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Tag: NFF

  • NFF devastated as ex-Super Eagles midfielder, Justice Christopher dies at 40

    NFF devastated as ex-Super Eagles midfielder, Justice Christopher dies at 40

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed the death of former Super Eagles midfielder, Justice Christopher and said the federation is devastated.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Christopher slumped at his hotel complex was confirmed dead at the hospital he was rushed to in Jos, Plateau State on Wednesday.

    “We are devastated to hear of the sudden passing away of former Super Eagles midfielder Justice Christopher early on Wednesday morning. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and football community in Nigeria. May his soul Rest In Peace,” the NFF stated.

    TNG reports the late midfielder played for several clubs including Katsina United, Sharks F.C., Bendel Insurance FC, Antwerp FC (Belgium), Levski Sofia (Bulgaria), Trelleborgs FF (Sweden), Alania Vladikavkaz in Russia and Herfølge BK in Denmark.

    After the end of the season 2006/2007, he announced his retirement from football. On 21 October 2012, Christopher announced his comeback and signed for Nasarawa United.

  • Nigeria football fraternity celebrates former FIFA referee advisor, Linus Mba at 81

    Nigeria football fraternity celebrates former FIFA referee advisor, Linus Mba at 81

    The Nigeria Football Federation and other football stakeholders have felicitated with one-time FIFA referee, one-time FIFA advisor on refereeing and the Federation’s Consultant on Refereeing for many years, Mr Linus Mba, as the erudite man-of-the-whistle turned 81 on Tuesday.

    General Secretary of the NFF, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, extolled Pa Mba’s endearing and lasting contributions to Nigeria Football, saying the one-time Member of the CAF Referees Committee has continued to acquit himself magnificemtly in both the professional and moral race, and indeed in all endeavours of life.

    “As a referee, Pa Mba was an epitome of integrity and credibility. He was known to be fair and fearless, and built a solid reputation as a man of honour. In retirement, he has continued to work assiduously to pull Nigeria refereeing into the forefront. At the age of 81, he remains very relevant and we still seek his views and perspectives on certain issues.”

    Modest, self-effacing and meticulous, Pa Linus Mba served as a FIFA Advisor on Refereeing for many years, was on the CAF Committee on Refereeing for many years and was Consultant on Refereeing for the Nigeria Football Federation until a few years ago.

    He still follows events in refereeing actively and with uncommon passion, and publishes a quarterly magazine on refereeing which he named The Whistle.

  • NFF mourns foremost broadcaster, Fabio Lanipekun

    NFF mourns foremost broadcaster, Fabio Lanipekun

    The Nigeria Football Federation has described as “most sorrowful” the death of sports broadcasting pathfinder, Adesola ‘Fabio’ Lanipekun which occurred on Sunday, 6th March 2022, four days after the latter’s 80th birthday anniversary.

    NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, said: “To read about the death of Mr Fabio Lanipekun, only days after we celebrated him for reaching the landmark 80 years, was a painful thing. It was hard to believe. We all read the history of how he blazed the trail in sports broadcasting starting from his time at the WNTV in Ibadan, and his distinguished and stellar career at the Nigeria Television Authority.

    “He was an oracle of the industry. We are consoled by the fact that he lived an exemplary, fruitful and fun-filled life. He was a professional to the core and loved his job deeply. We pray that God will grant him eternal rest and grant the family he has left behind the fortitude to bear the big loss.”

    Mr Adesola ‘Fabio’ Lanipekun joined the octogenarian club only four days before his demise on the afternoon of Sunday, 6th March.

    He headed the sports desk of Western Nigeria Television after studying sports journalism at the Regent Street Polytechnic in London, United Kingdom and later moved to the Nigeria Television Authority, where he attended dozens of major international championships and games before retiring as Manager, Sports of Nigeria’s leading broadcasting house.

  • Sports Marketer, Mike Itemuagbor clocks 60

    Sports Marketer, Mike Itemuagbor clocks 60

    The Nigeria Football Federation on Saturday congratulated its lead marketing consultant and international sports marketing expert, Chief Mike Itemuagbor as the latter celebrated his diamond jubilee birthday anniversary.

    President of the NFF, Mr Amaju Melvin Pinnick described Chief Itemuagbor as “a focused, irrepressible and indispensable friend of the NFF and Nigeria Football”, saying the Federation has enjoyed “an amazing working relationship” with the marketing titan.

    “Chief Itemuagbor is a great man by every means and by every scale. He has remained a tower of strength and a source of tremendous resources for the good of Nigeria Football. He has put his influence, deep knowledge of the terrain and efficiency to good use to help the cause of the Nigeria game on several fronts.

    “On this occasion of his 60th birthday anniversary, we wish him many happy returns, and pray that God will continue to

    expand his coast and continue to bless him with divine health in the years ahead.”

    By dint of hard work, focus, diligence, a sense of enterprise and tireless exploration of opportunities and possibilities, Itemuagbor blazed a luminous trail in sports marketing, and has mentored dozens of individuals who have gone ahead to become chieftains of the turf on their own. His relationship with the NFF has expanded sports sponsorship, partnership and supportership for Nigeria’s football-ruling body over the past three decades, providing another channel of much-needed funding for the various National Teams.

