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Tag: NFF

  • NFF calls for applications for position of Supersand Eagles’ Coach

    NFF calls for applications for position of Supersand Eagles’ Coach

    The Nigeria Football Federation has requested for applications from suitably qualified candidates for the vacant position of the Coach of Beach Soccer National Team, otherwise known as Supersand Eagles.

    The public notice, which is on the Federation’s website (https://thenff.com/?post_type=jobpost&p=16146&preview=true), has specified for candidates to have attended at least one beach soccer refresher course organized by the NFF, be conversant with, and abreast of, the ever-changing rules and dynamics of the game and possess at least CAF C Coaching License.

    A candidate must also have been involved in beach soccer activities in the last three years to be considered, while playing experience locally and internationally could prove to be an added advantage.

    Applications will close at midnight of Friday, 12th July 2024, with a successful candidate to be named in a matter of days, as the Supersand Eagles get set for a two-leg Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixture against their counterparts from Mauritania.

  • NFF, Ministry of Interior commit to reintegration project for the girl-child in Correctional Centres

    NFF, Ministry of Interior commit to reintegration project for the girl-child in Correctional Centres

    An initiative of the Nigeria Football Federation to reform, rehabilitate and reintegrate into the society, young girls who are in correctional centres across the country, has been received with great enthusiasm by the Honourable Minister of Interior, Hon. (Dr) Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

    On the tail of a presentation made to the Minister and Management Staff of the ministry in Abuja on Tuesday by NFF Executive Committee Member and Chairman of the Women’s Football Sub-Committee Madam Aisha Falode, the Minister applauded the NFF for the noble concept, and vowed to set machinery in motion to ensure the realization of the objectives attached to the initiative.

    “I am hugely impressed by this presentation, which shows clearly that the NFF is aware of its responsibilities to the community, aside from preparing our National Teams for matches and tournaments. The reason why there is always an upshoot in the number of persons in correctional centres is that when they are released, they have nowhere to go other than that place from where they ended up in the centre. I see this project as filling that gap for them, giving them hope and the means by which to bring that hope to reality.

    “A ‘correctional centre’ is different from a ‘prison’. While the former is a place of correction, reformation and rebirth, a prison is a place of incarceration. Those in correctional centres should have the opportunity to get reformed and reintegrated back into the society. The NFF has wowed me with this. Sport is not just a means of entertainment; it is the biggest instrument that can bridge the gap between the powerful and the vulnerable.”

    Earlier, President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau told the Minister that the Federation believes it has services to render to the community at large, apart from organization of football matches, and has picked on the vexed issue of growing number of girls in correctional centres as a first initiative.

    “We are primed to use the instrumentality of football to collaborate with relevant agencies and ministries to activate processes for the reform and rehabilitation of these young ladies, so that they can be reintegrated into the society, and be useful to themselves and the society.

    “The NFF is ready and willing to go the whole distance on this project. We will work with relevant agencies and ministries, and network with organisations and foundations to arrange vocational training for these girls in order that they will have a future.”

    Falode’s presentation, titled FootballGood-Naija; EmpowerHer, highlighted rising figures of ladies in correctional centres across the country, as well as those awaiting trial and those already convicted, and was pegged on the ‘Gender Empowerment’ initiative of the Confederation of African Football which pilot programs had taken place in Sierra Leone, Ghana and Liberia.

    Among the objectives are to support better reintegration prospects post-release; improve physical and mental well-being; develop and enhance life skills and self-esteem; foster a culture of sportsmanship, discipline and teamwork; identify and develop football refereeing and coaching potentials and; use football as a tool for education, skill-building and leadership development among young people.

    With the Minister were the Controller-General of Nigerian Correctional Service, Haliru Nababa; Permanent Secretary in Ministry of Interior, Dr. Aishetu Ndayako; Director of Press, Ozoya Imohimi; Director Joint Services Department, Atinuke Ajiboye and Director of Legal Services, Omofese Era.

