NFF Archives | Page 10 of 22

I’ll Play For Bendel Insurance FC If… -Ighalo

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago02 mins

Former Super Eagles and Manchester United striker, Odion Jude Ighalo, has hinted at starring for Nigeria Premier Football League side, Bendel Insurance. Speaking on The Abu Azeez Podcast, the 35-year old Al-Wehda of Saudi Arabia goal poacher said he wish to return to the local league before calling quit with football. Ighalo however insisted that the local club side must put in place adequate security if they want his services. Abu Azeez, who starred for several clubs in the local league and also a member of national beach soccer team, the Beach Eagles asked Ighalo if he would be willing to play for Bendel Insurance should the Edo State Governor call to. “I would love to play but they have to guarrantee my security because it is not just playing, there is some many things (sic) involved with it. “So, playing almost 20 years outside Nigeria, then come back to play in your homeland. I know it is going to be tough but if some certain things are out in place, why not? I would love to…,” Ighalo stated. Ighalo was given birth to in Edo but raised in Lagos, featured for Prime FC and Julius Berger before his sojourn in Europe. Between 2015 and 2022, he played 37 games, scoring 16 goals for Nigeria.

Praises for Aluo-led Board as NNL Celebrates Players, Officials, Referees

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago04 mins

There were commendations from all quarters for the George Aluo-led Board of the Nigeria National League as the management of the second-tier of Nigeria’s domestic football organized its third Awards Ceremony in Abuja on Tuesday. President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, who was represented by the NFF 1st Vice President Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu, gave kudos to the NNL Board for the innovations it has introduced into the league, and challenged it to keep at the pace in order to take the ‘most important league’ to new heights. On his part, NFF 2nd Vice President/Chairman of NPFL, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, affirmed that the NNL is on the right track to actualizing full private-sector clubs’ participation, while challenging the NNL board to keep encouraging private sector participation in club ownership and management. He also applauded the accomplishments of the Aluo-led board so far. NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, was emphatic that given the various changes and innovations introduced into the league by the present board, the NFF has no regrets in putting the board in charge of the second-tier league. He utilized the opportunity to invite First Bank PLC to consider partnering with the NNL, as a way of giving back to the society and taking the youth off the streets to curb all forms of social vices. In his remarks, former NFF President Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdullahi commended the warm relationship among the various league bodies and the Nigeria Football Federation. He noted that the present NFF leadership has continued to show genuine passion for football development at the grassroots, while also calling for private sector involvement in sponsorship of the domestic game. Chairman of the NNL, Mr. George Aluo, was full of appreciation to the eminent guests for their warm words of encouragement. He extolled the leadership qualities of Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau and Dr Mohammed Sanusi at the NFF, and attributed the successes recorded so far by the league to the purpose-driven leadership at the NFF. “These Awards are a way of encouraging good performances and good conduct, and also to inculcate the spirit of competition among the various participants in the league. I commend our partners, ProStar Recreational Services Limited and Sportslights Hub for supporting the NNL to organize these awards to encourage our outstanding players, officials and referees.” Chief Executive Officer of the NNL, Mr. Emmanuel Attah, gave a brief background on how NNL secured the partnerships with ProStar and Sportslights Hub. He enjoined both organizations to continue to identify with the league especially as footage of league matches are now being seen in various parts of the country and the world at large.

NFF to Organize Coach Educators’ Programme in June

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago02 mins

The Nigeria Football Federation has secured the approval of the Confederation of African Football to organize a CAF Educators’ Course between 16th and 25th June 2025. “This programme is part of our quest to increase the number of CAF-Licensed Coach Educators across the length and breadth of Nigeria. There will be only 20 participants. Applicants must have CAF B-License, be proficient in the English language, have a teaching background, be passionate in helping other coaches and must have competence in computer software such as PowerPoint, Excel and Word. “They must also be 50 years old or younger. They have to submit copies of previous coaching certificates, a recent photograph and data page of their international passport to an email (nffheadofeducation@gmail.com), on or before Friday, 25th April 2025,” NFF Technical Director, Coach Augustine Eguavoen explained to thenff.com. Eguavoen also disclosed that a CAF CMS Registration link will be sent to all successful applicants to complete their registration.

