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  • NFF pays tribute to Titus Davis Okere, the ‘last of the firsts’

    NFF pays tribute to Titus Davis Okere, the ‘last of the firsts’

    The Nigeria Football Federation has paid tribute to the last member of the pioneering UK Tourists to pass away, Titus Davis Okere, whose remains were interred at Bluebell Hill Crematorium in Kent, United Kingdom a few days ago.

    Okere, a dazzling left winger, was the last surviving member of the first-ever Nigeria National Football Team, which travelled to the United Kingdom in 1949 to play nine friendly matches, out of which it won two, drew two and lost five.

    NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, said: “The Nigeria Football Federation mourns the passing of Titus Davis Okere. As a member of the UK Tourists, who played with bare feet yet showed great spirit in the nine matches they played, he was a pioneer Football Ambassador of our great nation.

    “Even though we did not watch him play, we read accounts of his exceptional skills and hard work on the pitch for the country and for the English clubs he played for – Swindon Town FC and Chippenham United. We pray that Almighty God will grant him eternal rest and grant his family and close ones the fortitude to bear the loss.”

    Swindon Town FC, for which Okere played 70 years ago, did a moving tribute to the departed player. His contract with Swindon Town in February 1953 made him the first Nigeria footballer to sign a professional contract.

    The UK Tourists arrived in England on 29 August 1949. On arrival, an Englishman, John Finch was attached to them as coach. They played barefooted and won two, drew two and lost five of their matches against Marine Cosby, Bishop Auckland, Leystone FC, Isthmian League XI, Corinthians League XI, Dulwich Hamlet, South Liverpool, Bromley and Athenian League XI.

  • Gusau charges FIFA instructors to help develop, upscale Nigerian referees

    Gusau charges FIFA instructors to help develop, upscale Nigerian referees

    President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau on Monday called on FIFA refereeing instructors who are in Nigeria for three refereeing programmes, to help improve the lot of Nigerian referees to a level that they would be regularly considered for major FIFA and CAF assignments.

    Speaking in his office during a visit by the instructors, Gusau appealed to the instructors from Zambia, Morocco, Mozambique and Djibouti to always find time, even outside regular instructional periods and sessions, to communicate with Nigerian referees with a view to supporting, encouraging and building them up to be among the very best on the African continent.

    “We have our teams regularly taking part in major competitions in Africa and the world, and it is always a painful thing seeing referees from other countries while we hardly get to see our own compatriots of the whistle. We want you to take up this assignment beyond the regular instruction courses; you should endeavour to communicate with them all the time, encourage them, support them and give them tips that will keep improving them to get to the top,” Gusau told the FIFA team.

    Earlier, NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi informed the instructors that Nigeria is one of very few countries who participate in almost all FIFA and CAF competitions, and is almost always qualifying for the major finals. “The new NFF administration is determined to ensure that Nigerian referees also build capacity and grow to become part of the elites of the beautiful game.”

    The FIFA instructors, led by Gladys Lengwe from Zambia, also includes Houssein Ali Mohamed from Djibouti, Said Nouri from Morocco and Bento Navesse from Mozambique. They are in Nigeria to superintend a Women Referees Course, a Futsal Referees Course and an Elite Men Referees Course, all happening between 1st – 15th July 2023.

    A total of 35 participants are taking part in the Women Referees Course, while 40 participants are in the Futsal Referees Course, and another 40 are involved in the Elite Men Referees Course.

    Nigerian referee instructors Engineer Emmanuel Imiere, Felicia Okwugba, Saheed Ayeni, Ibrahim Fagge, Sarah Adebisi, Cecilia Ogbuji, Peter Edibe, Maryam Indo, Bola Sekiteri, Victor Ijereme, Dr. Aminu Shantali and Colonel Nicholas Achikasim are also involved in the instructional programme, as well as Rabiu Gusau, Abraham Zakowi, Bello Abubakar and Calistus Chukwudi Chukwujekwu who are members of the NFF Referees Committee.

    The women referees’ course and futsal referees’ course, which began on Saturday, will end on Thursday, 6th July, while the elite men referees’ course will take centrestage between 9th – 15th July.

  • FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023: NFF to hold Send-Forth for Super Falcons on Saturday

    FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023: NFF to hold Send-Forth for Super Falcons on Saturday

    The Nigeria Football Federation will on Saturday organize a Send-Forth dinner for the World Cup-bound Senior Women National Team, Super Falcons, ahead of the team’s departure from the country to participate in the 9th FIFA Women’s World Cup finals taking place in Australia and New Zealand, 20 July – 20 August this year.

     

    Her Excellency, Wife of the President, Senator (Mrs) Oluremi Tinubu will lead a choice cast of eminent political chieftains and top government functionaries, which will include the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar and his counterpart in the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.

     

    A good number of the playing body, as well as technical and administrative officials, are expected alongside the hierarchy and rank and file of the NFF, led by the President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau and the General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi.

     

    The event at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja will also attract corporate chieftains, members of the diplomatic corps and a range of football stakeholders.

     

    On Sunday, the nine-time African champions will depart the shores of Nigeria for a 15-day camping programme in Australia, before they enter into camp for the tournament proper, with their base at Brisbane – which is also venue for two of their matches in the group phase.

     

    Nigeria’s first match of the finals is against Canada, at Melbourne’s Rectangular Stadium, on Friday, 21 July, before clashes with co-host nation Australia and Republic of Ireland on Thursday, 27 July and Monday, 31 July respectively, at the Lang Park in Brisbane.

     

    Australia and New Zealand 2023 will be the biggest-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in history, as it welcomes 32 teams – same number as featured in the men’s finals in Qatar last year. It is also the first to be hosted by two countries, and is the first-ever FIFA senior competition to be hosted by two countries in two different confederations: Australia is in the Asian confederation while New Zealand is in Oceania.

     

    Nigeria’ captain Onome Ebi will be one of the oldest players at the tournament, at 40, alongside Brazil’s Marta and Canada’s Christine Sinclair. The three women will be featuring in their sixth FIFA Women’s World Cup tournament.

     

    Twenty-four hours before the Send-Forth at the Transcorp Hilton, the Australian High Commission, courtesy of the Ag. High Commissioner, Her Excellency Leanne Johnston, will host the Falcons to a dinner at the High Commission in Abuja.

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  • Former NFF President Sani Lulu hails Gusau on sincerity, vision and direction

    Former NFF President Sani Lulu hails Gusau on sincerity, vision and direction

    A former President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdullahi has praised the vision and direction of the current Ibrahim Musa Gusau-led NFF administration, saying the sincerity of its approach to issues and unambiguous intention to develop the game from the grassroots will culminate in steady growth of the Nigeria game.

    Speaking during a visit to the NFF Secretariat, Abuja on Wednesday – the first since he left office in 2010 – the Omachi Attah of Igalaland described the present NFF team as “experienced, diligent and committed,” and expressed confidence that it will succeed with its focus on grassroots development and inclusivity in administration.

    “I feel honoured to be here. This is my first time in the NFF, sitting happily with a sitting NFF President, since I left office. I am happy about the path you have chosen, about the fact that you’re a bridge-builder and about your honest intentions in taking Nigeria Football to new heights.

    “I am happy doing what I am doing. I thank God for the little I was able to do with my team while we were. It was so many years ago but I still feel the passion because I never really left,” said Lulu, whose FOSLA Secondary School is the reigning champion of the National Principals’ Cup competition.

    Earlier, President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau praised the passion and energy of the former NFF supremo while in office, and commended the fact that he has continued to work with the same passion in producing excellent individuals through his football academy that nicely blends football with education.

    “You are one man we all respect so much because football is the centre of your existence. Even after leaving office as NFF President, you have remained in the game and your school continues to churn out good products for our football teams.

    “What you are doing is invaluable and it is making a real impact because very few people are providing the opportunity for our young men to blend their urge for education with their passion for football.”

    Gusau disclosed that the NFF is working in synergy with the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Federal Ministry of Education, as well as the Nigeria School Sports Federation, to produce Nigeria’s representatives for subsequent editions of the African Secondary Schools Football Competition.

    FOSLA, as the country’s champion school, has been invited to participate in this year’s International School Sports Federation competition taking place in Morocco next month.