    Also on the NFF delegation were the Deputy General Secretary, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme; Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire; Director of Legal Services, Okey Obi; Director of Technical, Augustine Eguavoen; Director of Competitions, Ruth David and; Chief Protocol Officer, Emmanuel Ayanbunmi.

  • Peseiro in talks with NFF, may return as Super Eagles coach

    Peseiro in talks with NFF, may return as Super Eagles coach

    Former Super Eagles gaffer, Jose Peseiro is being touted to stage a return as the head coach of the team few months after his departure.

    It would be  recalled that the Portuguese left the post in February following the expiration of his contract.

    His successor, Finidi George, resigned from the post last month after the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) announced it will appoint a foreign technical adviser to boss him.

    Peseiro was recently linked with the head coach role at South African club, Mamelodi Sundowns.

    A football pundit working with local agency Vodia Sports International Management explained that the Portuguese is negotiating his return to the team.

    “Yes Vodia Sports International Management offered Jose Peseiro to Sundowns, though the Nigerian national teams are interested in bringing him to take over again,” Baloyi told KickOff.

    The NFF is expected to name a new head coach for the Super Eagles before the team’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya in September.

    Peseiro tutored the   Super Eagles to second position at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

  • Beach Soccer League: Kebbi BSC emerge Champions

    Beach Soccer League: Kebbi BSC emerge Champions

    Kebbi BSC are winners of colourful league finals as beach soccer returns in full swing

     

     

     

    With the Nigeria Football Federation having approved the return of the Beach Soccer National Team, Supersand Eagles, to international competition, organizers of this year’s Nigeria Beach Soccer League put up a great show at the Super 4 National Finals held over three days in Kaduna, ending on Saturday.

     

     

     

    The finals at the Murtala Muhammed Square in Northern Nigeria’s administrative capital saw the Kebbi Beach Soccer Club underscoring their dominance of the domestic game by winning their third title of the three-year-old event.

     

     

     

    Cup holders as well as winners of the inaugural finals in 2021, they lost 2-3 after penalties to Kada Stars of Kaduna but that didn’t stop them from picking their third title and pocketing the N600,000 winners’ prize. Their six points in the finals lifted them above Anambra Warriors, who finished in second place and went home with N400,000, and third-placed Kebbi United, who pocketed N300,000. Kada Stars finished fourth and earned N200,000.

     

     

     

    Two-time participants at the Beach Soccer Worldwide Winners Cup, Kebbi BSC also produced the tournament’s MVP in Hassan Abdullahi. Kebbi United’s Sadiq Umar emerged highest goalscorer with 17 goals, with the club’s Umar Aliyu selected the Rising Star of the competition and Festus Bashorun of Anambra Warriors named the best goalkeeper. Kada Stars won the Fair Play trophy.

     

     

     

    The final matches were attended by eminent personalities in the beach soccer community, including the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Kaduna State Professor Benjamin Kumai Gugong; Chairman of NFF Futsal and Beach Soccer Committee, Hon. Nse Essien; Vice Chairman, Alhaji Yusuf Ahmed Fresh; Chairman of NFF Technical and Development Committee, Alhaji Sharif Rabiu Inuwa; Engineer Musa Nimrod, President of Nigeria Volleyball Federation and Chairman, Kaduna Beach Soccer Association; Chairman of Kaduna State Football Association, Mallam Faisal Abdullahi; Dr. Umar Mohammed; Mr. Abubakar Barde (Committee Secretary) and; a couple of NFF directors.

     

     

     

    The NFF delegation had warm words for the organizing team led by President of African Beach Soccer Association, Mahmoud Hadejia, who along his team has worked very hard to put the game of beach soccer back on the front burner after the NFF withdrew the Supersand Eagles from the international sphere, following scandalous results at the 2019 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup finals in Paraguay.

