Nigerian Football
Kwara, Ogun Compete For Channels International Kids Cup Trophy
Burahanudeen LGEA Primary School from Kwara and African Church Central Primary School from Ogun State will play in the finals of the first edition of the Channels International Kids Cup. The match holds on Saturday at the Campos Square Mini Stadium, Lagos Island
Both schools enjoyed a good run from the start of the tournament and will be hoping to make record by becoming the first team to win the maiden international edition.
The boys from Burahanudeen played in Group B alongside last year’s champion, Kaduna, Rivers and Ekiti. In their first game, they defeated St. Augustine’s Catholic Primary school from Ekiti 2-1.
In the second match, they swept aside World Book Model Primary School from Rivers State 2-0 and rounded off the group stage with a 1-1 result against Jaafaru School from Kaduna, who were also a strong force in the group.
In the quarter-finals, the boys from Kwara played a different brand of football that showed they meant business. Playing against the impressive boys from Community Primary School, Imo they showed good character and achieved a convincing 4-0 victory. Waiting for them in the semi-finals was Mowoe Primary School from Delta.
In the semi-finals, Burahanudeen continued where they stopped against Imo. Five minutes into the game, Isiaka Shamsudeen scored the opener for Kwara.
But Delta will not go down without a fight and moments later, Oke Ahere drew level with a beautiful header. First half ended 1-1. It was a thrilling encounter.
When the game resumed, it was a post to post affair. Ten minutes to stoppage time, the boys from Kwara had a clear chance but Issa Kayode could not convert. But they didn’t have to wait too long when Delta’s defender, Onyema Trinity carelessly handled the ball in the box and gifted Kwara a penalty. Issa Kayode stepped to it and scored to give Kwara a 2-1 victory and a ticket into the final.
For African Church Central Primary School, Ogun, it was a fairytale ride. In their opening group C match against Abeka Basic 4 Primary School from Ghana, they struggled to play a goalless draw. The other group opponent, Islamiya from Kogi beat Turaki Model School, 2-1 and topped the table.
In their second game, they bounced back to beat Kogi 1-0 and kept hopes alive. In the final group game, they played 1-1 with Sokoto and the five points they gathered was good enough to take them to the next round. Ghana and Sokoto also finished with five points.
In the quarter-finals, Ogun came from a goal down to stun Paragon Demonstration School, Edo 2-1. It was a major upset! In the semi-final match against X-Planter Primary School from Lagos, in ten minutes Oloyede Qudus scored a brace and left Lagos chasing the game. Nababa Abdulsalam pulled one back but it couldn’t stop African Church Central Primary School, Ogun from making it to the final.
The Channels Kids Cup is a grassroots football development programme for boys in primary school under the age of thirteen. The competition became international this year with the inclusion of Ghana and Benin Republic.
A total of 30 women coaches have concluded the first of a three-module CAF C-License program in the Federal Capital, Abuja and are expected to commence a two-week internship with different teams in a few days.
Peopled largely by former Nigerian internationals and other serving coaches, the group was taken through a full week of rigorous classroom and practical sessions by a team of coach educators and resource persons, in a baptism of what the next two modules are likely to entail,
NFF Technical Director, Coach Augustine Eguavoen, told thenff.com that the first module has shown that the women coaches are actually desirous of learning.
“I am very much impressed with their attitude, mannerisms and conduct through the first module. They impressed everyone, and the coach educators also told me they were impressed, and are looking forward to having them back for the second and concluding modules.
“We are grateful for the leadership of the NFF for the support and encouragement for coach-education programmes all the time.”
The participants will return to Abuja for the second module that is scheduled for 12th – 20th August, after which they will go on another two-week internship, 23rd August – 4th September. The third module, which comes with examinations for the participants, will take place 9th – 19th September.
Dr. Terry Babatunde Eguaoje, NFF’s Head of Education, is among the coach educators’ team, which also includes Coaches Isah Ladan Bosso, Wemimo Olanrewaju and Lanrence Ndaks.
Among the 30 participants are former Super Falcons’ stars Precious Dede, Joy Jegede, Esther Michael, Maureen Eke, Otas Ogbonmwan, Vera Okolo, Cecilia Nku, Taiwo Ajobiewe, Gloria Ofoegbu and Amenze Aighewi. There are also Barr. Victoria Nlemigbo and retired FIFA referee Folusho Ajayi.
Former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President and a FIFA Council member, Amaju Pinnick has expressed shock at last month’s outburst by Super Eagles’ striker, Victor Osimhen against Finidi George.
“It is very unfortunate”, Amaju Pinnick remarked on an Arise Television programme. The former NFF president said he had put a call to Osimhen who was very remorseful while the telephone conversation lasted.
“I told him he has to apologise, and I am sure he will if he has not yet done so.” Amaju remarked that he could not comprehend what went wrong as Osimhen was the most cool-headed player in the national team.
He went on to remark that Finidi George was not a personality to be disregarded like that. He has won virtually every honour available during his playing days and was a member of the Super Eagles at their peak when Nigeria ranked fifth in the world.
“I believe players should learn to respect their coaches”, said the former NFF boss.
Nigeria’s FIFA Council member, Amaju Pinnick has told the world that he has always been an advocate of foreign coaches for the Super Eagles. He spoke on Arise Television while fielding questions with Reuben Abati, Rufai Oseni and Ayo Mairo-Ese.
His reason for being averse to indigenous coaches stemmed from lack of respect for them by the players.
“Yes, the Nigerian coaches have the requisite knowledge and the technical ability, but modern football is beyond that in managing players.
“Will the national team players respect the coach? The sad thing is that they don’t”, said Amaju Pinnick.
He however revealed that he supported the appointment of Finidi George owing to the circumstances that the NFF found itself after the exit of Jose Peseiro.
The NFF, he revealed, had no money to hire a foreign coach. The body therefore went for the most available option, Finidi to ensure a smooth transition.
“Finidi was part of the coaching crew of Peseiro and it was therefore logical to ask him to continue.
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