Nigerian Football

Nigeria’s Sports Minister summons football chiefs

Published

7 years ago

February 26, 2017

Nigeria’s sports minister, Solomon has called an emergency meeting of the executive committee of the Nigeria Football Federation on Tuesday.

In a press release issued by the Special Assistant to the minister, Nneka Nkem Anibeze, the meeting, which is mandatory, is to hold in the minister’s conference room at the National Stadium, Abuja.

Even though no reason was given, it is being speculated that the CAF elections coming up in about three weeks from now would probably be the central issue.

The sports minister had last week frowned at media statements credited to the NFF president, Amaju Pinnick, on his position concerning who will get the sole vote from Nigeria.

Pinnick has pitched his tent with Ahmad of Madagascar, the 57 year old sole challenger to 71-year old Issa Hayatou who has been on the saddle for 29 years and wishing to have additional four-year mandate.

Incidentally, it is the president who will cast the vote. He is also seeking to contest the election to become a member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF). His ambition was initially opposed by the ministry until it was found that statutorily, he could not be replaced as the 90-day nomination for entry had lapsed.

He will be contesting against Benin Republic’s Moucharaf Anjorin who is believed to have the backing of some Nigerians.

Should Amaju Pinnick succeed, he will be third Nigerian to get into the executive committee of the 60-year old CAF.

Orok Oyo became the first Nigeria in the committee in 1972 and was followed by Amos Adamu who became a member in 2004.

Nigerian Football

GTI enlarges coast…spreads from League fund-raising to Federation Cup

Published

10 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Kunle Solaja

BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

Strategic partners of the Nigeria Football Federation, GTI Asset Management and Trust Ltd has expanded their scope of operations from fund sourcing for the Nigeria Premier League to adding the responsibility of getting the national cup competition back into its glamorous days.

The MD of the company, Abubakar Lawal at the unveiling a revamped Federation Cup which has been renamed President Federation Cup remarked that his company decided to take a bold step to support the national cup.

“I am the happiest man today, he said in the opening remark of the rebranding of the national cup through signing of Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Sports and the NFF.

“Our company is also strategically involved in ensuring that the President Federation Cup is given necessary attention to thrive using The Nigeria Football Fund (TNFF) as our vehicle to actualise this dream.

“Therefore, it is our vision that the oldest domestic football event becomes one of the best organised football events in the world in no distant future.”

Nigerian Football

Ikenne’s Beyond Limit Football Academy top goal chart as NNL releases vital statistics

Published

2 days ago

April 18, 2024

Kunle Solaja

The secretariat of the Nigeria National League has released the match statistics of the four conferences of the 2024 season.

With 198 matches so far played in Conferences A and B, 426 goals were scored, with 125 home wins and 26 away wins, representing 63.1%, & 26% respectively. There were 47 draw matches, representing 23.7% of matches. 299 home goals were scored, and 127 home goals.

Beyond Limit FC scored the highest goals of 33 goals, with Stormers FC and Ekiti United conceeding the least goals of 28 goals. Tradesafe and Solution FC scored the least numbers of goals of 11 goals and Osun conceded the least numbers of goals of 8.

In group C & D, 209 goals have been scored in the 106 so far played, with 70 home wins and 14 won away representing 66. 3% and 13.1% respectively.

Teams drew 31 matches representing 29.2% of the matches played. Wikki Tourists scored the highest numbers of goals, with 23 goals, while EFCC FC conceded the least numbers of goals. They conceded 18 goals. Nasarawa United’s 8 goals conceded made them the team that conceded the lowest numbers of goals, while ABS scored the least number of goals of 5 goals.

Nigerian Football

Heartland back to their homeland as they host Shooting Stars

Published

2 days ago

April 18, 2024

Kunle Solaja

BY TOSIN OMOJOLA, OWERRI

The uncertainty surrounding our Matchday 31 encounter against Heartland FC of Owerri, has been cleared with the game eventually slated to hold at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, the home ground of the host team

The Nigeria Premier League has given the approval to the stadium after an inspection was carried out on Wednesday afternoon.

The Oluyole Warriors have since arrived the Imo State capital and have settled down ahead of Friday’s clash which will be be shown live on cable television.

Meanwhile, the Technical Adviser of the Ibadan soccer lords, Gbenga Ogunbote, while addressing the players on arrival at their hotel, urged them not to be distracted by the development.

“I want to apologise to you on the change of venue. We got to know about it some hours ago, but be that as it may, I want us to remain focused as and get the desired results we needed”.

In the same vein, the players of the Ibadan soccer lords, said they are not in any way moved by the change of venue, expressing their readiness to get the maximum points, not minding the venue.