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Tag: NFF

  • NFF congratulates Osimhen, Oshoala on nomination for Ballon d’Or

    NFF congratulates Osimhen, Oshoala on nomination for Ballon d’Or

    The Nigeria Football Federation has congratulated Super Eagles’ top striker Victor Osimhen and Super Falcons’ forward Asisat Oshoala on their nominations for this year’s Ballon d’Or honours.

     

    Osimhen, who scored 26 goals in the Italian Serie A last season to steer Napoli FC to their first Italian league title in 33 years, also scored five goals in the UEFA Champions League in which Napoli made it to the semi finals.

     

    He is also the leading scorer in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with seven goals.

     

    “We are indeed very proud of the nominations of our players Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala for the Ballon d’Or. It is the first time that players from the same country are nominated for both male and female categories, and this makes us proud. It also underscores the stellar careers that both players have at the moment, and we pray that God will continue to take them from glory to glory.

     

    “These nominations will also, no doubt, encourage other Nigerian players everywhere to be pivotal for their Clubs and also for the National Team anytime they are on the international road,” NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, said.

     

    Oshoala has been pivotal for Spanish Club, Barcelona Feminine in the past two seasons, scoring a lot of goals as well as assists, and also scored a crucial goal for Nigeria against co-host nation Australia at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Down Under. 

  • Enhance capacity and be tech-savvy, or get kicked out – Gusau charges match commissioners

    Enhance capacity and be tech-savvy, or get kicked out – Gusau charges match commissioners

    President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau has told Nigeria’s football match commissioners to be ready to enhance their capacity, become tech-savvy, vibrant and agile on the job or see their names deleted without any ceremony.

    Speaking at this year’s NFF Match Commissioners’ seminar, at the Sandralia Hotel, Abuja on Wednesday, Gusau harped on the imperative of foistering global best practice in the realm of match commissioning in Nigeria, and declared that the NFF will no longer tolerate indolence, incompetence as reflected in poor report presentation and lack of elegance and integrity on the part of any match commissioner while on duty.

    “I have continued to harp on the need for an improved welfare package for you, and you all know that to whom much is given, much is expected. I am sad to report that during a recent assessment of match commissioners, there was a high percentage of failure. We cannot continue to tolerate poor performance. We are working to scale down the number of match commissioners and we will do that through evaluation of your reports.

    “A good number of match commissioners do their work diligently and with integrity, and make us proud. Those are the ones that will remain. We want our football to be up there among the best universally and the work of a match commissioner is of utmost importance to how a football match turns out.”

    Earlier, Chairman of the NFF Match Commissioners’ Appointment Committee, Alhaji Babagana Kalli assured the gathering that only the very best will continue their service to Nigeria Football as the NFF is taking proactive steps to change the narrative about match commissioners.

    “There is no doubting the fact that the world of match commissioning has tremendously transformed and we must gear up in our task assignments in order to ensure the leagues, and indeed Nigeria Football, prosper. It is the cumulative contributions of each one of us that periodically build the process and system of administration in Nigeria.

    “The NFF and therefore, this committee will not tolerate any act that has the potential to bring the game into disrepute. We must be conscious that the process of reducing the population of match commissioners in Nigeria is still ongoing and thus, our match commissioners must rise up to the occasion and be equal to the task in every aspect of your duties, obligations and responsibilities.”

    Also present at the occasion were NFF Executive Committee members Sharif Rabiu Inuwa and Ganiyu Majekodunmi, Match Commissioners Appointment Committee members Sabo Abdullahi Dutse, Kenneth Nwaomucha, Aminu Maimaga, Yakubu Sarma and Usman Maulud, and former Nigeria captain and Chairman of Enyimba FC, Nwankwo Kanu.

  • NFF, Peseiro agree on contract extension

    NFF, Peseiro agree on contract extension

    The Nigeria Football Federation and Mr. Jose Santos Peseiro have reached an agreement for the latter to continue in his role as Head Coach of the Senior Men National Team of Nigeria, Super Eagles.

     

    As stipulated in the original contract, drawn in May 2022, the Portuguese has been handed the mandate to lead the Super Eagles to, in the minimum, the semi finals of the 34th Africa Cup of Nations finals taking place in Cote d’Ivoire in a few months.

     

    Peseiro has steered the Super Eagles through the qualifiers and to a ticket with a match to spare, including a 10-0 record international win against Sao Tome and Principe in Agadir, Morocco in June 2022.

