Sports
Nigerians United Against NFF, Divided On Govt’s Action
Reactions has started to trail the decision taken by the Federal government, that the Nigeria nation would not participate in international football competitions for at least two years.
According to the Federal government, the decision was sequel to the unimpressive performance of the national team at the ongoing World Cup in South Africa and the need to reform the football system to enable the country have a formidable football structure.
In his reactions, the Chief Coach of Sharks FC, Imama Amapakabo condemned the decision, saying that the consequences of the action would be enormous if the decision is implemented.
According to Amapakabo, the best way to improve Nigeria football is to restructure the administration of the football house.
“Personally, I do not support the idea of the two years suspension, because it will hinder our progress in the game”.
He suggested that the government should use the anti-graft agencies sanitized the system.
He also said that government should initiate a long term grassroots football programme, by going to schools to discover and mean real youth players.
“My brother, I’ll want the government to use any other means to reform the system, the decision cannot solve the problem”, Amapakabo said.
Simeon Ojoko, the team manager of Gateway Church Football academy, on his part described the decision as a good one.
According to him, Nigerian’s Football is in a real mess, besides members of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have reached their peak and as a result lack good ideas to move game forward.
Ojoko, however expressed sadness, saying even though the decision would create room for reforming Nigeria football it will also affect un-coming young talents and one or more generation could lose the opportunity to explore their potentials.
“I like the government decision. But my fears is that it will affect the progressive system of our football and that is not too good for us” he said.
James Onoja, a sports analyst, in his reaction disagree with the decision, he made it clear that the action is a wrong one.
According to Onoja, the best approach to reform football is to dissolve NFF and the team, because both arms have failed in various aspects, not to suspend international football activities.
In his reactions, the technical adviser Dolphins FC, Stanley Eguma said the decision is a welcomed development that will actually sanitized football administration, but is also a harsh one.
According to Eguma, if the decision would not be contrary to FIFA rules and regulations, it is the best action.
“It is a good decision, and appreciate, but it should be inline with the runs of FIFA”.
Tonye Orabere
The Nigeria Football Federation has defended the recent quarter-finals draw for the 2025 President Federation Cup, saying it was conducted in line with best global practices.
A member of the NFF Executive Committee Board, George Aluo, stated that criticism over venues for the quarterfinals was unfortunate.
Going by the fixtures released on Saturday by the football body, Abakaliki FC will take on Nasarawa United in Benin, Wikki Tourists will clash with Ikorodu City in Bwari, Abuja, Akwa United and Kwara United will fight it out in Enugu, just as Area 3, Abuja, will host the encounter between Rangers International and Plateau United. All matches are scheduled for May 3rd for the emergence of semifinalists in a leg affair.
However, there have been criticisms over the Ikorodu United vs Wikki Tourist tie billed for Abuja, with a section of the press saying the venue is skewed in favour of the Bauchi team.
Aluo, also the Chairman of the Nigeria National League (NNL), said: “Some of our media men need better education, and newsmen should not be like the fans out there on the streets. In the English FA Cup, it is always a one-legged pairing that can see a club like Arsenal host Manchester United at home”.
A new contract that will see Act Sports Di Oyibo Limited managing the career of Nigerian teqball specialist, Victor Oyemade, has been signed in Lagos.
The deal gives exclusive rights to Act Sports to manage, and exercise power of attorney over issues relating to the player’s welfare as it concerns his transactions, engagement for professional, promotional, sponsorships, endorsements, and exhibition purposes.
In signing the document, both parties also agreed that proper safeguards would be put in place to protect and promote the player’s interest at all times.
Director of Act Sports, Di Oyibo Limited, Pastor Samuel Robinson Oyibo, excited about the deal, said it would benefit both parties in the area of spreading the message of the sport, as well as laying a firm foundation for his new client’s future.
“Teqball is one of the world’s fastest-growing ball sports, and Victor Oyemade is the face of the sport here in Nigeria and Africa. That is why we are excited about this partnership that gives Act Sports official authorisation to manage his career, just as it will lay the foundation for its rapid growth in our country,” Pastor Oyibo said.
Oyemade was no less excited about the deal, saying it would help his growth in the sport.
Coaches of Nigeria’s U-18 and U-20 women’s handball teams have released their final lists of 14 players ahead of the IHF Women’s Trophy Zonal Phase, which will be held in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, that commenced yesterday to end 24th of this month.
The two teams have been training at the Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba, Lagos, for close to two weeks and departed for the competition on Thursday.
Coach John Uzor of the national U-18 team has included Omole Joy of Defender Babes and her sister Omole Shola alongside Ojie Princess of Funad Academy alongside right back Faisat Balogun in the mix while Success Duru, Chetachi Ngaodurubie of COAS Babes and Sharon Okonkwo make the cut, amongst other players.
In the U-20 team, Coach Shittu Agboola has largely stuck with the players he has been grooming since their U-18 days. The team is led by Captain Chidera Ogbusimba alongside, her Rima Queens teammates the Samuel Sisters, Amina Mohammed and Joy Peters.
Israel-based Rahima Bello, Kehinde Babatunde of ASPAC HBC of Benin Republic and Esther Mathew, who is also based in Benin Republic, keep their places.
Coach Shittu believes his team will make Nigeria proud just as they did previously at the U-18 level.
“I am really upset that Taiwo Babatunde will not be part of the team for this competition as her school, Yaba College of Technology, insisted that they will not release her for national service because of examinations.
“We did everything humanly possible to secure her release and they didn’t care that it is a national service for the interest of Nigeria and the growth of sports. We have other players who are also students and they got a release from their schools but for no tangible reason, Yabatech refused to release Taiwo despite the fact that we did everything possible to secure her release. It’s sad and I hope the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Sports Commission will work in tandem so that schools will support our goal in making Nigeria proud in sporting events”.