Sports
NFF Election: Former NPFL Boss Lambasts Pinnick
A former Chairman of the Nigeria Premier League, NPL (now Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL) Mr Rumson Victor Baribote has carpeted embattled Nigeria Football Federation, NFF President, Mr Amaju Pinnick on lack of time and commitment to conduct the federation’s election next two months.
The second tenure of Mr Pinnick terminates on September 20 but the former CAF first Vice President is reportedly reluctant to call for a congress in preparatory for the election.
But Mr Baribote, a legal practitioner, has questioned Pinnick’s alleged “lack of time” posture positing that the system that first brought him into power in 2014 was not holistic.
Mr Baribote in an interview wondered how Mr Pinnick could turn around to condemn a system he is a beneficiary of.
“Giwa election was held on the 26th day of August, 2014 and that of Amaju was on the 20th day of September 2014.
“It was a new electoral committee headed by Muhammed Sanni Katu not the one chaired by Amoni Biambo that was appointed by the congress in November, 2013 in Warri that conducted the Amaju election. Rather it was the new electoral committee that was appointed 10 days after the Giwa election. So from 26th of August 2014 to 20th day of September, 2014 when Amaju election was conducted, one does not need a calculator to know that it was less than one month.
“So, one begins to wonder if really as alleged, Amaju wrote a letter complaining about time frame. Some people are not good students of history. You cannot benefit from a process and turn around to condemn that same process that produced you,” he stated.
Over the weekend, report emerged that Mr Pinnick who despite claims that he would not contest for a 3rd in office, wrote to the Nigeria’s secret security agency, the DSS on why the NFF Elections slated for September cannot hold.
It was reported that Pinnick argued that there would not be enough time to make reforms as ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari before the polls in September.
It is also alleged that the NFF President claimed both FIFA and CAF are very much aware of the lack of time to amend the Statutes as it concerns the composition of the NFF Congress.
Last month, President Buhari through a letter signed by Sports Minister Sunday Dare ordered the NFF to make the NFF Congress more representative before elections into the NFF Executive Committee. The directive had rattled the incumbent president, Amaju Pinnick’s 3rd bid.
Should election into the NFF Executive Board not held on or before September 20th, world football governing body, FIFA would set up a normalisation committee to oversee the affairs of the country’s football for a period of time.
Pinnick’s tenure will terminate on September 20, 2022.
Pics 1: Fencing in action.
President of the Nigeria Fencing Federation, Adeyinka Samuel, has said the country will host a unique 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships as the first sub-Saharan nation to stage the tournament, Tidesports source reports.
The championship will be held in Lagos from August 9 to 14, with the federation announcing that Rugby School Nigeria will host the event.
The Commonwealth Fencing Federation formally awarded the hosting rights for the 2026 championships to Nigeria in March 2025.
“It is the third international tournament the country will host, having also become the first to stage a junior épée World Cup, which was held in Lagos in December 2024. Nigeria also hosted the 23rd African Fencing Championships last year.
Nigeria’s hosting will be unique in several ways. First, it will be the inaugural edition on African soil, giving it historic significance. Second, we are integrating development initiatives such as an international training camp to foster technical exchange. Finally, the event will showcase African hospitality, culture, and energy, offering athletes a rich experience beyond the competition,” Samuel said on Wednesday.
“Preparations have advanced steadily across competition planning, venue readiness, logistics, athlete services, and partnerships.”
He also noted that over 24 Commonwealth nations have already registered.
“We are organising a pre-championship international training camp in Lagos to unite athletes ahead of the competition. Everything is moving in the right direction, and our focus is on delivering a world-class event that reflects Nigeria’s ability to host major international tournaments.”
The last two tournaments hosted by Nigeria were held at Charterhouse Lagos, and Samuel explained the choice of Rugby School Nigeria for this championship.
“The venue was selected for its modern, state-of-the-art facilities and its proximity to hospitality, tourism, and entertainment hubs. This ensures athletes and officials will enjoy excellent accommodation, transport, and leisure options during their stay.”
While thanking the private sector for its support in organising the championship, the president also called for greater government intervention in the fast-growing sport.
