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Tag: NFF

  • NFF mourns passing of former Super Falcons’ coach, Ismaila Mabo

    NFF mourns passing of former Super Falcons’ coach, Ismaila Mabo

    The Nigeria Football Federation has expressed deep sorrow over the death on Monday morning of former Nigeria defender and an accomplished Head Coach of the Senior Women’s National Team, Super Falcons, Pa Ismaila Mabo. He was 80.

     

    Reports said Mabo died in the early hours of Monday after a protracted illness.

     

    “The death of Pa Ismaila Mabo came to me as a huge shock. Again, we have lost a great man and an accomplished trainer-of-trainers in the Nigeria Football fraternity, and my heart goes out to his immediate family and the other loved ones he has left behind.

     

    “Mabo laid down a big marker for other coaches when he steered the Super Falcons to the quarter-finals of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in the USA in 1999. Yet, he was simple, humble and humane. We will miss him, but we are consoled that he left giant footprints in the sands of time and pray that God will grant him eternal rest,” President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau said on Monday.

     

    A gifted central defender, Ismaila Mabo started as a schoolboy international with the Nigeria academicals team that broke the chain of Ghana’s constant whipping of Nigerian teams, when they defeated Ghana’s academicals 1-0 in Accra on 13th February 1966. It was the first time any Nigerian team would defeat a Ghanaian football team on Ghanaian soil.

    Six days later, the Nigerian boys again defeated their Ghanaian counterparts 2-1 in Lagos. His team-mates included Peter ‘Baby’ Anieke, Tony ‘World 2’ Igwe, the illustrious Sam Garba Okoye and Eyo Essien.

     

    After that accomplishment, Mabo joined Mighty Jets of Jos and was part of that club’s famous squad of the late 1960s and 1970s. He also featured for the senior national team, making his debut in a 1972 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Congo in Brazzaville on 22nd November 1970.

     

    Mabo would later go into coaching, and was in the dug-out as Head Coach when the Super Falcons defeated North Korea 3-2, lost to USA and defeated Denmark 2-0 to reach the quarter-finals of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 1999. The team stretched Brazil at that quarter-final stage before losing by a golden goal in extra time in Washington DC on July 1, 1999.

     

  • Dare charges NFF to prepare Flying Eagles to win FIFA World Cup

    Dare charges NFF to prepare Flying Eagles to win FIFA World Cup

    The Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Sunday Dare has tasked the Nigeria Football Federation to adequately prepare the U20 boys, Flying Eagles, to challenge for the FIFA U20 World Cup trophy in Indonesia in a few weeks.

     

    Hon. Dare threw the challenge to the NFF and Head Coach Ladan Bosso at a reception hosted for the Africa U20 Cup of Nations bronze medallists at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Monday.

     

    “You have returned from Egypt with the bronze medals and the FIFA World Cup ticket, and a few other prizes, but the FIFA World Cup is in a few weeks and I want you to focus your mind on winning it for Nigeria for the first time. I understand Ghana is the only African country that has won the FIFA U20 World Cup. If Ghana can win it, why not Nigeria?

     

    “I am happy about your performance in Egypt because you were able to come from a position of adversity – a depressing loss to The Gambia in the semi final – to fire on all cylinders to defeat Tunisia for the bronze medals. That is the spirit that the Government and people of Nigeria want you to take to the World Cup. We are on the same page with the NFF on adequate preparation of our National Teams for matches and competitions, and I believe they will provide you with good-enough preparation for the global finals in Indonesia.”

     

    Head Coach Bosso praised the Minister for his fatherly love, encouragement and support for the team since hosting the team to a similar reception after it won the WAFU B U20 Championship in Niamey 10 months ago.

     

    “We are always encouraged by your inspiring and motivating words, and the length you go to simply to support the team and our dreams. I told you after the victory in Niamey that our target was doing well at the AFCON in order to earn a FIFA World Cup ticket. Now, just as I told the Nigeria Ambassador to Egypt in Cairo on Saturday, I want you to know that our fresh target is doing very well at the FIFA World Cup,” Bosso said. All players and team officials were at the reception, bar Belgium-based Ahmed Abdullahi, who is back at his base in Europe.

