaka Nnadozie (Rivers Angels).

    Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Vaxjo DFF, Sweden); Ngozi Ebere (Arna Bjornar, Norway); Onome Ebi (Henan Huisanhang, China); Faith Michael (Pitea IF, Sweden); Chidinma Okeke (FC Robo).

    MIDFIELDERS: Rita Chikwelu (Krstianstand DFF, Sweden); Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene (Eskiltuna United, Sweden); Evelyn Nwabuoku (Rivers Angels); Ogonna Chukwudi (Djurgardens IF, Sweden); Halimatu Ayinde (Eskiltuna United, Sweden); Amarachi Okoronkwo (Nasarawa Amazons).

    FORWARDS: Desire Oparanozie (En Avant Guingamp, France); Anam Imo (Malmo FC Rosengard, Sweden); Asisat Oshoala (FC Barcelona, Spain); Chinaza Uchendu (SC Braga, Portugal); Uchenna Kanu (Southeastern University, USA); Rasheedat Ajibade (Alvadsnes IL, Norway); Francisca Ordega (Shanghai W. FC); Alice Ogebe (Rivers Angels); Chinwendu Ihezuo (Henana Huisanhang, China).

  • AFCON 2019: Eagles are condemned to win – Pinnick

    Adeyinka Akintunde

     

    Amaju Pinnick, President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has assured Nigerians that the Africa Cup of Nations will land in Abuja in July, as the Super Eagles are condemned to win the tournament this summer.

    Pinnick, in a monitored interview over the weekend, said that the Nigerian team will not be going to Egypt to aim the second round, or quarter-finals, as the trophy remains the focus of the team.

    According to Pinnick, “If you have a son, you will not want him to be an armed robber, you will prefer him being a medical doctor, so we want to win the tournament, not just participate. We are condemned to going to Egypt to win the AFCON and that is our focus. We are not just going to play for round of sixteen or quarter finals, we have won it before, we can do it again. We are working and praying towards it, and we believe that we will do well.

    Speaking on what the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has done so far to help the preparations for the Super Eagles, Pinnick, who doubles as the President of the Africa Cup of Nations committee revealed that chartered flights and a training camp have been secured for the boys.

    Read Also: It’s time for Nigeria to win AFCON again, says Westerhof

    “On the part of the federation, we have done everything that we need to do. We have secured a chartered flight that will be taking them straight from Asaba to Cairo, and we have secured a training camp in Egypt. The boys will not need to go to Abu Dhabi, Turkey or France, before the competition begins, so acclimatization will start early” he said

    Amaju Pinnick further denied forcing the coach of the Super Eagles, Gernot Rohr to include striker, Kelechi Iheanacho on the team to fly to Egypt.  He said he only advised the coach, leaving him to take the final decision.

    In his words “We have a contract with the coach, such that after the selection of players is done, he sends to me, and I send it to the technical committee, without altering it, and then it is sent back to the coach, before he releases it to the public.

    “However, I advised the coach on Iheanacho, and I don’t have any regret about it. It was the same thing I did during the time of Ahmed Musa, when he was facing problems in his marriage and in Leicester City. I told the coach that if a football club does not help the player, it is the country that should help the player. Now look at what Musa did at the World Cup. It is the same thing with Iheanacho, there are some reasons he left Pep Guardiola and Manchester City which I don’t want to say, but I am happy that other players are also saying it. He went to Leicester City and is adjusting, and he is young and an enterprising left-footed player.  If he does not go to the AFCON now, when will he go? He can even be the hero of the tournament at the end of the day.

    “But I told the coach that he has the final decision to make. If I was the President of Nigeria, and I see an issue to advice the coach on, I would have done the same.”

    The Super Eagles began camping for the 2019 AFCON on Sunday, and will play a friendly match against Zimbabwe in Asaba on June 8, before jetting out to Cairo, where they face Senegal on June 16th in another friendly game. They have been grouped to face Burundi, Guinea and Madagascar in the Nations Cup, which holds from June 21st to July 19th.

  • Eagles’ AFCON money not in 2019 budget

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) officials are at their wits end over the exclusion of the cost of prosecuting the 2019 African Nations Cup in the Ministry of Sports’ budget by the immediate past minister, Solomon Dalung.

    Unlike the World Cup in which FIFA provides funding for every team’s preparation and participation in the competition, teams in the African Nations Cup take care of their contingent’s logistics except accommodation, internal transportation and feeding, which is the responsibility of the host country.