U20 AFCON: Flying Eagles Draw Tunisia, Kenya and Morocco

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago02 mins

Nigeria will now have to contend with Morocco, Kenya and Tunisia in the group phase of the 24th Africa U20 Cup of Nations taking place in Egypt, 27th April – 18th May this year. At the redraw conducted in the headquarters of the Egypt Football Association in Cairo on Sunday, Egypt and South Africa, who were originally in Nigeria’s pool before Cote d’Ivoire withdrew as tournament hosts, found themselves in Group A. New hosts Egypt head Group A, which has five teams – with Zambia, Sierra Leone, South Africa and Tanzania as the other teams. However, just like it was originally, the Flying Eagles will confront two North African teams (this time, Tunisia and Morocco), as well as East Africans Kenya, for a place in the quarter-finals. Cup holders Senegal head Group C, with Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo and Ghana as opponents. Back in Abuja following their three-week training camp in Katsina, the seven-time African champions are expected to fly to Egypt this week for an eight-day final-phase preparation before the competition commences. All four semi-finalists at the tournament in Egypt will fly Africa’s flag at this year’s FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile, 27th September – 19th October. GROUP A: Egypt, Zambia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania GROUP B: Nigeria, Tunisia, Kenya, Morocco GROUP C: Senegal, Central African Republic, DR Congo, Ghana

NFF Deeply Saddened By Demise of 1980 AFCON Winner, Charles Bassey

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago02 mins

The Nigeria Football Federation says it is ‘deeply saddened’ by the death on Saturday of another member of the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations-winning Green Eagles squad, Charles Bassey. He was 71. Bassey died after protracted illness in his native town of Eket, Akwa Ibom State, hours after it was confirmed that the captain of that team, ‘Chairman’ Christian Chukwuemeka Chukwu, had passed on in Enugu. “This has been a day of double tragedy, and the NFF and the entire Nigeria football fraternity are deeply saddened by the turn of events. We lost ‘Chairman’ Chukwu earlier in the day; now, we have to mourn Charles Bassey. May God Almighty grant their souls eternal rest,” NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, said. Forward Charles Bassey was in the 22-man squad that became Nigeria’s first Africa Cup of Nations champions, after a 3-0 defeat of Algeria’s Fennecs at the National Stadium, Surulere on Saturday, 22nd March 1980. Afterwards, he coached various clubs within the country, including Calabar Rovers, home-town club Mobil Pegasus, BCC Lions of Gboko, Flash Flamingoes of Benin, Akwa United and Wikki Tourists of Bauchi. His death brings to nine the number of persons in that squad that have departed, following the passing on of goalkeepers Best Ogedegbe and Moses Effiong, defenders Christian Chukwu, Okechukwu Isima and Tunde Bamidele, midfielders Aloysius Atugbu and Mudashiru Lawal and forward Martins Eyo.

Green Eagles’ Captain, ‘Chairman’ Christian Chukwu, Dies at 74

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago03 mins

1980 AFCON-winning captain, Christian Chukwu popularly known as ‘Chairman’ has passed away. The Nigeria Football Federation has expressed deep sorrow after it was confirmed that Chukwu, who captained Nigeria to her ever Africa Cup of Nations win and later coached the team, had died in his native city of Enugu on Saturday. Nicknamed ‘Chairman’ because of his imposing presence and the authority he exuded just in front of the rearguard at both club (Enugu Rangers) and country, Christian Chukwu was overjoyed as he hoisted above his head the Unity Cup (the first time Nigeria would triumph in the continental championship) after receiving same from President Shehu Shagari at the National Stadium, Surulere on Saturday, 22nd March 1980. General Secretary of Nigeria Football Federation, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, said: “We have lost a good and great man. Chukwu was the definition of a strong, dedicated and disciplined leader on and off the field. He was not nicknamed ‘Chairman’ for nothing. He embodied strength, vision and consistency. “We pray that the Almighty will grant his soul eternal rest, and also grant the family and friends he has left behind, and Nigeria football’s fraternity the fortitude to bear this big loss.” Chukwu was in the Nigeria senior team that won bronze medals at the 1976 and 1978 AFCON finals in Ethiopia and Ghana respectively, before leading the squad to glory on home soil in 1980. He was named Player of the Tournament. Born on 4th January 1951, Chukwu coached his darling club, Enugu Rangers (he played for only one club in his career) and then coached the senior national team of Kenya, nicknamed the Harambee Stars. He was named Head Coach of the Super Eagles in 2002, and led the team to finish third at the 2004 AFCON finals in Tunisia. His death comes exactly 20 days after the 45th anniversary of the 1980 AFCON triumph. Before him, other members of the squad that had passed on, are goalkeepers Best Ogedegbe and Moses Effiong, defenders Okechukwu Isima and Tunde Bamidele, midfielders Aloysius Atugbu and Mudashiru Lawal, and forward Martins Eyo.

