Tag: CAF

BREAKING: Amaju Pinnick gets new FIFA role

President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Member of the FIFA Council, Mr Amaju Pinnick has been appointed into a new role within the world football governing body’s working group.

In a letter dated 11th April and signed by Véron Mosengo-Omba, General Secretary of the Confederation of African Football, the NFF boss was informed that he has been nominated by the President of CAF, Dr Joseph Motsepe to be part of the “newly established Working Group on Normalisation Committees”.

The CAF General Secretary wrote further: “This joint working group, to be led by FIFA, will analyse the applicable legal framework and the governance structure, mandate and mission of Normalisation Committees, and make suggestions to the FIFA Council accordingly.

“We are confident that your nomination to this working group will positively contribute to the pertinent, and often essential, role played by Normalisation Committees in support of federations and towards the fulfillment of good governance practices”.

April 12, 2022
FIFA, CAF set to sanction Nigeria over fans pitch invasion

Nigeria faces FIFA and CAF sanctions after thousands of football fans invaded the Moshood Abiola stadium football pitch, following a 1-1 stalemate with the Black Stars of Ghana on Tuesday.

Thomas Partey scored for Ghana in the 10th minute of the encounter before Williams Troost Ekong equlized in the 22nd minutes from the spot.

The away goal rule still being used by FIFA ensured Nigeria fail to grab the Worldcup ticket.

The angry supporters invaded the pitch and destroyed properties worth millions of Naira.

The irate fans destroyed the substiture bench and called for the removal of Super Eagles coaching team and Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Amaju Pinnick.

March 30, 2022
CAF Doctor dies in Abuja, following a 1-1 draw with Ghana

Joseph Kabungo, a doctor of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has been confirmed dead in Abuja after Nigeria vs Ghana 2022 World Cup second leg play-off at the Moshood Abiola Stadium.

The circumstances surrounding his death is yet to be confirmed, however they are speculations that his death is due to the invasion of the stadium by angry fans.

Officials of the Nigeria Football Federation nor CAF are yet to confirm the doctor’s death. But Kabungo’s family, the Zambia FA and the Government of Zambia has been informed.

BBC journalist, Osasu Obayiuwana, tweeted: “Sad news: I understand that an official for the @NGSuperEagles vs @GhanaBlackstars match (not a referee or assistant referee) died in #Abuja today.

“His name is Dr Joseph Kabungo from Zambia. He was on duty as Doping officer. He collapsed suddenly and died. Cause of death not confirmed yet. His family, the Zambia FA and the government of Zambia have been duly informed.

“If the death of #Zambian doctor Dr Joseph Kabungo at the #Abuja stadium was caused by being attacked by the #Nigerian fans who invaded the pitch, after the @NGSuperEagles lost the @FIFAWorldCup ticket to @GhanaBlackstars, @thenff would be in terrible trouble with @FIFAcom.”

The Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup finals billed for Qatar after they could only draw 1-1 with the Black Stars of Ghana, losing out on away goals.

March 30, 2022
Falconets arrive in Dakar to face Senegal, CAF appoints Togolese referees

Nigeria’s national under-20 women football team, the Falconets are in Dakar to take on Senegal on Saturday, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) said on Wednesday.

Ademola Olajire, NFF’s Director of Communications, said the Falconets have a date with Senegal in the final round of qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup.

“The first leg clash with their Senegalese counterparts is on Saturday at the Stade Lat-Dior in Thies, just outside Dakar, and the match will kick off at 4:30 p.m Senegal time (5:30 p.m Nigeria time,” he said.

Olajire said the two–time World Cup runners-up have scored a total of 18 goals in five matches in the qualifying series while beating Central African Republic (CAR), Republic of Congo and Cameroon.

“Against CAR, the Falconets hit seven goals away and four at home, before lashing the Congolese girls 4-0 in Brazzaville, leading to the Congolese Football Federation pulling their girls out of the return leg.

“Cameroon’s under-20 girls showed muscle and strength in their first encounter with the Nigerian girls in Douala to end it 0-0, but fell by three goals at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja to crash out of the race.