    An NFF official told reporters at the weekend that the federation had been forced to scrimmage for funds a few weeks before the Nations Cup scheduled for Egypt.

    The source, who pleaded anonymity, said, “we duly submitted our budget to the ministry, but we understand that it was removed by the immediate past minister, Solomon Dalung. The problem is that we only discovered that our budget was not in the envelop submitted by the ministry a few days ago.

    “So, we are left to look for resources to take care of our teams’ preparation and participation in their various competitions and we don’t have much time to do this.”

    Read Also: AliBaba identifies with Hotsports on AFCON TV broadcast

    Apart from the Nations Cup, which begins in Egypt on June 25, Nigeria is also involved in the on-going FIFA U-20 World Cup and the FIFA Women World Cup, which kicks off on Friday.

    There is also the African U-23 Nations Cup and the FIFA U-17 World Cup, which are also scheduled for this year.

    Reacting to the allegation that the ministry yanked off NFF’s package from its 2019 budget, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Olusade Adesola said the ministry should not be held responsible if the NFF’s expenditure is not in the federal budget because the ‘federation is an independent parastatal.’

    According to Adesola, “the NFF is responsible for its own budget, which in most cases is included in the Sports Ministry’s envelop. You know the resources are not limited and so things are prioritised based on available resources. If the NFF did not submit its budget, it is not the ministry’s fault. Most times they choose to do things their own way independent of the ministry.”

    The 2019 African Nations Cup will hold from June 21 to July 21.

  • Preparations for AFCON 2019 on course, says Pinnick

    Amaju Pinnick, President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), says preparations for the 2019 edition of African Cup of Nations tournament is on course.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Egypt will host the tournament in six centres under the new 24 team format from June 21 to July 19.

    Pinnick, the first Vice-President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), said on Wednesday in Lagos that he received daily reports from the various sub-committees in Egypt preparing for the big event.

    “Preparations have been going on very well. I have daily reports from the various sub-committees and the administration.

    “I believe that Egypt will put up a spectacular performance in terms of organisation and running of the events because they have invested so much,” he said.

    According to Pinnick, Egypt is traditionally a football loving country and is eagerly anticipating the championship.

    Read Also: Policemen storm NFF to arrest Pinnick, others

    The NFF boss said that the 24 team format for the 2019 edition will give more teams the opportunity to participate in the tournament.

    Three countries, Sudan, Ethiopia and Egypt took part in the first CAF tournament held in Sudan in 1957. Egypt won the maiden edition. The format for the tournament changed to eight teams and later 16 teams.

    “The new format has given so many countries the privilege of being in AFCON. For instance, Madagascar, Burundi and Mauritania couldn’t have been in the tournament if there was no 24 team format.

    “The new format also has economic advantage because the more games you play, the more television rights and the merrier. It has other advantages for football in the continent,” he said.

    Pinnick said that he was optimistic that the 2019 AFCON would be a great success.

    NAN

  • FCV Gladiators Football Camp will add value to school sports, says Akinwunmi

    The uniqueness of the maiden FCV Gladiators Football Camp has distinguished from others in terms of adding value to school sports in Nigeria.

    These were the views of the Vice President, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Seyi Akinwunmi who believes other academies should take a cue from what FCV Gladiators Camp intends to add to sports.

    Akinwunmi said globally, football and education must be combined well to mould a total child who can compete at global level.

    “Sincerely, the emergence of the maiden FCV Gladiators Camp is really a progress and we have been preaching this for a very long while. We are very happy that this is happening as it is the only way to succeed because if we don’t take back sports to schools, we are only wasting our time,” the NFF helmsman said.

    He added: “FCV Gladiators Camp has come in a unique way and different opportunity for the kids. They are clearly saying football and education must go hand-in-hand. There is no disguise and this is what other academies should come to say. Many of our academies are interested in the kids to become footballers without education but FCV is saying, play the game and get education.”

    For the Chief Executive Officer of Advanta Interactive Limited, Efe Ojigbede, the camp would not only focus on football but emphasis the need for the participants to marry their football prowess with academics.

    “Football has been a passion across Nigeria and a lot of people got involved in the game at grassroots especially. But what we are looking at doing is to bring into fore education and football. What matter the most for us is the education, we are not saying football alone but education and football because it is important we emphasis this,” Ojigbede said.

