Nigerian Football
NFF Shifts AITEO Cup Final
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
The final match of the maiden edition of the AITEO Cup originally slated to hold next week Sunday has been postponed by one week. The AITIO Cup which is the replacement for the previous Federation Cup, the successor to the previous Governor’s Cup, the Challenge Cup and later the FA Cup has reached the semi final stage.
The final day was to be October 8 which co-incidentally would have been the 50th anniversary of the first time that crowd pulling and fanatically supported Stationery Stores first won the national cup.
But more importantly, it would have also marked the 68th anniversary of Nigeria’s first international match when the returning UK Tourists beat Sierra Leone 2-0 in Freetown on October 8, 1949.
It would have also marked the 24th anniversary of Nigeria’s first qualification for the World Cup, a feat that was achieved on October 8, 1993 following a 1-1 draw with Algeria in Algiers in the race for USA ’94.
An inside source informed the Sports Village Square that the AITEO Cup final match had to be moved by a week for logistic reasons. On the eve of the original date, Nigeria has a crucial World Cup qualifying match to play against Zambia in Uyo.
A win by Nigeria seals the Super Eagles’ sixth World Cup appearance. The situation therefore assumed the status that prevailed during the World War II when a General Order was issued and all activities by the colonialists in Nigeria were geared towards prosecuting the World War II.
Although Sports Villages Square gathered that the final match of what will be the 71st national cup edition is postponed, the NFF is yet to come out with the venue.
The Teslim Balogun Stadium has held the final matches since 2011. The national competition only failed to hold once in 1973 since it started in 1945 as Governor’s Cup which changed to “All Nigeria Challenge Cup” following changes in the Nigerian constitution. So, at the Annual General Meeting of the then NFA on February 28, 1955 the new name was adopted.
The then General Secretary of the NFA Reginald Banham Allen, announced the new name which it bore until the first title sponsorship agreement changed the name to Coca-Cola FA Cup in 1996.
On June 3, 2009, following the withdrawal of the title sponsors and the change of name by the football governing body from NFA to NFF, the competition changed to Federation Cup.
For the fourth time, on June 28 this year, Nigeria’s oldest football competition changed name to ‘AITEO Cup’.
Nigerian Football
Nigerian women coaches conclude first module of CAF C-License course
![](https://www.sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/women-coaches.png)
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.
Nigerian Football
Osimhen’s outburst was a moment of madness, says Amaju
![](https://www.sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/finidi-and-osimhen.png)
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.
Nigerian Football
I prefer a foreign coach for the Super Eagles, says Amaju
![](https://www.sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/amaju-pinnick-1.png)
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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