Sports
FIFA Ban Looms Over Nigeria, Again
Nigerian football risks
another international ban only two months after FIFA suspended the country following direct interference by government in the game.
This latest ban would mean Nigeria forfeiting their 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Congo and South Africa early next month.
The world football governing body has approved for a Nigeria Football Federation NFF general assembly for Warri tomorrow.
But in yet another flagrant interference by government, the sports minister, Tammy Danagogo, has allegedly ordered for elections into the executive committee of the football federation same day in Abuja.
Tidesports gathered that FIFA is likely to further clarify their position on the latest crisis that has engulfed Nigerian football today ahead of the congress in Warri.
In a bid for a peaceful resolution to the latest conflict, the secretary to the federal government (SGF), Pius Anyim, had “suggested” that the polls be conducted tomorrow, but he could not readily come up with an acceptable venue for this.
However, further consultations have now made Anyim, himself a qualified lawyer, to know his suggestion would be in clear breach of NFF statutes as well as an open defiance to FIFA order.
Former NFF vice-president Amanze Uchegbulam, who is also vice-chairman of the CAF appeals committee, told the SGF he will not be a party to the sham insisted on by the sports minister.
“Even if I’m finally given nomination form for the elections, I will not be part of any exercise in Abuja as it is an exercise in futility. It cannot stand the test of the time,” he argued.
Chairman committee on sports of the House of Representatives, Godfrey Gaiya, said yesterday in Kaduna that elections cannot take place in Abuja tomorrow because it did not follow laid down rules and procedures.
In a strongly-worded open letter to the sports minister, former Kano Pillars chairman Abba Yola warned litigations will follow any elections in Abuja tomorrow.
But on Saturday, controversial electoral committee chairman Amoni Biambo raised the ante when he invited congress delegates via email to the Nicon Luxury Hotel in Abuja for the elections tomorrow.
Biambo clearly overstepped his bounds as only the president of the NFF, Aminu Maigari, is empowered to do so.
The elections must also be observed by representatives of FIFA, CAF and WAFU, and FIFA has already announced their observer will only attend the polls as ordered by the congress in Warri tomorrow.
Tidesports sources further gathered that the confusion that has now enveloped Nigerian football is being fueled by the “crazed desperation” of a particular NFF presidential candidate, who has compromised top government officials with cash and promises of appointments in the NFF.
In one of the meetings with Anyim, one of the top-ranked sports ministry officials openly alleged that this particular candidate had compromised some of those charged with organising the polls.
Only Denmark, ranked 21st globally, sits higher among nations that failed to qualify for the tournament, which is being co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
England and Chelsea legend John Terry was among those to voice his disappointment, describing Nigeria as a significant loss to a tournament that features 48 nations for the first time.
“Nigeria will be a big miss. This is a World Cup for participants who haven’t had the opportunity to play in the tournament. I would have loved to see a top team like Nigeria there because they’ve got some great individuals. They’re a great nation,” Terry said during a virtual roundtable session organised by SuperSport.
“I think they are a big miss because Nigeria probably would have gone further in the competition, but unfortunately, one side’s loss is another’s gain,” the former England captain added.
Eric Chelle’s side finished second in Group C of the CAF World Cup qualifiers behind South Africa, who secured automatic qualification. Nigeria kept their hopes alive with a playoff semi-final victory over Gabon before falling to the Democratic Republic of Congo on penalties in the decisive playoff final — their second successive absence from the World Cup after also missing the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
The Nigeria Football Federation later challenged DR Congo’s qualification, alleging the use of ineligible players during the campaign, but the appeal was dismissed.
Despite missing the World Cup, the Super Eagles remain Africa’s 3rd highest-ranked team behind Morocco, who sit seventh in the world, and Senegal. Algeria and Egypt complete the continent’s top five.
Defending champions Argentina enter the tournament as the world’s top-ranked side, ahead of Spain, France, England and Portugal. Brazil are sixth, followed by Morocco, the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.
The next FIFA World Ranking will be released on July 20, a day after the World Cup final.
