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Tag: NFF

  • BREAKING: Nigeria faces fresh FIFA ban as Dalung sacks Amaju’s NFF

    BREAKING: Nigeria faces fresh FIFA ban as Dalung sacks Amaju’s NFF

    A fresh ban by the world football governing body, FIFA may be hanging on Nigeria as the Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Barrister Solomon Dalung on Monday ordered the incumbent Amaju Pinnick-led NFF executive committee to give way to that led by Chris Giwa in compliance with a Supreme Court ruling.

    In a statement signed by the minister’s special adviser on media, Nneka Anibeze, the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports development directed the Nigeria Football Federation, a parastatal under it, to comply with the judgment of the Supreme Court delivered on April 27, 2018, which restored the orders of the Federal High Court, setting aside the purported election into the Executive Committee of the NFF held on September 30, 2014.

    Dalung said in the statement that the directive followed a written notification signed for the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice requesting the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports to ensure compliance.

    The notification states thus;

    ‘I have been directed to notify you of the Orders dated June 5th 2018 made by Honorable Justice M. H. Kurya sitting at the Federal High Court Jos in respect of the above mentioned suit between Yahaya Adama Vs Alhaji Aminu Maigari which states that the election of the NFF held on August 26, 2014 under the leadership of Amb Chris Giwa be given recognition pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed in this case and that the purported ban of the Executive Committee elected on August 26, 2014 from football activities of the NFF is unconstitutional, null and void.

    ‘It is trite law that court orders are sacrosanct and any acts of disobedience to it constitutes threat to the rule of law. Consequent upon the above, you are hereby advised to comply with the orders of court made therein which for now, is the valid and binding order of court, in the absence of any other subsisting order or judgment to the contrary’.

    Consequently, Dalung has directed the parties involved to comply with the court order.

    “This is a court order and not from Dalung. I will not want to go to Kuje prison because of disobedience of court orders. Therefore, I hereby comply with the court orders of June 5th 2018, while Mr Amaju Pinnick and others are also directed to comply with same,” quoted the minister.

    However, facts exclusively obtained by TheNewsGuru.com revealed that the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN) was yet to make such pronouncement.

    In response to a letter by the Principal Partner, Festus Keyamo Chambers, dated 13th June 2018 with the title: RE: FALSE REPORTS OF REMOVAL OF AMAJU PINNICK AS NFF PRESIDENT AND THE ATTEMPT BY ONE CHRIS GIWA TO FORCEFULLY TAKE OVER THE NFF SECRETARIAT, the minister noted that since the matter was still in court, it was inappropriate for anyone (including himself) to take formal decisions on it.

    See letter below:

  • BREAKING: NFF releases Super Eagles World Cup list

    BREAKING: NFF releases Super Eagles World Cup list

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Monday released provisional 30-man World Cup squad for the Super Eagles.

  • Ebola: Nigeria, DR Congo friendly match not under threat – NFF

    Ebola: Nigeria, DR Congo friendly match not under threat – NFF

    Nigeria’s friendly match against the DR Congo is not under threat in spite of the Ebola outbreak in the country, the Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) 1st Vice-President, Seyi Akinwumi has said.

    Akinwumi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos that necessary precautionary measures had been put in place to forestall transmission of the deadly disease into Nigeria.

    NAN reports that the football governing body had lined up some friendly matches as build up to the Super Eagles participation in the Russia 2018 World Cup.

    In the friendly matches, the Super Eagles are expected to play DR Congo on May 28, in Port Harcourt before the warm-up game against the Three Lions of England on June 2 at Wembley Stadium.

    Before the DR Congo match, the three-time African champions had defeated the national team of Argentina 4-2 in the battle of Krasnodar, Russia, then beat Poland 1-0 at the Municipal Stadium, Wrockaw, Poland.

    The Gernot Rohr boys however lost to the national team of Serbia 0-2 at the Hive Stadium, England.

    The third friendly match for the Eagles against the Diables Rouges (Red Devils) of Congo has been a speculation for cancellation due to the deadly Ebola disease outbreak in the country.

