The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigeria Football Federation

  • NSBMB :NFF welcomes scientific body to boost national  teams

    NSBMB :NFF welcomes scientific body to boost national  teams

    The Nigeria Football Federation on Tuesday welcomed representatives of the National and International Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (NSBMB ) at the NFF headquarters in Abuja.

    NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, who expressed the Federation’s appreciation for the visit by the executives of the esteemed professional body, remarked that it was noteworthy that NSBMB’s International President, Professor Dario Alessi, who is not Nigerian, is an ardent supporter of the Super Eagles.

     “We deeply appreciate your expression of empathy to the Nigeria Football Federation regarding the Super Eagles’ imminent absence from the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals in the USA, Canada and Mexico.”

    According to Professor Alessi, Nigeria is his preferred team in the game of football; he consistently attends matches to support Nigeria’s National Teams. Although he is disappointed that Nigeria will not participate in the FIFA World Cup finals, he remains committed to supporting the team in their quest for international success.

    Read Also: UEFA Champions League: Ajax remain pointless as Benfica claim first win

    The Nigeria Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology serves as the host to the International Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. This global initiative commenced on November 24 in Abuja.

     Prof. Matthew O. Wegwu, President of the NSBMB, was also on the team to the NFF, and took time to elaborate on the relationship and collaboration between Biochemistry and Football: “Our purpose here is to pay a courtesy call on the NFF. There exists a relationship between Biochemistry and Sports – when we consider sports as scientific activity, it inherently involves chemistry, which contributes essential elements that enable sports to excel, such as sports science and sports medicine. Our goal is to establish and strengthen this connection.

     “I assure you that, based on our communication with the NFF, our footballers will henceforth perform remarkably well, and with scientific support, we shall triumph in all our competitions.”

    Present during the visit were the President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, MON; the International President, Professor Dario Alessi; the NSBMB Vice President, Professor M. A. Milala; Secretary General, Professor A. Abubakar; Treasurer, Professor A. N. Ukwuani- Kwaja and; other coordinators.

  • NFF finalizes plans as Coach Educators’ programme kicks off

    NFF finalizes plans as Coach Educators’ programme kicks off

    The Nigeria Football Federation has concluded all arrangements for the CAF Educators’ Course that will commence today, 17th July   and end  on 25th  July

     “This programme is part of our quest to increase the number of CAF-Licensed Coach Educators across the length and breadth of Nigeria. We have selected a total of 15 participants. All those selected have met the requirements as stated in our public notice three months ago. These are people who possess the minimum of CAF B-License, are proficient in the English language, have a teaching background, are passionate in helping other coaches and have competence in computer software such as PowerPoint, Excel and Word,” NFF Technical Director, Coach Augustine Eguavoen told thenff.com.

    Read Also: NFF endorses Sam Okwaraji’s Championship

    Eguavoen also disclosed that the opening ceremony of the nine-day course will hold today  at the NFF/FIFA Goal Project facility at the Package B of the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

    Among the 15 persons that will undertake the programme are former Super Falcons’ Head Coach, Christopher Danjuma; former Nigeria international defender and one-time Head Coach of the 5-A-Side National Team, Oladuni Oyekale; former Super Falcons’ assistant coach Adanna Nwaneri; highly-respected tactician Hakeem Busari Ishola and; Italy-based Felix Evodi.

  • 30 Nigerians get  FIFA referees badges today  

    30 Nigerians get  FIFA referees badges today  

    The Nigeria Football Federation will today decorate a total of 30 referees with the badge of world football-governing body, FIFA, thus conferring on them the authority to perform as international arbiters in the year 2025.

    President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, will perform the decoration, alongside the Chairman of NFF Referees Committee, Mrs Faith Irabor, General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi and the Head of NFF Refereeing Unit, Alhaji Sani Zubairu. 

    The breakdown shows there are 11 referees, 11 assistant referees, four futsal referees and four beach soccer referees. There are also 22 male and eight female arbiters in all, with three of the 11 referees being female, while five are assistant referees. All the futsal and beach soccer referees are male.

    Only Emmanuel Omada (assistant referee), John Tope Ojeleye (futsal referee) and Noah Adejoh (beach soccer referee) are new in the FIFA category. Samuel Pwadutakam (assistant referee) and Ndubuisi Ukah (futsal referee) are the oldest, having been FIFA referees since 2014.

    Read Also: NFF sure of  improved  Super Eagles, Super  Falcons in 2025

    Futsal referee Dung Davou Musa has been an international since 2015, while referee Salisu Basheer, assistant referee Tejiri Digbori and beach soccer referee, General Olawale Fawole have been on the international road since 2016.

    Referees Hannah Elaigwu and Joseph Ogabor, and assistant referee Abdulmajid Usman have been internationals since 2017.

