The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)

  • Paul Hamilton for burial April 28

    Paul Hamilton for burial April 28

    Former Super Eagles coach Paul Hamilton would be buried on Friday April 28, according to his family.

    The eldest daughter of the former Super Falcons coach, Christe Hamilton, said the two days programme will start on April 27 and ends April 28.

    According to her, the wake-keep, service of songs, lying-in-state as well as entertainment of guest would be held at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

    Christe said her father would be laid to rest at the Ebony Vault, Ikoyi, Lagos on Friday April 28.

    She said the family has reached out to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to be part of the programme, adding that the family want the NFF to responsible for the their father’s casket and Vault while the family would take care of the entertainment.

    “Our father would be buried in Lagos. We decided to bury him in Lagos because of the mammoth crowd that would wants to be part of the programme. His home town can’t occupy that crowd. Although, we are yet to see any official of the NFF to come and greet us since our father died but I went to Abuja to inform the officially about our father’s demise. All we want from NFF is to take care of the casket and Vault. We have submitted Ebony’s invoice of N4.5m requested to the NFF. We want a befitting burial for our father,” she said to SportingLife.

    However, the president of the Nigeria Football Coaching Association, Ladan Bosso has promised the family that he and his colleagues would accord the late coach his due respect.

    Bosso made the promise when he paid a condolence visit to the family last Saturday in Lagos.

  • Sports Minister meets Buhari on World Cup qualification, others

    Sports Minister meets Buhari on World Cup qualification, others

    The Minister of Sports, Mr. Solomon Dalung, on Thursday updated President Muhammadu Buhari on the efforts of the Super Eagles to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

    Dalung, after a closed door meeting with Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, said he also briefed him on other developments in sports.

    The Minister said that the president was informed of the election of a Nigerian into the board of Confederation of African Football (CAF).

    Amaju Pinnick, President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), defeated the President of the Football Association of Benin Republic, Anjorin Moucharafou, to secure a seat on CAF Executive Committee for the 2017 to 2021 cycle.

    Pinnick’s election makes him the third Nigerian ever to sit on the CAF Executive Committee.

    According to Dalung, “I updated him on the need for us to intensify our mobilisation efforts for the World Cup qualifier. Although we are topping the group, it is not Uhuru for us. We need to do more.

    “I drew his attention to the fact that we have received the Queen’s Relay baton which kick-starts the mobilisation for Commonwealth Games in Queensland, Australia in 2018.

    “The baton is a Commonwealth tradition which is always flagged off by the Queen and she did that in March and it has been to six African countries with Nigeria being the seventh and it will proceed from here.

    “The significance of the baton is its wake up call to countries to begin to prepare for the games.

    “And we as a country had always performed very well in the games. There is a need for us to try and surpass our records in the next Commonwealth games.”

    The minister disclosed that the president appreciated the briefing and congratulated Pinnick for clinching the seat of the executive member of CAF and the progress so far made in sports.

    According to him, the president promised to do everything possible to support sports generally.

     

  • NFF pays tribute to late Eagles coach

    NFF pays tribute to late Eagles coach

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Thursday paid glowing tributes to former Nigeria player and coach, Paul Hamilton, who passed on same day in Lagos after a protracted illness.

     

    Sanusi Mohammed, the NFF General Secretary, said: “We are in terrible shock at the news of his death.

     

    “Hamilton was a perfect gentleman in the real sense of the word, in spite of being a former international player for Nigeria and a Chief Coach of the senior national team.

     

    “He worked very hard and with his whole heart for Nigeria in all spheres, as a player, a coach and as an administrator. The Nigeria football family will miss him dearly.’’

     

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Hamilton died in the early hours of Thursday in Lagos.

     

    He was said to have been diagnosed of heart and kidney related health issues some months ago, and had his right leg amputated early this year.

     

    Hamilton played for the senior national team in the 1960s and early 1970s, including featuring in the football tournament at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City.

     

    Nicknamed ‘Wonderboy’ for his delicate skills and on-field wizardry, Hamilton was at a few times head coach of the senior national team.

     

    He took the reins for the 1990 FIFA World Cup qualifying series, before Dutchman Clemens Westerhorf took over with only the last match of the campaign left in the series

  • Organisers of Nigeria/Senegal friendly upload match link

    Organisers of Nigeria/Senegal friendly upload match link

    The organisers of Thursday’s friendly international between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Teranga Lions of Senegal have now uploaded a link through which interested fans can watch the full match.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that both Nigeria and Senegal had drawn 1-1 under seven degrees Celsius weather at The Hive, the home ground of League Two clubsides, Barnet FC and London Bees.

    Senegal, a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) quarter-finalist, went ahead in the 54th minute through Moussa Sow.