    Also present at the occasion were NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi; NFF’s Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire; NFF’s Director of Competitions, Ruth David and; Alhaji Suleiman Yusuf, personal assistant to Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdullahi.

  • Argentina 2023: Gusau charges Flying Eagles to go for semi-final ticket

    Argentina 2023: Gusau charges Flying Eagles to go for semi-final ticket

    President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau has again implored Nigeria’s U20 boys, Flying Eagles to be focused and disciplined as they go all out for a semi-final ticket against South Korea in the ongoing FIFA U20 World Cup finals in Argentina.

    The NFF President made the plea during a video conversation with players and officials of the team on Saturday.

    Gusau also commended the team for their resilience and victory against host-nation Argentina in the Round of 16 tie on Wednesday and urged them to put up even a stronger performance against the nifty Asians on Sunday.

    “Gentlemen, I want to use this medium to commend and congratulate you for the hard-fought win against Argentina. What you demonstrated was the true Nigeria spirit and I urge you to replicate the same against South Korea tomorrow.

    “The game tomorrow is crucial and I believe you can do it for yourselves, your families and above all our dear nation, Nigeria. Nigerians are happy with your performance over there and are solidly behind you.”

    The Flying Eagles will be gunning for a semi-final ticket at the FIFA U20 World Cup finals for the first time since 2005, when they go up against the South Koreans on Sunday at the Estadio Único Madre de Ciudades in the City of Santiago Del Estero. The game starts at 2.30pm Argentina time (6.30pm Nigeria time).

    On Saturday evening, Israel held on valiantly to eliminate five-time champions Brazil 3-2 after extra time, to become the first team to reach the last four.

  • NFF agrees to owing national team coaches salaries

    NFF agrees to owing national team coaches salaries

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has opened up to owing many national team coaches under its employment many months of salaries.

    Recall that few weeks back it was speculated that NFF is owing the  Super Eagles head coach, Jose Peseiro and his Super Falcons counterpart, Randy Waldrum.

    Other national teams are also reportedly owed several months’ salaries by the NFF.

    Reports also say, the under 20 coach Ladan Bosso, presently with the Flying Eagles is also being owed salaries for months.

    Director of Communications Ademola Olajire admitted that the football house is currently cash-strapped and cannot pay its workers.

    “The NFF has been facing huge financial challenges and there is an ongoing effort to resolve all the issues relating to unpaid wages,” Olajire told BBC Sport Africa.

    “It is unfortunately not something to be proud of and the new board of the federation is working hard to resolve the problems.”

    Aside from the coaches, players of the different national teams are also owed camp allowances and match bonuses.

  • Gusau, Sanusi celebrate Amaju Pinnick on national award of OFR

    Gusau, Sanusi celebrate Amaju Pinnick on national award of OFR

    President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau has congratulated his immediate predecessor, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick on the award of the prestigious Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) bestowed on him by the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR.

    “I am very happy to celebrate a goal-getter, an achiever, an accomplished administrator and an eminent world citizen, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick on this award. He is quite deserving but I must thank President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR for recognizing the hard work and diligence of Mr. Pinnick in Nigeria, African and world football.

    “On behalf of the Board, Management and Staff of the NFF, I congratulate Mr. Pinnick and I believe this prestigious National Award will serve as an impetus for him to do even more for Nigeria, African and world football.”

    On his part, NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi stated that the award is not only for Mr. Pinnick and his adorable immediate family, but also for all those who worked with him at the NFF, and the entire Nigeria Football fraternity.

    “We are grateful to President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR for this award, because in essence it recognizes the work that football administrators are doing. Mr. Pinnick is a shining light for Nigeria and African football in the global space.”

    Amaju Melvin Pinnick served two terms as President of NFF between 2014 and 2022 (the first to break the one-term duck since Sunday Dankaro in the 1970s), arrow-headed a leadership change at the Confederation of African Football, served as 1st Vice President of CAF and is presently Member of the FIFA Council – an exclusive club of 37 people who are the supreme governors of world football.

    A vintage philanthropist through his Brownhill Foundation, Amaju Melvin Pinnick has enabled the appointment of a good number of Nigerians into top offices and committees of FIFA and CAF.