“On their part, the Senegalese girls reached this final qualifying round after edging the Mali 5-3 on penalty kicks shoot-out, with both teams tied 1-1 at the end of the two legs in the fourth round,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed a Togolese official, Vincentia Amedome, as the centre referee for the match.

She will be assisted by compatriot Abra Agbedanou, as assistant referee 1, and Mauritanians Mariem Chedad (as assistant referee 2) and Aissata Amadou (as fourth official).

Sabine Zoungrana from Burkina Faso will serve as the match commissioner.

FALCONETS SQUAD IN DAKAR

Goalkeepers: Nelly Ekeh (Sunshine Queens); Monle Oyono (Bayelsa Queens); Inyene Etim (Abia Angels)

Defenders: Oluwatosin Demehin (Rivers Angels); Omowunmi Oshobukola (Edo Queens); Rofiat Imuran (Rivers Angels); Jumoke Alani (Edo Queens)

Motunrayo Ezekiel (Naija Ratels); Oluwabunmi Oladeji (Nasarawa Amazons); Oluchi Ohaegbulem (Confluence Queens); Chidinma Ogbuchi (FC Robo Queens)

Midfielders: Bashirat Amoo (Nasarawa Amazons); Esther Onyenezide (FC Robo Queens); Adoo Yina (Nasarawa Amazons); Deborah Abiodun (Rivers Angels)

Chinyere Kalu (Nasarawa Amazons); Anuoluwapo Salisu (Bayelsa Queens)

Forwards: Joy Jerry (Bayelsa Queens); Mercy Idoko (Nasarawa Amazons); Flourish Sebastine (Bayelsa Queens); Taiwo Lawal (FC Robo Queens); Blessing Okpe (Rivers Angels); Tessy Ojiyovwi (Nasarawa Amazons)

March 9, 2022
AWCON: CAF appoints referees for Côte d’Ivoire/Nigeria battle in Abidjan

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has selected Nigerien official Zouwaira Souley as the centre referee for Wednesday’s match between Cote d’Ivoire and Nigeria in Abidjan.

The match is the second leg tie of a 2022 Women Africa Cup of Nations (AWCON) final qualifying round fixture.

Souley will work with compatriot Hawa Moussa (assistant referee 1), Lamouni Latiifah Pare from Burkina Faso (assistant referee 2) and another Nigerien, Nafissa Sani (fourth official).

Ademola Olajire, Director of Communications at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), said in a statement on Monday that Ayawa Mawoufemo Dzodope from Togo will serve as the game’s match commissioner.

Another Togolese, Latré-Kayi Lawson-Hogban, is the match’s referee assessor.

The Nigerian team, the Super Falcons, are nine-time winners of AWCON and won the first leg match at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja 2-0 on Friday.

Both goals were scored by U.S-based forward Ifeoma Onumonu.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s contingent to the return leg arrived in Abidjan on Sunday evening, and trained at the Palais des Sports in the Treichville area of the city.

The 23-woman Super Falcons squad includes team captain Onome Ebi, Onumomu, defender Ashleigh Plumptre and goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.

Others are midfielders Rasheedat Ajibade, Toni Payne and Rita Chikwelu, and forwards Esther Okoronkwo and Gift Monday.

Wednesday’s encounter will take place at the Stade Robert Champroux, also in Abidjan, and will begin at 4 p.m Cote d’Ivoire time.

The winners on aggregate will join hosts Morocco and Uganda who have already qualified for the 12-team finals holding in Morocco from July 2 to July 23.

Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Burundi and Tunisia who scooped huge first-leg wins, as well as Botswana who won away from home, look good for spots in Morocco.

Also, to some extent, Nigeria and South Africa who had decent home wins.

Burundi will on Monday visit Djibouti, while Namibia and Zambia, whose first leg game ended scoreless in Luanda, will face off at the Dobsonville Stadium in Johannesburg on Tuesday.

The rest eight matches will hold on Wednesday.

