Sports
NFF Warns Sharks, Defends Denial Of Ticket CAF Confed Cup
The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF has issued a thinly disguised threat to Sharks, as the Port Harcourt club continue to press their claims for a place in the CAF Confederation Cup.
Warri Wolves, who finished fourth in the League, were awarded the ticket at the expense of Federation Cup finalists Sharks, and the Garden City club are refusing to roll over.
Sharks and the Rivers State Football Association have argued, citing CAF Regulations and precedence that they should have been rightfully awarded the slot, but NFF Secretary General Bolaji Ojo-Oba disagrees and issued a subtle threat in the process.
“We are surprised at the attitude of the Rivers State Football Association and their agents, who have been employing inelegant language in their correspondence with the Nigeria Football Federation. The football world has order and structure; it is not an animal kingdom.
“While the fellows have been arguing that the CAF Confederation Cup regulation did not expressly make mention of a fourth–placed team in the League, they have also failed to show us where the regulation expressly made mention of a second–placed team in the Federation Cup.
“Their argument has been desperate and porous, their inferences have been poor and irrelevant, and the instances they have been drawing up do not match. We will not exchange gutter language with them, but they should be very careful at this stage,” Ojo-Oba was quoted as saying in a press statement released by the NFF Media Officer Ademola Olajire.
Ojo-Oba went on to argue that the decision by the Federation to award the 2010 CAF Confederation Cup second slot to Warri Wolves FC was in the best interest of the nation.
“If we didn’t pick the Cup winner, Enyimba FC, we would have had only one slot for the CAF Confederation Cup, meaning that we would have on our own forfeited one slot as a result of not entering the Cup winner.
“CAF made it clear that the Cup winner must have a slot in the Confederation Cup, and failing which any country which hitherto had two slots would only be able to register one team. What we have done is in the best interest of the nation and we have explained the position to all reasonable stakeholders.”
The National Division One and Division Two Volleyball Leagues organised by the Volleyball Federation of Nigeria and sponsored by Alex Otti has kicked off in Umuahia, Abia State.
The Championship features 34 teams from across the country, with about 22 States already participating in activities lined up for the ten-day event.
Addressing journalists at the Umuahia Stadium, the Referee Coach for the tournament and Vice Chairman Nigerian Volleyball Referees Association, Mohamed Mohamed, assured of fair officiating in the competition and advised the athletes to be more disciplined in the field of play, saying that volleyball is known to be a disciplined sport.
He also commended Governor Alex Otti for sponsoring the tournament for the second time.
“Last year, we were here, and we so appreciate the Abia State Government for sponsoring such a competition. The same thing happened this year too, we are here again.
The Coordinator, Lagos Women Run, Tayo Popoola, has stated that the All Women 10km Race aims to connect through their communities, while creating empowerment opportunities.
The 10th edition with the theme: “One Run, a thousand Opportunities,” will come up on the November 8th, 2025, with the start point at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere and end at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Arena, Onikan.
This year’s edition of the Lagos Women Run marks a significant milestone, celebrating the program’s journey, the vibrant city of Lagos, and the incredible women who have been part of it since its inception.
It will focus more on empowering women, acknowledging their dedication, and ensuring the program’s sustainability by providing participants with opportunities they deserve.
Popoola added that the race has achieved remarkable success in making women happy and uncovering talents, serving as a platform for participants to train for bigger road races, which fosters a strong sense of community, allowing women of all ages to connect, network, and celebrate themselves.
The event’s non-discriminatory nature makes it a level playing ground, open to everyone regardless of social status, by promoting general well-being among women.
The Franco-Malian tactician made the bold declaration whilst speaking to Nigerian legend Segun Odegbami on 90 Minutes with Mathematical on Eagle7FM on Saturday, expressing gratitude to fans for their support.
“Thanks to the fans. Thanks to Nigeria. I am so happy that I have brought back the smiles on their faces,” Chelle said.
“We beat Benin because the fans pushed the players. I ask them this: They have to do this (for the playoffs)… I plan to do my best for Nigeria, and Inshallah, we will go to the FIFA World Cup.”
Chelle, who took charge of a struggling Nigerian side in January, has transformed the team’s fortunes after inheriting a squad on the brink of disaster. Nigeria were winless in their first four qualifiers, with three draws and one defeat threatening to derail another World Cup dream.
Under his leadership, the Super Eagles rallied to win four and draw two of their last six games, collecting 14 points from a possible 18. The highlight came earlier this month in Uyo, where Nigeria swept past Benin Republic 4-0 in a statement victory that reignited national belief.
However, the revival was not enough to seal automatic qualification. Nigeria finished among the four best runners-up in Africa and must now navigate a continental playoff in November for a spot in next March’s intercontinental tie.
The first challenge is a one-legged showdown with Gabon, with Cameroon or DR Congo potentially waiting beyond.
Chelle’s message to his players was uncompromising, saying, “Qualifying for the FIFA World Cup is not a war, but it is like a war… My players need to have a warrior state of mind… They have to be like sharks.”