Sports
NFA Declares Support For Keshi
The Technical and
Development Committee of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) has said that the association has no plans to hire a foreign technical assistant for Super Eagles head coach Stephen Keshi.
The committee said this last Wednesday after its meeting in Abuja, assuring that the NFA was ready to give Keshi all the support he needed to succeed.
Briefing newsmen after the meeting, a member of the committee, told newsmen the committee Emmanuel Ikpeme, needed to make clarifications on certain issues.
He said the task of participating at the Brazil 2014 World Cup was important and the NFA felt it was necessary to give the Super Eagles all-round support.
Ikpeme said the support was necessary “especially now that the Eagles are about to commence preparations for the World Cup in Brazil’’.
Keshi has led the Eagles to qualification for the 2014 World Cup slated for Brazil from June 12 to July 13.
Ikpeme, who is NFA’s Director, Technical, said the committee did not at any time approve or recommend the appointment of any foreign assistant for Keshi.
“It is absolutely very important to reiterate that at no point did the Technical and Development Committee of the NFA ever recommend for the appointment of a technical assistant to Keshi.
“Again, it is also important to reiterate that the NFA is committed to ensuring that Keshi has 100 per cent support of the football house.
“This is to ensure that we have a good outing at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil,’’ he said.
The NFA director also said Keshi has a running contract with the NFA, and that such a situation would make any negotiation he would have with any other football association baseless.
He, therefore, described as “mere speculation’’ the reported request by the South Africa Football Association (SAFA) for Keshi to come and negotiate with them on coaching the Bafana Bafana.
“To me, those reports are speculations. These are all media stories and I don’t think there is any element of truth in that,’’ Ikpeme said.
On Keshi’s request for the recall of Sylvanus Okpala, his sacked assistant coach, the NFA official said it was beyond his jurisdiction to comment on.
Speaking further on the committee’s meeting, Ikpeme said it has recommended to the NFA Executive Committee the upgrading of coach Manu Garba and one of his Golden Eaglets’ assistants.
“The committee had recommended the appointment of Garba as Head Coach of the national under-20 team, the Flying Eagles.
“The committee also recommended to the NFA board the appointment of Nduka Ugbade and Fancy Ewulu as Assistant Coach and Goalkeeper Coach respectively,’’ he said.
Ikpeme said the committee also recommended for the approval of the NFA board the obtaining of a compulsory NFA Coaching Licence for all indigenous coaches.
The Ardova Handball Premier League 2025, which began with the first phase in Benin City months ago, before the second phase in Lagos which ends with a finale that the Executive Chairman of Ardova PLC, Dr. Abdulwasiu Sowami, ably represented by the Deputy Managing Director, Ardova PLC, Mrs Abiola Babatunde-Ojo, described as delightful to watch in her speech.
For Safety Shooters, it was a historic moment as they clinched the men’s title for the first time since 2020, completing a dominant campaign that saw them finish top of the table with 57 points from 20 matches while Safety Babes also etched their name deeper into Nigerian handball history, winning an unprecedented fifth consecutive women’s championship, reaffirming their status as the league’s most dominant team, not just in the women’s category but in the history of handball premier league in Nigeria.
In the Men’s Safety Shooters finished the season in style, beating COAS Shooters 43–32 (20–10) to cap off a dominant outing in Phase 2.
Their final-day victory ensured they remained clear at the summit with an impressive 18 wins, one draw, and one loss, totaling a superb goal difference of +214 after scoring 638 goals and conceding 424.
The organisers of the Ikoyi Club Tennis Masters Tournament have earmarked N4 million as the prize money for this year’s edition.
?The Chairman of the tennis section of Ikoyi Club, Diran Famakinwa, stated this at a briefing, highlighting the activities for the second edition of the tournament.
?The tournament, which is in collaboration with MegaMound Investment Limited, is endorsed by the Nigerian Tennis Federation.
?According to Famakinwa, the male and female champions will receive N500,000 each, while the runners-up in both categories will go home with the sum of N350,000 each, with the remaining money to be shared among the semi-finalists and other participants.
?Sixteen players, which includes the eight top ?male and eight top female players, will feature in the one-week event, which started on December 5, and run till Saturday, December 13.
?The female final will be held on Friday, December 12, while the male final will take up on Saturday, December 13.
In a statement released on Saturday, the NSC described the defender as “Captain Fantastic” and praised his decade of distinguished service to Nigeria, highlighting a legacy defined by professionalism, consistency, patriotism and an unwavering commitment to national duty.
“After a decade of distinguished service to Nigeria, Troost-Ekong leaves behind a legacy defined by professionalism, consistency, patriotism and an unwavering commitment to national duty,” the NSC stated.
The commission noted that, as one of the most capped defenders in Super Eagles history with 83 international appearances since his debut in 2015, Troost-Ekong served as a pillar of leadership across multiple tournaments and qualification campaigns.
“His exceptional outing at the last Africa Cup of Nations, where he scored three goals and was named Player of the Tournament, remains one of the most remarkable achievements by a defender in AFCON history,” the NSC added.
The statement further emphasised that Troost-Ekong’s “Nigeria first” mindset, discipline and exemplary conduct set a standard for the next generation of athletes, with his influence within the national team extending beyond the pitch to inspire unity, resilience and professionalism among his teammates.
Meanwhile, Troost-Ekong has dismissed rumours that he was forced to retire by the country’s football administrators as punishment for leading a revolt against the NFF.
The 32-year-old’s announcement came less than a month before the AFCON, and he was named in the 54-man preliminary list. His decision sparked speculation, particularly as he had led a strike in protest against unpaid bonuses during the World Cup qualifying play-offs.
One fan speculated on social media, suggesting that Troost-Ekong was pressured to quit after exposing the NFF. The Al Khoolood defender offered a sharp retort, establishing that he unilaterally made the decision to retire.
“Not true! My own choice/decision and on my own terms. No one ever asked/tried to force me out. If anything, the opposite when I shared my decision. I wish the team all the best and support them together with all Nigerians for the upcoming AFCON to go all the way,” he wrote on X.
The NSC concluded by wishing Troost-Ekong the very best in the next chapter of his career and commending him for representing Nigeria with honour.
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