     

    Also at the reception were the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar; Director of Federations and Elite Athletes Department, Dr. Simon Ebhojiaye; Chairman of the IMC, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye; Chief of Staff to the Hon. Minister, Alhaji Abba Abdullahi Yola; NFF’s Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire and; NFF’s Head of International Competitions, Dayo Enebi Achor.

     

    The Flying Eagles will go on a short break before reconvening for the phased preparations for the FIFA World Cup, taking place in Indonesia, 20th May – 11th June.

     

  • NFF Board approves evaluation report and sanctions meted by Referees Committee

    NFF Board approves evaluation report and sanctions meted by Referees Committee

    The Board of the Nigeria Football Federation has endorsed the first evaluation report, including sanctions, meted out to erring officials by the Federation’s Referees Committee headed by Mrs Faith Irabor.

     

    It would be recalled that during the inauguration of the NFF Referees Committee, the President, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau had implored them to be of good character and to live up to the ethics of their profession.

     

    As a further step, Alhaji Gusau had handed the General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi the task of always putting a call through to all referees on arrival at their assignment venues, to remind them to discharge their duties efficiently and about the sanctity of fidelity to the laws of the game.

     

    Despite these exhortations and reminders, a few officials had failed to abide by the rules and regulations, failed the diligence test and have accordingly been sanctioned by the Referees Committee. These sanctions have now been approved by the NFF Board.

     

    1. NPFL Matches:

    1.                                        Wikki Tourists FC vs Niger Tornadoes FC:

    Madu Patience Ndidi (FIFA), Enugu; Referee.

    It was identified that an incident occurred in the penalty area, which she whistled and signaled for a penalty kick and instantly changed her decision for a goal as the ball eventually proceeded and resulted in a goal.

    After thorough analysis, it was concluded that:

    1. A Foul was committed and the Referee signaled for a Penalty Kick;
    2. That the goal resulted from a dead ball, and therefore, the advantage clause is not applicable in this instant situation;

    iii.          That the Referee should have maintained her decision of penalty kick;

     

    1. That she committed an error of judgment in allowing the goal.

    Decision:     She is warned and advised to always consider the larger picture by appropriate scanning and delay decision until there is a clear certainty to justify a decision.

     

    2.        Shooting Stars Sports Club vs Kwara United FC:

    Ukah Ndubuisi (FIFA), Imo, Referee Otuwho Morrison, Delta, Assistant Referee 2

    It was observed that during a build-up, which resulted in a goal, the AR 2, Otuwho Morrison signaled to penalized the scorer for an offside offense. The Referee complied with his AR to disallowed the goal.

    After proper examination of the clip, it was inferred that:

    1. As at the time the ball leaves the leg of the kicker (teammate of the scorer), the scorer was not in an offside position;
    2. The AR2 was not properly positioned to justify the decision to penalize the scorer for offside offense.

    Decision: The Referee is warned and advised to improve on his performances as the duty to identify/establish offside position is purely that of the AR;

    The AR2, Otuwho Morrison is to be stand down from the league

     

     

    3.        Rivers United vs Niger Tornadoes

    Faro Abdulrahman, Lagos, Referee

    The committee noted that after a corner kick was taken, the ball traveled into the penalty area with the defending goalkeeper coming out and attempted to parry the ball away, which he missed and an attacking player kicked the ball and scored. The Referee signaled for an infringement to disallowed the goal.

    The committee explored the video clip thoroughly to observed that:

     

    1. There was no illegal contact that could translate into a foul by the attacking team;
    2. The decision of the Referee to disallowed the goal is not within the provisions of the Laws of the game, and therefore, unjustified.

    Decision: The Referee, Faro Abdulrahman is to be stand-down from the league

     

     

    b.        NWFL Matches

    Though, Match Officials’ decisions in one of the NWFL matches (Rivers Angels vs Delta Queens) was characterized by controversial/questionable decisions that had adverse effects on the outcome of the match, the committee however considered the that the impact of the decisions of Match Officials in the other reviewed matches were not serious enough to warrant punitive measures.