    Itemuagbor has been involved with the successful marketing of several local, international and global sporting events and programmes, including major championships and games staged in Nigeria (African Youth Championship Nigeria 1995; FIFA U20 World Cup Nigeria 1999; Africa Cup of Nations Ghana/Nigeria 2000; 8th All-Africa Games Nigeria 2003 and; FIFA U17 World Cup Nigeria 2009), and has also served on the marketing committee of the Confederation of African Football.

    Also on Saturday, General Secretary of the NFF, Dr Mohammed Sanusi congratulated the wife of the NFF President, Mrs Julie Pinnick as the latter added another year.

  • Sanusi: NFF will play key role in efforts to immortalize ‘Thunder’ Balogun

    Sanusi: NFF will play key role in efforts to immortalize ‘Thunder’ Balogun

    General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation, Dr Mohammed Sanusi on Tuesday assured that the nation’s supreme football-ruling body will be available to contribute to the efforts being harnessed presently to celebrate and imoortalize a former captain and coach of the Senior Men National Team of Nigeria, Teslim ‘Thunder’ Balogun.

    “Teslim Balogun played profound and remarkable roles in Nigeria Football, both as a player and as coach. His giant footprints are there for all to see. It is important that we play a key role in the ongoing efforts to celebrate and immortalize him, because that will send the right signals to both present and upcoming players that Nigeria do care.

    “When we received the letter from your committee, the NFF President said he was interested in NFF being part of the programme and he insisted that we nominate someone to represent the Federation and give us feedback on all that was being done to celebrate ‘Thunder’ Balogun.

    “He was an achiever and a role model, and the NFF will work with the committee to celebrate a legend of the Nigeria game.”

    Sanusi made the statements when the organizing committee of the Thunder Balogun 50th Anniversary Celebrations paid him a courtesy call in his office at the NFF Secretariat, Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

    Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Dr Rafiu Oladipo stated that Teslim Balogun, who died in July 1972, was Nigeria’s first professional football player who made name and robust fame playing at home and abroad and also coached the Senior National Team. He said the committee has the mission of organizing a book launch, a seminar, football matches and airing documentaries on the legend during the one-week celebration in the month of July 2022.

    Sanusi added that the NFF will be ready to liaise with fellow Football Associations in the African continent with regards to the planned international football matches, and also support the committee with some logistics to ensure the success of the event.

    Other members of the committee present were Mr Jibola Balogun (son of the legend), Mr Lanre Arogundade, Mr Kunle Solaja, Mr Ademola Olajire and Pastor Emmanuel Olaseinde, secretary of the committe

  • Pinnick, other dignitaries bid farewell to George Simeon-Okraku

    Pinnick, other dignitaries bid farewell to George Simeon-Okraku

    President of the Nigeria Football Federation and FIFA Council Member, Mr Amaju Melvin Pinnick was among eminent members of the global football family who attended the funeral rites of late Mr George Offei Simeon Okraku, father of President of Ghana Football Association, Kurt Edwin Simon Okraku in Accra on Friday morning.

    Pinnick, who represents the CAF’s Anglophone coalition on the FIFA Council (the highest decision –making organ in world football), flew into Accra on Friday morning for the funeral rites of the 96 –year old Simeon Okraku.

    Kurt Edwin Simon Okraku, 51, has been Chairman of the Ghana Football Association since October 2019.

    “It was important to go to Accra to be with my friend, Simon Okraku as he buried his late father. The death of a parent is always a harrowing experience, no matter how old that parent is. As a FIFA Council Member, it is important to ensure that we have warm relationships among ourselves within and without the Anglophone coalition.”

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  • NFF rolls out new qualification criteria for match commissioners

    NFF rolls out new qualification criteria for match commissioners

    The Match Commissioners’ Appointment Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation has rolled out new criteria for interested football stakeholders to meet in order to be considered for the role of match commissioners in Nigeria’s domestic game.

    Rising from its inauguration and inaugural meeting in the Federal Capital, Abuja on Wednesday, Chairman of the NFF Match Commissioners’ Appointment Committee, Alhaji Babagana Kalli announced that henceforth, no individual above the age of 65 or below the age of 30 would be considered for the role.

    “In addition, we have now expunged the names of all retired referees from the list of match commissioners. Means of identification would now be by international passport, national identity card of driver’s license, and computer literacy is now a key requirement for anyone who wishes to be considered for the role of match commissioner in Nigeria.”

    Earlier, at the inauguration, First Vice President of the NFF, Barr. Seyi Akinwunmi, who stood in for the NFF President, charged the committee to develop workable criteria to drastically reduce the number of match commissioners in the country, as the NFF considered the present number bogus and impracticable considering the number of matches played over a season.

    Akinwunmi reiterated that the roles of the referee and the match commissioner are the most crucial in the general management of a football game, and that administrators must regularly seek to improve the policies and methods through which the best hands must emerge, fully prepared, for both roles. “We must also select the very best hands for these important roles without any form of primordial sentiments.”

