Sports
NFF May Go Ahead With Election Despite Court Order
With the release of the agenda for the Annual General Assembly (AGA), there are tacit indications that the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), may go ahead with its September 30 election, despite last Thursday’s court order forbidding the same.
An Abuja court last Thursday, forbade the NFF from holding the election, scheduled to take place in Benin, Edo State.
Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court 5, Abuja, had on Thursday, put the elections on hold while presiding over a matter in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1376/2022 between (1) Harrison Jalla (2) Chief Rumson Victor Baribote and (3) Austin Popo (4) The Registered trustees of the National Association of Nigeria Footballers (NANF) (trading under the name and style of Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria) (PFAN) VS (1) Nigeria Football Association (NFA) (trading under the name and style of the Nigeria Football Federation) (NFF) (2) Amaju Pinnick (3) Hon. Minister of Sports and Youth Development.
The plaintiff approached the court in mid-2021 after due process demanding an amendment to the NFF statutes 2010 for equal representation for all the five statutory bodies making up the NFF in terms of voting rights and representation on the board, its congress and sub/standing committees.
A group, named Nigeria Football Stakeholders, also wrote a threatening letter addressed to Sunday Dare and NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, warning that cancelling the elections is the only thing that can stop them from bombing the venue.
Despite all these, the NFF on Friday made public the agenda for the annual general assembly. It was gathered that a declaration of the annual general assembly has been convened and composed in compliance with the Statutes of the NFF.
Other items on the agenda are the presentation of the consolidated and revised balance sheet alongside the profit and loss statement of the NFF.
Vote on proposals for amendments to the statutes, the regulations governing the application of the Statutes and the standing orders of the general assembly and dissolution of the current executive committee.
Sports
European Giants Circle For Osimhen
Victor Osimhen will be the centre of attention as several of Europe’s biggest clubs send scouts to yesrerday’s Intercontinental Derby between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, with the Nigerian forward set to play a decisive role in the Super Lig title race
Representatives from Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Juventus were expected to be present at Rams Park, underlining the scale of interest in both the fixture and its standout performers.
Reports in Turkish media indicate that the derby will serve not only as a key moment in the domestic title race but also as a platform for transfer discussions and strategic collaborations between clubs.
According to those reports, top European sides have secured places at the stadium with a dual purpose.
“Europe’s leading representatives will be present at the stadium within the framework of both player transfer and cooperation,” ,” Milliyet reported.
“Real Madrid, Barcelona, among many clubs, including Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Napoli and Juventus, have made reservations for today’s match.”
Osimhen was expected to be among the primary players under observation, alongside teammates Baris Yilmaz and Gabriel Sara, with scouts closely monitoring their performances in one of the most high-profile fixtures in Turkish football.
The report further noted, “Victor Osimhen, Yilmaz and Sara were at the top of the watch list and that the interest would mainly be in these players.”
It also highlighted broader discussions beyond player recruitment, stating, “Apart from this, ideas will be exchanged for strengthening relations between the clubs and new joint agreements.”
The Nigerian striker’s presence came at a crucial point in the season, with Galatasaray holding a four-point lead over second-placed Fenerbahce and knowing that victory would all but secure the league title with three matches remaining.
Osimhen recently returned from injury, making a brief appearance in the cup defeat to Genclerbirligi after missing four games, a period during which Galatasaray’s form showed signs of inconsistency.
His absence coincided with a mixed run of results in April, where the league leaders recorded two wins, one draw and one defeat, including a loss to Trabzonspor and a draw at home to Kocaelispor.
Defensively, Galatasaray have also shown vulnerability, conceding in each of their last six matches across all competitions, a concern ahead of a fixture that could define their campaign.
The derby follows disappointment in the Turkish Cup, where Galatasaray suffered a shock 2-0 home defeat to Genclerbirligi, while Fenerbahce were also knocked out after a 1-0 loss to Konyaspor
Sports
Tennis Event Boosts Grassroots Development Push
A tennis tournament held in honour of Olusola Odumosu, Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps FCT Command, has been described as a major step towards grassroots sports development and youth engagement.
The three-day competition, staged at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, began midweek , last week and ended on Friday, attracting young players across different categories.
On the court, top-ranked player Canice Abua won the men’s singles title after a hard-fought 7-5, 6-4 victory over Lucky Danjuma, who is ranked fourth nationally.
In the boys’ category, Unity Alex defeated Khaleed Dalha in straight sets to win the title, while Salvation Alex triumphed over Opeyemi Olademeji to win the girls’ singles event.
Odumosu, who marked his birthday with the event, said the initiative was designed to uncover young talent and strengthen the foundation of tennis development in Nigeria.
Sports
W/Cup Qualifier: Flamingos In Impressive Opener
Nigeria’s U-17 women’s team, the Flamingos, opened their preparations for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers with a dominant 6-0 victory over Generation Next in Abuja as head coach Akeem Ishola Busari continues to shape his squad.
The emphatic win came during a 60-minute friendly at the Goal Project at the weekend, where the Flamingos took control early and led 4-0 at half-time before the match was halted in the 54th minute due to heavy rain.
Goals were spread across the squad, with Shavih Istifanus opening the scoring inside the first minute, followed by a brace from Tobiloba Sarafa in the 10th and 23rd minutes.
Harmony Chidi added the fourth in the 28th minute, while Aminat Adebisi struck just before half-time and Precious Paul completed the scoring early in the second half.
The match forms part of a busy training camp in Abuja, where Busari has invited 36 players as Nigeria step up preparations for their second-round qualifier against Guinea.
-
Sports1 day agoFinancial Issues Stall Chelle’s Eagles Contract Talks
-
Sports1 day agoNFF mourns ex-Eagles striker Eneramo
-
Maritime1 day agoCILT Nigeria Seeks Anti- graft Agency Collaboration
-
Sports1 day ago
Four Private Clubs Gain Promotion To NPFL
-
Sports1 day agoTennis Event Boosts Grassroots Development Push
-
Sports1 day agoW/Cup Qualifier: Flamingos In Impressive Opener
-
Sports1 day agoEuropean Giants Circle For Osimhen
-
Sports1 day agoChelle Confirms Financial Issues in Eagles Contract Discussion