    1.       Rivers Angels vs Delta Queens

    Adesola Olufunke, Oyo, Referee Abdulrasheed Rofiat, Oyo, Assistant Referee 1 Aladenika Adetutu Assistant Referee 2

    The committee observed that two goals of Delta Queens were disallowed by the Referee, Adesola Olufunke and her active Assistant Referee 1, Abdulrasheed Rofiat.

    The committee noted that:

    1. In an attack towards the penalty area of Rivers Angels, the defending player attempted a scissors kick and missed the ball;
    2. None of the two attacking players in close proximity to the defending player committed no offense;

    iii.         The claim of the Referee that there was a foul/pushing is unfounded and therefore, her decision to disallowed the goal unjustified with the Laws of the Game.

    Decision: Referee Adesola Olufunke is to be stand-down from the league

    The second goal disallowed by the Assistant Referee’s signal for an offside is considered as justified as the committee observed a possible offside situation in the run towards the

     

    goal by the attacking players. The Assistant Referees are however, warned and advised to improve in their performances

     

    2.       Osun Babes vs Delta Queens

    Ogunboye Joy, Ondo, Referee

    Olusi Kikelomo, Ondo, Assistant Referee 1 Ajirotutu Esther, Ondo, Assistant Referee 2

    The committee noted that the incidences and errors of judgment of the Match Officials were not serious enough to warrant punitive measures.

    Decision: The three (3) Match Officials are warned and advised to improve in their performances.

     

    3.        Adamawa Queens vs Nasarawa Amazons

    Paul Beatrice, Taraba, Referee

    Elizabeth Yunusa, Gombe, Assistant Referee 1 Wuriba Biwuli Ruth, Plateau, Assistant Referee 2

    The committee observed that the incidences and errors of judgment of the Match Officials were not serious enough to warrant punitive measures.

    Decision: The three (3) Match Officials are warned and advised to improve in their

     performances.

    Other cases came up from the week 5 of the NPFL, which include the following matches and officials:

    1.        Rivers United vs Wikki Tourists

    Taiwo David, Oyo, Referee

    Charles Isua, Adamawa, Assistant Referee 1 Akinsanya Segun, Oyo, Assistant Referee 2

    Decision: The three (3) Match Officials are to be stand-down from the league.

    1. Lobi Stars Vs Sunshine Stars

    Promise Amadi, Rivers, Referee

    Lewis Gwatana, Rivers, Assistant Referee 2

     

    Decision: The Referee and the Assistant Referee 2 are to be stand-down from the league.

  • 29 referees to receive FIFA badges on Wednesday

    29 referees to receive FIFA badges on Wednesday

    A total of 29 Nigerian referees will on Wednesday, 1st February receive their badges to operate as FIFA match officials for the year 2023, at a special ceremony inside the NFF Secretariat, Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

    A total of seven of them will be badged as FIFA referees while another seven will be decorated as FIFA assistant referees. Four are FIFA women referees and three are FIFA women assistant referees. Four are FIFA beach soccer referees while another four are FIFA futsal referees.

    Only two of the arbiters are new to the topmost rank: Muhammed Yakubu and Tijjani Ahmad, who wil operate as FIFA assistant referees.

    FIFA Referees: Ogabor Joseph; Nurudeen Abubakr; Quadri Adebimpe; Kassim Abdulsalam; Abdullahi Abubakar; Bashir Salihu; Grema Mohammed

    FIFA Assistant Referees: Samuel Pwadutakam; Usman Abdulmajeed; Efosa Igudia Celestine; Hope Igho; Tejiri Digbori; Muhammed Yakubu; Tijjani Ahmad

    FIFA Beach Soccer Referees: Jelili Ogunmuyiwa; Fawole Olawale; Olayinka Olajide; Rabiu Ahmad

    FIFA Futsal Referees: Bello Zuru Alhassan; Musa Dung Davou; Paul Umuago; Uhah Ndubuisi

    FIFA Women Referees: Ndidi Patience; Hannah Eliagwu; Olufunmilayo Alaba; Yemisi Akintoye

    FIFA Women Assistant Referees: Mfon Friday Akpan; Beauty Kabenda Terah; Abibat Yusuf