    The fears of many football enthusiasts was however allayed by NFF as Akinwumi said there was no need to panic over the friendly match saying that adequate measure had been put in place to forestall transmission of the disease into Nigeria.

    “We will not jeopardise the health of Nigerians, we have notified the DR Congo Football Federation, while both presidents have met at the CAF committee and finalised issues.

    “Beyond that, we have written to the Ministry of Health to have all those coming to Nigeria tested. However, most of the Dr Congo players for the match are foreign-based.

    “To assure Nigerians, we will not risk anything for the match, there should be no fear at all.

    “We are 100 per cent sure that everyone coming for the match will be subjected to test in Congo before coming and Nigeria before they go out,’’ he told NAN.

    Akinwumi said that the Ebola outbreak in DR Congo did not affect the whole country but some villages and that would not stop the federation from doing the needful.

    “We are told that the news of Ebola outbreak in DR Congo happened in the remote village and not in the whole country, but we are also cautious about the health of Nigerians.

    “We want the best for the national team in terms of preparation and prosecution of the World Cup proper. The fund raising we are planning for the team is a bonus too,’’ he said.

    NAN reports that the Super Eagles are expected to fly out to their camp in Austria on June 3 from London.

    They are to play another final friendly against the Czech Republic on June 6 in Austria.

  • Russia 2018: I’m pressured to add players in World Cup squad, says Pinnick

    Russia 2018: I’m pressured to add players in World Cup squad, says Pinnick

    President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr Amaju Pinnick has admitted to being under pressure by agents to include players in the final list of the World Cup squad to Russia 2018.

    Pinnick, made this known when he appeared as a guest on Channels Television’s breakfast show, Sunrise Daily while highlighting plans for the global tournament in Russia next month.

    He said: “I have pressure from agents, they want their players to be added in World Cup squad.”

    The NFF boss, however, maintained that the Super Eagles German Coach, Mr Gernot Rohr, was in a better position to determine who would represent the country in the competition.

    Meanwhile, on allegations of favouritism and bribery in the selection of the players, Pinnick described the Super Egles coach as one he could vouch for to not involve himself in such practices.

    “Not Gernot Rohr. He is a coach that is very professional. He played for Bayern Munich and has been an Ambassador.

    “He is somebody that has an image that is almost untainted. You should understand the pressure. Once a player is excellent on the field, there is no way a coach would not want to get results.

    “If a player will give him that result, Gernot Rohr will never cage any player. That, I can tell you,” he said.

    Team Nigeria sealed their chances for participating in the World Cup after a 1-0 victory over Zambia in October 2017.

    It became the first in Africa to advance to Russia after Arsenal’s Iwobi gave a brilliant performance in the thrilling match.

    But despite the success, Pinnick still believes a lot more has to be done to turn Nigeria’s economy around through sports.

  • Russia 2018: No injury scare in Super Eagles – Media Officer

    Russia 2018: No injury scare in Super Eagles – Media Officer

    With 31 days to the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the Super Eagles Media Officer, Toyin Ibitoye, says there is no need to panic over injuries in the team.

    Nigeria is pitted against Argentina, Croatia and Iceland in the Mundial’s Group D.

    Ibitoye told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos that some of the players that cupped injuries were recovering and have resumed training.

    “We have a month and a few days to the World Cup. Some players like Leon Balogun, Ogenyi Onazi, Wilfred Ndidi and Tyron Ebue are recovering from injuries and have started training.

    “Balogun and Onazi have started playing for their clubs.

    “Generally speaking, we have nothing to worry about in terms of our boys because those who are recovering are being well monitored and the reports from the medical team are very positive,’’ he said.

    According to Ibitoye, reports from the medical team indicates that the players will be 100 per cent fit before the World Cup begins.

    “We have three more games to play before the World Cup. For the first time in a long while, we have played six friendly games, each to achieve a purpose in team building and in helping us to prepare for the teams we will face at the World cup,’’ he said.

    The Eagles spokesman said that from the first international friendly against Argentina to the matches against Poland, Serbia and the remaining ones to be played against DR Congo, England and Czech Republic, were done for reasons.