  • NFF hails smooth conduct of State FA elections

    NFF hails smooth conduct of State FA elections

    The Nigeria Football Federation has praised the smooth conduct of ongoing elections into the Football Associations in a number States of the Federation, saying that it is pleased that almost all those who have conducted their polls have gone about the business responsibly and with character and integrity.

    Speaking on Friday, Head of Member Associations of the NFF, Ali Muhammad Abubakar said that the NFF is delighted with the adherence to the rules and electoral codes and urged the States yet to conduct their elections to adopt the same stance of character, conformity and integrity.

    “The NFF is pleased with the conduct of elections in most of the States where elections have been held. The rules and regulations, as well as the electoral codes, have been adhered to.

    “However, the NFF is not happy with what happened in Akwa Ibom State, and that is why we have not recognized the so-called elections conducted there. Elections were held in defiance of a court order. The NFF is a law-abiding organization and will not support anything that is tantamount to disregard and disrespect to the rule of law.”

    A total of eight States, namely Abia, Zamfara, Borno, Kano, Jigawa, Lagos, Niger and Cross River States have conducted their elections, and the same have been recognized by the NFF. Elections into the Board of Ekiti State Football Association are scheduled for Saturday, 27th May.

    Most of the remaining States have scheduled their elections for the month of June 2023.

  • NFF suspends Bauchi FA executive board election over petitions

    NFF suspends Bauchi FA executive board election over petitions

    The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has suspended Bauchi Executive Board of Football Association (FA) 2023 elections, till further notice.

    This is contained in a letter signed by Mr Ali Muhammad, Secretary FA Elections 2023 Monitoring Committee, FA Bauchi office, and made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Bauchi.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NFF had earlier in April, scheduled election into the State Executive Board, and mandated the Bauchi FA executive board to maintain the status quo before its present impasse.

    NFF also directed it to chart a roadmap to conduct the election on or before June 14.

    “I am directed to inform you that your elections should be put on-hold for a while.

    “Further details will be communicated to you as soon as possible.”

    NAN reports that the Chairman held a Congress, and allegedly constituted an election committee without the aggrieved board members of the FA

  • Gusau inaugurates NFF Appeals Committee, urges diligence and fairness

    Gusau inaugurates NFF Appeals Committee, urges diligence and fairness

    President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau on Tuesday inaugurated the NFF Appeals Committee with charges to the chairman and members to discharge their duties and obligations diligently and truthfully, and to ensure fairness and justice for all.

    “The Appeals Committee is the last line of fairness and justice in our football, and justice must not only be done but must always be seen to be done. This is a very serious assignment and we have absolute trust and confidence in your ability and capacity to ensure that justice and fairness prevail whenever you are approached for adjudication.

    “Your committee should be ready to dispense justice promptly and as appropriate in cases within and among stakeholders of the game. It is important to discharge your duties promptly and fairly without fear or favour, after examining all facts brought before you.”

    In his response, Chairman of the Committee, Barrister Gandi Umar Mohammed (mni), assured that his panel is ready to give its very best in ensuring that justice is done in all cases brought before it.

    “I want to assure the NFF President, Board and Management, and indeed the Football fraternity, that we are committed, dedicated and willing to serve purposefully, truthfully, fairly and justly in order to attain the goals and objectives of this administration in its desire to ensure real growth of the Nigeria game.

    “I have seen my members and I am assured of responsiveness and total commitment to the task at hand towards the development of Nigeria Football.”

    Also at the inauguration were Barrister Martin Usen Effiong (Vice Chairman); Barrister Bweino Dauda (Member); Barrister Bukar Muazu (Member); Barrister Bemva Akortsaha (Member) and Joshua Onoja Esq. (Secretary).

    There were also Rt. Hon. Margaret Icheen (Member, NFF Executive Committee); Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme (NFF Deputy General Secretary); Barrister Okey Obi (Ag. Director, Legal); Alhaji Abdulkarim Bako (Deputy Director, Finance & Admin); Dr. Robinson Okosun (Deputy Director, Technical); Mr. Abdulrafiu Yusuf (Assistant Director, Technical) and Mr. Mohammed Ameenu (Special Assistant to the General Secretary).