Sports
Sports Fans Task Administrators On FIFA
Worried by frequent threats by the world football governing board, FIFA on Nigeria, sports fans in Port Harcourt have called on football administrators in Nigeria to close ranks.
The suspension on Nigeria last week which had nearly scuttled the Nigerian versus Guinea Nations Cup qualifier has been lifted temporarily but a lot of unresolved issues could still attract the ban.
According to sports fan, Ekhaisomi Osaro, Nigeria football administrators should use the grace window to settle their differences.
Osaro noted that Nigeria as a giant of African football could not claim to be ignorant of FIFA rules, especially as it frowns at government interference.
The football authorities must ensure that they play according to the rules to avoid further friction with FIFA.
“We all know that we must have all the administrative structures in place and settle any football dispute outside the court house. Teams must also be relegated at the end of season, not what sports minister Isa Bio tried to do.
“So my advise to the authorities is to end their quarrels to have a clear road map towards developing the game in the country,” he added.
On his part, a keen soccer follower, Emmanuel Uchis commended FIFA for temporarily lifting the ban.
He said most football fans in the country were not happy over the development, as they expected FIFA to have intervened and explored other options of resolving the crisis rather than suspend the country.
“The issue is that the new NFF board was taken to court by registered footballers for coming into offices in a crooked way.
“I think this should worry any well meaning Nigerian as we all know that some of the state FA chairmen tenure have expired,” he explained.
“I therefore think the ban was too hasty but thank God, it has been lifted,” Emmanuel said.
It would be recalled that FIFA had unbanned Nigeria till October 26, 2010 after suspending it for flaunting its regulations.
The statement lifting the suspension reads, “The FIFA Emergency Committee decided today, 8 October, to provisionally lift the suspension of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). The decision was taken after observing that the situation had taken a positive turn in recent days, with the claimant at the origin of the court actions publicity committing himself to withdrawing his claims, the acting general secretary of the NFF returning to his post on October 5, 2010 and the issue of the Nigeria League being left totally within the ambit of the NFF,” the statement read.
In the same vein, sport fans on Tuesday in Lagos faulted FIFA’s claim that the Federal Government was interfering in the football administration in Nigeria.
The fans, who came under the aegis of sports stakeholders, urged the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to inform the world body that there was no government interference in soccer administration in Nigeria.
Speaking with newsmen, Martins Osaile, a sports and boxing promoter, said sports should be run by knowledgeable persons and not the ‘mafias’ who have hijacked it.
“There are some mafias behind the scene who do not want sports to move forward in this country, these people should first be flushed out of the system in order to revive sports,” he said.
Akonte Samuel
Pics 1: Fencing in action.
President of the Nigeria Fencing Federation, Adeyinka Samuel, has said the country will host a unique 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships as the first sub-Saharan nation to stage the tournament, Tidesports source reports.
The championship will be held in Lagos from August 9 to 14, with the federation announcing that Rugby School Nigeria will host the event.
The Commonwealth Fencing Federation formally awarded the hosting rights for the 2026 championships to Nigeria in March 2025.
“It is the third international tournament the country will host, having also become the first to stage a junior épée World Cup, which was held in Lagos in December 2024. Nigeria also hosted the 23rd African Fencing Championships last year.
Nigeria’s hosting will be unique in several ways. First, it will be the inaugural edition on African soil, giving it historic significance. Second, we are integrating development initiatives such as an international training camp to foster technical exchange. Finally, the event will showcase African hospitality, culture, and energy, offering athletes a rich experience beyond the competition,” Samuel said on Wednesday.
“Preparations have advanced steadily across competition planning, venue readiness, logistics, athlete services, and partnerships.”
He also noted that over 24 Commonwealth nations have already registered.
“We are organising a pre-championship international training camp in Lagos to unite athletes ahead of the competition. Everything is moving in the right direction, and our focus is on delivering a world-class event that reflects Nigeria’s ability to host major international tournaments.”