  • Court strikes out appeal motion against Amaju Pinnick, others

    Court strikes out appeal motion against Amaju Pinnick, others

    A Federal High Court, sitting in  Abuja, on Monday, struck out a motion to appeal against the ruling discharging and acquitting Amaju Pinnick and others in a criminal charge filed against them.
    In the ruling by Justice Inyang Ekwo, the case was struck out for lack of diligent prosecution.
    Recall that the Chairman of, National Footballers Association of Nigeria, Harrison Jalla and staff of the association, Tunde Aderibigbe, had filed the motion on notice with charge number FHC/ABJ/ CR/93/2019.
    They had sought an order of the court granting them leave to appeal as interested parties against the ruling of the court delivered on Feb. 30, 2020, discharging and acquitting the defendants in the matter.
    Others listed in the motion include the Federal Republic of Nigeria as complainant/respondent; Sunusi Mohammed, Seyi Akinwumi, Shehu Dikko, Amaju  Pinnick and Yusuf Ahmed-Fresh as defendants/respondents.
    Upon resumed hearing in the matter, Aliyu Alhassan, who represented the defendants, was in court while counsel for the applicants was absent.
    Alhassan, therefore, informed the court that though the matter was scheduled for hearing, the applicants had not been diligent in prosecuting the case.
    The lawyer prayed the court to dismiss the case.
    Justice Ekwo, in a short ruling, said he had found that the matter had not been diligently prosecuted.
    He said he observed that the matter was adjourned at the instance of the applicants in the last adjourned date and that there was no excuse given for their absence in court today.
    The judge, consequently, struck out the matter for not being diligently prosecuted.
    According to NAN,  the applicants, through their lawyer,  Dr Celsius Ukpong, had informed the court what the application was all about when the matter was mentioned.
    The applicants, in the motion dated Dec. 16, 2020 and filed same day by their lawyer, had said that the motion was brought on the grounds that “at the day set for arraignment ,the applicants and other aggrieved people were in court to testify after the arraignment.”
    They argued that when the prosecutor who took over from the agency that filed the charge suddenly apply to withdraw the charge in order to study the file or whatever only for the learned trial judge to discharge and acquit the defendants without any proper arraignment and trial.
    “The applicants/interested party in the matter, in public interest, took risk and make a lot of sacrifices to complain and gather a lot of evidence to try the defendants before the defendants were finally charge to court.
    “The defendants have been using the ruling of the learned trial court as a shield successfully against further prosecution in the matter that is yet to be tried.
    “The prosecutions have neglected/refused to appeal against this decision,” they said.
    They stated that it was immaterial whether the prosecution was interested to prosecute the matter or not, stressing that the matter should not end without proper prosecution “where witnesses who are willing are not allowed to testify.”
    According to them, the prosecution cannot agree with defence counsel to dismiss a charge and acquit the defendants not minding the implication of such agreement.
    “The interested parties/applicants were the nominal complainants and were acting in good faith and in public interest to see to the end of this trial where both parties are heard before the case is determined.
    “The complainant, in Section 335 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) is referring to, is the nominal complainant and not the prosecuting counsel. See FRNV.ONONYE 2018 LPELR -45067.
    “The complainants or victims of the offence did not compound this offence to warrant the prosecuting counsel to agree to withdraw the charge so as to entitled the defendants to acquittal. SEE PML. NIG LTD. V. FRN (2017) LPELR -43480(SC),” they averred.
    In the draft notice of appeal, the appellants stated that they were dissatisfied with the decision of a FHC delivered by Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu on Nov. 5, 2019, in charge number FHC/ABJ/CR/93/2019 wherein the defendants were discharged and acquitted.
    In their grounds of appeal, they argued that Justice Ojukwu erred in law when she held that defendants had been discharged and acquitted for offences that had not been tried.
    Besides, they also argued that the prosecuting counsel from the office of the Attorney-General of Federation took over the matter for the first time from an agency that filed the charge.
    They said the prosecution counsel decided to compound the offence without recourse to primary complainant who were in court about to witness the trial, among others
    Amaju Melvin  Pinnick was the immediate-past President of Nigeria Football Federation and a FIFA council member.
  • NFF extends IMC tenure till end of season

    NFF extends IMC tenure till end of season

    Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has extended the tenure of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) till the end of the 2022/2023 season.