    To ensure that the initiative has come to stay, Ojigbede said: “We have been able to enter an agreement with FCV to be here for the next five years. Beyond that we know that the success of the camp will determine how far we go but for now, five years, we are here. Between now and when the camps will hold in Lagos and Abuja, we will have registered a lot of children and getting schools to start getting their kids and teams ready to come to the camps,” he added.

    The camp is a brainchild of Dynaspro Sports Promotion and Advanta Interactive Limited in collaboration with UK-based FCV International Academy with the sole aim of giving a new outlook to football with special attention to education. University of Lagos Sports Centre host the Lagos leg of the camp on April 14 while the Abuja leg holds on April 21.

     

  • NFF hails President on re-election

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Wednesday congratulated His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR on his re-election as President and Commander-In-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    In the early hours of Wednesday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), declared President Buhari duly re-elected along with his running mate, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, GCON.

    “The NFF is excited by the victory of President Buhari. We attribute all the successes that we have had in football in the past four years to His Excellency, working closely and in unison with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and other key members of his administration.

    “The government of President Muhammadu Buhari has provided a conducive environment necessary for the game of football to thrive in our dear country and we believe that the next four years will be even more fruitful for Nigerian football,” NFF President Amaju Pinnick, said.

    Pinnick, who alongside the NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi, is attending the FIFA Executive Football Summit in Rome, Italy, said the various accomplishments of Nigerian Football locally and internationally in the past four years, on and off the field, could not have seen the light of day without the active support and encouragement of the Buhari Government.

    “We will always remain very grateful to His Excellency and his Government. We have received the maximum support from the administration. We will work even harder in the next four years to take Nigerian Football to even higher heights of excellence.”

    In the past four years of the Buhari administration, Nigerian Football has blossomed on and off the field, with FIFA and CAF appointments for Nigerians more than ever before. Pinnick himself became the first –ever 1st Vice President of CAF from Nigeria. He is also a Member of the Organising Committee for FIFA Competitions, and President of the organising committee for the AFCON – CAF’s flagship competition.

    Read also: ‘Don’t gloat over victory, humiliate opponents’

    Other Nigerians such as Justice Ayotunde Phillips (Ethics Committee, Adjudicatory Chamber) and Shehu Dikko (Football Stakeholders Committee) are in FIFA, while Senior Advocate A. U. Mustapha is president of the CAF Appeals Board. Samson Adamu (Director of Competitions) and Christian Emeruwa (Head of Safety and Security) have lead roles in CAF.

    Pinnick’s deputy, Seyi Akinwunmi (Youth Competitions); Dikko (Inter-Clubs and Club Licensing); Ahmed Yusuf (Technical and Development); Ibrahim Gusau (CHAN); Ifeanyi Ubah (AFCON); Obinna Ogba (Futsal and Beach Soccer); Peter Singabele (Medical) and; Chisom Ezeoke (Women’s Football) are all in CAF committees.

  • S/Falcons to play ten matches before 2019 Women’s World Cup – NFF

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Thursday said it has put in place plans to provide the Super Falcons with better preparations for the 8th FIFA Women’s World Cup finals.

    Ademola Olajire, NFF’s Director of Communications, said in a statement that the federation had made plans for the African champions to participate in about 10 matches altogether.

    “Participation in the Four-Nation Invitational Tournament in China from Jan. 17 to Jan. 20 will be followed by participation in the Cyprus Women’s Cup billed for Feb. 25 to March 7.

    “They will then play planned friendly matches with Spain or Canada before a final training camp in Austria that could also take in two tune-up games,’’ he said.

    Already, the NFF has announced that the Falcons would have their final camping programme at the same Avita Hotel and Resort in Bad Tatzmannsdorf in Austria.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Super Eagles stayed at that same facility before heading to Russia to participate in the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals.

    Read Also: Super Falcons in tough France 2019 draw

    Olajire disclosed that players and officials of the nine-time African champions were on Tuesday at the Embassy of China in Abuja for visa processing.

    “The team is expected to fly out of Nigeria to China on Monday,’’ he said.

    Hosts China, Romania and Korea Republic are the other teams taking part in the four-day invitational.

    The NFF official added that the players and officials would on return from the invitational tournament in China begin visa processing for the trip to Cyprus.

    “They will take part in a 12-nation Invitational Tournament between Feb. 25 and March 7.

    “Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary, Italy, North Korea, Mexico, Slovakia, South Africa and Thailand are the other nations taking part.

