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  • NFF apologize to Buhari, Nigerians for Super Eagles World Cup ouster

    NFF apologize to Buhari, Nigerians for Super Eagles World Cup ouster

    The Executive Committee of Nigeria Football Federation has apologized to President Muhammadu Buhari and Nigeria football fans over the failure of the Super Eagles to qualify for the 2022 World holding in Qatar later this year.

    The Executive Committee tendered unreserved apology to the Federal Government and the people of Nigeria for the inability of the Super Eagles to win a ticket to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. It praised the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR for his personal presence and apologised that the team faltered in the quest for a ticket to Qatar.

    For his steadfastness, exemplary leadership and warm relationship with the NFF since assuming office and especially for the FIFA World Cup playoff matches, the Committee commended, appreciated and applauded the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare.

    The Committee further commended the Honourable Minister for his savvy in convening the meeting held among the Presidency, Sports Ministry and NFF on Monday, 4th April 2022 to review the unfortunate outcome of the match with Ghana and agree concrete steps on how to reinvigorate the Super Eagles and indeed Nigeria Football going forward. It noted that the meeting was very cordial, as well as established and appreciated the fact that all that was needed to be done and/or provided the team and the technical crew to ensure a positive outcome on the pitch against Ghana was delivered, and in a most professional manner. In addition, unique motivational strategy was put in place to spur the coaches and the players, such as offering the technical crew a two-and-half year contract. The standard agreement NFF had in place with the players that they will share 35% of the qualifying bonus Nigeria will earn by participating at the Qatar 2022 World Cup was also emphasized.

    The Executive Committee regretted the death of Dr Joseph Kabungo, appointed as the FIFA Doping Officer for the Nigeria/Ghana FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Playoff match in Abuja on 29th March 2022. It reiterated that Dr Kabungo died as a result of sudden cardiac arrest, as attested to by the autopsy report, and disclosed that his body had been flown to Zambia for final rites accompanied by his family members who were flown to Nigeria two days after the unfortunate incident. It prayed that God grants the soul of Dr Kabungo eternal rest and for fortitude for his family and the Zambia Football Family to bear the big loss. The Committee equally commended the General Secretary for diligence and proficiency in handling issues surrounding the tragic development and also with regards to the match organization.

    After exhaustive deliberations, introspection and admission that the outpouring of emotions by fans and stakeholders over the FIFA World Cup miss was legitimate, the Executive Committee urged caution and patience, and assured that in tandem with the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, decisive steps will be taken in the next few days to reposition Nigeria Football in several areas, including the National Teams. It also disclosed that in line with the statutes, roadmap for new elections into the NFF Board will be designed at the Annual General Assembly (AGA) of the

    NFF once the ex parte injunction suspending the Congress from meeting is vacated. It can be recalled that the AGA to set the roadmap for the next NFF election cycle was statutorily scheduled to hold on 17th December, 2021 in Lagos but an ex parte court order was served on the NFF from a Federal High Court in Bayelsa State to stop the meeting. The NFF had since January 2022 approached the court to vacate the order and the next sitting is scheduled for 26th April 2022. The committee has now proposed June 2022 for the AGA to statutorily set the roadmap for the NFF elective congress provided the order is vacated accordingly.

    The Executive Committee mandated its Technical and Development Sub-Committee to, within the next 5 days, make recommendations to the Executive Committee on coaching crews for the Super Eagles, the CHAN team, the U20 Boys (Flying Eagles) and the U17 Boys (Golden Eaglets) ahead of upcoming assignments. This is to ensure preparations for the next qualifying tournaments and championships commence in earnest.

    The Committee hailed the Super Falcons for its qualification for the 12th edition of the Women Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco in the month of July, and promised to provide the team ample support for adequate preparation for the Championship, aware that the event also serves as qualifying tournament for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup finals. The Super Falcons’ contingent departed Nigeria on Tuesday night for Canada for a two-match tour with that country’s Women’s National Team, and will camp in Morocco for the African Championship.