February 21, 2022
World Cup playoff: CAF shifts Super Eagles, Ghana clash

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Monday informed the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) that the Super Eagles will now take on Ghana’s Black Stars on new dates.

Ademola Olajire, NFF’s Director of Communications, disclosed in a statement that the 2022 FIFA World Cup play-off round fixture between Nigeria and Ghana would not hold on the earlier announced dates.

The two matches were earlier scheduled for March 24 and March 27.

“The opening leg of the fixture at the Cape Coast Stadium will now take place on March 25, starting from 7:30 p.m Ghana time, which will be 8:30 p.m in Nigeria.

“The return leg match will now hold at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja on March 29, starting from 6 p.m Nigeria time,” Olajire stated.

The winners over the two legs will advance to the 2022 FIFA World Cup billed for Qatar from Nov. 21 to Dec. 18.

February 21, 2022
Africa football legends, CAF/FIFA officials, Refugees, to play friendly football match

Some of Africa’s football legends, including former Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winners will take on the field against Refugees in a friendly match on Sunday.

Officials of CAF and FIFA will also be participating in the friendly match.

A statement by CAF said the match to be played at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium on Sunday from 10 a. m. was an initiative of a partnership between CAF and UNHCR, a UN Refugee Agency.

It said a rich list of dignitaries as well as ex-internationals would be taking part in the friendly match.

“Heading up the list of players who will take part in the friendly match are CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

“The list of African legends include Khalilou Fadiga, Elhadji Diouf, Mamadou Niang, Alassane Ndour (Senegal), Didier Drogba, Siaka Tiene (Cote d’Ivoire), Emmanuel Adebayor (Togo),

“Others include Daniel Amokachi (Nigeria) and Joseph Antoine Bell, Roger Milla, Lea Charles Eyoum, Rigobert Song, Patrick Mboma and Eric Djemba Djemba (Cameroon),” it said.

February 6, 2022
BREAKING: CAF approves Abuja stadium for Nigeria vs Ghana 2022 World Cup playoff

The Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) has approved the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja for the second leg of the 2022 World Cup playoff between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and the Black Stars of Ghana.

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Raul Chipenda, CAF’s Director of Development made this known on Thursday in a letter addressed to Mr. Mohammed Sanusi, General Secretary of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

The letter titled “FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 African qualifiers Playoff rounds-Nigeria-Venue decision” reads: “Dear General Secretary,

“Reference to participation of the national team of Nigeria in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 African qualifiers playoff rounds which will take place from March 21 to March 29, 2022, following the stadium assessment and inspection process conducted by CAF, kindly find below the decision on the venue selected by your association:

“Venue: Moshood Abiola National Stadium (Abuja); Decision: APPROVED. Please note that the approved stadium will be set as the venue to host the match Nigeria Vs. Ghana related to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 African qualifiers playoff round.

“Nonetheless, please find attached in Annex A the inspection comments and remarks to be addressed in the coming period by your association, in order to guarantee that the stadium is maintained in the list of CAF approved stadiums for senior competitions Among other aspects mentioned in the report, the stadium management is requested to ensure that the playing surface area, floodlights and the dressing rooms are brought up to the required level to host this important match

“We appreciate your contribution in helping us raise the level of African football with improved facilities as we continue to gain exposure to a global audience. Please accept, dear General Secretary, the expression of my best regards”.

With the approval, international football returns to Abuja after a hiatus of nearly 10 years.

Confirming CAF’s decision, Toyin Ibitoye, Special Assistant to the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, said CAF officials had inspected the pitch few weeks ago.

“The CAF team inspected the Moshood Abiola National stadium, Abuja few weeks back and the good news is that the stadium has been approved by CAF for Nigeria’s FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 African qualifiers playoffs game second leg game against Ghana in March,” he said.

Ibitoye said the development was in line with efforts by the minister to return international football to Abuja after the rehabilitation of the 60,000 capacity Moshood Abiola stadium.