    Ademola Olajire, NFF’s Director of Communications, disclosed on Friday in a statement that Ibrahim Gusau, the Federation’s President, said the extension was important at this point in time.

    “The extension of IMC’s tenure is in order to allow the team to concentrate fully on the organisation and management of the ongoing NPFL season, which is just heading to its Match Day 3 this weekend,” he quoted Gusau as saying.

    The NFF President had inaugurated the IMC, headed by Gbenga Elegbeleye, on Oct. 21 with an initial mandate of three months.

    Its terms of reference were aimed at engendering a new life generally for the elite division of the Nigerian football league.

    Gusau had at the Draw Ceremony for the 2022/2023 NPFL season on Dec. 28, praised the IMC for the tremendous work it had been doing since inauguration.

    He had assured it of NFF’s support in turning around Nigeria’s domestic League for the better, including fostering a viable football economy.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the IMC has since its inauguration gone on to put in place structures for the league to get underway on Jan. 8.

    Citing the time factor, it had opted for an abridged format for the 2022/2023 NPFL season, with 10 clubs in Group A and 10 clubs in Group B.

    The current season is scheduled to end in May.

  • NPFL: Gusau thumbs up referees, charges them to sustain credible officiating

    NPFL: Gusau thumbs up referees, charges them to sustain credible officiating

    President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau has commended the group of officiating officials who took charge of the Match Day 1 of the Nigeria Premier Football League, saying they should sustain through the season and thenceforth, the credibility that was apparent in their output on the first day.

    The Match Day 1 of the NPFL witnessed four away wins and four draws with only two home teams earning the maximum points. Champions Rivers United fought hard to defeat Lobi Stars 2-1 in Port Harcourt, while Remo Stars turned back El-Kanemi Warriors 2-0 in Ikenne.

    “I am happy with the results in which so many teams won on away ground, as well as the reports we received from most of the centres concerning the performance of the referees.

    “I want to commend the NFF Referees Committee for putting their right foot forward from the beginning and also charge the referees themselves to sustain credible output going forward. We are determined to ensure that so many things about the League change for the better and we will not relent in our efforts,” Gusau said at the weekend.

    The NFF boss underscored the commitment of the present NFF administration to rebranding the domestic game and giving it life to spur the real growth and sustainability of a football economy that will delight all stakeholders and other indirect income earners.

    MATCHDAY 1 RESULTS (A)

    Nasarawa United 1-2 Enyimba FC

    Akwa United 0-2 Bendel Insurance

    Plateau United 3-3 Shooting Stars

    Kwara United 0-0 Gombe United

    Remo Stars 2-0 El-Kanemi Warriors

    MATCHDAY 1 RESULTS (B)

    Bayelsa United 1-1 Dakkada FC

    Wikki Tourists 0-2 Niger Tornadoes

    Doma United 1-1 Sunshine Stars

    Rivers United 2-1 Lobi Stars

    Rangers Int’l 0-2 Abia Warriors

  • Bosso denies report he rejected bribe money from agent

    Bosso denies report he rejected bribe money from agent

    Flying Eagles’ Head Coach, Isah Ladan Bosso has denied a report in a section of the media that he granted an interview in which he claimed to have rejected the sum of €100,000 offered by a football agent to have the latter’s player in the Nigeria U20 squad.

    The report claimed that Bosso, who tinkered the Nigeria intermediate team to win the WAFU B U20 Championship in Niger Republic last year and will lead them to the Africa U20 Cup of Nations starting in Egypt next month, made a statement to the effect that he had refused the amount offered by a certain overseas-based football agent.

    “Please permit me to clear the air on this news making the rounds about me rejecting an amount of money from a football agent. I never made such a claim to any journalist, talk less of in a formal interview. There was no time I made such a statement to either a journalist or any other person for that matter. If anyone has proof of my making such a statement, the person should come out and tender it in public.

    “At the moment, I am focused on ensuring the Flying Eagles prepare very well and we are able to pick the very best legs to represent Nigeria at the Africa U20 Cup of Nations in Egypt. We surely can do without such distractions.”

