Sports
Mixed Reactions Trail FIFA Ban
Following the recent
ban placed on Nigeria by World Football governing body, FIFA, over what it sees as government’s interference, which will bar the country from participating in any international games, Nigeria are sharply divided over its propriety and impact.
While some see it as an ill-wind that would take the country several years back in the game, some said that it would be a blessing in disguise.
FIFA had in a letter dated July 4, 2014 demanded for the immediate reinstatement of the ousted Aminu Maigari-led board of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, which was removed in line with an order from a High Court in Jos.
The world body insisted that the ban will only be lifted once the court action is withdrawn and the ousted executive committee members reinstated.
According to a coach with Rivers State Sport Council, who did not want is name in print, the ban is a huge setback for the country and underlines the many problems trailing the organization and administration of football in Nigeria. He called on the authorities to do the right thing that would lead to the lifting of the ban.
Former Super Eagles Coach, Christian Chukwu expressed disappointment over the ban and feared for the future of the game. “I am sad to hear that FIFA has banned us. From all indications, if things are not done according to FIFA, we will miss out of the 2015 African Cup of Nations, our U-20 girls won’t play in Canada and lots more. Our football will suffer a lot as this can only take us backwards,” Chukwu said.
Coach Justin Jenger said it was a shame that we have to do the right thing by FIFA. “This is the saddest thing ever to happen to Nigerian football, where are we heading now?” he queried rhetorically.
But the Assistant Coach of Rivers Angels FC, Port Harcourt, Whyte Ogbonda threw his support behind the sacking of the NFF board and said that if the FIFA ban is the price the country has to pay to reorganize the administration of football in Nigeria, let it be so.
Ogbonda said that the ban would turn out to be a good omen that may help Nigeria. He urged the authorities in Nigeria not to placate FIFA by reinstating the ousted NFF board, describing the NFF as a very corrupt institution that has been running the game aground.
When reminded that the ban would affect even club-sides on continental assignments, the coach said that such clubs should persevere and see it as a sacrifice or the rebirth of the sector in Nigeria. He however urged that the period of the ban should be used to restructure football administration.
Meanwhile, former FIFA Adviser and member of FIFA Study Group, Festus Onigbinde has urged Nigeria to call the bluff of the world body, while he wants Nigeria to obey FIFA, he wants government to hands off football sponsorship.
According to Onigbinde, he who pays the piper dictates the tune and if FIFA doesn’t consider Nigerian government’s sponsorship and investment in football as interference but intervention as a result of court order to ensure peace and order as interference, then my advice is that the government of Nigeria should hands off entirely the financing and sponsorship of the game in the country. Let the administrators removed by the NFF congress be reinstated and start sponsoring football all alone without the support of the government of Nigeria.
“If FIFA says we should bring them back, let’s do so but they must look for their own money to run their affairs because giving them money will also amount to interference. What the nation should do now is to sit down and restructure our football physically and technically.”
Brian Brobbey scored a dramatic 90th-minute winner as Sunderland came from behind to beat Newcastle United in a thrilling Tyne-Wear derby at St James’ Park.
Newcastle had been on target for their first home victory in this fixture since 2010 when Anthony Gordon gave the hosts a ninth-minute lead.
Sunderland played out from the back but defender Luke O’Nien’s pass was intercepted by Nick Woltemade and he gave it to Gordon, who did the rest to score his 17th goal of the season.
The hosts almost made it 2-0 just before the break, but Sven Botman headed against the post following a cross from left-back Lewis Hall, one of five Newcastle players to be included in Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad.
Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, another called up by Tuchel, did not get great distance on a punch, the ball was played back into the box, Brobbey chested it goalwards and Dan Burn cleared off the line, only for Chemsdine Talbi to fire in the rebound.
Noah Sadiki had a chance to put Sunderland ahead, only for him to shoot at Ramsdale.
Yet it did not prove costly as Brobbey scored the late winner, to the delight of the away fans, when he converted a rebound from close range after Ramsdale saved his first attempt.
The result gives Sunderland their first league double over Newcastle since 2014-15.