    Ibitoye said: “All these games are well planned. They have something to achieve in the team. Everything is going perfectly well. I think it is kudos to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

    “The board and secretariat of the NFF have worked so hard to be able to get all these together,’’ he said.

    He commended Coach Gernot Rohr and his crew for planning and monitoring the players in their clubs.

    He said that the technical crew had worked hard to prepare the team mentally and physically, especially sending fitness coaches to work with players recovering from injury and prepare them for the opposition.

    “As we speak, the coaches are putting finishing touches to the provisional list from which our final squad for the World Cup will be released.

    “I know that a lot of extensive work has been done. I will not be surprised if Rohr sticks with those he has been working with.

    “I will also not be surprised if maybe, one or two players based on what they are doing presently and their shape now are also able to break into the World Cup squad.

    “ Any of these scenarios is a possibility,’’ Ibitoye said.

    NAN

  • Adepoju lauds organisers of Atletico Madrid, Super Eagles friendly

    Adepoju lauds organisers of Atletico Madrid, Super Eagles friendly

    Nigeria’s ex-international, Mutiu Adepoju, on Friday, lauded MultiChoice Nig. Ltd., owners of GOtv satellite network provider for organising a friendly match between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Atletico Madrid of Spain.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the historic match tagged `Go Max Cup 2018’ will take place on May 22 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo.

    Atletico Madrid is one of the best European side form the La Liga football league in Spain.

    The friendly match is being organised by members of the MultiChoice Company, the delegation of the La Liga outfit and members of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

    Adeopoju who spoke to NAN in Lagos on the sidelines of the event said: “I am happy about the development.

    “It is indeed happening at a time when Nigeria needed it most to develop our football and portray the nation in a very good light.

    “Having played in the La liga as well, I think it is a great opportunity for the nation to have a good connection with the kind of development in Spanish football’’.

    Also, Amaju Pinnick, the Nigeria Football Federation President, extolled the leadership of MultiChoice for another opportunity to support the development of football in Nigeria.

    He said that the partnership which was struck back in 2016 had continued to yield pleasant results and that it would be a historic moment for Nigeria’s football.

    Javier Del Rio, the La Liga delegate told NAN that the synergy between Nigeria’s football and the Spanish league was for the development of football at the grassroots.

    He said that since the coming together of the two countries, great development had been achieved, adding that having Atletico Madrid to play in Nigeria was one of them.

    “Atletico Madrid is one of La Liga’s greatest clubs, and coming to Nigeria is aimed at giving fans the chance to enjoy watching their stars close.

    “Africa and Nigeria in particular are very important for us and we know you have a lot of love for Spanish football, something we are proud of.

    “We are interested in partnering with any developmental projects in Nigeria because we believe in the success globally,’’ Del Rio said.

    Martin Mabutho, the General Manager Sales and Marketing MultiChoice Nigeria, said that he was delighted to bring one of the three biggest clubs from La Liga to Nigeria.

    “As you all know Atlético Madrid is one of the top clubs in LaLiga and our customers and indeed, football fans in Nigeria, will have the rare opportunity of watching the stars play the Super Eagles right here on Nigerian soil.

    “We at MultiChoice are undoubtedly the continent’s leader in the coverage of sports and we have repeatedly shown this not only by the exclusive content we broadcast, but also by the way we support sports in Nigeria.

    “We have done well in putting the country on the global sports map through exciting initiatives like the GOtv MAX Cup and backing the friendly match between Nigeria and Atletico Madrid is just one way we intend to doing our job.

    “With the FIFA 2018 World Cup around the corner, the friendly match would go a long way in helping the coach assess the readiness of his team,’’ Mabutho said.

    NAN

  • Russia 2018: NFF boss rejects Enyeama’s return to Super Eagles

    The Nigeria Football Federation, (NFF) president, Amaju Pinnick has rejected calls for Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr to include veteran goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama in his plans for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

    Nigeria Super Eagles will make their sixth appearance in the football showpiece in the June 14-July 15 tournament, and the three-time African champions have been facing goalkeeping crisis after their choice keeper Carl Ikeme was diagnosed with acute leukaemia last year.