    The Executive Committee also commended the U20 Women National Team, Falconets, for its qualification for this year’s FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup taking place in Costa Rica in the month of August, and charged the U17 girls, Flamingos to put in the hard work necessary to win a ticket to this year’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup taking place in India in the month of October.

    IN ATTENDANCE: Amaju Melvin Pinnick (President); Seyi Akinwunmi (1st Vice President – joined via Zoom), Shehu Dikko (2nd Vice President); Ibrahim Musa Gusau (Member); Yusuf Ahmed ‘Fresh’ (Member); Felix Anyansi-Agwu (Member); Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande (Member); Babagana Kalli (Member); Sharif Rabiu Inuwa (Member); Senator Obinna Ogba (Member); Ganiyu Majekodunmi (Member); Aisha Falode (Member); Mohammed Alkali (Member); Mohammed Sanusi (Secretary)

  • Nigeria vs Ghana: NFF debunks stadium ban, VAR theft

    Nigeria vs Ghana: NFF debunks stadium ban, VAR theft

    The Nigeria Football Federation has decried a stream of incorrect reports being peddled in sections of the media, in connection with Tuesday’s FIFA World Cup playoff match between Nigeria and Ghana at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

    NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi said on Friday: “We are alarmed at the influx of incorrect reports, otherwise known as fake news, mostly in the social media. There is no truth to the reports that the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja has been banned for any length of time by FIFA. It is a concoction by some persons with fertile imagination. The NFF has not received any such communication from either FIFA or CAF.

    “There has also been an outlandish report that the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) equipment that was installed for the match had been stolen. We initially thought this was an April Fool prank but it is alarming that some media outlets are taking it serious. Nothing of such happened. The VAR equipment remains intact and has been returned to the FIFA office in Zurich, Switzerland by Sebastian Runge, FIFA’s Head of Technology.”

    Sanusi added: “The NFF understands that Nigerians in their generality were sorely disappointed by the result of the match, which came short of having the Super Eagles at the World Cup. It is a painful situation for everyone, including ourselves at the Federation. However, we are appealing that the propensity for half truths and outright falsehood be discouraged. We believe that the present squad of Super Eagles is still capable of achieving great things.”

  • NFF President attends FIFA World Cup draw in Qatar despite Nigeria’s failure to qualify

    NFF President attends FIFA World Cup draw in Qatar despite Nigeria’s failure to qualify

    Despite Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, President of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Amaju Pinnick, has taken a trip to Qatar for the competition’s final draw taking place on Friday in Doha, Qatar.

     

    Pinnick is a member of the FIFA Executive Council and will witness the 2022 World Cup draw without the Super Eagles of Nigeria, who failed to qualify for the tournament.

     

    Nigeria failed to qualify for the World Cup on Tuesday after losing to Ghana by away goal rule.

     

    The World Cup draw will be attended by 2,000 guests and will be led by Carli Lloyd, Jermaine Jenas and Samantha Johnson and assisted by the likes of Cafu (Brazil), Lothar Matthaus (Germany), Jay-Jay Okocha (Nigeria),

    Rabah Madjer (Algeria) and Tim Cahill (Australia), Adel Ahmed MalAllah (Qatar), Ali Daei (IR Iran) and Bora Milutinovic (Serbia/Mexico).

     

    Meanwhile, 32 countries will be involved in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

     

    Twenty-nine countries are currently known and will be drawn into eight groups of four.

     

    Two of the remaining three spots will be filled by the winners of the Intercontinental Play-offs on 13 or 14 June.

     

    The final berth is determined by Path A of the European qualifying play-offs, in which Wales will face off against either Scotland or Ukraine in the final.

     

     

  • NFF terminates appointment of the entire technical crew of Super Eagles

    NFF terminates appointment of the entire technical crew of Super Eagles

    Super Eagles coach, Austin Eguavon, has stepped down as the technical adviser of the Nigerian National Team, as the appointment of the entire technical crew of the national team was terminated by the Nigerian Football Federation, NFF.