    Bosso also shed more light on the number of players invited to camp for the final phase of preparations ahead of the U20 tournament.

    “I have also read somewhere that we have 65 players in the camp; this is outright falsehood. There’s no way we can have that bogus number in the camp. We resumed with 35  players in the camp and that is the number we have for now. Working with my assistants, we will start to trim the squad once the overseas-based professionals start arriving in camp.”

    The veteran trainer also called on stakeholders to rally round and support the Flying Eagles as the team embarks on the mission to conquer Africa for the eighth time. “I am calling on all critical stakeholders including the media to rally round and support this team. We need no distractions at this point; all we need is the support of everyone in our quest to qualify for the FIFA World Cup finals in Indonesia.”

  • NFF mourns passing of former Falconets’ Head Coach, Dan Evumena

    NFF mourns passing of former Falconets’ Head Coach, Dan Evumena

    The Nigeria Football Federation on Wednesday expressed “deep sorrow” at the death on Tuesday evening of former Head Coach of the U20 Girls’ National Team, Dan Evumena.

    “The news of Dan Evumena’s death is too hard to take. I am still in shock. This is a young trainer who has done creditably well at Club and National levels, and still had so much in his tank with which to fertilize and nurture the growth of many more women footballers.

    “The death of every human being diminishes us, especially the death of every young person. He had his life in front of him. Our prayer is that Almighty God will grant him eternal life and also grant those he has left behind, particularly his young family, the fortitude to bear the big loss,” NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, said in Abuja.

    Thenff.com learnt that the former Falconets’ chief strategist was hospitalized for a few days but did not recover from the ailment.

    Evumena served as Assistant Coach of the Super Falcons before his upliftment as Head Coach of the U20 Girls. As Head Coach of the Falconets, he steered the team to the quarter finals of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Chile in 2008, before the squad lost to France.

  • Match Commissioners, referees must be above board – Gusau warns at inauguration

    Match Commissioners, referees must be above board – Gusau warns at inauguration

    President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau has warned that it would no longer be business as usual for match commissioners and referees in the domestic game, as persons who fail to meet the high standards already put in place will be summarily ejected and sanctioned appropriately.

    The NFF President made this remark at the inauguration of the Referees and Match Commissioners’ Committees inside the NFF Secretariat, Abuja on Thursday.

    “We have been diligent and statute-compliant in the selection of the membership of both the Referees Committee and the Match Commissioners’ Committees, and therefore, we expect them to do their job with the highest level of integrity, passion, commitment and sense of duty.

    “The onus is on the committees as we will keenly monitor the performances of your appointees and be dispassionate in our assessment. Anyone found wanting will be thrown out without ceremony, and be visited with further sanctions. The NFF is determined to change the narrative in the league and there is no going back. Please help us to have a new league that all stakeholders will be proud of,” Gusau said.

    Chairman of the Match Commissioners Committee and NFF Board Member, Alhaji Babagana Kalli pledged that his committee will ascent on transparency and integrity in its work, while also focusing its searchlight on its appointees in order to weed out those who fail to align with the new dance steps.

    On her part, Mrs Faith Irabor, who chairs the Referees Committee, asserverated that the narrative will definitely change from the umpires’ side as Nigeria football moves to implement the highest standards of probity in match officiating.

    The Match Commissioners Committee also has Alhaji Ganiyu Majekodunmi (NFF Board Member) as vice chairman, and Hon. Usman Maulud, Alh. Aminu Mammaga, Alh. Idris Abdullahi Musa, Mr. Anthony Ugwu, Otunba Mustapha Razaq, Alh. Sabo Abdullahi Dutse and Chief Kenneth Nwamuocha as members, with Mr. Danlami Alanana as secretary.

    Mallam Rabiu Umar is vice chairman of the Referees Committee, with Oba James Odeniran, Mr. Abraham Zakowi, Mallam Waziri Furo Gawe, Mr. C. C. Chukwujekwu and Mallam Bello Abubakar as members, and Alh. Sani Zubairu as secretary.

    Also at the occasion were NFF 1st Vice President, Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu, NFF Board Member Alh. Sharif Rabiu Inuwa and NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi.