The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)

  • Super Falcons among the world’s most accomplished teams – Pinnick

    The President, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, on Wednesday described the all-conquering Super Falcons’ Africa Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) as one of the most accomplished female team in the world football.

    The accolade from the NFF President came as he once again congratulated the Thomas Dennerby-tutored team as they emerged African Champions for the ninth time in Ghana.

    The Dennerby-tutored team emerged African Champions on December 1 in Ghana as they defeated South Africa 4-3 on penalties.

    Pinnick praised the team’s effort at winning the championships against all odds.

    “I want to congratulate and also thank you once again for what you did on Saturday, making us all proud. You see, you displayed the quintessential Nigerian spirit.

    “You showed that the Nigerian flag strengthened you and that is why, even during the extra time, you were not tired.

    “I visited the team at their Starview Hotel, Abuja, in the company of the NFF General Secretary, Sanusi Mohammed and Head of Women Football, Ruth David,’’ Pinnick said in a statement by the NFF Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire.

    Pinnick, on Saturday, minutes after the triumph, dedicated the trophy to President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “We can’t thank our father, President Buhari enough for his immense support to Nigerian Football. The President is really happy for what you have done which has never been done by any women national team.

    “Germany and America have dominated their respective confederation championships, winning eight titles each but no country has ever won nine times.

    “That is why the President wants to meet you as soon as possible,’’ he said.

    According to him, the NFF President and First Vice President of the Confederation of African Football, Federation’s partners and sponsors, as well as some state governors also want to host the champions.

    Pinnick said: “We are waiting for the President to have the first honour.

    “Already our sponsors are lining up to honour you for your achievement as well as some state governors who have indicated their interest in hosting you but all that will be after the President hosts you.

    “The Federation will support the programme of Super Falcons’ Coach, Dennerby to ensure that the team is well prepared for the 2019 World Cup in France.

    “We are already working with the coach who has submitted his plans for the World Cup to us.”

    Read Also: Ikpeazu celebrates Pinnick’s re-election

    Pinnick noted that he was talking to some European Federation Presidents and the President of European Union Football Association, Aleksander Ceferin, to secure friendly matches for the team in preparation for the World Cup.

    On his part, the General Secretary of NFF commended the ladies, saying that they were the focus at a seminar on Monday in Abuja; held as a preview to the National Sports Festival.

    “Honestly, I was very happy on Saturday. I am proud of what you have done.

    “You know, at the preview of the National Sports Festival, all the resource persons focused on you (Super Falcons),’’ Mohammed said.

    The Captains, Rita Chikwelu and Onome Ebi, in their vote of thanks, pledged that the team would give their best at the World Cup.

    NAN

  • Former NFF President decries poor publicity of National Sports Festival

    Alhaji Sani-Lulu Abdullahi, former President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Tuesday decried the poor publicity being given to the 2018 National Sports Festival (NSF).

    Abdullahi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that NSF was not being given befitting announcement it deserved as a national sporting event.

    He, therefore, urged the organizers to rise up to occasion by giving the festival the required publicity, for a successful outing.

    “I wonder why the organizers are not publicizing the event which is about to kick-off.

    “A sporting event that about 36 states of the country will be participating in, there ought to be enough publicity given to it,” he said.

    The NSF 2018 will kick-off on Dec. 6 and last till Dec. 16.

    Read Also: ‘Revive National Sports Festival’

    NSF is a biennial multi-sport event organised by the Federal Government through the National Sports Commission for athletes from all over the country.

    The festival which started in 1973 at the National Stadium; Surulere in Lagos, was originally conceived as a unifying tool to promote peace and ensure cross-cultural affiliation in Nigeria, after the 1967-1970 Nigerian civil war.

    According to the organizers, the game is also a development and training event to assist athletes prepare for continental and international tournaments.

    NAN

  • AFCON 2019: Supporters Club in South Africa to support Eagles

    The Nigeria Football Supporters Club in  South Africa says it will be in Cameroon to cheer the Super Eagles during the AFCON tournament.

    Nigeria booked a place after playing a one-all draw with South Africa in a Group E match played in Johannesburg on Saturday.

    Nigeria is leading the group with 10 points while South Africa is second with nine points.

    Libya is third with seven points while Seychelles is the last in the group with one point.

    Osita Okeke, the Chairman of Super Eagles Supporters Club in that country, told the Agency on the telephone from Johannesburg that members of the club were happy with Nigeria’s qualification.

    “Members of the supporters club join other Nigerians to celebrate Nigeria’s qualification for the AFCON tournament.