    LIST OF THE REFEREES

    Referees: Abubakar Abdullahi, Kasimu Abiola Abdulsalam, Yemisi Akintoye, Salisu Basheer, Patrick John Egba, Hannah Elaigwu, Ndidi Madu, Grema Mohammed Mustapha, Abubakar Nurudeen, Joseph Odey Ogabor, Abigael Alaba Olufunmilayo

    Assistant Referees: Iyadunni Abibatu Stockl, Faith Agbons, Tijjani Ahmad Mustapha, Tejiri Digbori, Hope Ogenekewe Igho, Akpan Mfon Friday, Muhamud Yakubu Muhammad, Emmanuel Omada, Samuel Pwadutakam, Beauty Kabeda Terah, Abdulmajeed Olaide Usman

    Futsal Referees: Alhassan Bello Zuru, Dung Davou Musa, John Tope Ojeleye, Ndubuisi Ukah

    Beach Soccer Referees: Noah Adejoh, Olawale Adeolu Fawole, Olayinka Olajide, Ahmad Rabiu 

  • NFF set to organize  CAF B-License Coaching Course

    NFF set to organize  CAF B-License Coaching Course

    The Nigeria Football Federation has set in motion concrete plans to organize a four-month CAF B-License Coaching Course that is designed to enhance the capacity of Nigerian coaches and prepare them for current and future challenges. The programme is for both men and women coaches.

    NFF Technical Director, Coach Augustine Eguavoen told thenff.com that the course is part of NFF’s strategic effort to build the capacity of coaches across the country, and will be done in modules.

    To be eligible to participate in the course that will run between 7th April and 25th August 2025, a candidate must be an active coach, possess a CAF C-License certificate that has been put to use in the past two years, must be able to read and write in the English language, have basic computer skills and a laptop, have a valid G-mail account, and must submit a medical certificate that proves he/she is physically and mentally fit to undertake the course.

    Read Also: NFF sure of  improved  Super Eagles, Super  Falcons in 2025

     “We are targeting a maximum number of 25 participants. Applicants will be provided with a CAF CMS registration link upon successful completion of the pre-course assessment, and will pay the sum of N500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira Only) on or before 31st  March 2025,” Eguavoen added.

    It can be recalled that last year, the NFF organized a CAF C-License programme exclusively for women – the first-ever – which drew 30 women coaches from across the country, including a good number of former Nigeria international players. The three-module course took place between July and September 2024.

  • Appeal Court’s sacking of NFF vindicates me, says Uchegbulam

    Appeal Court’s sacking of NFF vindicates me, says Uchegbulam

    Nigeria football may be headed for uncertain times following the recent ruling of the Appeal Court nullifying the elections of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) which ushered in the Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau-led board.

    In a shocking ruling, the Appeal Court in Abuja, led by Justice Hamma Akawu Barka, alongside Justice Okon Abang and Justice Adebukola Banjoko, ordered the sacking of all members of NFF board for alleged use of court orders obtained from ‘dubious’ means, in conducting the NFF elections held in Benin City, Edo State, on September 30, 2022.

    Commenting on the development, former Vice President of NFF, Chief Amanze Uchegbulam, said the nullification of the 2022 NFF elections was an avoidable consequence of a misadventure.

    Uchegbulam, a former member of Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) Arbitration Committee, who was a Presidential aspirant in the 2022 NFF election, said he withdrew from the exercise to avoid the risk of Contempt of Court after a directive from the then Minister of Sports, Mr. Sunday Dare, that the election be suspended, was ignored by the NFF electoral committee.

    Read Also; Abiodun hails Lafarge’s contributions

    ‘’I withdrew from the election on principle because I did not want to compromise my integrity in the game. I also withdrew my FA – the Imo Football Association from the exercise because there was a court order stopping the elections. I conveyed my decision to withdraw from the contest in my letter to the electoral committee, dated September 26, 2022, citing the Court Order from Hon. Justice I.E. Ekwo on the 15th of September, 2022, stopping the election, pending the hearing of a substantive suit; as my reason.

    ‘’As a law abiding citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I shall make myself available to participate in the election upon the vacation of the Order of the Federal High Court Abuja and or set aside or issues being resolved by the parties, to the knowledge of the Court and the public for the purpose, and same communicated to the Aspirants accordingly by the electoral committee,’’ part of the letter reads.

    “I am vindicated by this development,’’ Uchegbulam said.

    “There was also an advice from the then Minister of Sports, Mr. Dare, that the election be suspended because of the Court Order. True to type, they went and got a counter order from somewhere and ignored the advice of the Minister and in disobedience to the court order.

    ‘’The court has said the counter Order was procured through ‘deceit’ as it was not from an authentic source. It was all out of desperation. Too bad,’’ he said.

