Sports
NFA Declares Support For Keshi
The Technical and
Development Committee of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) has said that the association has no plans to hire a foreign technical assistant for Super Eagles head coach Stephen Keshi.
The committee said this last Wednesday after its meeting in Abuja, assuring that the NFA was ready to give Keshi all the support he needed to succeed.
Briefing newsmen after the meeting, a member of the committee, told newsmen the committee Emmanuel Ikpeme, needed to make clarifications on certain issues.
He said the task of participating at the Brazil 2014 World Cup was important and the NFA felt it was necessary to give the Super Eagles all-round support.
Ikpeme said the support was necessary “especially now that the Eagles are about to commence preparations for the World Cup in Brazil’’.
Keshi has led the Eagles to qualification for the 2014 World Cup slated for Brazil from June 12 to July 13.
Ikpeme, who is NFA’s Director, Technical, said the committee did not at any time approve or recommend the appointment of any foreign assistant for Keshi.
“It is absolutely very important to reiterate that at no point did the Technical and Development Committee of the NFA ever recommend for the appointment of a technical assistant to Keshi.
“Again, it is also important to reiterate that the NFA is committed to ensuring that Keshi has 100 per cent support of the football house.
“This is to ensure that we have a good outing at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil,’’ he said.
The NFA director also said Keshi has a running contract with the NFA, and that such a situation would make any negotiation he would have with any other football association baseless.
He, therefore, described as “mere speculation’’ the reported request by the South Africa Football Association (SAFA) for Keshi to come and negotiate with them on coaching the Bafana Bafana.
“To me, those reports are speculations. These are all media stories and I don’t think there is any element of truth in that,’’ Ikpeme said.
On Keshi’s request for the recall of Sylvanus Okpala, his sacked assistant coach, the NFA official said it was beyond his jurisdiction to comment on.
Speaking further on the committee’s meeting, Ikpeme said it has recommended to the NFA Executive Committee the upgrading of coach Manu Garba and one of his Golden Eaglets’ assistants.
“The committee had recommended the appointment of Garba as Head Coach of the national under-20 team, the Flying Eagles.
“The committee also recommended to the NFA board the appointment of Nduka Ugbade and Fancy Ewulu as Assistant Coach and Goalkeeper Coach respectively,’’ he said.
Ikpeme said the committee also recommended for the approval of the NFA board the obtaining of a compulsory NFA Coaching Licence for all indigenous coaches.
The Nigerian, who arrived in China fresh from winning gold at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Ghana earlier on Wednesday, clocked a season’s best of 12.41s behind Olympic champion Masai Russell and Bahamian star Devynne Charlton.
Russell produced a dominant display to win the race in a meeting record and world-leading time of 12.25s, improving on her previous world lead of 12.40s.
Charlton, the reigning world indoor champion, finished second in 12.38s in one of her strongest outdoor performances to date.
Amusan, whose world record of 12.12s remains the fastest time ever run in the event, improved significantly from her previous season’s best of 12.84s set during her victorious outing at the African Championships in Accra.
The 29-year-old was competing in a stacked field that included reigning world champion Ditaji Kambundji of Switzerland, Jamaican pair Megan Simmonds and Ackera Nugent, China’s Wu Yanni and Americans Tonea Marshall and Danielle Williams.
Kambundji, who won the world title in Tokyo last year with a Swiss record 12.24s, finished fifth in 12.82s, while Jamaica’s Nugent placed sixth in 12.98s.
Marshall and Williams failed to finish the race.
Following Amusan’s victory in Accra, the three-time Diamond League final winner expressed gratitude to her supporters while insisting she remained determined to achieve more success this season.
“Beyond grateful to God, my team, supporters, and everyone who continues to believe in me through every season. Historic feeling. Still hungry for more. The mission continues,”
The 10-time African champions are scheduled to take on the Teranga Lionesses on June 5 and 8 at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, in what will form a key part of their build-up to July’s continental tournament.
The fixtures were confirmed on social media platform X by Super Falcons Show, which announced the details of the encounter and venue.
“Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons, will take on Senegal Women’s National Team in a double-header international friendly scheduled for June 5 and 8,” the post read.
“Both matches will be played in Ikenne, Nigeria.”
The friendlies come after Nigeria’s proposed training tour of the United Kingdom, which included a planned match against Jamaica, was cancelled due to scheduling complications linked to FIFA’s official women’s international window. The timing meant clubs would not have been obliged to release players.
With that tour shelved, the Senegal fixtures now offer a timely opportunity for coach Justine Madugu and his technical team to assess squad options, test tactical systems and strengthen team cohesion ahead of the WAFCON campaign and longer-term qualification targets for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Senegal are expected to provide a competitive regional test, with their physical style and disciplined organisation likely to offer Nigeria a different tactical challenge across both matches.
The Super Falcons, who have dominated African women’s football for decades, will be aiming to use the double-header to fine-tune preparations as they pursue another continental title in Morocco next year.
Dr Bojuwoye, a seasoned medical professional with extensive experience in road running events across Nigeria, is expected to bring added value to the race through his expertise.
As medical director, his responsibilities will include overseeing emergency medical response, coordinating first aid stations along the course, ensuring athlete safety, and supervising medical volunteers and paramedics.
His role is critical in safeguarding the health of both elite and recreational runners, as well as spectators.
In addition to unveiling its new medical director, the organisers also announced five corporate partners for the 2026 edition.
The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Petralon Energy, Razzl Drink, Dan Oil, and Carloha Motors have joined as sponsors, reflecting the race’s growing appeal across diverse sectors of the Nigerian economy.
The Okpekpe race, organised by Pamodzi Sports Marketing Company, has steadily risen in prominence since becoming the first road race in Nigeria to earn World Athletics label status in 2015.
It has since advanced to Gold Label Race status, attracting elite athletes from around the world and cementing its reputation as one of Africa’s benchmark road-running competitions.
Edo State, under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebolo, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the race, citing its role in promoting tourism, community pride, and international recognition for the region.
Race Director Zack Amodu noted that the new partnerships underscore the event’s stature and its impact beyond sport.
We are delighted to welcome DBN, Petralon, Razzl, and Carloha Motors as partners for the 11th edition. Their support, alongside the backing of Edo State, not only strengthens the race but also reinforces its role as a platform for promoting excellence, youth empowerment, and community development,’ Amodu said.
Beyond its sporting significance, the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race has become a catalyst for social, health, and economic benefits.
It encourages fitness and healthy lifestyles, fosters social cohesion by bringing communities together, and generates economic activity through tourism, hospitality, and local commerce.
The event also showcases Edo State’s cultural vibrancy while contributing to Nigeria’s growing reputation in global athletics.
The 11th edition is expected to draw elite athletes, local participants, and international attention, further consolidating Nigeria’s place on the global athletics calendar.