Sports
Nigeria Loses FIFA Exco Seat
Former Secretary-General of Nigeria Football Association (NFA), Alhaji Sani Toro, says all hopes are not lost with the failure of Nigeria to retain a place on the FIFA Executive Committee.
Tidesports source reports that Nigeria’s candidate, Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima, on Wednesday lost in the elections held at the CAF 33rd Ordinary General Assembly in Khartoum, Sudan.
Galadima had placed last with five votes in the five-man race to fill two of Africa’s four slots on the FIFA Executive Committee, after the seats became vacant following a four-year tenure.
Algeria’s Mohamed Raouraoua won the race with 39 votes, and he is joined on the committee by Ivorien Jacques Anouma who scored 35 votes and is returning to his seat.
Seychelles’ Suketu Patel secured 12 votes, just as South Africa’s Danny Jordann also lost out after he managed only 10 votes, while former Zambian national captain Kalusha Bwalya had earlier quit the race.
Nigeria’s Amos Adamu who had been on the FIFA seat was not up for re-election after his suspension from all football-related activities by FIFA following corruption allegations.
Toro, while reacting to the election results, said the outcome was not unexpected in view of the manner of events which preceded the elections.
“Those of us who know some of them at FIFA had expected it to go this way. I never even expected Galadima to get five votes, I was thinking of something like two or three votes.
“The situation was made bad by the confusion over whether Adamu would win his appeal, and the delay this brought about in campaigning for Galadima really affected us,’’ he said.
Toro who is a CAF Match Commissioner however refused to blame the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) for the situation that led to Galadima’s loss.
“I don’t think we should blame the NFA. The association had nominated Adamu before his problem with FIFA, and when this came up, it sent Galadima’s name as a replacement.
“There were several instructions here and there later, which created a confusion, and in that situation it was difficult to get Galadima’s campaign on the move,’’ he said.
The former Bauchi State Youths and Sports Commissioner however believes all hopes are not yet lost, saying the important issue now should be how to get the CAF hierarchy to do Nigeria’s bidding.
“There is still hope. We have always supported CAF in all its activities, and CAF President Issa Hayatou is fully aware of this. So, all of them there at CAF need to be told that Nigeria deserves the seat.
“Though CAF’s Article 22 Sub-Section 12 stipulate that if there is a vacancy on its Executive Committee, a replacement should come from the zone whose member is out, but we still needs to convince others that Nigeria deserves it first in view of its contributions,’’ he said.
Toro however urged suspended CAF Executive Committee member Amos Adamu to do a more careful study of his case against the world football governing body at the Court of Arbitration in Sports (CAS).
“We need to do a more careful study of the situation in order to move forward, and Adamu has to do a re-think on his stance.
“He should look again at his case, and if he knows he’s not going to win, he should just allow Galadima to go on to replace him so that Nigeria will not lose the CAF seat also.
“We have already lost one, we should not lose two, and Nigeria as a country is greater than any individual,’’ he said.
The Nigerian, who arrived in China fresh from winning gold at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Ghana earlier on Wednesday, clocked a season’s best of 12.41s behind Olympic champion Masai Russell and Bahamian star Devynne Charlton.
Russell produced a dominant display to win the race in a meeting record and world-leading time of 12.25s, improving on her previous world lead of 12.40s.
Charlton, the reigning world indoor champion, finished second in 12.38s in one of her strongest outdoor performances to date.
Amusan, whose world record of 12.12s remains the fastest time ever run in the event, improved significantly from her previous season’s best of 12.84s set during her victorious outing at the African Championships in Accra.
The 29-year-old was competing in a stacked field that included reigning world champion Ditaji Kambundji of Switzerland, Jamaican pair Megan Simmonds and Ackera Nugent, China’s Wu Yanni and Americans Tonea Marshall and Danielle Williams.
Kambundji, who won the world title in Tokyo last year with a Swiss record 12.24s, finished fifth in 12.82s, while Jamaica’s Nugent placed sixth in 12.98s.
Marshall and Williams failed to finish the race.
Following Amusan’s victory in Accra, the three-time Diamond League final winner expressed gratitude to her supporters while insisting she remained determined to achieve more success this season.
“Beyond grateful to God, my team, supporters, and everyone who continues to believe in me through every season. Historic feeling. Still hungry for more. The mission continues,”
The 10-time African champions are scheduled to take on the Teranga Lionesses on June 5 and 8 at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, in what will form a key part of their build-up to July’s continental tournament.
The fixtures were confirmed on social media platform X by Super Falcons Show, which announced the details of the encounter and venue.
“Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons, will take on Senegal Women’s National Team in a double-header international friendly scheduled for June 5 and 8,” the post read.
“Both matches will be played in Ikenne, Nigeria.”
The friendlies come after Nigeria’s proposed training tour of the United Kingdom, which included a planned match against Jamaica, was cancelled due to scheduling complications linked to FIFA’s official women’s international window. The timing meant clubs would not have been obliged to release players.
With that tour shelved, the Senegal fixtures now offer a timely opportunity for coach Justine Madugu and his technical team to assess squad options, test tactical systems and strengthen team cohesion ahead of the WAFCON campaign and longer-term qualification targets for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Senegal are expected to provide a competitive regional test, with their physical style and disciplined organisation likely to offer Nigeria a different tactical challenge across both matches.
The Super Falcons, who have dominated African women’s football for decades, will be aiming to use the double-header to fine-tune preparations as they pursue another continental title in Morocco next year.
Dr Bojuwoye, a seasoned medical professional with extensive experience in road running events across Nigeria, is expected to bring added value to the race through his expertise.
As medical director, his responsibilities will include overseeing emergency medical response, coordinating first aid stations along the course, ensuring athlete safety, and supervising medical volunteers and paramedics.
His role is critical in safeguarding the health of both elite and recreational runners, as well as spectators.
In addition to unveiling its new medical director, the organisers also announced five corporate partners for the 2026 edition.
The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Petralon Energy, Razzl Drink, Dan Oil, and Carloha Motors have joined as sponsors, reflecting the race’s growing appeal across diverse sectors of the Nigerian economy.
The Okpekpe race, organised by Pamodzi Sports Marketing Company, has steadily risen in prominence since becoming the first road race in Nigeria to earn World Athletics label status in 2015.
It has since advanced to Gold Label Race status, attracting elite athletes from around the world and cementing its reputation as one of Africa’s benchmark road-running competitions.
Edo State, under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebolo, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the race, citing its role in promoting tourism, community pride, and international recognition for the region.
Race Director Zack Amodu noted that the new partnerships underscore the event’s stature and its impact beyond sport.
We are delighted to welcome DBN, Petralon, Razzl, and Carloha Motors as partners for the 11th edition. Their support, alongside the backing of Edo State, not only strengthens the race but also reinforces its role as a platform for promoting excellence, youth empowerment, and community development,’ Amodu said.
Beyond its sporting significance, the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race has become a catalyst for social, health, and economic benefits.
It encourages fitness and healthy lifestyles, fosters social cohesion by bringing communities together, and generates economic activity through tourism, hospitality, and local commerce.
The event also showcases Edo State’s cultural vibrancy while contributing to Nigeria’s growing reputation in global athletics.
The 11th edition is expected to draw elite athletes, local participants, and international attention, further consolidating Nigeria’s place on the global athletics calendar.
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