“I have been told to give you the good news by the minister that our efforts to return football to Moshood Abiola National stadium Abuja is yielding very positively results, one of which is this approval from CAF,” he added.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will clash with the Black Stars of Ghana in a playoff for one of the five spots to represent Africa at the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup.

According to CAF, Ghana will host the first leg with the return leg in Abuja, both matches will hold from March 24 to March 29.

Earlier, CAF had rejected a request from the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to name a new venue for the first leg of the encounter.

The GFA sought to move the first leg of the tie from the Cape Coast Stadium to the Baba Yara Stadium, Kumasi.

The Cape Coast Stadium is billed to host the country’s Independence Day celebration on March 6.

CAF turned down the request, stating that it fell outside the time allowed for such.

“The FIFA World Cup 2022 preliminary competition regulations in its article 21 venues, kick-off times and training sessions stipulate that “The venues of matches shall be set by the host association and/or by the confederation, as applicable, and the matches may only be played in stadiums that have been inspected and approved by the confederation concerned.

“The opponents and the FIFA general secretariat shall be notified by the host association and/or by the confederation, as applicable, at least three months before the match in question is due to be played,” a statement from CAF read.

February 3, 2022
CAF moves 2021 AFCON’s third-place match

The CAF Organising Committee for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Wednesday said the competition’s third-place match will now be played a day earlier.

The committee, in a statement at Douala in Cameroon said the development came after discussions with the Government of Cameroon and the competition’s Local Organising Committee (LOC).

“We decided to move the third and fourth place match, originally scheduled for Sunday Feb. 6 to Saturday Feb. 5,” it said.

The match, which is to be played at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde, will however still kick off at 2000 hours as earlier scheduled.

The committee however did not state any reason for bringing the match forward.

The final match will still hold as scheduled on Sunday, the final day of the Jan. 9 to Feb. 6 competition

February 3, 2022
AFCON 2021: CAF lifts suspension on Olembé Stadium

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Sunday said it has unanimously agreed to lift the suspension on the Olembé Stadium in Yaounde, Cameroon.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that CAF had announced the suspension of matches at the stadium following a tragic incident at the venue.

The incident had occurred during the fixture between hosts Cameroon and Comoros on Monday in a round of 16 tie of the ongoing 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

A total of 38 persons sustained varying degrees of injuries and eight supporters lost their lives at the stadium during the stampede.

A statement by CAF on Sunday said the decision to lift suspension on the stadium followed a meeting of the CAF AFCON Organising Committee.

This was after the receipt of the report on the tragedy which occurred at the stadium.

“The President of CAF, Patrice Motsepe, having convened a meeting of the CAF AFCON Organising Committee, received the report compiled by CAF Safety and Security Department together with COCAN.

“The report was in relation to the circumstances with regard to the tragedy that occurred at the Olembé Stadium.

“The report highlighted the extensive on-site meetings and discussions which were held with senior representatives of the police, the gendarmerie, the military, together with high-ranking Cameroonian Government, Defence, and Police Ministers, inclusive of the Governor of Yaoundé and other stakeholders.

“The report dealt with and highlighted the tragic circumstances which led to 38 people being injured and eight fatalities.

“The report further highlighted the recommendations and interventions to ensure that a tragedy of this nature should never be repeated,” the statement said.

It added that the CAF Organising Committee unanimously agreed to lift the suspension imposed on the stadium following recommendations and undertakings from the Cameroonian Government.

“We note the recommendations and undertakings from Government in regard to additional security provisions over and above those which were already successfully implemented at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium during the Morocco and Malawi match and at the Japoma Stadium during the Gambia and Cameroon match,

“Following this, the CAF Organising Committee unanimously agreed to lift the suspension imposed on the Olembé, Stadium and allow one of the AFCON Semi-Finals as well as the Final Match to take place at the Olembé Stadium.

“In conclusion, CAF, the Local Organising Committee and the Government of Cameroon having significantly increased security and resources at the Olembé Stadium, are confident that the safety and security of spectators and visitors will be assured,” it said.

January 31, 2022