Sports
FIFA Lifts Nigeria’s Suspension NFF Hails Stakeholders
The executive committee of world football governing body, the international football Federation (FIFA), on Friday in Zurich, Switzerland lifted the suspension on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
Tidesports source reports that the decision was one of many decisions taken at its meeting held from Oct. 28 to Oct. 29, and chaired by FIFA President Sepp Blatter.
FIFA had on Oct. 4 suspended Nigeria from international football on the strength of what it termed “government interference,’’ while it had provisionally lifted the suspension on Oct. 8.
The football body said its decision on Friday was based on the fact that the NFF executive committee “could now work without hindrance’’.
“This is after receiving confirmation that the court actions against elected members of the NFF had ceased, and that they can now work without hindrance,’’ a statement on FIFA website said.
Tidesports source reports that the peaceful resolution of the crisis in Nigerian football house had culminated in the striking out on Oct. 25 of the court case against the NFF Executive Committee.
The case had been instituted by the National Association of Nigerian Footballers (NANF), led by Harrison Jalla.
The development had paved way for the committee’s subsequent meeting on Oct. 27 and Oct. 28 at the NFF Glass House secretariat in Abuja.
NFF’s Assistant Chief Media Officer, Alhaji Abdulbaki Ibrahim, confirmed the receipt of FIFA’s letter to NFF on Friday in an interview with newsmen.
“We have received a statement from FIFA’s General Secretary, Mr Jerome Valcke, informing us of the decision, and the world football ruling body said it has taken note of recent positive developments in taking its decision.
“These positive developments had led to the re-instatement of the Acting General Secretary as well as the reversal of the idea of a 24-club Premier League season,’’ he said.
Reacting to FIFA’s lifting of the suspension, NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, said he could only express gratitude to all Nigerian football stakeholders who made the development possible.
“We are grateful, especially to the Sports Minister, Alhaji Isa Bio, the Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Chief Patrick Ekeji, as well as the chairmen and members of the Sports Committees of both the Senate and House of Representatives.
“All of them played various roles in ensuring a successful resolution of the crisis,’’ he added.
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”.