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Tag: NFF

  • NFF accepts FIFA correction, Ahmed Musa has 98 caps not 100

    NFF accepts FIFA correction, Ahmed Musa has 98 caps not 100

    The Nigeria Football Federation has admitted error in its earlier counting of Super Eagles’ captain Ahmed Musa’s record.

    The Federation said FIFA was right in its counting, in a statement titled, ‘NFF defers to FIFA on Ahmed Musa’s record’.

    While NFF earlier said Musa had made 100 appearances for the Eagles, FIFA said he had 98 caps for the national team after featuring in Nigeria vs Cape Verde 2022 World Cup qualifier.

    NFF in a statement on Wednesday said deferred to FIFA’s own record of 98 caps for Super Eagles’ captain Ahmed Musa, after the nullification of two of the matches he played in which should have made his tally 100.

    “We defer to FIFA in this regard, so Ahmed Musa has 98 caps. If he features, as expected, in the home-and-away matches against Central African Republic in October, he will clock the tally of 100 and the celebrations will follow in full flow,” NFF’s Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire, said on Wednesday.

  • Super Eagles captain to get N10m for reaching 100 caps

    Super Eagles captain to get N10m for reaching 100 caps

    Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa, will receive the sum of N10million from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), for winning his 100th cap for the country.

    This was confirmed by NFF president, Amaju Pinnick.

    Musa achieved the milestone during the World Cup qualifier against Cape Verde on Tuesday.

    The former Leicester City winger started the game, which the Eagles went on to win 2-1 in Mindelo.

    Following the win at the Estádio Municipal Adérito Sena in Mindelo, Pinnick said: “The NFF will give Ahmed Musa N10 million for reaching the 100 caps.

    “We will sustain this gesture and honour our players that hit 100 games henceforth.”

    Musa made his debut for Nigeria at the age of 17 in August 2010.

    He came on to replace John Mikel Obi in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Madagascar.

    Musa becomes the third player to reach 100 caps for Nigeria after Joseph Yobo and Vincent Enyeama.

  • NFF begs Premier League to release players for World Cup qualifiers

    NFF begs Premier League to release players for World Cup qualifiers

    President, Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, says the federation has made an appeal to the UK government to allow Super Eagles players feature in the 2022 World Cup qualifier against Cape Verde on Tuesday.

    In an interview with CNN, Pinnick said it would be painful if the UK-based players were stopped from playing against Cape Verde by the UK government’s COVID-19 restrictions.

    English Premier League announced last month that its clubs would not release players for international matches played in red-list countries.

    Cape Verde falls within the countries listed in the UK ‘red list’

    According to the rules, individuals travelling in from these countries are meant to undergo a 10-day quarantine period, which means EPL players who visit the red list countries will miss some games due to a 10-day isolation period.

    “We have made a representation to the English FA through CAF and FIFA. I don’t think that it is good. The quality of the World Cup remains the same. It will be painful and shameful if we don’t get this done. We have made a passionate plea to see positive football.

    “The same waiver given to European countries should be applied to Africa as well,” Pinnick said.

    “Every player who has been vaccinated should be allowed to visit these red-listed countries because it will have an adverse effect on the quality of play from these African teams. Nigeria will be missing seven players for the game against Cape Verde. The UK government should relax this rule a bit.

    “We believe we have some level of recognition and appreciation by the EPL and the English government because African players have contributed in no small way to the growth, development and finances of these institutions.

    “We are talking about the legalities of holding back players from playing for their countries. They need to relax their boundaries.”

  • Izilein lambasts NFF on ‘shabby treatment of indigenous coaches’

    Izilein lambasts NFF on ‘shabby treatment of indigenous coaches’

    Godwin Izilein, a former coach of the Super Falcons, on Monday in Benin lambasted the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for what he described as its shabby treatment of indigenous coaches.

    The coach, while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), accused the NFF of always giving preferential treatment to foreign coaches, especially in the area of welfare.