    But Kelechi Iheanacho drew the Eagles level from the penalty spot nine minutes from time.

    The match could, however, not be watched live by Nigerians as a result of the failure to livestream it as earlier promised.

    This has drawn angry reactions from many Nigerians on Thursday, as well as on Friday with many of them taking to the social media to lambast the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

    Following technical hitches that made it impossible to stream the match live as promised, the organisers apologised to those who had paid to watch the livestreaming.

    They also made a pledge to upload the full match on a link for everyone to enjoy for free.

    Below is the link:

    https://vimeo.com/mgv/review/209998668/62fec7f055

  • Super Eagles Int’l friendly crucial says Disu

    Tajudeen Disu, a member of the 1983 Mexico FIFA World Youth Championship, says Super Eagles friendly matches against Burkina Faso and Senegal will be crucial in testing the fitness of the players.

    Disu, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos, advised the players to take the matches seriously.

    He added that the players’ fitness and current form should be well assessed.

    NAN reports that the Super Eagles will be up against Senegal’s Teranga Lions on March 23 before taking on the Etalons of Burkina Faso four days later.

    Both matches will be played at The Hive, home ground of Barnet Football Club.

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had said that the friendly was scheduled in preparation for the World Cup qualifier against the current AFCON champion, Cameroon in August.

    Disu said: “We have so much to gain in these friendly matches, it’s not particularly about winning, but to be assured that we have a capable team come August’’.

    When asked if the friendly was not too far from when the qualifiers would kick off in August, he said that the timeliness of the friendly matches was fair enough.

    “I believe the timing is okay as long as they can schedule another friendly match by June,’’ he said.

    Similarly, ex-Super Eagles goalkeeper, Ike Shorunmu, advised handlers of the team to use the international friendly matches to test more players.

    Super Eagles’ Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr had listed goalkeeper Carl Ikeme, midfielder Ogenyi Onazi and forwards Ahmed Musa and Kelechi Iheanacho for the friendly matches.

    Also included are home-based goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa, defenders Leon Balogun and William Ekong, midfielders Wilfred Ndidi and Oghenekaro Etebo and forwards Victor Moses, Alex Iwobi and Moses Simon.

    Experienced left back Elderson Echiejile, Portugal-based Chidozie Awaziem, Israel-based John Ogu and Watford FC of England forward Isaac Success are also called.

    Germany-based forward Noah Joel Bazee and Holland-based defender Tyronne Ebuehi will join up with the squad for the first time, while youngster Victor Osimhen, record top scorer at the FIFA U17 World Cup, returns.

    Shorunmu, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, said the players should be assessed based on their performance during the friendly matches.

    The Super Eagles are ranked 41st in the world, 10 places below Senegal’s Teranga Lions and three places below the Stallions of Burkina Faso.

  • Lulu partners Fountain University on Folsa Academy

    Lulu partners Fountain University on Folsa Academy

    Former President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Sani Lulu, has entered into a partnership with Fountain University, Osogbo, to provide tertiary education to students from his football academy, Folsa, Abuja.

    Lulu and the university agreed on the partnership during his visit to the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Abdullateef Usman, on Friday in Osogbo.

    He said that his academy was determined to empower youths using football as a tool to develop their intelligence and talent and providing them well-balanced academic and sports curriculum.

    Lulu said the academy, established in 2011, provided an avenue for youths that were naturally endowed in football to develop their talents and mold them to become leaders.

    It also helps them to become football legends through provision of education, he said.

    “Our cardinal objective is to propel the youths to participate in football and become educated.

    “We are proud to be working and partnering with Fountain University and we acknowledge the honour for the acceptance of our academy’s graduates into the university,’’ Lulu said.

    He said the players who won the silver medal at the 2016 NNPC/Shell Cup would be graduating from his academy after writing their West African Senior Secondary Examination soon.

    He added that the partnership would make it easy for the students to select Fountain University as their choice institution while writing their UTME.

    Responding, Usman said that having discussed with the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the institution; the partnership would not suffer any setback because the members were sports lovers.

    Usman commended Lulu’s giant strides in planning the future of young players along with their education, noting that invitation would be extended to them soon to sign the Memorandum of Understanding.

    Lulu was accompanied to the institution by former Secretary-General of the NFF, Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi and the Principal of Folsa Academy, Mrs. Josephine Ebhodaghe among others.

     

  • Abubakar Bukola Saraki FC declares striker awol

    Abubakar Bukola Saraki FC declares striker awol

    The management of Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) Ilorin FC, has declared its striker Ajibola Otegbeye awol.

    The club in a statement on Tuesday, signed by its Media Manager, Olayinka Owolewa, said the striker was supposed to resume for training after the Christmas and new year break but has not been seen since then.
    The management warned anyone against doing any business with the player because it has not gotten any permission to speak or do business with any club or person.
    The statement expressed concern with the character and behaviour of the youngster.
    The club said it has since reported his absence from the team to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the League Management Company (LMC) for necessary actions.
    The statement reminded that the young striker completed all preseason formalities until the Christmas and new year break failing to turn up for the closed camp in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital.

  • NFF inaugurates Nigeria Women Football League Board

    NFF inaugurates Nigeria Women Football League Board

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Thursday in Abuja, inaugurated the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Board.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the inauguration of the board took place at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Secretariat.

    Speaking at the inauguration,the President of the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF),Amaju Pinnick, called on the board members to work with passion and commitment to lift the women’s league to a new pedestal.

    He expressed confidence in the ability of the board members, Chaired by Aisha Falode, in their ability to lift the game to a new level.

    “I am aware of the prowess of Falode in marketing, and what she can bring to the league to develop it.

    ‘’I also know that most of the members are well connected and could bring a new lease of life to the women’s league.

    “They are all seasoned, passionate and capable,” he said.

    Falode, a member of the CAF Media Committee and CAF Match Commissioner, said it was a great honour for her and other members to be called upon to serve.

    “The past boards of the women’s league did their best, but there is a lot of room for improvement.

    “We will look at the structure and the issue of players’ welfare and we are committed to running a women’s eague that is functional, compact and competitive.

    “What we saw at the 10th Women Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon confirmed that the gap between the so –called big teams and the so –called small teams in African women football has narrowed significantly.

    “It is our responsibility to run a women’s league that will turn things around and we will give it our best shot.

    “In truth, times are hard, but tough times also have a way of bringing the best out of people, in terms of innovation,” she said.

    NAN reports that the board is made up of Aisha Falode (Independent Chairman); Margaret Icheen (Independent Vice- Chairman); Joe Amene (Independent Director); Kemi Adesanya (Director) and Matilda Otuene (Director).

    Others are, Henrietta Ukaigwe (Director); Hussaina Suleiman (Director); Mustapha Tahir (Director); Usman Mustapha (Director); Nkechi Obi (Chief Executive Officer).

    Others stakeholders present at the inauguration were, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, NFF General Secretary, Ibrahim Gusau and Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu (NFF Executive Committee members).

    Others were Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme (Deputy General Secretary), Mr Bitrus Bewarang (Technical Director) and Mr Bola Oyeyode (Director of Competitions). (

  • Niger emerges veteran football champion

    Niger State has emerged winners of the first edition of National Veteran Football competition held in Kaduna.
    Veteran teams from the nineteen Northern states  participated in the championship aimed not only at bringing together ex- players who have  made their mark in the game but also provide a platform for the them to remain fit years after hanging their boots.
    Niger state veterans defeated their Abuja counterparts 2-0 to emerge winners carting away cash prize of N250, 000, plus various sports wears.
    Speaking at a reception in honour of the victorious team, a Member of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Comrade Ahmed Yusuf Fresh said it is important that ex-players who have made their mark at various levels of competition be encouraged to continue to promote the game and remain fit and healthy.  The championship according to him will be expanded next year with the inclusion of more veterans from  the South East, South West and South South .
    “It is a national competition, but we are starting from the North, by next year we will include veteran teams from other parts of the country, “he said
    Earlier, the Technical Adviser of Elkanemi Warrior, Isah Ladan Bosso commended the organizers for their foresight describing it as a welcome development.
    The competition he noted will go a long way to give the veterans a sense of belonging and keep them busy after retirement.
    Former state commissioner for youth and sports development, Mallam Garba Mohammed was part of the victorious team.

  • FEC wades into Falcon’s allowances’ palaver

    FEC wades into Falcon’s allowances’ palaver

    …Mohammed: Default in payment caused by recession

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari, on Wednesday started deliberation on the crisis surrounding the payment of outstanding allowances and bonuses to the victorious Super Falcons.

    The team, which won the African Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) trophy last Saturday, seized the trophy until the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) settles all their outstanding bonuses and allowances in tune of $25,000 for each player.

    They also vowed to remain at their Agora hotel in Abuja until their money is paid.

    Speaking with State House correspondents at the end of FEC meeting, the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed said that FEC is looking into the matter.

    “The Minister of Youth and Sports raised the issue today at the council and it is being looked into,” he said.

    According to him, the economic recession in the country is partly responsible for inability to meet up with the outstanding payments.

    “Over time, it has become tradition to reward victorious athletes of sports persons but I think this is caused by the biting economic situation.

    “The Minister of Youths and Sports is handling the matter. It was reported under other matters today at the council,” he stated.