    “Though two goals scored by Nigeria were disallowed; we are still happy with the qualification,” he said.

    Read Also: Premier League launches easports competition for gamers

    Okeke said that the South African chapter of the club would begin early preparation to ensure that Super Eagles get total support in Cameroon.

    “We will meet soon to start preparing for the AFCON tournament. But, we will liaise with our national body before going to Cameroon.

    “We appeal to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to commence early preparations for the tournament in Cameroon,” he said.

    Okeke said the club was delighted that the  Super Eagles team was made up of young players, adding that the team had performed well under the tutelage of manager, Gernot Rohr.

    The chairman commended the NFF for ensuring that the Eagles qualified for the AFCON tournament after missing the last two editions.

    NAN

  • Corruption, biggest obstacle to Nigeria development

    Former President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdullahi has described corruption as the biggest obstacle to the nation’s development, saying President Buhari remain the only antidote for corruption in the country.

    Speaking at his investiture as Patron of the Women for Buhari and Osibanjo, Lulu said he will join in mobilizing support for the second term bid of the President whom he said has been a blessing to the nation.

    The formal NFF Boss hailed President Buhari for sanitizing the nation and the great efforts he has been making in addressing corruption which he said has been the greatest impediment to the development of the country.

    Read Also: As NFF faces the future

    He said: “Before the coming to power of Buhari, Nigeria used to be seen as money-laundering, pariah nation. But today, the story is different, as Buhari is the first leader to really tackle corruption headlong, and the task has not been easy.

    “In all my years on earth I have not seen a leader who has fought corruption like Buhari. There is no doubt that God has ordained him to lead Nigeria and no human being can change this.”

    He scored President Buhari high on security, adding that without him coming to office Boko Haram insurgents would have taken control of the larger part of the country, especially the North. He scored Buhari and his team more than 90 per-cent and urged Nigerians from all walks of life to rally round Buhari and his deputy in the 2019 elections.

    Leader of the Women for  Buhari and Osibanjo, Amb.Fatima Adams said they decided to confer the honour of a patron on Alhaji Lulu Abdullahi because of his track records in football administration, especially when he was the president of the Nigerian Football Federation from 2006-2010.

    She said Lulu’ s transparency in the administration of the place, as well as his overall administrative qualities speak volume about his competence and eligibility, where he impacted on the people that came across him, especially those from his home state Kogi.

    Ambassador Adams said even since his leaving office, Alhaji Lulu Abdullahi has continued to conduct himself exemplarily, providing education and jobs for the poor and those in need. She said with Lulu’s appointment into President Buhari’s Support Group, he should bring his qualities to bear in ensuring that President Buhari is re-elected in 2019.

  • Nigeria will win FIFA World Cup one day – Pinnick

    The President, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Melvin Pinnick, has expressed the hope that Nigeria’s Super Eagles will one day win the FIFA World Cup

    Pinnick expressed the hope on Friday in Uyo after playing in the maiden novelty match between SWAN Selected team and Akwa Ibom Sports Arena team.

    The NFF president said he decided to honour the  invitation to play in the match having in mind that if he failed to do so it could be taken as if he got hamstring injury or simply refused to participate.

    Pinnick, who played in the colours of SWAN Selected side throughout the second half of the match, described sports journalists as  critical elements in Nigerian football reportage.

    “We believe in working together. It has been an amazing support from sports journalists. One day we will win the World Cup.

    Also, Paul Bassey, the Senior Special Assistant to Gov. Udom Emmanuel on sports, congratulated SWAN Selected on their victory over the Akwa Ibom team.

    “Football knows no home turf. If you are a good team and on a good pitch, you can win anywhere.

    “What you do today is exemplary, I wish we had started it earlier than now

    Read Also: Pinnick re-elected as NFF President

    “I promise that whenever we have a home game and we are on a  training pitch and there is flood light, we will always do it again and again.’’

    He said that sports writing remains his “ medium’’ which he could return to at the end of his assignment

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in the match played under flood light Friday night at the Training Pitch, Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, SWAN Selected defeated their host s3-1.

    Sports journalists led 2-0 in the first half of the novelty match before the homers which had Nse Essien, a state legislator representing Onna State Constituency, reduced the tally.

    The SWAN Selected added the third goal to lift the maiden trophy.

    The match was organised ahead of Saturday’s  Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier (Match Day 3) between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Mediterranean Knights of Libya.

    NAN

  • Make NFF a modern football organisation-Balogun

    A sports Analyst, Tayo Balogun, has advised Amaju Pinnick,  President of the  Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to run the outfit as a modern day football organisation.

