TheNewsGuru

Tag: NFF

  • NFF to settle Super Eagles, Gernot Rohr’s debts

    NFF to settle Super Eagles, Gernot Rohr’s debts

    The Nigeria Football Federation president Amaju Pinnick said his administration is working to settle the debts they owe Super Eagles players and coaches despite the difficulties caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

    Pinnick did not shy away from the financial challenges facing the NFF and the struggles they encounter in discharging their financial obligations to Nigeria’s football teams.

    “It’s a kind of government responsibility to pay the players and the [Nigerian] president is very keen on helping to sort it.

    Although salaries and allowances of national coaches have been slashed, coach Gernot Rohr is being owed five months salary, with goalkeeper coach Alloy Agu awaiting 22-months unpaid wages while the Super Eagles are yet to receive their bonuses and allowances for 19 months.

    Pinnick faulted Covid-19 for its negative impact on businesses, including the NFF premium sponsors Aiteo Group, however, he disclosed his administration’s commitment in paying off the debts as soon as possible.

    “With the pandemic and challenges facing oil companies, things have been tough for our sponsors Aiteo, who are responsible for the payment of coaches,” Pinnick told BBC Sport.

    “But we’ve moved to pay Alloy [Agu] nine months of his wages from what we have left and coach Gernot too will be sorted. We don’t want to owe and that is the mentality in which I came into the NFF.

    “There are circumstances beyond our control. It is not a good thing to owe and we don’t like the image it creates.

    “We are looking at every means not to owe. The toxic atmosphere has really affected our sponsorship drive but we can’t give excuses.

    “We are working religiously and assiduously to resolve this as soon as possible.

    “It’s a kind of government responsibility to pay the players and the [Nigerian] president is very keen on helping to sort it.

    “I was in Abuja and I found out it’s only a matter of the modalities delaying paying the allowances and bonuses, any moment from now it will be sorted out.”

  • Daniel Amokachi blasts NFF over Rohr’s new contract

    Daniel Amokachi blasts NFF over Rohr’s new contract

    Daniel Amokachi has blasted the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for allowing a $2 million compensation clause in Gernot Rohr’s contract.

    Rohr was appointed as coach of the Super Eagles in 2016 following Sunday Oliseh’s resignation as manager of the national team.

    The former international, under whom Nigeria enjoyed an impressive stat of losing only two games in 14 matches, explained a number of reasons for resigning, including the failure of the federation to support him and also over his unpaid wages and contract violation.

    Special assistant on sports to Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari, Amokachi, revealed Rohr’s contract contains a huge $2 million compensation clause and has lambasted the federation for the deal.

    “For the administration to bring somebody like Oliseh and not giving him time because he’s Nigerian and they let go,” Amokachi told Brila FM.

    “To bring in somebody like Amuneke and not giving him time then they let him go. Then you bring a new coach where those two coaches are far better than him; pedigree-wise and portfolio-wise.

    “But still, they gave the machinery a lot of money, $60 plus with all the bonuses, if they play two matches in a month, then you’re talking over $100,000.

    “And then at the end of the day, you put a $2m clause on a coach that has never won anything. A coach that came from Burkina Faso to Tunisia then to Nigeria and you put a $2m clause, that’s the first I’m hearing such.

    “If you were bringing Guardiola you can put $10m if he says he wants it because you know who he is; he has won laurels. But for a coach that has not done anything, not achieved anything and you put a $2m clause? There’s a lot of failure in that.

    “I’ll not rate them (NFF) out of 10, but all these things I’ve broken down will tell anybody with common sense where I’m coming from.”

     

  • NFF appoints new Head of Women’s Football

    NFF appoints new Head of Women’s Football

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Friday confirmed the appointment of Amina Daura as its new Head of Women’s Football, replacing Ruth David, a statement signed by Ademola Olajire, head of NFF’s Communications Department, has said.

    According to the statement, the appointment followed the recommendation of Phillips Consulting, a recruitment firm, employed by the NFF to shortlist the best candidate for the position.

    “Daura demonstrated a strong passion for the development of women’s football from grassroots to elite level. She was able to prove to the panel her capacity for stakeholder management and funding”, the statement said.

    According to the NFF, a total of 11 candidates were interviewed for the position, including 7 Nigerians. The new coach has over 15 years’ experience in women football and last worked for Helping Hands Foundation for Child Education, an NGO.

    Daura, who is also a UNICEF ambassador, is expected to oversee the development of women’s football across the nation, as well as provide technical support to Super Falcons’ Head Coach, Randy Waldrum.