     

    He has now agreed to continue in the role after accepting a pay cut on his earlier terms, with the new agreement also putting him in charge of the Super Eagles B – the home-based professionals who contest the biennial African Nations Championship.

     

    Meanwhile, the Super Eagles’ supremo has invited on-field captain William Ekong, defender Tyronne Ebuehi and Semi Ajayi, midfielders Wilfred Ndidi and Frank Onyeka, and forwards Moses Simon, Victor Osimhen and Taiwo Awoniyi, among others, to next weekend’s qualification series final-day encounter against Sao Tome and Principe in Uyo.

     

    Peseiro called three goalkeepers (including home-based Olorunleke Ojo), eight defenders, four midfielders and eight forwards for the game, slated for the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Sunday, 10 September.

     

    Nigeria, on 12 points from their previous five matches, are already guaranteed a place in the finals, but must earn at least a point to be sure of topping the group ahead of second-placed Guinea Bissau, who are on 10 points and play at home to Sierra Leone in Bissau.

     

    Peseiro has called for the first time, Belgium-based centre-back Jordan Torunarigha and forwards Victor Boniface and Gift Orban, and there are recalls for Portugal-based left back Bruno Onyemaechi and defensive midfielder Raphael Onyedika.

     

    ALL THE INVITED PLAYERS:

     

    Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus); Olorunleke Ojo (Enyimba FC); Adebayo Adeleye (Hapoel Jerusalem, Israel)

     

    Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Tyronne Ebuehi (Empoli FC, Italy); Jordan Torunarigha (KAA Gent, Belgium); William Ekong (PAOK FC, Greece); Semi Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Jamilu Collins (Cardiff FC, Wales); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal)

     

    Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Joe Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England)

     

    Forwards: Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Victor Osimhen (Napoli FC, Italy); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England); Gift Orban (KAA Gent, Belgium); Victor Boniface (Bayern Leverkusen, Germany)

  • NFF issues Peseiro three-day ultimatum to accept pay cut or quit job

    NFF issues Peseiro three-day ultimatum to accept pay cut or quit job

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF ) has given Super Eagles head coach, Jose Peseiro a three-day ultimatum to accept a pay cut and renew his contract.

    The NFF made this known through its technical committee, It stated that the Portuguese will bid farewell to his job if he fails to make a decision within three days.

    Chairman of the technical committee, Sheriff Rabiu Inuwa hinted that the NFF will appoint a caretaker coach to take charge of the Super Eagles’ 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sao Tome and Principe next month and then start the search for a substantive head coach afterward if Peseiro refused to respond to their request.

    The 63-year-old’s previous contract expired at the end of last month and he has expressed his desire to lead the Super Eagles to the 2023 AFCON finals in Cote d’Ivoire.

    The former Venezuela and Saudi Arabia coach is however not willing to accept a reduction on his $70,000 salary.

    Peseiro took charge of the Super Eagles in May 2022.

    There are strong indications that the NFF currently owes the tactician for a number of months but have still told him to accept the pay cut or bid farewell to the job.

     

  • Gusau assures Technical Committee of NFF support in herculean tasks

    Gusau assures Technical Committee of NFF support in herculean tasks

    President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau on Tuesday inaugurated the recently-constituted NFF Technical Committee, while charging them to be ready to accomplish the herculean tasks of constituting fresh technical crews for most of the National Teams, and providing direction for the teams.

     

    “Let me assure you that you have been carefully selected based on your individual track record and what we know you can contribute to this assignment. It will not be an easy assignment, as most of the National Teams have concluded one competition or the other and are now preparing for fresh tasks.

     

    “That raises the need to compose new technical crews and provide guidance and vision to the crews. The Super Falcons are back from the FIFA World Cup with aplomb, but we must remember that they have 2024 Olympics and 2024 Women AFCON qualifying matches shortly and start to prepare for those games. The home-based professionals have qualifiers for the CHAN and the male and female U17 and U20 teams have qualification matches of high importance in a few months to come.”

     

    Gusau promised that the NFF will support the committee to accomplish its work while emphasizing that meetings can be either physical or by video conference.

     

    Responding, Chairman of the committee, Alhaji Sharif Rabiu Inuwa stated that the committee will discharge its duties with every sense of responsibility and be guided by the vision of the Gusau-led administration to work proactively and energetically to ensure the real growth of the game of football in Nigeria in all its aspects and ramifications.