    Also present at the inauguration were the Chairman of Chairmen of Nigeria Football, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau and the Chairman of Referees Committee, Alhaji Sharif Rabiu Inuwa.

    Alhaji Ganiyu Majekodunmi, another Member of the NFF Executive Committee, is the vice chairman of the Match Commissioners Appointment Committee, with Timothy Henman Magaji, Bayo Olanlege, Sunday Longbap, Yabagi Baba, Aminu Manmaga, Sabo Abdullahi Dutse, Greg Abang Obuh, Kenneth Nwamuocha, Maurice Mbam and Donald Mbaezue as members. The secretary is Danlami Alanana.

  • FIFA clears ex-England player, Ademola Lookman to represent Nigeria

    FIFA clears ex-England player, Ademola Lookman to represent Nigeria

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) says world football governing body FIFA has approved the application of Leicester City FC player Ademola Lookman to switch national association allegiance.

    Ademola Olajire, NFF’s Director of Communications, disclosed in a statement on Thursday that Lookman could with this approval represent Nigeria at international level.

    He said Emilio Silveiro, FIFA’s Chief Legal and Compliance Officer, on Thursday conveyed to the NFF the decision of the Single Judge of the Status Chamber of the Football Tribunal.

    “The request made by the NFF for a change of association of the player Ademola Olajide Lookman is accepted.

    “The player is (now) eligible to play for the representative teams of the NFF with immediate effect,” Olajire quoted Silveiro as saying.

    He also quoted NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, as lauding the record-time approval granted the application by the Federation with regards to Lookman’s desire.

    “We sent in the application on Wednesday night after putting all the necessary documentation together. We are happy to receive the approval today,” Sanusi had said while reacting to the development.

    Only in December of 2021, FIFA also approved NFF’s application for the switch in allegiance for Ashleigh Plumptre to represent Nigeria internationally.

    Both Lookman and Plumptre had represented England at various junior cadres.

  • BREAKING: NFF confirms date for final leg of Nigeria vs Ghana 2022 World Cup qualifier

    BREAKING: NFF confirms date for final leg of Nigeria vs Ghana 2022 World Cup qualifier

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) the date for the final leg of the Nigeria vs Ghana FIFA 2022 World Cup qualifier match.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the NFF confirmed the date on Wednesday in a potentially explosive fixture that will be held at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Sunday, 27th March 2022.

    However, the Ghana Football Association was yet to confirm whether the first leg inside the Cape Coast Stadium will be on Wednesday, 23rd March or Thursday, 24th March.

    The final leg encounter will be the 59th clash at senior level between both West African giants in a chequered 71-year rivalry.

    It will also be the first game involving the Super Eagles at the country’s premium sporting arena since the Eagles defeated Sudan’s Falcons of Jediane 3-1 in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match on 15th October 2014.

    Nigeria reached the play-off round after topping a qualifying pool that included Cape Verde, Liberia and the Central African Republic while Ghana emerged from the section that had South Africa, Zimbabwe and Ethiopia.

  • BREAKING: NFF reconstitutes Super Eagles’ technical crew, rejects Peseiro, retains Eguavoen

    BREAKING: NFF reconstitutes Super Eagles’ technical crew, rejects Peseiro, retains Eguavoen

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has reconstituted the technical crew of the Super Eagles and retained Augustine Eguavoen as interim manager.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the NFF made this known in a statement on Monday, drafting former Nigeria World Cup star and former U20 Boys’ Head Coach, Emmanuel Amuneke as immediate assistant to Eguavoen.

    “The NFF Board has approved a recommendation of the Technical and Development Committee retaining Augustine Eguavoen as Technical Director/Technical Adviser (interim) while Emmanuel Amuneke becomes the Chief Coach of the Super Eagles. Salisu Yusuf will be the 2nd Assistant Coach/Chief Coach of the CHAN team and Joseph Yobo will be 3rd Assistant while Aloysius Agu remains the Goalkeepers’ Trainer,” NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi announced.

    The reconstitution comes after the Super Eagles’ outing at the 33rd Africa Cup of Nations finals in Cameroon, and ahead of the potentially –explosive FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 play-off round against the Black Stars of Ghana next month.

    Sanusi added: “We acknowledge and appreciate the interest that Mr Jose Peseiro has shown in Nigeria Football during our very cordial discussions and have absolutely no doubt about his capacity. We believe that perhaps in the future, there could be an opportunity to work with him. However, in view of the positive performance of the Super Eagles at the just-concluded Africa Cup of Nations which has given hope to Nigerians and boosted our confidence in the present coaching crew to qualify us for the World Cup in Qatar, we have decided to accept the recommendation of the Technical and Development Committee to retain the Eguavoen-led coaching crew and strengthen it with the addition of Emmanuel Amuneke.”

    NEW SUPER EAGLES COACHING CREW

    Augustine Eguavoen – Technical Director/Technical Adviser (interim)

    Emmanuel Amuneke – Chief Coach/1st Assistant

    Salisu Yusuf – 2nd Assistant/Chief Coach, CHAN

    Joseph Yobo – 3rd Assistant

    Aloysius Agu – Goalkeepers’ Trainer