Sports
Pinnick Remains Humble After Being Elected NFF President
Amaju Pinnick has described as ‘no victor, no vanquished’ his re-election as the president of the Nigeria Football Federation on Thursday as he insists ‘football is the winner’.
The 45-year-old feels his second term victory at the polls was not his making but that of the football stakeholders in the interest of the game
Pinnick earned a landslide victory to return as the NFF boss for the second term, defeating Aminu Maigari, Taiwo Ogunjobi and Chinedu Okoye at the NFF elective congress held in Katsina State.
The 45-year-old, who doubles as Caf first vice-president, gained a total of 34 votes – 26 more than his closest challenger and former NFF supremo Maigari, while ex-NFF scribe Ogunjobi got two votes but no vote for Bimo FC proprietor Okoye.
Having secured another four-year term, the former Delta FA boss pledged that his leadership will immediately embark on reforms in the move to halt internal wranglings in the nation’s football.
“There is no victor, no vanquished but football is the winner,” Pinnick told media after being re-elected in Katsina.
“Aminu Maigari is my big brother and I even call him my father and Taiwo Ogunjobi is also my big brother as well. We need to do what we have to do. First, we need to do is initiate reforms in our status.
“This is something that we need to start immediately to ensure true reconciliation. We have to do it right away. I am happy, though it is not about me or the executive committee the congress who believed in us and will work hard not to fail them.
“I sincerely from the depth of my heart appreciate the president of the country for providing the enabling environment. I am from a micro-minority in Nigeria, tiny ethnic group and came to Katsina in the far north – the home of the president to win an election. What more does anyone need to believe that the president or government is detribalise and shows that the offers level playing grounds.
“This just rekindled my believe in Nigeria and I am eager to do something big for Nigeria football. This is a turning point for Nigeria football. We need to develop football beyond ethnicity and mediocrity.”
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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