Sports
NFF Wants Overhaul Of Eaglets’ Crew
The Technical Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has recommended a total review of the technical crew of the Golden Eaglets, the Federation said in Abuja last week.
The Federation’s Chief Media Officer, Mr Ademola Olajire, told newsmen that the recommendation was part of the committee’s decisions at its most recent meeting.
The committee, headed by NFF Executive Committee member, Mr Chris Green, had met at the Federation’s Glass House Secretariat in Abuja early last week, to deliberate on some issues.
“The committee thinks a total review of the Eaglets’ technical crew is necessary, given the fact that the team failed to qualify for the next edition of the African Junior Championship.”
“It decided on this move, in line with the Federation’s determination to avoid any age-cheating controversy and the fact that the team should be the bedrock of our football development,” Olajire said.
It will be recalled that the Eaglets’ coaching crew was headed by Monday Odigie, who had assisted John Obuh in the Eaglets’ team that finished second at the 2009 FIFA Under-17 World Cup held in Nigeria.
He said the committee, in line with NFF’s determination on grassroots football development, also decided to propose guidelines for the establishment of football academies in the country.
“This has been on ground some time, and in fact there is a proposal before the NFF Technical Department on this.”
“The committee is now going to fast-track action on this and very soon it will come up with the guidelines,” the NFF spokesman said.
Olajire, who pointed out that all the committee’s decisions were recommendations to the NFF Executive Committee, said the committee also discussed the restructuring of the Federation’s Technical Department.
“The Committee proposed to restructure the Federation’s Technical Department in line with international standards and according to the yearnings of Nigerians.”
“In addition to this, it is proposing training programmes for all Nigerian football coaches in order to update them on the game’s modern techniques and tactics.”
“To add to that and ensure home-grown football talents are adequately harnessed, the committee is considering using technical assessors for all league matches played in the country,’’ he said.
On the issue of the new Super Eagles head coach’s programme, Olajire said the committee approved the programme submitted by Samson Siasia in the short term.
“A part of this programme saw Siasia departing for Europe at the weekend to meet with a number of Nigerian international players who are abroad.”
“He will discuss with them, outline his programme to them and they will discuss on how to work together,’’ he said.
The NFF spokesman, however, said the committee was still holding consultations with Siasia on the issue of the Eagles’ backroom staff and would make its decision known very soon.
He disclosed further that the Technical Committee also approved the recommendation of the appointment of Augustine Eguavoen, as Head Coach of the national Under-23 men’s team.
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”.