     

     

     

    The attention of the beach soccer community now shifts to the Supersand Eagles’ preparations for the 2024 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Mauritania, with the first leg in Nouakchott on 20th July and the return

    leg in Nigeria a week later

  • FIFA instructors rate Nigeria’s intermediate referees high, charge NFF to encourage them

    FIFA instructors rate Nigeria’s intermediate referees high, charge NFF to encourage them

    Instructors from world football-ruling body, FIFA have expressed admiration for the high level of intellect, and adaptation capacity, of Nigeria’s intermediate referees who gathered for a five-day Member Association course in the Federal Capital, Abuja this week.

    Tangawarima charged the NFF to monitor the young talents and do its best to equip them and fast-track their growth to elite level, saying: “In all honesty, I see some of these young talents as being more capable than some referees who presently officiate at Premier League level.”

     

     

     

    In his remarks, President of NFF Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, who was represented by the Deputy General Secretary, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme, thanked the instructors for their kind observation and the work they have done with the young talents over the five days of the course.

     

     

     

    “We are grateful for the great work you have done with our young talents this time and we assure you that we will do our best to keep monitoring and encouraging them to fulfill their potential. More than yourselves, we are concerned about the lack of prominence of Nigerian referees in the international sphere. The Young Talents programme is one of the practical steps we have taken to address the malaise.

     

     

     

    “Our commitment to improving the lot of Nigerian referees, and to prepare them adequately for the challenges of competing favourably with their colleagues from other countries for selection for major championships, remains unshaken.”

     

     

     

    The 40 intermediate referees who participated in the program: Areweremi Ebimene, Mansur Mahmud Ngaski, Yusuf Gbemisola, Abba Aminu Mammaga, Ladan Aliyu, Bashir Mukhtar, Ibrahim Adams Boyi, Lawal Ridwan, Omada Emmanuel, Ajewole Emmanuel, Kwamga Eric Terhile, Chukwukerem Uchechukwu, Mohammed Ibrahim, Asakpi Oritsetsolayemi, Esther Joseph, Patience Azi Abi, Ehinola Aanu Paulina, Oluola Adeola Omowunmi, Adepete Michael, Suleyman Sani, Mohammed Tuta, Semiat Opeyemi Mustapha, Mudashiru Adamu, Stephanie Tse Henbar, Alohan, Osakpamwan, Isah Nagogo, Ayandike Uchenna, Ogunrombi Ruth, Andrew Aondolumu, Jokogbola Mubarak Olansile, Jamiu Hamisu, Onyekwere Rachael, Adie Emmanuel Unimike, Nsisong Linus, Umar Musa Anukpo, Al-Ameen Kabiru Yusuf, Mu’azu Habib Barma, Ebenezer Olayinka, Idowu Stephen Omolade

     

     

     

    Meanwhile, another five-day program, this time for Nigeria’s elite referees, will commence also in Abuja on Sunday.

     

    Referees for the elite course: Joseph Ogabor, Kassim Abdulsalam, Bashiru Salihu, Nurudeen Abubakar, Abdullahi Abubakar, Grema Mohammed Mustapha, Patrick John Egba, Samuel Pwadutakam, Igho Hope, Yakubu Muhammad, Ahmad Tijjani, Digbori Tejiri, Usman Olaide Abdulmajeed, Yemisi Akintoye, Hannah Elaigwu, Ndidi Madu Patience, Alaba Olufunmilayo, Akpan Friday Mfon, Beauty Kabenda Terah, Abibatu Iyadunni, Faith Agbons, Madaki Abdulmalik, Omotoye Tosin, Oscar Iwuamadu, Ibrahim Ahmed Lamido, Olalekan Daramola, Agboola Moruf, Komolafe Gbenga, Ismaila Rasheed, Mamuri Habu, Chilaka Igwe, Nwokocha Wisdom, Moses Alayemola, Akinwale Tomiwa, John Ojeleye, Scholastica, Zakari Mohammed, Faisal Inuwa, Mamu Umar, Bawa Buhari

    At the closing ceremony of the program inside the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Friday, Felix Tangawarima, former FIFA referee from Zimbabwe, who is at the head of the FIFA team that also includes Mark Mzengo from Malawi, said: “I must say that we are highly impressed by these young men and women. They have performed well enough for us to now have great hope for the future of Nigerian refereeing. Ourselves at FIFA have, for many years now, been worried that with Nigeria’s large population and high capacity of the people, we don’t see your referees at the top table. Now, we can smile and expect great things from Nigeria.