    Izilein, who also once coached the Golden Eaglets, said the perceived double standard had negatively impacted on the morale of indigenous coaches.

    “Indigenous coaches have the capability to change the narratives of the national teams, and it is high time they are accorded their deserved respect like their foreign counterparts,” he said.

    The former coach further noted that the “deliberate refusal” by NFF to pay coaches their earned allowances in arrears was a worrisome development.

    “It is regrettable that, 17 years after leading the Super Falcons to Johannesburg in South Africa in 2004 to win the African Women Championship (AWC), the NFF is yet to pay to me match bonuses amounting to 28,750 dollars (about N10 million),” he said.

    Izilein said several entreaties by him and others on his behalf to get the NFF to pay him the money had met a brick wall.

    “It is as a result of this that I have forbidden the NFF from mourning me whenever I die.

    “The only honour I want from the NFF is to pay me what it owns me, not when I am dead.

    “I cannot recall any foreign coach who has so worked for the country as a handler of the national team who has been treated so shabbily.

    “I don’t know what my offence is, for them to have refused to pay me this money. I have written and personally met with heads of NFF at different times and yet, the story remains the same.

    “The last I did, I met the present NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, in the presence of Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo, where I again tabled the matter.

    “Even though he (Pinnick) expressed shock that I was yet to be paid, but he promised to do something quickly about it. But as of now, two years after, the story is still the same.

    “But I am only interested in my money, not any addition,” he said.

    Izilein said he was at a loss whether it has now become a crime to serve one’s fatherland. “Because, if not, why will I be pursuing what I laboured for after 17 years?

    “So, I should be honoured while I am still alive and not when I am gone. NFF should honour me now by paying me the money and not cry and write glowing tributes on me when I am dead,” he said.

  • NPFL Final Table: Kwara United threatens to sue NFF

    NPFL Final Table: Kwara United threatens to sue NFF

    The Chairman of Kwara United FC of Ilorin, Kumbi Titiloye, says the club will notify the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) of its resolve to approach the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) over the decisions of its different committees to award three points and three goals to Rivers United FC of Port Harcourt.

    The club confirmed this in a statement made available by the team’s head of media, Jimoh Bashir, on Tuesday in Ilorin.

    The club expressed dissatisfaction over the ruling of the NFF Appeal Committee, on the issue between Jigawa Golden Stars and Rivers United, concerning the Match Day 34 encounter involving both teams.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Kwara United FC had ended the season with 65 points and plus 20 goals difference, which guarantees it a third place finish on the final table of the 2020/2021 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season.

    But the decision of the Disciplinary Committee of the NFF had awarded three points and three goals against Jigawa Golden Stars in favour of sixth placed Rivers United, and that decision ensured they ended above both Kwara United FC and Enyimba FC, to land in second place.

    NAN recalls that Jigawa Golden Stars had fielded an ineligible player who had accumulation of five yellow cards in their match against Rivers United FC in their adopted home in Kaduna, with the League Management Company (LMC) admitting not sending suspension notifications to Jigawa Golden Stars in respect of the concerned player.

    In its ruling on Tuesday (Aug. 10), the Appeal Committee upheld the decision of the Disciplinary Committee, a decision that finally sealed the positions of the top three teams on the table of the 2020/2021 NPFL season, placing Kwara United FC in fourth position.

    But Kwara United expressed dissatisfaction with the ruling of the Appeal Committee, and also questioned the one-sided attendance of the Committee, as well as its headship.

    According to the Chairman of Kwara United FC (Kumbi Titiloye), the Chairman of Appeal Committee, Eddy Mark, is an employee of Rivers State Government, and would not be seen to have decided otherwise.

    He also added that the Appeal Committee is not duly constituted because, since the new board of NFF was inaugurated, the Appeal Committee is not legal.

    “Kwara United FC rejects this decision in its entirety and will put NFF on notice immediately before proceeding to Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS),” he said.