Egypt-bound Flying Eagles Return to Abuja to Intensify U20 AFCON Preparations

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago05 mins

Seven-time champions Nigeria have relocated back to the Federal Capital, Abuja as they intensify preparations for the 24th Africa U20 Cup of Nations starting later this month in Egypt. The contingent returned to Abuja after a three-week training programme in Katsina, where they had gone to camp in order to feel the weather which was found to be the same with that of Cote d’Ivoire – the country originally designated to host the tournament. With Cote d’Ivoire pulling out as host nation in the last hour, to the consternation of the Confederation of African Football and the participating teams, Egypt (host of the last edition in 2023) stepped in as hosts. “We are grateful to His Excellency, Governor Umaru Dikko Radda for hosting the team for three weeks in Katsina and making sure players and officials trained and camped in a conducive environment. The coaches have had some useful time to work on the team and it is now down to the final stages of preparation where the ascent will be on tactical and technical formations. “At the moment, due to the change of host nation, and the difference in weather conditions between Cote d’Ivoire and Egypt, we are looking at the team leaving Nigeria early to spend about 10 days in Egypt before the commencement of the tournament,” NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, said on Wednesday. The team will make use of the FIFA Goal Project training field for training sessions before departing for Egypt in the next one week. For the purpose of the camping in Abuja, Head Coach Aliyu Zubairu – who led the team to successfully defend its WAFU B U20 Championship gong in Togo in October last year – has invited a total of 35 players, including three goalkeepers, eight defenders, 10 midfielders and 14 forwards. All four semi-finalists in Egypt will qualify to represent Africa at this year’s FIFA U20 World Cup finals scheduled for Chile, 27th September – 18th October. 35 FLYING EAGLES FOR CAMPING IN ABUJA: Goalkeepers: Ifeanyi Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos); Rufai Abubakar (Mavlon FC); Soliu Ajia (FK Novi Pazar, Serbia) Defenders: Adewale Quadri (Nath Boys Academy); Adamu Maigari (El-Kanemi Warriors); Odinaka Okoro Emmanuel (Sporting Lagos); Kenneth Igboke (Enugu Rangers); Daniel Bameyi (Bayelsa United); Haruna Aliyu (Wikki Tourists); Chukwu Emmanuel (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, Germany); Chigozie Michael Ihejiofor (Katsina United) Midfielders: Caleb Ochedikwu (NK Ujanik, Croatia); Michael Tunde (Simon Ben FC); Sabiu Mohammed (Niger Tornadoes); Akinniran Oluwashile (Water FC); Ibrahim Alani (Real Valladolid, Spain); Ayuma Isaac Israel (NK Istra, Croatia); Cletus Simon (Mavlon FC); Sulaiman Alabi Jojo (El-Kanemi Warriors); Auwal Ibrahim (Akwa United); Shafiu Adamu Duguri (Wikki Tourists) Forwards: Umar Abubakar (KAA Gent, Belgium); Anthony Ezekiel (Inspire FC); Otu Joseph (Mavlon FC); Nasiru Salihu (El-Kanemi Warriors); Divine Oliseh (Forster Academy); Adeleke Abdulmuiz (Adoration FC); Clinton Jephta (Enyimba FC); Bidemi Amole (Real Sapphire FC); Tahir Maigana (Wireless FC); Rickson Mendos (Niger Tornadoes); Mustapha Umar (Kano Pillars); Kingsley Matthew (Kings FC); Armiyau Yusha’u (Katsina United); Benjamin Precious (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, Germany)

NFF Selects Participants for First Batch of CAF B-License Coaching Course

Fola Badmus6 months ago6 months ago02 mins

Participants in the first batch of the CAF B-License Coaching Course that will run between April and August 2025 have been identified and contacted by the Technical Department of the Nigeria Football Federation. “Those who will take part in the first batch have been selected and contacted. All applicants are advised to check their mails, including junk and spam sections, as time-sensitive information is attached,” NFF Technical Director, Coach Augustine Eguavoen told thenff.com. The four-month course, part of NFF’s strategic effort to build the capacity of coaches across the country, will be done in modules. It will run between 7th April and 25th August 2025. Successful applicants for the second and third batches will be selected and contacted in the coming weeks. Registration for the programme closed at midnight on Tuesday, 25th February, with Eguavoen informing thenff.com that response was impressive. The program is for both men and women. It can be recalled that the NFF organized a CAF C-License course (exclusively for women, and the first-ever) between the months of July and September last year. There were 30 participants, amongst them a good number of former Nigeria international players.