     

    This was disclosed in a statement on its website titled, ‘NFF disengages Super Eagles’ Technical Crew’, and signed by the NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi.

     

    The Nigerian Football Federation, on Thursday, terminated the appointment of the entire technical crew of the national team.

     

    It also said Austin Eguavon has stepped down as the technical adviser of the Nigerian National Team.

     

    This was contained in a statement on its website titled, ‘NFF disengages Super Eagles’ Technical Crew’, and signed by the NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi.

     

    The football body noted that the termination takes immediate effect.

     

    The statement read, “Following the failure of the Super Eagles of Nigeria to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the erstwhile Technical Adviser, Augustine Eguavoen has stepped down from that position with immediate effect.

     

    “The NFF has in the meantime withdrawn the two-and-half years contract offered the coaches and terminated the appointment of the entire technical crew of the team with immediate effect.

     

    “A new crew will be announced after a proper review to lead the new charge of reinvigorating the Super Eagles to face future challenges appropriately.

     

    “We thank the coaches and team officials for their service to the nation and wish them success in their future endeavours.”

  • Nigeria vs Ghana: NFF mourns Zambian medical official who died of cardiac arrest

    Nigeria vs Ghana: NFF mourns Zambian medical official who died of cardiac arrest

    The Nigeria Football Federation has expressed shock and sorrow over the death of FIFA/CAF Medical Officer, Dr Joseph Kabungo, who died on Tuesday after the FIFA World Cup playoff match between Nigeria and Ghana at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja. Dr Kabungo was appointed as Doping Control Officer for the match.

    “We are terribly shocked at this sad development. The NFF commiserates with world football –body FIFA, the Confederation of African Football, the Football Association of Zambia and the family of Dr Kabungo on his sudden passing. His death pains us very much and we are in a state of deep shock.

    “However, it is important to state the facts as they are. According to the information from our own medical officer, Dr Onimisi Ozi Salami who was appointed by FIFA as Medical Officer for the game, Dr Kabungo was found gasping for breath near the dressing room of the Ghanaian team. I was notified and ordered that he should be rushed to the hospital. He didn’t make it. He died just as they got to the hospital,” NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi said.

    Dr Ozi Salami told thenff.com that the incident happened when he (Dr Salami) was looking to get the Nigerian player for the doping exercise, while Dr Kabungo was looking to get the Ghanaian player for the same exercise.

    “I was heading to the dressing room of the Nigerian team when the General Coordinator, Kabore Hubert Bosilong from South Africa called my attention. Dr Kabungo suddenly started gasping for breath. The FIFA Security Officer for the match, Mr Dixon Adol Okello from Uganda also witnessed the incident.

    “We tried to resuscitate him there and then, but when this did not appear to be working, we put him in an ambulance and rushed him to Cedar Crest Hospital in Apo, where he gave up the ghost. It is a very sad incident and one is shocked that some persons have been putting a terrible slant to the whole thing by saying he was beaten up by fans. That is a lie. He died as a result of sudden cardiac arrest.”

    Officials of the NFF, the medical team and officials of the High Commission of Zambia held a meeting on Wednesday morning to decide on the next line of action following the demise of Dr Kabungo.

  • Qatar 2022 playoffs: Nigeria must qualify for World Cup – Pinnick

    Qatar 2022 playoffs: Nigeria must qualify for World Cup – Pinnick

    President of the Nigeria Football Federation and Member of the FIFA Council, Mr Amaju Melvin Pinnick on Wednesday disclosed that the football –ruling body is taking the two matches between the Super Eagles and the Black Stars of Ghana as “very serious business,” insisting that everything legal and acceptable is being done for Nigeria to achieve victory.

    At a meeting with some Members of the NFF Executive Committee and Management inside the NFF Secretariat on Wednesday, Pinnick admitted that the World Cup playoff fixture is a ‘war’ and must be approached with utmost commitment, focus and with zero tolerance for tardiness.