    Describing the electoral process as jaundiced and tainted, Uchegbulam said, the ruling of the Appeal Court is not good for Nigerian football as it has the potential of disrupting the administration and development of the game in the country, if not properly managed.

    He advised the Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh, to intervene in the development and save the country’s football from the consequences of the Appeal Court ruling.

    The Appeal Court did not only sack the Gusau-led NFF board, but also struck out all processes related to NFF appeal.

  • Ex-Super Falcons striker Ifeanyi Chiejine dies at 36

     

    Former Super Falcons striker and maiden Captain of the female under 19 team (The Falconets)  Ifeanyi Stephanie Chiejine is dead.

    The 36 year old was   said to have died at about 10pm on Wednesday night after a brief Illness.

    She made history in 1999 when she became the youngest player ever to play at the Women’s World cup.  The Super Falcons incidentally made it all the way to the Quarterfinals in the United States in that edition, the highest level they have reached so far in the tournament which made its debut in 1999.

    Nigeria Football Federation in a statement released on its official website described the demise of the former Conference Queens of Lokoja ace as shocking and regrettable.

    “We are sad to announce the sudden demise of former @NGSuper_Falcons player Ifeanyichukwu Chiejine who passed on after a brief illness on Wednesday, 21st August 2019. Ifeanyi captained the first set of the U19 National Women’s team to the first U19 (Now U20) @FIFAWWC in 2002” said the NFF.

    Aside from featuring in three World Cups 1999, 2003 and 2007 Chiejine also featured in the 2000 and 2008 Olympics and scored 15 goals for Nigeria in over 61 appearances.

    Late Chiejine dribbles past defenders while in action for Super Falcons

    Chiejine also had good dose of club football staring for SSVSM-Kairat Almaty of Kazakhstani, FC Indiana in USA’s W-League, KMF Kuopio and PK-35 Vantaa in Finland and Zvezda Perm in Russia respectively.

    Soccer fans have since taken to the various social media platforms to pray for the repose of the soul of the departed noting that she indeed contributed in no small measure to the development of female football in the country.

  • Dismal outing: F/Eagles technical crew may face probe

     

    Flying Eagles coaching crew may face massive probe if the Nigeria football Federation (NFF) is to listen to calls from disappointed fans and stakeholders following the dismal outing of the team in Poland.

    The Paul Aigbogun led side raised the hopes of many in the country following their 4-0 demolition of Qatar in the opening match but took a nose dive afterwards managing to crawl into the knock out stage before bowing out after a 2-0 defeat by African brothers Senegal on Monday.

    Disappointed Nigerian fans have lampooned the team with some describing them as the worst team ever to be paraded by the country in the U-20 category.

    As if the dismal outing was not embarrassing enough, allegation of bribery is reportedly being made by some players who claimed that they were dropped because they could not raise N5million allegedly being demanded by the technical crew.

    The technical crew will no doubt be looking forward to having an opportunity to clear the air on such allegation and perhaps explain to the nation why the team turned into a toothless bulldog after the first match.

    A member of the 1996 Olympic Gold medallist Emmanuel Babayaro did not hesitate in joining the league of those calling for probe into the Poland outing.

    He noted that the team from outset showed a lack of commitment and desire to win in the championship.  The youth championship he further reasoned is very important as it provides the necessary feed for the under 23 team and the Super eagles respectively and as such should not be operating below par.

    “The technical team are not up to speed technically. It baffled me that we will be going for a World Cup without our best legs, it is a shame.

    “If we play well with the youngsters and we are eliminated in the group stage it’s cool, it is developmental. We need to go for the right lads for our own future.

    “The NFF should do the needful. Do proper investigation into what happened with the Flying Eagles, “he told Goal.com

    Five countries Columbia, Ukraine, Italy, Ecuador and Senegal have already hit the quarterfinals.

    Should Mali fail in their bid to progress Tuesday against Argentina, only Senegal will fly African flag in the quarterfinal fixtures scheduled for Friday and Saturday respectively.

     

     

     

  • Eagles, Falconets, others get media officers

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Tuesday announced the appointments of new Media Officers for the various National Teams.

    In a statement by Demola Olajire, NFF Director of Communication, Toyin Ibitoye and Miss Jane Nweze have been retained for the Super Eagles and the Super Falcons, respectively, until after the two teams’ major championships.

    He said Ibitoye and Nweze will still retain their positions until the Super Eagles’ AFCON finals in Egypt and the Super Falcons’ FIFA World Cup finals in France.

    Olajire, however, announced the appointment of Pius Ayinor as media officer for the Super Eagles B, also known as CHAN Eagles.

    “Sharif Abdallah will serve as media officer for the U-23 National Team (Olympic Eagles), while Andrew Randa will take charge at the camp of the U-20 Boys National Team (Flying Eagles).

    “Cecilia Omorogbe will work with the U-20 Girls (Falconets), while Francis Achi will serve the U-17 Boys (Golden Eaglets) and Faith Meremegbunam will work with the U-17 Girls (Flamingos).

    “Tobi Adepoju will be media officer of the U-15 National Boys (Future Eagles),’’ Olajire said.

    According to him, all the newly-appointed media officers will serve until after their next major championships, before giving way to other persons to also benefit from the experience.

  • Sodje Lampoons NFF over influx of foreign coaches and assistants

     

    Former international Sam Sodje has taken a swipe at Nigeria Football federation over what he dubbed complete takeover of the national football team by foreign coaches.  The takeover according to him does not only limit the chances of local coaches to call the shots but also encourages stagnation in the system.

    He recalled that Dutch man Clemence Westerhof had just one foreign assistant when he led the super Eagles noting that the current scenario looks like relegation of local coaches.

    He accused the NFF of deceiving the public claiming it does not have money but spending a fortune on foreign coaches. As if putting the achievement made by Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr since his arrival on the scale, the former Reading defender concluded that not much impact has been made.

    “I am worried that in the Super Eagles team we have about five foreign coaches working with Gernot Rohr. This is slavery,” said Sodje, as quoted by All Africa.

    “When [Clemens] Westerhof was the Eagles coach, he only had one assistant. I see no reason the Nigerian team will have more foreign assistants when there are a lot of top coaches in Nigeria who don’t have jobs.

    “The NFF claims they don’t have money, but they can afford to pay these expatriate coaches with foreign currencies, while abandoning the domestic ones.

    “The foreign coaches’ impact has not been felt since Rohr took charge of the team. How can Nigerian coaches grow?

    “The foreign coaches working in Nigeria collect the money and leave the country with nothing to show for it.”

    Sodje adds that the influx of the foreign coaches has not given Nigeria a playing pattern.

    “In modern coaching, a team must be known for a pattern. What I think the Eagles need now is to have a solid defence. A good defensive coach will solve this problem.

    If you have a good defence and an organised attack, your team will excel,” explained the 39-year-old who made four appearances for the Super Eagles between 2005 and 2009 featuring mostly in friendly matches but making competitive debut in the 3-0 defeat of Harambee Stars in the qualifiers ahead of the 2010 World cup in South Africa under late Shuaibu Amodu.

    While Sodje’s lamentation centers mainly on the composition of coaches in the super Eagles the Super Falcons technical crew equally has its own share of the structure.

    A source in the Glass House who does not want to be named said the Glass House is only desirous of getting result and will not be dragged into the foreign coach versus local coach brouhaha. “What the country needs is impressive result, end of story”

    While Rohr may have achieved result by qualifying the Eagles for the Nations Cup in Egypt and Thomas Dennerby may have done so by qualifying Falcons for the World cup in France, some say the real result will be assessed by how far they go in both tournaments billed for June this year.

     

  • Nigeria versus Seychelles: NFF to inspect Asaba pitch on Wednesday

     

    A delegation of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is to inspect the Stephen Keshi Stadium Asaba Wednesday ahead of the AFCON 2019 last qualifier against Seychelles on March 21.

    The tie is considered inconsequential in many quarters as the Super Eagles have already qualified for the Continental fiesta billed for 21 June to 19 July 2019 in Egypt.

    The delegation sportinglife.ng gathered is to be led by NFF president Amaju Pinnick. The inspection we understand is to ascertain the state of the pitch and determine whether there will be need for some touch ups before the said match.

    Seychelles successfully emerged whipping boy of Group E managing to earn only a point in five matches while Nigeria topped the group with 10 points in the same number of matches with South Africa closely following with 9 points.

    While the Eagles could be said to have landed in style same cannot be said of South Africa who have qualified technically subject to their performance against Libya in the last match.

    Libya occupy the third position on the log with seven points thus a win or draw  for South Africa will end the journey for The Mediterranean Knights while a resounding victory for Libya  will show the 2010 World cup hosts the door.

    As inconsequential as the match against Seychelles may be Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr is hoping to use the match to again assemble and assess his team considering that a lot of water has passed under the bridge since the world cup in Russia.

    While some key players in the Eagles have lost regular playing time and have even parted ways with their clubs, others have just joined new clubs hence the need for the gaffer who has been monitoring them to observe progress at close range.

    While Odion Ighalo who has ended his romance with Chinese Super League side Changchun Yatai is yet to get another club, Eagles Captain John Obi Mikel and Victor Moses who is being tipped to return to the fold after a dramatic announcement of exit at the end of the World Cup in Russia have joined Championship side Middlesbrough and Turkish side Fenerbahce respectively. Nigeria has missed two editions of the Nations cup and will be hoping to make a mark on return in Egypt.