The last two tournaments hosted by Nigeria were held at Charterhouse Lagos, and Samuel explained the choice of Rugby School Nigeria for this championship.
“The venue was selected for its modern, state-of-the-art facilities and its proximity to hospitality, tourism, and entertainment hubs. This ensures athletes and officials will enjoy excellent accommodation, transport, and leisure options during their stay.”
While thanking the private sector for its support in organising the championship, the president also called for greater government intervention in the fast-growing sport.
“The private sector has shown encouraging support, with institutions like Rugby School Nigeria and companies such as Flour Mills of Nigeria backing the championships. However, stronger government involvement is needed. Hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships is a milestone achievement, and we believe institutional support will help Nigeria maximise the opportunity and deliver a truly memorable event.”
The final draw was concluded at CAF Headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, on Wednesday and posted on the body’s website.
Notably, hosts Morocco will face a North African showdown in Group A, drawn alongside Tunisia, Egypt, and Ethiopia.
Only the top two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals, making Group A particularly competitive.
Group B features former champions Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon, alongside Uganda and debutants DR Congo.
In Group C, 2015 and 2017 champions and last year’s runners-up, Mali, will meet Angola, Mozambique, and Tanzania.
Group D is led by 2023 champions Senegal, who will face South Africa (2015 runners-up),
The eight quarter-finalists from the tournament will automatically qualify for the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar.
The teams finishing third in each group will contest two play-off matches to determine the final two qualifiers, bringing the total number of African representatives at the global finals to ten nations.
2026 CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations – Groups:
- Group A: Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Ethiopia
- Group B: Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Uganda, DR Congo
- Group C: Mali, Angola, Tanzania, Mozambique
- Group D: Senegal, South Africa, Algeria, Ghana
Tidesports source reports that Nigeria will not feature at the tournament for the second consecutive edition.
The Golden Eaglets suffered a 2-0 defeat to rivals Ghana in the semi-finals of the WAFU Zone B qualifiers in September 2025, dashing their hopes of advancing to the finals.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria will begin their title defence at the 2026 Unity Cup with a semi-final clash against Zimbabwe on May 26 at The Valley in South London, Tidesports source reports.
The four-nation tournament, which also features Jamaica and India, returns to its historic venue after the success of the 2025 edition in Brentford, where Nigeria emerged champions.
The competition, scheduled to run from May 26 to 30, blends elite football with cultural celebration, bringing together Afrocentric and global diaspora communities.
Nigeria’s opening fixture against Zimbabwe serves as a rematch of their recent encounters in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, setting the stage for a highly competitive contest.
The winner will progress to the final on May 30, while the second semi-final between Jamaica and India will be played a day later.
President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Gusau, expressed confidence in the Super Eagles’ chances while acknowledging the quality of the opposition.
“The Nigeria Football Federation is pleased with another opportunity to see the Super Eagles compete at the highly exciting and entertaining Unity Cup Tournament,” Gusau said.
“As perennial champions, the Super Eagles will look to retain their title again this summer, even as they will not underrate the other participating teams viz India, Jamaica and Zimbabwe. The tournament promises to be explosive and that is the setting in which the Super Eagles thrive best.”
The Unity Cup will culminate in a finals day featuring both the third-place play-off and the final, alongside a festival atmosphere that includes cultural showcases, food exhibitions, and live performances.
Zimbabwe Football Association president Nqobile Magwizi described his nation’s participation as a landmark moment, highlighting the opportunity to compete on an international stage in England for the first time.
“The Unity Cup represents far more than a celebration of football and culture, it is a powerful platform that reflects Zimbabwe football’s growing ambition to compete, perform, and excel on the global stage,” Magwizi said.
With Nigeria seeking to retain their crown and rivals eager to make their mark, the opening clash against Zimbabwe is expected to set the tone for what promises to be a fiercely contested and culturally vibrant tournament.
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