Nigerian Football
‘YOU SERVE NFF IN VAIN’ AS BENUE FA ELECTORAL COMMITTEE RULES AGAINST NATIONAL SERVICE
BY KUNLE SOLAJA
An aspiring chairman for the Benue Football Association, Robert Terlumun Akpenpuun has been disqualified from contesting on account of serving Nigerian football at national and international level instead of localizing his services to Benue State.
The electoral committee on Thursday based its decision on Article 2.1a of the Benue FA Electoral Guidelines.
It reads: “To be eligible for the position of Chairman, the candidate must have been involved in football management and administration for a period of at least five unbroken years, preceding the date of election and must show concrete and verifiable evidence.”
Robert Terlumun Akpenpuun has been a member of the Protocol Committee of the NFF and has been a football referee and a Nigeria Professional football league assessor.
In the line of duty to football, he was the protocol officer that was always on ground to receive visiting teams and football officials as well as rendering immigration services to Nigerian teams travelling out and returning.
Such were also rendered to Benue State club, Lobi Stars during their continental assignments this year. For the services, the Benue State club wrote a letter of commendation to him.
Even though the electoral guidelines are not specific that the years of unbroken services must be at state level, the committee went ahead to disqualify Akpenpuun.
Months ago, he has been crying out that about attempts to scheme him out of the election.
Last January, he cried out on a discriminatory clause in the electoral guidelines for the state, which was targeted at him.
The offensive clause, which was item “h” of the guidelines read: “The candidate (for chairmanship) must not be in the employment of any government or its agencies or an aid to any government official.”
Akpenpuun works in the Nigerian Immigration Service.
That discriminatory clause was not in the guidelines that the state used in the 2015 election. According to Akpenpuun, he is a direct target of the inclusion of the offensive clause. It took a directive from the NFF for the clause to be expunged.
Nigerian Football
Nigerian women coaches conclude first module of CAF C-License course
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
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
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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