    “Of the lot, Nigeria, Italy, South Africa and Thailand will be going to France,’’ he said.

    Olajire disclosed also that Spain and Canada have approached Nigeria for friendly matches.

    Spain will face South Africa, Germany and China in Group B at France 2019, while Canada will also take on African team Cameroon, New Zealand and The Netherlands in Group E.

    “Jamaica, who play Australia, Italy and Brazil in Group C, have also written to the NFF expressing interest in playing against the Super Falcons,’’ he added.

    Nigeria are the only African country to have featured in all previous editions of the FIFA Women’s World Cup since the competition was launched in China in 1991.

    The African champions, who are the Women National Team of Year 2018 in Africa, will tackle host nation France, Korea Republic and Norway in Group A of this summer’s finals.

    The Super Falcons, who were quarter-finalists in 1999, will open their account in France against Norway, at the 21,000-capacity Stade Auguste Delaune in Reims on June 8.

    They will then face Korea Republic in Grenoble on June 12 and hosts France in Rennes on June 17.

    The 8th FIFA Women’s World Cup finals will hold from June 7 to July 7.

    France will be up against Korea Republic in the opening match at the Parc des Princes in Paris on June 7.

  • World Cup appearance, my greatest moment in 2018 — Akinwunmi

    The first Vice-President, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Seyi Akinwunmi on Thursday said that the Super Eagles appearance at the 2018 World Cup was his greatest moment in Nigerian football in the year.

    Akinwunmi made this known in an interview in Lagos, while reflecting on the successes recorded in football administration in 2018.

    2018 had been a busy year for football administration as the various national teams were engaged in many international football competitions.

    The senior national team led by the Franco-German tactician, Gernot Rohr had a fairly decent appearance at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, after playing in what many soccer pundits regarded as the “Group of Death’’.

    The Super Eagles qualified for the 2018 World Cup in style, being the first African team to qualify after beating Zambia 1-0 in Uyo.

    The Rohr-tutored team, however, failed to go past the group stage being sandwich alongside giant killers such as Croatia, which later emerged as the World Cup runner-up, Argentina and Iceland.

    Also, the Women counterpart, the Super Falcons of Nigeria made the podium again after emerging champions of the 2018 African Women Cup of Nations (AWCON), hosted by Ghana for the ninth time.

    The Thomas Dennerby-tutored team has now become perennial winners, having won 11 times out of 13 of the previous tournament.

    On the successes recorded in sports in the year under review, Akinwunmi described it as an interesting, challenging and busy on for Nigerian football administration.

    “The past year was a busy one for football administration and I think it is difficult to pick the greatest moment. It has been an interesting one for all the teams.

    “For me, the best moment should be our appearance at the World Cup. The qualification is a special one and I cherish that a lot.

    “Another greatest moment for me in football was the goal the late Rashidi Yekini scored at the Super Eagles first appearance in the World Cup against Bulgaria in 1994,’’ he said.

    NAN

     

  • We are accountable to people – NFF

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has reiterated its commitment to building a transparent federation that is interactive with people and open to constructive criticism.

    Speaking in Lagos on Wednesday, the President of the body, Amaju Pinnick affirmed that the transparency of the glasshouse is what is attracting sponsors to them continually, as they aim to take football sponsorship from the government, but there is need to consolidate the relationship between the NFF and sponsors the more.

    According to Pinnick, “We are accountable to people. We want to build a very robust football federation that is quite interactive, where people can even criticize us constructively and advise us on steps to take, to be much more successful.

    Explaining the transparency of the football house, Pinnick, who doubles as the first Vice President of CAF said “Sponsors do not have anything to lose, if they leave us alone. So we need to convince them, and tell them why they should put money into football.

    Read Also: No cabal in NFF, Pinnick declares

    “They were very happy seeing our financial details of the year published in various newspapers. What more proof do you need to show that you are working with people with credibility?”

    Pinnick further refuted claims that the Super Falcons are neglected, and more attention is given to the Super Eagles.  He accepted that the body truly did not start well with the female team, but believes that everyone is now happy.

    “I only make people understand that there are some points (like the 208 World Cup) where we need to focus on our main brand, the Super Eagles. The Super Falcons are the most successful female football team in World Football, not just in Africa. They have nine African titles, Germany has eight in Europe and the United States has eight in CONCACAF.

    “I take responsibility that we did not star well with the Super Falcons, but so far, we have made them happy and every promise we have made to them has been fulfilled” he said.