“The private sector has shown encouraging support, with institutions like Rugby School Nigeria and companies such as Flour Mills of Nigeria backing the championships. However, stronger government involvement is needed. Hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships is a milestone achievement, and we believe institutional support will help Nigeria maximise the opportunity and deliver a truly memorable event.”
The final draw was concluded at CAF Headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, on Wednesday and posted on the body’s website.
Notably, hosts Morocco will face a North African showdown in Group A, drawn alongside Tunisia, Egypt, and Ethiopia.
Only the top two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals, making Group A particularly competitive.
Group B features former champions Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon, alongside Uganda and debutants DR Congo.
In Group C, 2015 and 2017 champions and last year’s runners-up, Mali, will meet Angola, Mozambique, and Tanzania.
Group D is led by 2023 champions Senegal, who will face South Africa (2015 runners-up),
The eight quarter-finalists from the tournament will automatically qualify for the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar.
The teams finishing third in each group will contest two play-off matches to determine the final two qualifiers, bringing the total number of African representatives at the global finals to ten nations.
2026 CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations – Groups:
- Group A: Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Ethiopia
- Group B: Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Uganda, DR Congo
- Group C: Mali, Angola, Tanzania, Mozambique
- Group D: Senegal, South Africa, Algeria, Ghana
Tidesports source reports that Nigeria will not feature at the tournament for the second consecutive edition.
The Golden Eaglets suffered a 2-0 defeat to rivals Ghana in the semi-finals of the WAFU Zone B qualifiers in September 2025, dashing their hopes of advancing to the finals.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria will begin their title defence at the 2026 Unity Cup with a semi-final clash against Zimbabwe on May 26 at The Valley in South London, Tidesports source reports.
The four-nation tournament, which also features Jamaica and India, returns to its historic venue after the success of the 2025 edition in Brentford, where Nigeria emerged champions.
The competition, scheduled to run from May 26 to 30, blends elite football with cultural celebration, bringing together Afrocentric and global diaspora communities.
Nigeria’s opening fixture against Zimbabwe serves as a rematch of their recent encounters in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, setting the stage for a highly competitive contest.
The winner will progress to the final on May 30, while the second semi-final between Jamaica and India will be played a day later.
President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Gusau, expressed confidence in the Super Eagles’ chances while acknowledging the quality of the opposition.
“The Nigeria Football Federation is pleased with another opportunity to see the Super Eagles compete at the highly exciting and entertaining Unity Cup Tournament,” Gusau said.
“As perennial champions, the Super Eagles will look to retain their title again this summer, even as they will not underrate the other participating teams viz India, Jamaica and Zimbabwe. The tournament promises to be explosive and that is the setting in which the Super Eagles thrive best.”
The Unity Cup will culminate in a finals day featuring both the third-place play-off and the final, alongside a festival atmosphere that includes cultural showcases, food exhibitions, and live performances.
Zimbabwe Football Association president Nqobile Magwizi described his nation’s participation as a landmark moment, highlighting the opportunity to compete on an international stage in England for the first time.
“The Unity Cup represents far more than a celebration of football and culture, it is a powerful platform that reflects Zimbabwe football’s growing ambition to compete, perform, and excel on the global stage,” Magwizi said.
With Nigeria seeking to retain their crown and rivals eager to make their mark, the opening clash against Zimbabwe is expected to set the tone for what promises to be a fiercely contested and culturally vibrant tournament.
-
Editorial4 days agoDomesticate FG’s Exit Benefit Scheme
-
News4 days agoRSU Unveils Five-Year Strategic Dev Plan …Calls For Collective Commitment To Institutional Excellence
-
News4 days agoDHQ Confirms Deaths Of Terrorists, Soldiers In Borno Attack
-
News4 days agoTinubu Commissions Bayelsa Gas Turbine, Other Projects Today
-
Business4 days ago
Niger Delta Investment Summit Targets $5bn Inflows, 500,000 Jobs
-
Sports4 days ago
Full Draw For 2026 U-17 AFCON
-
Nation4 days ago
Rumuji Youth Leader Condemns Protest, Disowns Alleged Government Empowerment Claim
-
Nation4 days agoHaniel Jack Foundation Awards Five Rivers Indigenes Scholarship