    “Of course, we are not the ones going into the field. But the arrangements we put in place will, to a large extent, determine the spirit with which the players will enter the pitch. All our arrangements must be flawless and without sloppiness. It is a FIFA World Cup ticket at stake, so we must give it our all.

    “Whatever efforts we have been making to ensure seamless movement to and fro, as well as accommodation of our contingent at major matches, must be doubled for the match in Kumasi. Nigerians don’t want to hear any story; they only want to see the World Cup ticket.”

    The NFF supremo made the statements while chairing a meeting that also included NFF Vice Presidents Seyi Akinwunmi and Shehu Dikko; Dr Mohammed Sanusi (General Secretary); Executive Committee members Ibrahim Musa Gusau, Felix Anyansi-Agwu and Ahmed Yusuf; Charity Kadiri (Director of Finance and Administration); Ademola Olajire (Director of Media and Communications) and; Emmanuel Ayanbunmi (Chief Protocol Officer).

    The Nigeria contingent will depart from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja aboard a chartered Air Peace aircraft on Thursday morning, and return to Abuja immediately after the match on Friday evening.

    Super Eagles’ players on Tuesday rhapsodized about the new, improved turf of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja as they intensified preparations for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 playoff fixture against the Black Stars of Ghana.

    Super Eagles Appreciate Lush Green Abuja National Stadium

    At their first training session ahead of the two big games, captain Ahmed Musa, deputy captain William Ekong, defender Abdullahi Shehu and forwards Odion Ighalo and Victor Osimhen expressed delight with the turn-around of the turf and admitted it enabled the team to roll the ball the way they wanted.

    Musa told thenff.com: “The turf is looking and feeling really nice and wonderful. I want to thank the Honourable Minister and the Ministry officials for a job well.”

    “This turf is excellent; it is among the best that I have seen anywhere,” defender Abdullahi Shehu said after Tuesday night’s training session under floodlights. “We are pleased with what we are seeing and it is a positive development.”

    On his part, forward Odion Ighalo said: “Ah, I am excited with the feel of the turf. There is nothing to complain about,” while Ekong added: “This is really nice. The turf feels good and we are happy that our request for the turf to be put in great shape was heeded by the Sports Ministry.”

  • Qatar 2022 Playoffs: We will ensure Super Eagles qualify – Sanusi

    Qatar 2022 Playoffs: We will ensure Super Eagles qualify – Sanusi

    General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation, Dr Mohammed Sanusi has reiterated that the nation’s football –ruling body is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the Super Eagles overcome Ghana’s Black Stars in this month’s FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 playoff fixture.

    Three –time African champions Nigeria and four –time African champions Ghana clash for one of Africa’s slots at the 22nd FIFA World Cup finals, with Ghana hosting the first leg in Kumasi on Friday and the Nigeria hosting the fierce arch rivals in Abuja on Tuesday next week.

    “I want to assure that the NFF is putting all arrangements in place to motivate and incentivize the players and officials for the two big matches. We have concluded most of the arrangements and expect no glitch anywhere. We are also ready to deal with eventualities as they arise because these are matches that we must win.

    Super Eagles Appreciate Lush Green Abuja National Stadium

    “The NFF is very much alive to its responsibilities and will put everything in place to inspire the Super Eagles to triumph,” said Sanusi, who watched the team’s training session under floodlights at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium on Tuesday night.

     

    Thenff.com can confirm that, as has been the tradition of the NFF for more than a decade now, the Super Eagles’ contingent will fly into Kumasi on Thursday morning aboard a chartered flight, and return with the same aircraft immediately after the match.

    Officials have also confirmed that the Eagles’ players and officials will be staying at the Golden Tulip, the best hotel facility in Kumasi, for the match.