     

    The committee has as Vice Chairman the NFF 1st Vice President, Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu, while Dr. Felix Owolabi Akinloye, Hon. Aminu Balele Kurfi, Mallam Zanna Mohammed Mala, Mr. Victor Ikpeba and Mr. Olayinka Olagbemiro are members. NFF’s Technical Director, Coach Augustine Eguavoen is the secretary.

     

    Also at the occasion were Hon. Silas Agara (Chairman of the Nigeria Nation-Wide League One); NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi; immediate past NFF General Secretary, Barr. Musa Amadu; NFF Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire; CEO of the Nigeria National League, Mr. Emmanuel Attah; Assistant Directors Abdulrafiu Yusuf and Faith Ben-Anuge; Member of NFF Marketing Committee, Ibrahim Danbatta and; special assistant to NFF President, Abubakar Barde.

  • House of Representatives adjourns NFF/Super Falcons investigation to August 30

    House of Representatives adjourns NFF/Super Falcons investigation to August 30

    The Federal House of Representatives on Wednesday adjourned the investigation on the matter concerning the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Super Falcons till next week August 30th, 2023.
    The matter was initially meant to be taken up on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, but was postponed following the absence of the NFF President, Ibrahim Gusau, and Secretary, General, Sanusi Mohammed)
    However, the two bigwigs in NFF showed up on Thursday and took the oath with the Holy Quran before the commencement of the proceeding at the instance of the committee chairman, Honourable Blessing Onuh Onyeche.
    The committee sought clarifications on conflicting information on the payment of players’ allowances and bonuses since 2019, the payment of $10,000 monthly salary by FIFA to the General Secretary, Sanusi Mohammed, the details of the Federal Government intervention funds, FIFA Grants, CAF subvention and sponsorship funds.

    In a swift response, NFF boss, Gusau explained that all backlogs of unpaid winning bonuses and allowances of Super Falcons have been paid except one World Cup qualifier game between Ivory Coast and Nigeria (away match).

    According to him, the players will be paid their allowances for the World Cup as soon as FIFA releases them to the body’s account.
    Sanusi confirmed to the House that he gets a monthly operational cost of $10,000 monthly from FIFA following an agreement with former NFF boss, Amaju Pinnick.
    Not satisfied with their presentations, the sitting was deferred to next Wednesday because the federation could not provide documents to substantiate their claims on payment of players and officials of Super Falcons.
    Other documents to be provided before the next sitting of the Committee include; an invoice showing the purchase of a GPS Tracker and Installation of Scouting Software from the $960,000 from the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) meant for preparation of Super Falcons for the 2023 World Cup.
    And the document containing the partnership agreement between the Federation and Euro Data (NFF’s Friendly Games partner), the invitation and agreement letters between the organizer of the Four Nation Tournament in Mexico and the NFF and other friendly matches.
  • NFF President summoned again over allowance owed Super Falcons

    NFF President summoned again over allowance owed Super Falcons

    The ad hoc committee investigating the face-off between Super Falcons and Officials of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has once again summoned Ibrahim Gusau, the president of the federation.

    Rep. Blessing Onu, the Chairman of the ad hoc committee investigating the face off, reinvited Gusau after he failed to appear on Tuesday.

    Re-inviting the NFF president, Onu said the sitting of the committee was not to witch hunt anyone but to discharge its functions in line with the mandate of the House.

    Onuh who issued the notice, frowned at the NFF President’s deliberate refusal to honour the invitation of the Ad hoc committee.

    According to her, the NFF president was supposed to appear before the ad hoc committee in Aug. 17 , the reasons the NFF president gave were not as important as the work of this ad hoc committee.

    “Nigerians are interested, Nigerians are watching. The girls did extremely well and they made Nigerians proud, so we shouldn’t take this investigative hearing likely.

    “We gave an opportunity for the president of NFF to appear before this Ad hoc committee, I will say invariably he is the one summoning us.

    “He came up with an excuse that it is not as important as what we have. The allowances and the dues that were supposed to be paid to the female footballers, the Super Falcons and he turned it down,

    “What is more important is for him to attend the FIFA Women Convention or to appear before this committee.

    ” And even at that he has the effrontery to send his SA that he won’t be able to make it, it simply means he is taking us for granted, he is taking us for a ride and we will not tolerate it we will not,” she said

    Speaking earlier, the NFF Secretary General, Dr Mohammed Sanusi said the NFF President could not attend the investigative hearing because of his ill-health.