    This is with a view to further develop the sport in the country.

    Balogun gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Ibadan on Tuesday.

    He also told Pinnick, who was re-elected president of the Federation on Thursday to make due process the order of the day.

    “This is his second term in office; the period should be used effectively. He should correct many wrongs going on in the running of the NFF.

    Read Also: Balogun advises Eaglets to be cautious against Niger

    “Pinnick should ensure that the Federation is independent of government in terms of funding.”

    The sports enthusiast also urged the NFF chief to encourage more sponsorship of the sport, thus creating more national competitions.

    Balogun, advised Pinnick to work toward qualifying Nigeria for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and ensure that the Super Eagles make appreciable impact in the global football fiesta.

    He also called on the NFF to make the country’s age group teams the best in Africa and the world.

    “Pinnick should take steps to make our age-group teams the best, not only in Africa but also in the world.

    “It is also very important that Pinnick leads a transparent administration that seeks to carry every stakeholder along. “

    Balogun also called on Pinnick-led administration to do all that could be done to get the National Assembly to pass the NFF Act.

  • Coach Yusuf bags one-year ban, to pay $5,000 fine

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Committee on Ethics and Fair Play has banned Super Eagles’ Chief Coach Salisu Yusuf from all football–related activities for one year with immediate effect.

    The four-man committee’s decision was announced in a statement by Ademola Olajire, NFF’s Director of Communications and made available to the News men on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Members of the committee were Malam Nuhu Ribadu (Chairman), Mainasara Illo, Rev. Justin Okoroji and Mr Joshua Onoja (Secretary).

    He also said that the coach had been directed to pay 5,000 US dollars as a fine to NFF within three months.

    According to him, this decision was sequel to a complaint forwarded by the NFF as well as the Coach’s defence against a documentary in which he was seen accepting 1,000 US dollars from an undercover reporter disguising as a player’s agent.

    Olajire said that the Ribadu-led Committee made the following submissions:

    “Established from the admission of Coach Yusuf and also found as a fact from the documentary and video evidence before it, that he accepted the cash gift of 1,000 US dollars offered by Tigers Player’s Agency, an undercover reporter, purportedly interested in acting on behalf of Players Osas Okoro and Rabiu Ali, for their inclusion in the list of players for 2018 CHAN Competition in Morocco.

    Read Also: Salisu Yusuf out of Seychelles tie

    “The Committee found as a fact that it was not an error of judgment on the part of Coach Yusuf but a conscious and deliberate decision to have accepted the cash gift of 1,000 US dollars from the decoy player agent/undercover reporter, purportedly interested in acting on behalf of Players Osas Okoro and Rabiu Ali, even though the evidence before the Committee did not establish that his conduct influenced the choice of the two players.

    “That the two Players could have made the team to 2018 CHAN Competition in Morocco on the basis of their talent and performance.

    “That Coach Yusuf did not accept the offer of 15 per cent of the anticipated transfer fees of the said players, as there was no follow–up action on the promise.

    “That the act of the Coach, which was widely published on the British Broadcasting Corporation, has a damaging effect on the reputation and integrity of Nigerian Football, as he ought to have conducted himself more professionally in line with the Code of Conduct signed alongside his Contract with the Nigeria Football Federation, as his conduct in public and in secret should be exemplary, since coaches are role models.

    “That the FIFA Code of Ethics, NFF Code of Ethics and FIFA Disciplinary Code, did not contemplate negligence or error of judgment as a defence to violation of any of the provisions as contained therein, as punitive measures must be adopted to serve as deterrent to other intending offenders, even though, that he is a first time offender.”

    Olajire also said that the Committee’s decision was as follows: “In accordance with Art. 22, FIFA Disciplinary Code, he is hereby banned for the period of one year, from partaking or involvement or participation in any football related activity, effective from the date of this decision.

    “He is also fined in the sum of 5,000 US dollars to be paid within three (3) months beginning from the date of this decision.”

    He noted that the ethics committee also ruled that an appeal against the decision can be made to the NFF Appeals Committee.

    The NFF’s spokesman quoted the committee as saying that it passed its verdict on the defendant based on Article 20, 21 (1) and 21 (3) of the NFF Code of Ethics.

    He explained that it also made reference to Article 10 and 11 of the FIFA Code of Ethics in arriving at its verdict.

  • Doctrine of necessity for Nigerian Football

    The crisis rocking the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) may well be a blessing in disguise.