    ” She will be responsible for increasing the participation of women in football at all levels. She will also be involved in developing opportunities for women in football with respect to grassroots education, performance and administration”, the NFF statement said.

  • Time to beat Sierra Leone 4-0 in Freetown – Pinnick

    Time to beat Sierra Leone 4-0 in Freetown – Pinnick

    The Super Eagles have been tasked by the Nigeria Football Federation president, Amaju Pinnick, to secure victory in Freetown on Tuesday after they squandered a 4-0 lead on Friday at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.

    The result left Nigerians distraught , however, Pinnick has charged them not to just defeat the Leone Stars but they should regain the lead they had before half-time at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.

    “It is for us to go to Sierra Leone and beat them that 4-0. It is not winning, winning is an understatement,” Pinnick told NFF media.

    “It is to give them that 4-0 and make sure they don’t score one. That is the only thing we will do from the blast of the whistle till the end of that game.

    “The beauty about falling down is the resurgence in us to bounce back, bounce back in a grand style because what you’ve done to them is that you’ve given them the confidence that Nigeria is beatable.

    “We must re-engineer this team, we must go to Freetown and we must beat them in Freetown by those four goals so that we would know truly that the Eagles have landed.”

  • AFCON Qualifiers: CAF bars newsmen, fans from Nigeria, Sierra Leone match

    AFCON Qualifiers: CAF bars newsmen, fans from Nigeria, Sierra Leone match

    The Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Monday said no journalists or supporters would be allowed into the stadium for Nigeria’s 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone.

    A statement from the Director, Communications, of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ademola Olajire, said that CAF instructed, under Media Operations, that there would be no mixed zone in the guidelines communicated to the NFF.

    Olajire added that there would be a virtual news conference, if possible for media officers from both teams only, and that only the TV channels with the rights will be allowed flash interviews.

    ”Also, only photographers of participating teams would be allowed at the match venue.

    ”The above puts to rest all previous speculations regarding having spectators at the match venue, and whether members of the media would be allowed into the arena,” he said.

    The statement further quoted NFF’s Director of Competitions, Bola Oyeyode, as saying that only individuals accredited by the NFF would be allowed inside the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium for the Day 3 qualifier, which will kick off at 5pm Nigeria time on Friday, Nov. 13.

  • AFCON: NFF releases Super Eagles squad to face Sierra Leone

    AFCON: NFF releases Super Eagles squad to face Sierra Leone

    The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has released a 24-man list of players invited for their upcoming African Cup of Nations qualifying match against Sierra Leone.

    The list features highly-rated Nigerian forward, Victor Osimhen who was notably missed in the Eagles squad for their friendly match against Algeria and Tunisia.

    Ahmed Musa, the Eagle’s captain was also invited for the match after his contract with Saudi Arabian side Al-Nasr was abruptly terminated.

    However, Genk forward, Cyriel Kolawole Dessers, was not invited after being capped in this month’s friendly.

    The Super Eagles take on the Leone Stars at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City on Friday, 13th November before flying to Freetown for the return game on Tuesday, 17th November at the Siaka Stevens Stadium.

    Full List:

    Goalkeepers: Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa); Sebastian Osigwe (FC Lugano, Switzerland); Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam, The Netherlands)

    Defenders: Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Leon Balogun (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Chidozie Awaziem (FC Boavista, Portugal); William Ekong (Watford FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Fulham FC, England); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Kevin Akpoguma (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, Germany)

    Midfielders: Oghenekaro Etebo (Galatasaray, Turkey); Tyronne Ebuehi (FC Twente, Netherlands); Frank Onyeka (FC Midtjylland, Denmark); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland)

    Forwards: Ahmed Musa (NIL); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Emmanuel Dennis Bonaventure (Club Brugge, Belgium); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain); Victor Osimhen (Napoli FC, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Chidera Ejuke (CSKA Moscow, Russia)

    Standby: Francis Uzoho (APOEL Nicosia, Cyprus); Samson Tijani (TSV Hartberg, Austria); Abdullahi Shehu (Omonia Nicosia, Cyprus); Ramon Azeez (Granada CF, Spain); Kelechi Nwakali (SD Huesca, Spain); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Heartland FC); Paul Onuachu (KRC Genk, Belgium)

  • How NFF and FIFA celebrated Ahmed Musa at 28

    How NFF and FIFA celebrated Ahmed Musa at 28

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Fifa have celebrated with Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa on his birthday.