    The development sparked calls for out-of-favour Lille shot-stopper Enyeama to come out of international retirement to help Nigeria at the World Cup.

    Former Gabon manager Rohr has kept faith with young Deportivo La Coruna keeper Francis Uzoho, Enyimba star Ikechukwu Ezenwa and much-vilified Chippa United custodian Daniel Akpeyi, inviting the trio for the country’s pre-World Cup fixtures against Poland on March 23 in Wroclaw and Serbia in London four days later.

    However, the German has been labouring to persuade 2003 CAF Champions League winner Enyeama to return to the national team as pressure continues to mount on him to go to Russia with an experienced keeper.

    Pinnick said on Thursday Rohr would decide if he wants the France-based keeper, who has yet to feature for Les Dogues since he returned from a knee injury five months ago.

    The 35-year-old, who represented Nigeria at the 2002, 2010 and 2014 World Cups, has been limited to turning out for Lille’s B team.

    “All the other goalkeepers deserve to be in posts (for the World Cup), (Francis) Uzoho, for one, is doing well,” SCORENigeria quoted the NFF boss as saying in a television interview on Thursday.

    “This could well be the big break for one of the other goalkeepers.

    “But in the end it’s Rohr’s call to invite Enyeama, it’s his own responsibility.”

    He said goalkeeping coach Alloy Agu would be in South Africa to train Akpeyi.

    “Alloy Agu is on his way to train Akpeyi at Chippa United,” Pinnick said.

    “The other trainer (Pionetti) is in Spain with Uzoho on special permission of his club.

    “We also expect such for Dele Alampasu and Ezenwa.”

  • Pinnick speaks on his alleged removal from office as NFF’s president

    The President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick has cleared the air on reports published in some media outlets that he has been removed from office as NFF’s boss.

    Amaju’s lawyer, Festus Keyamo [SAN] disclosed to TheNewsGuru.com, in a phone conversation that the Supreme Court did not nullify his client’s election as NFF’s President while urging his football fans in Nigeria not to panic.

    “Nobody should cause unnecessary panic in Nigeria’s football. That’s my case. Supreme Court DID NOT NULLIFY AMAJU ‘s Election. The Supreme Court did NOT remove Amaju from office.

    “The Supreme Court only referred the case back to the Federal High Court to be tried properly to know which of the elections held in 2014 was right. Amaju was NOT a party to the case at the Supreme Court so the court could not have removed a party from office without joining the party and hearing from the party.” Keyamo said.

    Recall that Chris Giwa who lost out at the Appeal Court as well as in the globally acclaimed Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) in Zurich, Switzerland had dragged the current board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to the Supreme Court to set aside the verdict of the lower court after they had won at the High Court.

    Giwa is claimed that the mandate given to him and his factional board members at the Chida Hotel, Abuja by the Congress of the NFF in August 2014 was sacrosanct.

    He is also insisting that the Warri election that brought in the Pinnick board was held in defiance of a High Court order.

    Giwa wants the Supreme Court to uphold the Chida Hotel election as the defendants cannot gain from disobedience of a court order.

    However, the Pinnick group who are the defendants in this case have held on to FIFA Statutes to argue its case, telling the Supreme Court in their submission that football matters must not be adjudicated in the ordinary court, insisting that the plaintiffs have been banned by the world football ruling body, FIFA.

  • NFF delegation pay visit to Ikeme in hospital, invites him as guest at Nigeria/England friendly

    The leadership of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Monday visited former Super Eagles first-choice goalkeeper Carl Ikeme at The Christie Clinic in Manchester, UK where he is being treated.

    Ikeme played in the early rounds of the qualifying campaign for thre 2018 FIFA World Cup, but he is now sidelined by illness after being diagonised to be having leukemia.

    Carl Ikeme became the Super Eagles’ number one man months before the Russia 2018 preliminary fixture against Swaziland and the first match of the group phase against Zambia in Ndola.

    He kept goal in those three matches, only to be diagnosed with acute leukemia after returning “abnormal blood tests”.

    This was during pre-season testing at English club Wolverhampton Wanderers and he has since then had to undergo chemotherapy.