    Several attempts had been made to streamline the Nigerian football season with contemporary practice of running club competitions from August to May. We will recall the club versus country controversy which pops up whenever African stars are invited to national duty for Africa Cup of Nations in January, a crucial period for clubs in Europe and South America.

    In view of this, the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) has resolved that from the next edition in 2019, the tournament will hold in June and July, which is the off-season for most of the world’s leagues. The club competitions – CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup – will also switch from a February to November schedule to an August to May calendar starting from 2019. The transition begins this year with the 2018/19 inter-club competitions, which kicks off in November this year and climaxes on June 1, 2019.

    Meanwhile, the NFF and other stakeholders of the beautiful game in the country are worried about how not to miss the fast approaching deadline for next season’s CAF club competitions, given that our top flight league has 14 rounds of matches to go. On Monday, the NFF mandated its sub-committees (Organising, Technical and Development, Finance, Marketing, Football and Ethics, and Fairplay), to suggest the way out of meeting CAF’s October 15 deadline, when FAs are to submit entries for the two continental club competitions.

    “The road-maps designed by these sub-committees would be thoroughly scrutinised by the Emergency Committee early next week with a view to approving and streamlining feasible work plans,” the NFF statement said.

    At the heart of the matter is what the federation itself has identified as finding “a credible conclusion to the various leagues in this football season.” Staring us in the face is the reality that 14 Matchdays in  the 2017/18 Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) can’t be completed in seven weeks, not forgetting the AITEO Cup, which still has at least five more stages to reach the finish line.

    This is where the doctrine of necessity comes into play. Political actors adopted it to save the nation from constitutional crisis in 2010 when an ailing President Umaru Yar’Adua failed to transmit power to his deputy Dr Goodluck Jonathan, and almost grounded the country. The doctrine of necessity is hinged on extra-legal actions with the objective of restoring order.

    If we go by the rules, we may have to ask the teams to play three matches per week to conclude the season before October 15. In a country as geographically massive as ours and with teams travelling by road, this is practically agreeing to a dead sentence for the players and officials.

    Read Also: FG endorses Pinnick as NFF President

    The other option is to perhaps borrow the example of leagues like Scotland where teams are divided into two equal sections in the concluding phase of the season to determine the champions and relegated sides. By the time the 2017/18 NPFL was suspended ahead of the FIFA World Cup in Russia, these were the 10 teams in the upper rung of the ladder: Lobi Stars, Akwa United, Kano Pillars, Enyimba, Plateau United, Niger Tornadoes, Katsina United, Abia United, Rivers United and Rangers. In the lower section were: MFM, Nasarawa United, El-Kanemi Warriors, Wikki Tourists, Kwara United, Go Round, FC IfeanyiUbah, Sunshine Stars, Yobe Desert Stars and Heartland.

    If this option is accepted and the top 10 teams are made to complete the season facing themselves, they will not have the same number of matches since some of them had completed their head-to-head before the league went on recess. The outstanding fixtures among these 10 teams, for instance, will see Niger Tornadoes play eight matches, while Lobi Stars will have seven games. All the other teams have six outstanding matches, except Katsina United with five. A similar scenario applies for the bottom 10 teams. How then do we achieve a fair outcome when the teams don’t play equal number of matches?

    This is the time for the team administrators to subsume their interests and act in the overall interest of Nigerian football. The NPFL should be considered to have ended, which means Lobi Stars, the top team at the time of the force majeure, should be crowned champions and immediately registered for the 2018/19 CAF Champions League. This will allow the football administrators time and energy to focus on completing the AITEO Cup, whose champions should emerge before October 15 and be fielded for the CAF Confederation Cup.

    In the same light, no team should be relegated from any of the divisions or promoted to the upper level. Clubs and other stakeholders will lose revenue from gate-takings and sales, but it’s the sacrifice everyone has to pay to get our football back on track.

    We can then work towards commencing the 2018/19 season in the next two months – allowing for transfer of players and officials. If we don’t have another man-made crisis, our football season should achieve the August to May calendar by next year.

    Muyiwa Akintunde is a public relations consultant and sports enthusiast

  • NFF congress gives Giwa conditions for reconciliation 

    The congress of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has opened a window for possible reconciliation of all aggrieved stakeholders including Chris Giwa and his group, with a pending court case to retrace their steps and reconcile with the football family.

    Among the terms was for the aggrieved parties to within two weeks ensure dismissal of all pending court cases against NFF and its leadership.

