Sports
Football Stakeholders Want More Nigerians In CAF
Three football enthusiasts
have in Lagos called for more Nigerians in the running of the continental football governing body, the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The enthusiasts, Adegboye Onigbinde, Rafiu Oladipo and Edwin Eze, told newsmen that more Nigerians were needed in CAF to help champion the country’s cause.
They said they were not satisfied with the outcome of the Glo-CAF awards held on January 8 in Lagos, where Nigeria’s Vincent Enyeama could not stop Ivorian Yaya Toure.
The Super Eagles captain and first-choice goalkeeper could not stop the midfielder from winning the top award, his fourth so far.
Eze, the Co-ordinator of Enugu Pepsi Football Academy, said as a good football nation, it was expected that Nigeria should have a say in the apex body.
“The country’s influence is lacking in the body, and that is why our players were being schemed out in events such as the Glo-CAF awards,” he said.
Onigbinde, a former coach of the Nigeria senior national team, the Super Eagles, said playing football alone cannot earn the country the coveted African Footballer of the Year Award.
“We need to be in CAF boardroom meetings where decisions concerning us are made.
“Since, 1990 the award has eluded Nigerian, players no matter how hard they try,” he said.
Onigbinde, however, called on football technocrats in the country to follow the path of honour and get themselves into the running of the body instead of lamenting from the sidelines.
Oladipo, the President-General of Nigeria Football and Other Sports Supporters Club, said Nigerian players deserved more than what they got.
“Our goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, deserved the crown for his efforts in 2014, both in his club and in the national team,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, some female football stakeholders have commended the Super Falcons and striker Asisat Oshoala for clinching the Best Female Team and Best Female Footballer awards at the 2014 Glo-CAF awards.
In separate interviews conducted in Lagos, the stakeholders said female footballers deserved to be given recognition, and that female football should be given the needed support.
Gift Sowemimo-Okunwa, a former Super Falcons striker, said the senior female team should be commended, saying it has been flying the country’s flag high at continental and international competitions.
“I want to commend the Super Falcons team for their tremendous performance in all tournaments. They have been trying their best to see that the country is among the best.
“The calibre of players who dominate the teams from the under-20 to the senior is really good, and I commend them.
“I also want to commend Oshoala. I am so happy that she is doing what she knows best in the area of football and she has been making herself useful.
“I am so glad and happy for her because she is building her reputation,’’ she said.
Nnenna Etim, a former Super Falcons’ assistant coach, also said she was happy that the female teams have continued to prove their mettle.
She however urged more corporate bodies to help develop female football.
“These girls have always been doing this country proud. They need to be appreciated, and receiving the award is a sign that they have been putting in their best.
“I congratulate the team and especially Oshoala for the awards. It shows that if you are committed to a cause, you will reap it at the end of the day,’’ she said.
Etim also appealed that the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) should be better sponsored like its male version.
“I know that it is a gradual process, but the women league needs all the support it can get from private organisations. These girls have been doing the country proud,’’ she said.
Port Harcourt the capital city of Rivers State will be at the centre stage in Nigeria as Port Harcourt Arsenal Community will hold her maiden edition of Football Fans Fiesta (FFF).
The Fiesta scheduled to hold on the 13th December, 2025, at Eddiz wine bar GRA, promises to be all football fans carnival in the State , as there will be a lot of fanfares.
The Coordinator of Port Harcourt Arsenal Community (PHAC), Ugochukwu Oputa has said that the forthcoming Football Fans Fiesta was basically to promote peace, unity and love among football fans in irrespective of the cub.
He stated that sports is a catalyst to bring peace, love and Unity in any given society, hence the occasion was initiated.
Oputa said this in an interview with sports journalists in Port Harcourt yesterday, saying that arrangements are on top gear for a successful programme.
” This event is for all football fans irrespective of your club. It is basically to promote peace, love and Unity among fans.
“It is like stating the obvious that football is the catalyst of peace and unity in the world. So the Port Harcourt Arsenal Community want to use this avenue to bring people together and foster friendship.
“There is no gate fee, but it is expected to put on jersey of your club as to make the event look unique” Oputa said.
The Coordinator used the forum to advice football fans in the world to love one another, and equally urged fans that will attend the occasion to be of good conduct and behaviour.
Tonye Orabere
Consistent with its project execution routine, Dunamis-Icon Limited, Project Consultants of the Niger Delta Games, has concluded the first phase of physical inspection and evaluation of facilities for the event, 24 hours after the presentation of the hosting right to Edo State was performed.
The project management team was guided round select facilty locations in Benin City by Desmond Amadin Enabulele, Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, and the team leader, Sir Itiako Ikpokpo expressed satisfaction with the sports infrastructure assets of the host.
“Edo is a ready-made choice based on all the factors that are necessary to host this kind of big event. We are expecting over 3000 athletes coaches, alongside journalists and technical officials, with an approximate number of people outside spectators in the range of 5000. So, we need facilities that work for the games itself”, Ikpokpo explained.
He commended the Edo State Government for the good state of facilities at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, and promised that the state will be assisted with the renovation of some of the facilities as may be necessary to ensure good competition experience for the athletes.
“I have been to the iconic Ogbe Stadium and must commend the Edo State Government for maintaining the facilities there. We are also considering taking some events to the University of Benin, so that people in that part of the city can also feel and enjoy the fun. Where need be, we will also see how to assist the state and the University of Benin to add value to some of the sporting facilities”.
Dunamis Icon Limited is the franchise rights owner to the games conceived and designed to provide a platform for unity and integration, and identifying and grooming talented youths from the region into national and international stars.
The NDDC as the flagship interventionist agency for the nine states that make up the region, is the prime sponsor of the games as part of their strategic focus on youth engagement and human capital development.
The inspection tour began at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, after a brief meeting with Enabulele and the Sports Commission team at his office.
Areas inspected include the stadium’s main bowl, the tartan track, the state box, the VIP lounges and other key areas like the ceremonial room, the media studio and other indoor facilities.
Other facility locations assessed are the Wire Road Sports Centre being listed to host basketball and volleyball games, the University of Benin Sports Complex, and the Etete Sports Centre.
In the entourage of Dunamis-Icon were the Project Director, Mr Fred Edoreh; Director of Facilities and Equipment, Dr Emmanuel Ochuko Igbigbisie; the head of Communications, Harry Iwuala; Head of Transport and Logistics, Israel Umueri Afoke. Others are Theresa Ineke, Head of Secretariat, Godwin Enakhena, the Head of Scouting, Mr. Edi Lawani, the Head of Culture Affairs and Entertainment and Elder Siegha Porbeni of the Technical Department.
The Edo Sports Commission Chairman was also supported by Hon. Frank Ilaboya and Mrs Sabina Chikere, Executive Directors, with Mr Baldwin Bazuaye (MON) also in the company.
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