    On Monday, as the Super Eagles were getting set for Tuesday’s pre-Russia 2018 World Cup friendly against Serbia in London, the NFF delegation visited Ikeme.

    According to a statement by the NFF Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire, the federation’s delegation was led by its President, Amaju Pinnick.

    “In the delegation also were the NFF First Vice-President, Seyi Akinwunmi, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi, Super Eagles Team Administrator Dayo Enebi, as well as Eagles goalkeepers’ trainer Alloy Agu and team media officer, Toyin Ibitoye,’’ he said in the statement.

    Olajire went on to quote Pinnick as saying during the visit:

    “We have come on behalf of the Government of Nigeria and the NFF to check up on you, find out how your recovery is going and to tell you that you are still very much on our minds and a member of the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

    “We have also come to seek your permission to be our special guest at the pre-World Cup friendly game against England at the Wembley Stadium on June 2.

    “We want you to perform the customary kick-off of that game and if you approve of it, we will immediately request this of The Football Association.”

    The NFF president further assured the goalkeeper that he would be fully captured in the team’s financial benefits for Nigeria’s qualification for the FIFA World Cup.

    “This is because we all remember the role you played in helping us get off to a winning start in the final phase of qualifiers in Ndola against Zambia.

    “We believe this is just a phase that will pass away. You will come out of it stronger and still be able to do what you love to do the best, both for your club and the Super Eagles of Nigeria.”

    Enebi, on his part, said: “On behalf of the team, we want to reassure you of our love. The entire team would have been here to see you if we were not playing against Serbia.

    “Coach Gernot Rohr, the technical and backroom staff are all praying for your speedy recovery. The team asked that I present this autographed jersey, signed by all the players, to you. It is our new kit for the World Cup.”

    Also, Agu had this to say: “As your goalkeeper coach in the national team, I know you are a fighter, you never give up. I believe these attributes will see you through. We will always be there for you as you recover from this illness.”

    An ecstatic Ikeme, moved by all the kind words, responded that he was so overwhelmed by the show of love.

    “I am indeed grateful to Nigerians who daily flood my phone with prayers and well wishes. I feel their love everywhere, everyday, on social media.

    “I thank the Government of Nigeria and the NFF for all the support and I appreciate my teammates so much for being there for me.”

     

    NAN

  • NFF boss, Pinnick says Nigeria capable, willing to host any FIFA event

    The President of the Nigeria Football Federation Amaju Pinnick has declared that the country is ready to host any major football programme.

    Pinnick made this known on Tuesday after the FIFA Executive Football Summit held at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    “We have the capacity and we have demonstrated this on several occasions, and we have a Government that is doing everything possible to encourage and enable the blossoming of sport as a key industry.

    Just as the FIFA President himself said at the AITEO-NFF Awards, football is life in Nigeria,” Pinnick said in an NFF press release.

    “On behalf of the Nigerian Football fraternity, I want to commend FIFA for their strong support for our football and for African Football at large. Mr. Gianni Infantino visited Nigeria for the first time in his tenure in July 2016, and after he left, we witnessed a turn-around in the fortunes of our football.

    I believe that after he leaves this time, our football will soar even higher, with great possibilities of dazzling the world at the FIFA World Cup in Russia.”

    The Summit, which was one of 12 FIFA Executive Football Summits planned for November 2017 and March 2018 and one of the cardinal programmes of FIFA President Infantino, was attended as well by CAF President Ahmad, FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura, FIFA Council members Kwesi Nyantakyi of Ghana and Sonia Bien Aime from Turks and Caicos Islands, alongside presidents of 17 Member Associations of FIFA: Lesotho, Mauritius, Namibia, Somalia, South Sudan, Swaziland, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Turks and Caicos Islands, Denmark, FYR Macedonia, Lithuania, San Marino, Sweden and host country Nigeria.

    Only two other cities in Africa – Nouakchott in Mauritania and Dar es Salaam in Tanzania – are among the 12 cities worldwide hosting the FIFA Executive Football Summits. Dar es Salaam takes its turn on Thursday this week while the curtain will be drawn on the meetings in Lima, Peru next week.