  • BREAKING: Dominic Oneya, ex-Military Governor of Kano is dead

    BREAKING: Dominic Oneya, ex-Military Governor of Kano is dead

    Brigadier-General Dominic Obukadata Oneya, who was Military Governor of Kano State during the military regime of General Sani Abacha, is dead.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Oneya was military Governor of Kano from August 1996 to August 1998 during the military regime of General Abacha.

    He was also Administrator of Benue State from August 1998 to May 1999 during the transitional regime of General Abdulsalami Abubakar, handing over power to the elected Executive Governor, George Akume on 29 May 1999.

    The death of Oneya, who later became Chairman of the Nigeria Football Association (NFF), was disclosed by Abubakar Aminu Ibrahim, SSA to the Kano State Governor on Social Media,.

    Oneya was Governor of Kano State when the present Governor HE Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje was Commissioner of Works and Senator Malam Ibrahim Shekarau was Permanent Secretary (AGS) at the time.

    Oneya was born on 26 May 1948 in Apapa Local Government Area of Lagos state. His family is Urhobo. His origin is Agbarho, Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State.

    He attended the Baptist Academy, Yaba, Lagos (1962–1967), then enlisted in the Nigerian Defence Academy in May 1969, earning a commission in the Infantry Corps in September 1971.

    Oneya attended the University of Ife, Ile-Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) (1977–1980), earning B.Sc degree in physical education.

    He attended the Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna (1983–1984) and the Canadian Land Force Command and Staff College, Kingston, Ontario, Canada (1987–1988).

    Command positions during his military career include Adjutant of 31 Infantry Battalion (1971–1972), Instructor at 4 Division Training School (1972–1973) and Instructor at Nigerian Army Military Training College, Jaji (1975–1977).

    As a Staff Officer from 1977 he served at Army Headquarters Lagos and in operations with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (1980–1981).

    He was Commandant of the Nigerian Army Physical Training School, Zaria (1985–1987), Directing Staff, Command and Staff College, Jaji (1987–1989) and Directing Staff, Ghana Armed Forces College Teshe, Ghana (1989–1991).

    He was appointed Commander, 82 Motorized Infantry Brigade, Kano (1993–1995), Commander, 16 Battalion, Nigerian ECOMOG Contingent in Liberia and then Director of administration, Training and Doctrine Command (1995-July 1996).[2]

    On 22 August 1996, General Sani Abacha appointed him Administrator of Kano State, Nigeria and later deployed to Benue State during the transitional regime of General Abdulsalami Abubakar, handing over to the elected executive governor George Akume on 29 May 1999.

    He retired from Military service on a rank of Brigadier General and he was subsequently appointed Chairman of the Nigeria Football Association on 17th January 2000.

    TNG reports Oneya died on Thursday at his home in Effurun GRA, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State at the age of 73.

  • NFF assures on payment of outstanding bonuses of Super Eagles, coaches’ salaries

    NFF assures on payment of outstanding bonuses of Super Eagles, coaches’ salaries

    The Nigeria Football Federation says it is working to ensure the payment of outstanding bonuses and allowances of the coaches and players of the senior men national team, Super Eagles, as well as salaries owed the coaches of the team.

    NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, said in Abuja on Wedneday that the challenges and disruptions caused by the global coronavirus pandemic are still being felt by government institutions and businesses the world over, and there was no need to pretend that these are normal times.

    “The NFF deserves no joy in owing players and coaches their entitlements. The same players and coaches have been well-taken-care of and provided the necessary facilities when things were normal, and as we work assiduously towards conquering the present challenges and seeing sunlight again, we expect the players, coaches and administrative staff to show the same level of understanding that they have been showing over the past 18 months.

    Dr Sanusi’s comments were in direct reference to a statement credited to Super Eagles’ defender, Leon Balogun on Tuesday saying the NFF was owing the players bonuses and allowances. “We have never denied owing the team. Leon is a senior player that everyone respects for his quality output on the pitch and calmness and forbearance off it, but I do not know which reports he was referring to when he said the NFF was contradicting itself.