  • 8th Nigeria Pitch Awards ceremony holds in Abuja 29 March

    8th Nigeria Pitch Awards ceremony holds in Abuja 29 March

    President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Mr Amaju Melvin Pinnick has given thumbs up to the organizers of the Nigeria Pitch Awards as the eighth edition of the NFF –endorsed awards ceremony comes up at The Wells Carlton Hotel & Apartments, Asokoro, Abuja on Tuesday, 29th March 2022.

    Launched in 2013 and driven by a corp of young and dedicated entrepreneurs, the Nigeria Pitch Awards has remained firmly among the most consistent, credible and trusted annual ceremonies to reward Nigerian football stars over the years.

    Pinnick, who 12 months ago added another feather to his cap by becoming a Member of the FIFA Council (football’s highest decision –making organ universally) and who has been nominated for a special award at the event, said on Monday that the NFF continues to endorse the Pitch Awards because of the transparency of the awards’ processes and the integrity of the project.

    “Awards are very important part of the sport. It helps to motivate, incentivize and energize the actors and actresses on the pitch. Beyond monetary rewards, awards are very special in that many, many years after, you can look at it either on the wall of your room or inside your cabinet and be proud of what you did while you were out there active in the business.

    “I salute the bravery and perseverance of the President of Pitch Awards, Shina Phillips and his team. They are doing a great job that is helping the collective work of inspiring our players to more determined and greater performances in crucial matches and championships.”

    This year’s awards ceremony takes place hours after the final leg of the FIFA World Cup playoff between the Eagles and the Stars at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

    Also to be honoured at the ceremony are Dr Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, wife of the President (who will receive Special Achievement in Sports award); Mrs Betsy Obaseki, First Lady of Edo State and; IGP Usman Alkali Baba, the Inspector-General of Police.

    On 5th January, at a ceremony in Lagos, the organizers unveiled the nominees for 17 award categories. Super Eagles’ star-boy Victor Osimhen will battle team-mates Paul Onuachu and Wilfred Ndidi for the King of the Pitch award, while Super Falcons’ trio of Asisat Oshoala, Uchenna Kanu and Gift Monday will duel for the Queen of the Pitch diadem.

    Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta and Ezenwo Nyesom Wike of Rivers will contend for the Football-Friendly Governor of the Year, while Kelechi Iheanacho joins Osimhen and Onuachu for the Striker of the Year contest.

    NFF’s partners MTN, Air Peace and AITEO are in the ring for Corporate Sponsor of Football award.

    Other categories are Goalkeeper of the Year; Defender of the Year; Midfielder of the Year; Team of the Year; Coach of the Year; Sam Okwaraji Award; State with Best Grassroots Football Development Programme; Football Pitch of the Year and; Football Journalist of the Year awards.

  • NFF mourns late Super Eagles player Justice Christopher

    NFF mourns late Super Eagles player Justice Christopher

    Nigeria Football was again in mourning early Wednesday as news filtered in that former Super Eagles’ midfielder, Justice Christopher, had slumped and died in Jos, the Plateau State capital.

    Christopher represented Nigeria at youth and senior levels, playing for the Super Eagles between 2001 and 2002, during which he amassed a total of 11 caps. He was in Nigeria’s squad to the 2022 FIFA World Cup finals in Korea/Japan, featuring in the 0-0 draw with England at the Osaka Nagai Stadium.

    “This is devastating. Justice Christopher was young and full of life. His death is a thing of deep sorrow here at the NFF and the entire Nigeria Football ambience. There was no report that he was ill. We are stunned to hear of his death.

    “We pray that God will grant him eternal rest and comfort the family that he has left behind.”

    Justice Christopher featured for Katsina United, Sharks FC and Insurance FC on the domestic front before travelling abroad, where he played for Antwerp FC (Belgium), Levski Sofia (Bulgaria), Trelleborgs FF (Sweden); Alania Vladikavkaz (Russia) and Herfølge BK (Denmark). In October 2012, he joined Nasarawa United FC of Lafia.

  • Falconets arrive in Dakar to face Senegal, CAF appoints Togolese referees

    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)