Sports
NFF To Name Super Eagles New Coach, Nov 8
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) says the new head coach of the Super Eagles will be announced on Nov. 8 to enable him to resume work on Dec. 1.
Deji Tinubu, the spokesman for the Executive Committee of the NFF, said in Abuja on Wednesday that the committee took the decision at its second meeting at the federation’s Glass House secretariat.
He said the two coaches who had applied for the job would be interviewed on Nov. 4, and listed the applicants as Samson Siasia and Stephen Keshi, both former Super Eagles players.
“They will be interviewed by the Technical Committee which will itself be inaugurated on Nov. 2,” Tinubu said.
The Tidesports reports that action on the employment of a new Super Eagles head coach had been on hold since the lingering Nigerian football crisis heightened.
Former Super Eagles defender Augustine Eguavoen has been in charge in a caretaker capacity after the dismal outing of the team in the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
The crisis had snowballed into court cases which made the Executive Committee not to perform, thus leading to FIFA’s suspension of Nigeria and later a provisional lifting of the ban.
The Executive Committee, which had just met following the withdrawal of a court case on Monday, also constituted four standing committees, including the Technical Committee headed by Chris Green, an Executive Committee member.
The 12-man Technical Committee also has former Green Eagles Captain Christian Chukwu, as well as former Super Eagles stars Garba Lawal, Victor Ikpeba and Austin Okocha as members.
Others are FIFA Technical Committee member Adegboye Onigbinde, CAF Media Committee member Paul Bassey, Garba Illa, Felix Anyansi-Agwu, who is the Vice-Chairman; Deji Tinubu and Austen Elumelu.
NFF’s Deputy General Secretary Emmanuel Ikpeme was named as the committee’s Secretary.
The football ruling body also set up the Referees Appointment Committee of seven members with Alhaji Muazu Suleiman as Chairman and Alhaji Ahmed Maude, the President of the Nigeria Referees Association, as Vice-Chairman.
“This will help the Nigerian Premier League of the 2010/2011 season to commence on Saturday, Nov. 6, as proposed by the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) Board,” Tinubu explained.
He also announced the setting up of the Appeals Committee with 13 members, headed by NFF Executive Chairman Aminu Maigari, as well as the Disciplinary Committee, headed by Olaleye Adepoju, with 12 other members serving on it.
“These committees were constituted to ensure that they begin to function immediately.
“The Executive Committee deferred the composition of the other committees to enable it to make wider consultations for qualified, credible and competent persons,” Tinubu said.
The NFF Executive Committee meeting was attended by eight of its members, alongside acting General Secretary Musa Amadu.
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.”