Nigerian Football
DALUNG DIRECTS RESTRUCTURING OF THE NFF
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
A major restructuring is in the offing at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
Sports Village Square has gathered from the chieftain of the organisation, Amaju Pinnick that the minister of sports, Solomon Dalung has directed the restructuring which is intended to bring the body in line with the reality of the complex nature of running football organisations which has many global issues to contend with.
“Daily running of the NFF cannot be done in the current manner as most of its operations have to be computerised to avoid lapses”, Pinnick remarked while fielding questions at the close of the NFF/Zenith U-15 football fiesta at the Agege Stadium, in Lagos.
The obvious reference is the recent sanction imposed on Nigeria following the fielding of an ineligible player in last month’s World Cup qualifier with Algeria.
Nigeria, not only forfeited the match and the point accrued from it, the Super Eagles were also docked three points and three goals in addition to fine imposed.
Moreover, it technically ended the enviable unbeaten run the Super Eagles had established over 36 matches of the World Cup qualifying series since 2004.
“The minister was not happy about this”, Pinnick remarked, saying that he subsequently ordered a restructuring of the football governing body to avoid future lapses.
To this end, Pinnick disclosed that automated systems are being put in place whereby cards and other cautions imposed on players in both local and international engagements easily prop up.
He lamented that he had to carry the all the blames as the overall head of the NFF, even though the day-to-day running of the secretariat is statutorily not his responsibility. “But the buck stops somewhere, it has to be on my table”.
“But you know I cannot be making marketing drives and pursuing policies that will enhance Nigerian football and at the same time myself to secretariat and clerical works of the NFF.
It is good that the minister has directed that we reorganise the place and I will ensure we carry out that assignment diligently.
He disclosed that a former general secretary of the organisation, Ahmed Sani Toro, had been contacted to assist in the reorientation of the secretariat staff.
Sports Village Square recalls that in 1991 as the general secretary of the then NFA, Toro recommended a complete computerisation of secretariat after he had attended a two-week internship at the offices of The FA in London.
Pinnick disclosed that external communications of the NFF will be depersonalised such that when a particular officer is not available, the communication can be directed to the next officer.
Sports Village Square learnt that Nigeria could have escaped the FIFA sanction had the officer the notification of the ineligibility of Shehu Abdulahi had acted or the communication passed to other since he was unavailable on health grounds.
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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