    The forward was born on October 14, 1992, in Maiduguri, and has been sent wonderful messages on his 28th birthday.

    The forward has enjoyed great success on the international scene since breaking into the limelight at the 2010 Wafu Nations Cup, hosted in Nigeria.

    The football governing bodies have sent birthday wishes to the winger, recollecting his impressive showings for Nigeria.

  • Super Eagles’ friendlies amongst best in Africa – NFF

    Super Eagles’ friendlies amongst best in Africa – NFF

    Mohammed Sanusi, the General Secretary of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), on Monday said the two friendly games lined up for the Super Eagles were amongst “the best in Africa’’.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that reigning African champions Algeria are Super Eagles’ opponents in the first of the two international friendlies to be played in Austria.

    Three-times African champions Nigeria will confront the Desert Foxes on Friday, before taking on the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia four days later at the Jacques Lemans Arena.

    The matches fall within the FIFA window for international matches and have been approved by the world football governing body FIFA, as well as the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

    Sanusi told NAN in Abuja that NFF chose two of the best African teams as opponents for the Super Eagles because they were high-level opponents.

    “The friendlies are among the best in Africa, considering the ratings of the teams involved and the current form of the players of these countries.

    “Algeria are rated fourth in Africa and 35th in the world, while Tunisia are Africa’s number two-ranked team after Senegal.

    “So, there is so much at stake for us in terms of national pride.

    “We (Nigeria) are indeed delighted with the opportunity of facing two of Africa’s football giants,’’ he said.

    Sanusi added that the matches were also going to be good preparation for the Super Eagles ahead of upcoming 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.

    He said he was looking forward to an exciting encounter in spite of the harsh realities of the COVID-19 pandemic which meant that the game would be played behind closed doors.

    “Football activities have since resumed in Europe with the adherence to strict COVID-19 guidelines and most of our players are already used to the playing conditions.

    “So, I expect the friendlies to be exciting, in spite of the games being played without the usual crowd,” he said.

  • NFF yet to receive FIFA, CAF money – Pinnick

    NFF yet to receive FIFA, CAF money – Pinnick

    President of the Nigeria Football Federation , Amaju Pinnick, says the federation is yet to receive COVID – 19 palliatives from world body FIFA and CAF .

    Pinnick said once the federation took delivery of the funds, external auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers, would ensure they were properly distributed.

    Newsmen had reported that FIFA approved $1m as universal solidarity grant to all member associations, while an additional $500,000 was specifically assigned for women’s football.

    CAF also released $ 300,000 as grant to mitigate challenges as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, while the NFF got $ 200,000 from sponsors Nike and Coca Cola.

    “We’ve not received all the money, we’ve not received the one from CAF, we’ve not received from FIFA, once we receive, we are talking to PWC so that it’s not just distribution, they have to monitor how it is done, they have to monitor what we are doing to ensure it gets to the end users,” Pinnick told BBC.

    “Once we get the money, we will notify the ministry, the only one we have right now is what we have been able to warehouse from Cocacola and Nike. You can see that it is $ 2m – $1.5m from FIFA , $300,000 from CAF and $200,000 from the federation . We are going to religiously adhere to that principle.”

  • NFF’s VP, Akinwunmi bags Skysports Nigeria award

    NFF’s VP, Akinwunmi bags Skysports Nigeria award

    1st Vice president, Nigeria Football Federation Barr. Seyi Akinwunmi received an award from Skysports Nigeria as a Football Administrator of the years.

    The event which was held at the NFF Lagos Liaison office Surulere Lagos saw the amiable chairman Lagos State Football Association being decorated with a gold medal by the management of Skysports Nigeria.

    Amb Moses Ebahor, marketing consultant Skysports Nigeria presented the award to Akinwunmi and praised him as a man of high profile with unquestionable characters. Amb Moses also highlighted his immense contributions for the development of football not only in Lagos State but in Nigeria in general. According to Amb Ebahor the award ceremony was earlier scheduled for this year but shelved because of the coronavirus pandemic.

    In his response, Akinwunmi appreciated the honour and recognition, that the award is not for him alone but those at NFF and Lagos State Football Association.

    He thanked the management of Skysports for their resilience efforts in ensuring that Skysports Nigeria is recognized as one of the best sports Newspapers in Nigeria.

    Akinwunmi stressed that everybody can’t be an administrator . He stated that the way Skysports Nigeria is striving, the Sky will not be the limit.

    He concluded that he operates an open-door policy that the management of Skysports Nigeria is free to come for any assistant within his reach.