     “These young referees have demonstrated high intellect, good knowledge and readiness to continue learning. We are very proud of their attitude and their humility. On my own, I am moved to offer spaces for them to perform at any subsequent COSAFA tournaments and will be responsible for their feeding, accommodation and allowances.”

  • FIFA Member Association Referees Course ends in Abuja

    FIFA Member Association Referees Course ends in Abuja

    A five-day, all-encompassing training programme for Nigeria’s intermediate referees will come to an end with a closing ceremony scheduled for the NFF/FIFA Goal Project, MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Friday.

    Classroom sessions for the 40 participants have included group discussions on penalty-area incidents, tactical fouls, recovery strategy, offside, handball and the challenges that confront the men-of-the-whistle. The course began on Monday with a fitness test for all the referees, followed by a clarification of the course objectives and video presentation on modern refereeing.

    There have also been on-field sessions with players and mini-matches with players, all with the objective of preparing the intermediate officials for the next step up the ladder to elite level.

    On Friday morning, there will be a concluding session on the practical training, as well as a presentation on the new concept for match preparation, before the closing ceremony that commences at 2.30pm.

    The overall objectives of the course include identifying, harnessing and nurturing refereeing potentials inherent in the participants, instituting a sustainable development trend through the Young Talent Program, establishing a corp of talented young referees for national and international refereeing programs and ensuring continuous growth and development of refereeing in Nigeria.

    The program has been superintended by two FIFA instructors, namely former FIFA referee Felix Tangawarima from Zimbabwe (FIFA Senior Technical Instructor and COSAFA VAR Project Manager) and Mark Mzengo from Malawi (FIFA Fitness Instructor).

    On Sunday, 7th July, another five-day course, this time for Nigeria’s elite referees, will commence at the NFF/FIFA Goal Project, MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja. The principal objective of this course, which will also involve 40 participants, is to generally improve the lot of Nigeria’s foremost arbiters.

  • Federation Cup: NFF announces sales of tickets for Saturday’s final

    Federation Cup: NFF announces sales of tickets for Saturday’s final

    The Nigeria Football Federation, (NFF) has announced sales of tickets for the President Federation Cup final.

    According to the NFF the popular side tickets are available for N200, while VIP tickets are sold for N2,000 each.

    The tickets, according to the NFF, are available online.

    Saturday’s grand finale at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos, will see Naija Ratels FC of Abuja take on eight-time champions, Rivers Angels of Port Harcourt in the women’s final.

    Two-time champions El-Kanemi Warriors and Abia Warriors will clash in the men’s final.

    The women’s final will kick off at 1pm, while the men’s final commences at 4pm.

  • President Federation Cup: Finalists in women’s competition to emerge on Sunday

    President Federation Cup: Finalists in women’s competition to emerge on Sunday

    The two teams that will contest for the women’s trophy in this year’s President Federation Cup will be known by the evening of Sunday, 23rd June, following the semi final matches in Enugu and Awka.

    In-form Rivers Angels of Port Harcourt, who are not unfamiliar with triumph in the women’s version of the oldest Cup competition in the land, will confront Delta Queens in Awka, while exciting newcomers Remo Stars Ladies tango with Abuja landladies Naija Ratels at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu. Both matches will kick off at 4pm.

    Last year’s runners-up, Rivers Angels unhinged Osun Babes 5-0 in an imperious performance at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu on Wednesday, at the time that Nasarawa Amazons were being eliminated on penalty shootout by Remo Stars Ladies in Benin City.

    Naija Ratels also experienced penalty shootout jitters, before they sent FC Robo Queens of Lagos packing at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba.