    “He also talked about playing pitches. Sincerely speaking, the past few years has seen a remarkable improvement in stadia infrastructure across the country. The team had to move round the States because the turf of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja got bad. Now, the pitch is coming back to shape thanks to the efforts of the present Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Chief Sunday Dare, who got the respected Alhaji Aliko Dangote’s company to work on it.

    “Presently, we have exciting venues in Uyo, Benin City, Asaba, Kaduna and Lagos. Without the team moving round the States, the governments of these States probably would not have devoted much effort into putting these facilities in world-standard shape. There are remarkable improvements on facilities in Ibadan, the National Stadium in Lagos and a new one in Lagos. All these will benefit the teeming youth population of Nigeria who are interested in sports.”

  • NFF needs stiffer measures to curb hooliganism, poor officiating – Osun official

    NFF needs stiffer measures to curb hooliganism, poor officiating – Osun official

    Vincent Akinbami, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Sports Development to Gov. Gboyega Oyetola of Osun, says the increasing rate of hooliganism in the Nigerian football league is worrying.

    Akinbami told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday that drastic action was needed against cases of hooliganism at match venues as well as referees and other officials involved.

    “It is high time the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and all the league management boards start taking drastic action against hooliganism and bad referees to avoid killing the league.

    “If this is not done, we may well be on the way to killing our football, in spite of the immense efforts put into developing it at all levels,” he said.

    Akinbami stated that it was time Nigerians started to take a dispassionate look at the league competitions across the country to determine whether they were getting better or deteriorating.

    “There are so many indices for us to do this: whether what we have is commensurate with what we should have, given the talents and resources, or whether what we have can compare with what other countries have.”

    Akinbami said it was worrying that hooliganism was now becoming something of a norm, with club officials, referees, players and their fans getting away with criminal acts.

    He appealed to the NFF, the League Management Company (LMC), Nigeria National League (NNL), Nationwide League One (NLO) and Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) not to shy away from applying the measures.

    “It is important to apply the stick, no matter whose ox is gored, and in order to ensure we stem the tide of what we are having now.

    “A lot has happened in recent weeks this season, and in order not to allow things degenerate, we must start to apply the laws as they should.”

    Akinbami pointed at Sunday’s incident in Ado-Ekiti where he alleged that Osun United FC of Osogbo were robbed of at least a point and also had their players and officials attacked.

    “I witnessed the worst officiating in Nigerian league in the last 20 years in Ado-Ekiti on Sunday in our NNL week 19 match against Ekiti United.

    “The centre referee, Arinze Victor from Delta, was neutral in the first half of the game. But he changed totally in the second half, and at a time he signaled to the First Assistant Referee to stop picking calls for him.

    “In the 85th minute of the game, the Secretary of the host club, Ayodeji Olowolafe, poured water and threw the bottle at the players and officials of my team on the away team’s bench.

    “I was not spared too, while sitting in the crowd. This led to an uproar, with some of us running into the pitch.

    “Almost immediately, our goalkeeper was held down in the penalty box for Ekiti United to score the only goal of the match.

    “We were forced to run into the pitch because of the threats from some of the fans,” he stated.

    The aide to Gov. Oyetola, who oversees the state-owned male and female football clubs, said this was not only a clear case of biased officiating but also intimidation.

    “Not only that, the stadium’s gate was totally thrown open, and it is an indication that COVID-19 protocols as specified by NFF and NNL were not complied with.

    “There was also a threat to the lives of the match referees during the game’s half-time.”

    Akinbami said this was a match both the NNL and NFF should seriously look into and apply the sanctions in order to serve as a deterrent.

  • Siasia hails CAS on FIFA ban reduction, laments NFF neglect

    Siasia hails CAS on FIFA ban reduction, laments NFF neglect

    Former Super Eagles Chief Coach Samson Siasia on Friday commended the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) for reducing his life ban from football to five years.