Rangers International technical adviser Fidelis Ilechukwu has credited his recent stint with the Super Eagles under head coach Eric Chelle as a major factor behind the club’s resurgence in the Nigeria Premier Football League title race, Tidesports source reports.
Speaking ahead of Rangers’ matchday 31 fixture against El Kanemi Warriors in Enugu, Ilechukwu said the experience gained at international level has significantly influenced his approach, particularly in the areas of intensity, discipline and overall team structure.
“Change is constant in life. After working closely with Eric Chelle, the mentality I got from him is not an easy one. The training sessions are super intense, about 80 per cent of what we do now is heavy training,” he said.
Ilechukwu maintained that the discipline and structure he adopted during his time with the national team have translated directly into improved performances at the club level.
“I think my return has had a positive impact defensively, offensively, everything. The preparation, the pep talks, the quality, it gives confidence. I came back with an advantage,” he said.
Rangers have enjoyed a remarkable run since his return from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, losing just once in 11 matches, with six wins, four draws and seven clean sheets propelling them firmly into contention.
They currently sit second on the table with 50 points, just one behind leaders Rivers United, with eight matches remaining in the season.
Despite their strong position, Ilechukwu insisted his side will not be weighed down by pressure as the title race intensifies.
“There is no different message, we don’t want to be under pressure because of the league. We take it one game after the other, after this game we talk about the next one,” he said.
He added that his players possess the necessary qualities to compete at the highest level.
“They understand what it takes to win. They have the attitude, the capacity, the character, and they understand what we want. To me, we are always ready,” he said.
While acknowledging the strength of Rivers United, Ilechukwu maintained that the title race remains open heading into the final stretch of the campaign.
“They are the strongest team, but you never can tell what will happen. We are also strong. In the remaining games, we will fight more and stay at the top of our game but without pressure,” he said.
Having guided Rangers to the NPFL title in the 2023/24 season, Ilechukwu is now aiming to secure his second league crown in three years as the Enugu side continue their pursuit of the title.
Odegbami described CAF’s decision to overturn the Jan. 18 final result as “bizarre, condemnable and unjustifiable.”
As reported by Tidesports source on Saturday, he noted that Senegal were crowned champions and celebrated globally before the verdict was reversed on technical grounds.
“It is unheard of in football history. You cannot take away a trophy won on the pitch two months after,” he said.
Odegbami said the decision had sparked outrage among football fans and stakeholders worldwide.
“This judgment has shaken CAF’s credibility. It is not surprising the world is up in arms,” he added.
The ex-Nigerian Football Legend questioned the motive behind the decision, describing it as risky and unpopular.
“What could have driven such a decision that undermines the spirit of the game?” he asked.
Odegbami said although football regulations may not cover every situation, rare cases require wisdom.
“This AFCON case demands that rules and common sense must align,” he said.
He recalled that Senegal were crowned by CAF and FIFA officials before a global audience.
“Two months later, CAF delivered what I call a ‘poisoned verdict’ through its Appeals Committee,” he said.
Odegbami explained that Morocco’s protest, earlier dismissed, was later upheld on appeal.
“The decision to reverse a final match result is one of the most unpopular ever,” he said..
He said the rules on walkouts are clear but must be applied with context.
According to him, Senegal players walked off after a late penalty was awarded to Morocco, staying away for 17 minutes.
“Ordinarily, that attracts forfeiture, but the referee allowed play to resume, which changed everything,” he said.
Odegbami noted that petitions can alter results but argued that the AFCON final was different.
“If this were a qualifier, nobody would question the CAF’s decision. But this was the final,” he said.
He stressed that the trophy had been awarded and celebrations concluded before the reversal.
“There was no room for post-match litigation in a final of this magnitude,” he said.
Odegbami maintained that the referee’s decision to restart play nullified the forfeiture clause.
“The match resumed, Morocco missed the penalty, Senegal scored and won fairly,” he said.
He insisted that CAF had no justification to overturn the result after recognising a winner.
“Punish any infractions if necessary, but do not tamper with a concluded final,” he said.
Odegbami urged CAF to review its regulations and restore Senegal as champions.
“For now, CAF should retrace its steps and return the trophy to Senegal,” he advised.