    Read Also:NFF crisis Pinnick fails to stop Giwa in court

    It urged them to file affidavits in court to affirm to be bound by and uphold the football statutes as well as undertake not to take any football matter to court but, to resolve any disputes and/or grievances within the available alternative dispute resolutions mechanism enshrined in the football statutes.

    Reading a communique issued at the end of the NFF’s extra ordinary general assembly held in Bénin City, Sir Eze Chukwuemeka said the congress would empowered the NFF Executive Committee to commence the process of removing any penalties on persons that are currently under sanctions for breaches of the NFF Statutes provided they complied with the resolutions.

    The communique warned that any member that takes any football matter to the ordinary courts of law would be automatically expelled from all football activities with immediate effect from the date of filing such law suit.

    It described the suit in Jos as an unnecessary distraction to and detraction from the sustainable growth of football in Nigeria and has the potential to get Nigeria suspended from being a member of the global football family, FIFA.

    On the issue of Giwa FC that was expelled from the NPFL in 2016, the communique noted that the club was expelled for multiple breaches of the framework and rules of the league and the claim or challenge by Chris Giwa to NFF leadership.

    It explained that Giwa FC was never expelled from participating in league football totally but relegated to the lower league as provided in the league rules.

    According to the communique, “As part of reconciliation, the Congress has mandated the Executive Committee to, upon application by Giwa FC, immediately permit the registration of Giwa FC to commence participation in the 2018 Nigeria National League.

    “All matches are to be rescheduled in the league to accommodate the club and NFF shall provide reasonable support to the clubs in the division to accommodate these additional matches with Giwa FC, which are not captured in their budgets.”

    The communique urged the National Assembly to fast-track the conclusion of the NFF Bill which is said would provide the platform that would completely eliminate most of the current challenges being experienced and ensure the sustainable development of football in Nigeria.

    “The Congress further noted that the NFF Statutes would consequently be duly amended to conform to the current realities of modern football management and the provisions of the NFF Bill as well as ensure inclusivity and optimization of service delivery at all levels

    “The Executive Committee is endorsed to review the ongoing NFF electoral processes, guidelines and reopen the process for any qualified interested stakeholder to participate, including those that may qualify after meeting the set conditions of taking football matters out of ordinary courts.

    “The Congress implored all stakeholders interested in being part of NFF Executive Committee to subject themselves to and come through the legitimate electoral process as outlined in the statutes and, assures all parties of the support of the football family; provided they assume their positions through the legitimate process.”

  • NFF Crisis: Ex-internationals urge parties to avoid FIFA ban

    Two ex-internationals, Friday Ekpo and Bright Omokaro, have urged the Ministry of Sports and individuals involved in the ongoing Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) crisis to tread with caution to avoid FIFA ban.

    The ex-internationals gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Saturday.

    NAN reports that FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, had said on Friday said that the world football body recognises only Amaju Pinnick as NFF President and would not accept any outside interference in the organisation’s affairs.

    Read Also:Nigeria risk ban over NFF crisis – Infantino

    Infantino, while responding to questions at a news conference in Moscow on Friday, said Pinnick was duly elected and in accordance with FIFA rules.

    Ekpo, a former Super Eagles player, said that FIFA statement on the ongoing crisis showed that a ban is inevitable if the issue was not urgently resolved.

    He said that such crisis which had become a regular occurrence in the country’s football over the years had done a lot of damage to football development.

    “This ongoing confusion or crisis in Nigeria football is dragging the sport back.

    “FIFA has spoken and as a member of the body, we should comply with the rules and regulations governing FIFA if we don’t want to be suspend,’’ he said.

    The former player said that Pinnick should be allowed to end his tenure, saying it was the only solution to the ongoing quagmire.

    Omokaro, also told NAN that the crisis should be worked out amicable to avoid the wrath of FIFA.

    He said that the suspension of the country from FIFA would cripple football in the country, urging all parties involved to take precaution.

    “Issues like this require diplomacy and this statement attributed to the FIFA President shows that they are fully aware of the drama going on.

    “The funny part of it is that those in the middle of the crisis have never played football, so they are after their own selfish interest.

    “If anything goes wrong, history will judge them but if they want the best for the sport, they must resolve it as quick as possible,’’ he said.

    Chris Giwa and the Amaju Pinnick-led NFF board have been involved in a leadership tussle, after an order from a Jos High Court had stopped the election which brought Pinnick to office in 2014.

    NAN reports that the crisis took a new dimension on July 2 when Giwa resumed at the NFF office in Abuja, as the president of the body after the Supreme Court judgement in his favour.