Chima Akachukwu and Miracle Akhigbe are among the 16 notable stars picked by the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) for the forthcoming Namibia Tour, where the YellowGreens will compete in a T20 and 50-Over Tri-Series, featuring hosts Namibia and Hong Kong China.
Both players make their way back into the YellowGreens fold after periods away from the side and will be eager to contribute their experience and quality as Nigeria pursues success in Namibia.
The NCF said yesterday that the squad, which departs Nigeria today, forms part of the national team’s continued preparations for future international assignments as the YellowGreens seek to build on recent performances and strengthen their standing on the global stage.
Leading the squad is Captain Sulaimon Runsewe, who will spearhead Nigeria’s campaign against two formidable opponents in what promises to be a highly competitive series.
The selected squad combines experienced internationals with emerging talents, providing the technical crew an opportunity to assess player development and team combinations in both the T20 and 50-over formats.
The team will be led on tour by Coaches Leke Oyede and Tamuno John, who will oversee preparations and match operations during the opening phase of the series.
Joining the squad later in Namibia will be the newly appointed Head Coach and High Performance Manager, Stephen Magongo, whose arrival marks another significant step in the Federation’s commitment to strengthening the national team structure and enhancing player development pathways.
Supporting the coaching staff are Team Analyst Jamal Okechukwu, Strength and Conditioning Coach Seye Olympio, and Team Physiotherapist Timothy Adesomowo, forming a well-rounded technical crew focused on maximising player performance and welfare throughout the tour.
The NCF views the Namibia Tri-Series as an important platform for the continued growth of the national team, offering valuable international exposure and competitive match experience against quality opposition. The series will provide the players and technical crew with another opportunity to evaluate progress, fine-tune strategies, and build momentum ahead of future international competitions.
The YellowGreens will face Namibia and Hong Kong China in both T20 and 50-over contests, with the matches expected to test the team’s adaptability, discipline, and resilience in challenging conditions.
Blessing Otu on Monday overcame hard-fighting Kelvin Bebe- Emmanuella in two sets of 6-1, 6-3 to qualify for the second round of the women’s singles of the ongoing 47th Central Bank of Nigeria Senior Tennis Championship, held at the Tennis Courts of the package “B” of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
Speaking after the round of 32 game, Otu, who will be 19 years old in September, said she capitalised on her opponent’s weaknesses to gain victory, having studied her game very well.
“Bebe is a very good and tough player. But I studied her game and did the job well.
“Although she tried to come back in the second set, I punctured all her tricks to win the match and move on. I wish I could continue like this in the rest of my games,” she said.
Another member of the Otu family, John Out, was also victorious as he defeated Mohammed Abdusalam 2-1 (6-2, 6-7, 6-1) in the men’s singles category to advance into the round of 32.
But the third Otu in the game, Thomas, was not that lucky as he lost by 6-0, 7-5 in two straight sets to Danjuma Isaac.
In other matches, Michael Emmanuel defeated Ibrahim Aminu to advance, while Drimiya Mevi outclassed Seyi Ogunsakin by beating him 2-1 (6-7, 6-3, 6-1). Action continues tomorrow when other top players, including the men’s singles top seed, Abua Cannice, join the chase for honours.
-
Niger Delta4 days agoWarri Airport Manager Disputes Air Peace Bird Strike Claim
-
News4 days agoNigeria Won’t Surrender Any Territory To Criminals -Tinubu
-
News4 days agoFG Begins Trial Of Over 600 Terrorism Suspects
-
Politics4 days agoParties’ Deregistration: How Justice Lifu Overruled Appeal Court Justices
-
Rivers4 days ago79th IAUE Inaugural Lecture: Prof Anero Advoctes Tuition-Free Education For Children
-
Politics4 days agoADC: Okonkwo Rejects Amaechi As Presidential Running Mate, Withdraws Support
-
Politics4 days ago2027: Tinubu’s Projects Give APC Edge In South East – Yilwatda
-
News4 days ago
Forum Expresses Confidence In APC Candidates’ Performance In Rivers