    Delta Queens dealt a 2-0 blow on Sunshine Queens from Akure in the earlier match in Benin City, and will go all out against Rivers Angels in Awka on Sunday.

    The grand finale of both the men’s and women’s competitions has been scheduled for the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Saturday, 29th June – the first time that the grand finale of Nigeria’s oldest Cup competition will be staged in the city.

    WOMEN’S SEMI-FINAL FIXTURES

     

    Remo Stars Ladies (Ogun) Vs Naija Ratels (FCT) – Enugu – 23/06/24 – 4pm

    Delta Queens (Delta) Vs Rivers Angels (Rivers) – Awka – 23/06/24 – 4pm

  • NFF will treat Supersand Eagles like other National Teams – Gusau

    NFF will treat Supersand Eagles like other National Teams – Gusau

    President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau on Thursday disclosed that the Federation is committed to ensuring that the Beach Soccer National Team, otherwise known as Supersand Eagles, enjoys the same attention as other National Teams, when restored to international competitions.

    The NFF boss made the pledge at the inauguration of the Federation’s Futsal and Beach Soccer Sub-Committee, at the NFF Secretariat, Abuja.

    “Nigeria is a big footballing nation, and it will be inappropriate if we continue to stay out of some activities that other African countries are involved in, football-wise. We will do whatever is necessary to restore Nigeria’s presence in futsal and beach soccer.

    “I am assuring the committee that whether through financial or other means, futsal and beach soccer will enjoy equal treatment as other National Teams.”

    It can be recalled that the Supersand Eagles brought honour to the country at various times in the past, winning the Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations in 2007 and 2009, winning a couple of silver medals at the same competition and also harvesting bronze medals on a couple of occasions. The team also represented Africa at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup on many occasions, including reaching the quarter-finals in Ravenna, Italy in 2011 before losing to Brazil in overtime.

    The NFF decided to pull the team out of international competitions five years ago, after high-score losses at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Paraguay.

    A member of the NFF Executive Committee, Otuekong Nse Essien is the committee’s chairman, with Chairman of Chairmen, Alhaji Ahmed Yusuf (Fresh) as vice chairman. Members are Hon. Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande, former NFF Executive Committee member and Chairman, Plateau State FA; Mr. Richard Jideaka, foremost journalist; Alhaji Aminu Mohammed Inuwa; Hajji Liameed Gafaar, Chairman of Lagos State FA and; Yabagi Alhaji Baba, vice chairman of Niger State FA. The secretary is Abubakar D. Umar Barde).

    Also present at the inauguration were NFF Deputy General Secretary, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme and some directors of the Federation.

  • President Federation Cup: Rivers Angels, Naija Ratels reach semi finals!

    President Federation Cup: Rivers Angels, Naija Ratels reach semi finals!

    Multi-titlists Rivers Angels have zoomed into the last four of this year’s President Federation Cup in style, after a 5-0 hammering of Osun Babes in Enugu on Wednesday.

    Abuja-based Naija Ratels also reached the semi finals, following a 5-4 penalty shootout defeat of FC Robo Queens of Lagos at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba. Both teams ended the regulation period with the scoreline at 1-1.

    Delta Queens cut Sunshine Queens from Akure to size with a 2-0 defeat at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.

    Also in Benin City, Remo Stars Ladies continued their fairy-tale run in this year’s competition with a 3-2 penalty shootout defeat of veteran campaigners Nasarawa Amazons, after both teams were stalemated at 1-1 following regulation time.

    On Thursday, the finalists will emerge in the men’s competition, with Abia Warriors up against Kano Pillars at the Lafia City Stadium, and Kebbi United up against El-Kanemi Warriors at the NFF/FIFA Goal Project in Abuja. Both games will commence at 4pm.

    WOMEN’S SEMI-FINAL PAIRINGS

     

    Remo Stars Ladies (Ogun) Vs Naija Ratels (FCT)

    Delta Queens (Delta) Vs Rivers Angels (Rivers)