    Siasia, while briefing newsmen in Abuja, said CAS judgment was a big relief worth celebrating, adding however that he had wished the ban was completely cleared.

    “I want to thank CAS for their judgment which has given me hope to return back to what I know how best to do.

    “I’m happy I’m gradually out of the hook, because in a couple of years I will go back to what I know how best to do,” he said.

    Siasia however decried the fact that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) did not give him any support throughout his trying period, in spite of his meritorious service to the nation.

    The former Super Eagles forward added that most of his colleagues even abandoned him, except for a few who supported him.

    The coach who at different times led the national under-20 and under-23 teams to continental honours however commended the Nigerian media, particularly those in the sports sector, for standing by him.

    “Even my close friends abandoned me. Even, for the Legends Game organised by FIFA, I have not been invited again.

    “I don’t know what I did to them even when I wasn’t guilty of what I was accused of,” he said.

    Siasia however contended that his case was supposed to be a government problem.

    “When the life ban pronouncement was first declared by FIFA, I met with the Minister of Youth and Sports Development who barely resumed office then and briefed him, But all the minister could say was that there was no money.

    “But I have invested in human beings in this country by training lots of young players who are stars today.

    “How will I fight FIFA? I don’t have that strength, but the government can stand up and stand for me. But everyone left me in the dark,” he said.

    On whether he was going to further appeal, the coach said he was going to consult with his lawyers in Switzerland, especially as it (the appeal) would cost about 100,000 euros.

    “I will have to meet with my lawyers and decide what next to do in the next couple of days.

    “If am going to go for appeal, we have to be sure of what will come out of it. I don’t want to think or talk about how much has been spent. If I have to appeal to CAS, I’m going to cough out at least 100,000 euros,” he explained.

    An associate of Siasia, Opukiri Jones-Ere, frowned at NFF’s neglect of a man he described as a legend in the country’s Football history.

    “It’s very unfortunate that not even a word came from NFF. It’s not just appalling, but disappointing. If Nigerian football authorities can’t come out to say anything, it’s rather regrettable.

    “NFF has not come out to say, maybe ‘there’s no money, but we are behind you’ even when the current NFF president is from the same side of the country. Other African nations are watching.

    “Instead, in the peak of the trial, even an official vehicle with Siasia was withdrawn from him,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that CAS delivered its judgement on Monday and also dismissed the fine of 50,000 Swiss Francs he was ordered to pay.

    In August 2019, FIFA announced that Siasia had been found guilty of accepting an offer to receive bribes in an attempt to manipulate the outcome of matches.

    Sisia however denied the allegation and took the matter to CAS.

  • Eguaveon drops 2 players for Super Eagles, Mexico friendly

    Eguaveon drops 2 players for Super Eagles, Mexico friendly

    Two Super Eagles players have been dropped from the 25-man list invited for the international friendly against Mexico, Super Eagles Media Officer, Femi Raji, has said.

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had invited 25 home-based Super Eagles players to camp ahead of the game scheduled for July 3.

    Raji told NAN that the players dropped were Christopher Nwaeze of Kwara United FC and Ifeanyi Anaemena of Rivers United.

    Raji said the team had intensified preparations for the encounter and was at the U.S. Embassy on Friday to keep a visa appointment for the trip.

    “We had a visa appointment today (Friday) at the U.S. Embassy, because of that, we didn’t train this morning.

    “We will be training this evening at the Aguiyi Ironsi Barracks.

    “For now, two players Christopher Nwaeze and Ifeanyi Anaemena have been dropped.

    “Not everybody will make the final list, and the only reason a coach can drop a player could be that he didn’t meet up with standard.

    “In fact, they were not dropped for injuries, not indiscipline, obviously it’s what the coach wants going by his strategy,” Raji said.

    The Super Eagles are expected to depart for U.S. on June 30 for the encounter.

    It would be recalled that NFF Technical Director, Austin Eguavoen was mandated by the football house to take charge of the game instead of Super Eagles handler Gernot Rohr.