    The ad hoc committee however walked out the Secretary-General and his team who came to represent the NFF president.

    Meanwhile, some concerned members of the committee who did not want their name mentioned at the sideline of the investigative hearing, accused Adams of frustrating the exercise.

    They alleged that the NFF President was asked not to appear before the committee.

  • NFF congratulates John Enoh on appointment as Sports Minister

    NFF congratulates John Enoh on appointment as Sports Minister

    The Nigeria Football Federation has congratulated the new Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh on his appointment, saying the nation’s supreme football-governing body is “willing and fully ready to cooperate and collaborate meaningfully and positively with you to harness the potentials locked in Nigeria Football to take it to a whole new level of a thriving industry, capable of employing millions of people and contributing significantly to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product.”

     

    In a letter signed by the President of NFF, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, the football body noted: “Having been availed of Your Distinguished’s political, entrepreneurial and philanthropic trajectory over the years, we are in no doubt that you possess the wisdom, knowledge and understanding to justify the confidence reposed in you by His Excellency, by growing Nigeria Football, nay Sports, exponentially to fulfil its huge potential.”

     

    It would be recalled that His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR on Wednesday evening named Senator John Owan Enoh, a two-term Member of the House of Representatives and one-term Member of the Senate of the Federal Republic, as the new Minister of Sports Development.

     

    Senator Enoh replaces Hon. Sunday Akin Dare, who was Nigeria’s Minister of Youth and Sports Development between 2019-2023. 

  • NFF replies FIFPRO over payment of Super Falcons

    NFF replies FIFPRO over payment of Super Falcons

    The Nigeria Football Federation has dismissed as nothing more than a storm in a team cup, a statement issued by the world body of professional footballers, FIFPRO on Tuesday calling on the Federation to pay players of the Super Falcons what they are owed.

    The Federation reiterated that it had an earlier agreement with the players on what they would earn at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, but world football-governing body, FIFA came up with a new template that guaranteed more money for the players and which made players of all participating teams happier.

    The NFF insisted it does need FIFPRO shouting from far off to pay Nigerian players what they had been promised by both FIFA and the NFF, dismissing the body’s statement as a mere relevance-seeking message.

    It recalled that its officials sat down and agreed with the players on what to pay them, but FIFA came up with a juicier package and they were all happy about it. If they had beaten England, for instance, and reached the quarter-finals, the NFF disclosed that the players would have been entitled to $90,000, and not the $60,000 each player will be getting now. A place in the semi-finals would have guaranteed at least $165,000 each (for 4th place, and $180,000 each for 3rd place) for the players.

    The Federation praised the team for its efforts at reaching the Round of 16 and standing up firmly to world number four England on the turf, as well as its heroics in the group phase. It noted that not losing a single match out of four in regulation time is a remarkable record by an African team.

    The nation’s football-governing body stated that it has no issues with the players; it had assured them before the World Cup that they would be paid the couple of friendly matches and qualifying matches for which they were being owed appearance fees and bonuses respectively. It pledged to pay the money once the World Cup money is paid.

    The NFF also charged FIFPRO to stop playing the ostrich and stand up to its real responsibilities, calling on the body to address the real issues. The Federation revealed that after all these years, FIFPRO does not have an affiliate body in Nigeria. It challenged the body to come to Nigeria and set up an affiliate body that can always and legitimately speak on behalf of Nigerian players, and made up of individuals who understand the culture and dynamics of the African environment.

  • NFF constitutes standing, ad-hoc committees

    NFF constitutes standing, ad-hoc committees

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has constituted its standing and ad-hoc committees.

    A statement by Ademola Olajire, the Director of Communications at the NFF, on Tuesday, said a total of 17 standing committees and three ad-hoc committees were constituted by the NFF.

    It added that the judicial committees had been constituted earlier.

    The Finance Committee has Timothy Heman as chairman and Margaret Icheen as Vice Chairman, with A.C. Ladan, Ado Garba, Auwalu Musa, Greg Abang  and Gandi Bodinga as members.

    The Internal Audit Committee has Garba Mohammed as Chairman and Yahuza Maihaja as Vice Chairman, with Ifanawopo Sola, Haliru Samaila, Hashimu Yusuf and Amadu Malami as its members.

    According to the statement, the Organising Committee has Felix Anyansi Agwu as Chairman and Gbenga Elegbeleye as Vice Chairman, with Emmanuel Ochiagha, Calistus Ebare, Geofrey Gaya Dilichukwu and Abba Muktar as members.

    The Technical Committee is headed by Sharif Inuwa as Chairman and Felix Anyansi as Vice Chairman, while Aminu Balele Kurfi, Zanna Mala, Victor Ikpeba, Felix Awolabi and Yinka Olagbemiro are members.

    Tony Ogwu is Chairman of the Legal Committee, assisted by Isaac Danladi as Vice Chairman, with members: Paul Edeh, Abayomi Omoyinmi and Labaran Gusau.

    The Women’s Football Committee has as Chairperson Aisha Falode and Nkechi Obi, Vice Chairperson, with members: Thelma Agara, Hauwa Lawan, Margaret Aku, Sabina Amemonophena and Harry Awurumbe.

    The Youth Football Committee is headed by Ganiyu Majekodunmi as Chairman and Silas Agara, Vice Chairman, while Victor Apago, Dele Ologun, Aku Oladimeji, Bala Chamo and Moses Cleopas are members.

    Futsal/Beach Soccer Committee has Nse Essien as Chairman and Ahmed Yusuf, Vice Chairman, with members as: Aminu Mohammed Inuwa, Fuad Oki, Richard Jideaka and Yabagi A Baba.

    Olajire said the Medical Committee is headed by Abdulkadir Muazu as Chairman/Director Sports Medicine, while Vice Chairman is Rotimi Ogungbe and Sa’adu Isah, Peter Singabele and Suleman Ohida are members.

    The Players Status Committee has Otumba Dele Ajayi as Chairman, Timothy Heman, Vice Chairman and Patrick Pascal, Chikuelu Ileonsi, Audu Sabo, Austin Popo and Jude Anyadufu as members.
    He said the Committee for Ethics and Fair Play has Mainasara Illo as Chairman, Fanny Amu, Vice Chairman, and Tijjani Yusuf, Maccido Garba, Bello Jibo, Ibrahim Danbatta and Harrison Ocular as members.

    The Media Committee is headed by Aisha Falode, assisted by George Aluo as Vice Chairman and Gabriel Aborowa, Lirwanu Garu, Godwin Enakhena, Shu’aibu Mungadi and Frank Ilaboya as members.

    Football Committee has Felix Anyansi-Agwu as Chairman, Babagana Kalli as Vice Chairman, overseeing NPFL, NNL, NLO and NWL.

    Technical Dept/Strategic Studies Committee has as its Chairman Ahmed Yusuf, Ganiyu Majekodunmi, Vice Chairman and members as: Ahmed Magaji, Christopher Green, Obinna Ogba, Akegun Seriki and Mohammed Rabiu.

    Sharif Inuwa is Chairman of Marketing, Sponsorship Committee with Nse Essien as Vice Chairman and Edafe Eseoghene, Bature Musa, Chief Olapade, Chika Ikenga and Emeka Iyama members.

    The Protocol and Ceremonial Committee has Margaret Icheen as Chairperson, Ganiyu Majekodunmi, Vice Chairman and Bakura Abubakar, Obioma Onyeghala, Habibu Fagge, Usman Pate and Mojeed Adegbindi as its members.

    The statement said the Security Committee is headed by Babagana Kalli and assisted by Nse Essien, with members as Emma Nunu, Adebayo Adeyinka, Datti Yusuf, Wilson Inalegwu and Stanley Eze.

    The statement said ad-hoc committees were also constituted with Technical Study Group Committee having Ladan Bosso as Chairman
    and James Adesina, Vice Chairman, and members: Manu Garba, Ibrahim Gwadabe, Tijjani Babangida, Mutiu Adepoju, Edema Fuludu, Abdul Sule
    and Hamisu Mohammed.

    Facilities Committee is headed by Dele Ajayi as Chairman, Babagana Kalli, Vice Chairman (Chairman Nasarawa FA) and Oluwole Oloworemo
    Garba Musa Zuru, Amanze Uchegbulam, Tony Rafua, Joe Amend, Eddy Ukim, Joseph Joshua, Dotun Cocker and Amah Mbah.

    The statement said Establishment Committee is headed by Ahmed Fresh as Chairman, Timothy Heman, Vice Chairman, and Abdulganiyu Majekodunmi, Babagana Kalli and Margaret Icheen and members.