Nigerian Football

VICTOR OSIMHEN; AN UNUSED LILLE SUB AS TAMMY ABRAHAM AIDS CHELSEA INTO CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LAST 16

Published

6 years ago

December 11, 2019

Nigeria’s talismanic striker, Victor Osimhen was an unused substitute for Lille as Chelsea booked their place in the last 16 of the Champions League as first-half goals from Tammy Abraham and Cesar Azpilicueta sealed a 2-1 win over a much-changed Lille at Stamford Bridge.

Victory for Valencia over Ajax in the other game in Group H means Frank Lampard’s men go through behind the Spaniards with last season’s semi-finalists relegated to the Europa League.

Chelsea knew victory would take them into the knockout stages no matter what the outcome was in Amsterdam and did their job early on against a Lille side with just one point to show for their return to the Champions League for the first time in seven years.

Simple finishes from Abraham and Azpilicueta were just reward for a dominant first-half display, but Chelsea were forced to hold on in the final stages after Loic Remy halved Lille’s deficit against his old club 12 minutes from time.

The visitors were already sure to finish bottom of the group and coach Christophe Galtier showed his priority is trying to secure a return to the Champions League next season by finishing in the top three of Ligue 1 as he made seven changes to the side that beat Brest on Friday.

Chelsea had won just one of their previous five games after a great start to life under Lampard and the Blues boss responded by adding a little more experience to what has been a very young side so far this season.

Antonio Rudiger returned from injury to make just his second start of the campaign at centre-back, while Jorginho was restored in midfield to the side that lost 3-1 to Everton on Saturday.

Up front, Abraham was again flanked by Christian Pulisic and Willian, and all three combined to open the scoring on 19 minutes.

Pulisic unselfishly played in Willian on the right instead of opting to go for goal himself and the Brazilian’s driven cross was tapped in by Abraham for his 13th goal of the season.

Lille have been the whipping boys in a three-way shootout for two places in the last 16 and showed why 10 minutes before half-time when Azpilicueta was left completely unmarked to head home Emerson’s corner from close range.

Mike Maignan in the Lille goal kept his side in the game with a fine double save from Pulisic and Willian at the start of the second half.

However, Chelsea took their foot off the gas as Lampard replaced Pulisic and Abraham ahead of a busy festive period in the Premier League.

And the hosts had to suffer a nervy final dozen minutes when Remy fired in off the underside of the bar.

Remy was a peripheral figure during three seasons at Chelsea between 2014 and 2017, but nearly came back to haunt his old employers only to fire weakly into the arms of Kepa Arrizabalaga in stoppage time.

Instead, Chelsea saw the game out to mark another impressive milestone in Lampard’s first season in charge.

-AFP

Nigerian Football

NFF to inaugurate electoral committees ahead of September elections

Published

3 hours ago

April 1, 2026

Kunle Solaja

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will on Thursday, April 2, 2026 inaugurate its Electoral Committee and Electoral Appeals Committee, marking a key step in preparations for the federation’s next executive elections.

The inauguration ceremony will take place at the NFF Secretariat in Abuja and will be presided over by NFF President and WAFU B Zone President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau.

The two committees were constituted during last week’s Extraordinary General Assembly held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, as part of the roadmap towards the NFF Elective Congress scheduled for September 26 in Lafia, Nasarawa State.

A total of 12 members have been appointed across both bodies. The Electoral Committee will comprise seven members, including a chairperson, vice chairperson and three other full members, alongside two alternates. The Electoral Appeals Committee will have five members, made up of three full members and two alternates.

According to the NFF, the Electoral Committee will oversee the entire electoral process in line with the provisions of the federation’s Statutes (March 2026 edition) and Electoral Code (March 2026). Its responsibilities include organizing, conducting and supervising elections into the NFF Executive Committee.

Those appointed into the two committees include Matthew Burkala (SAN), Hon. Justice C.J. Aneke, Emmanuel Dada Obafemi, Babagoni Grema, Benjamin Sak, Bature Musa and Professor Abdulmalik Awwal. Others are Arinze Azubuike Anughere, Dr Akogun Olugbenga Omole, Abayomi Akin Omoyimi, Ayibaye Peter Great Temedie and Ayi Ekpo Ukpayam.

Thursday’s inauguration is expected to formally set the committees in motion, with their immediate mandate being to lay the groundwork for a transparent and credible electoral process leading to the September congress.

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Nigerian Football

NSC, Edo FA Back Ikhana Football Academy, Set to Adopt Model for Youth Development

Published

3 days ago

March 29, 2026

Kunle Solaja

The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, and the Edo State Football Association have pledged strong institutional support for the newly launched Kadiri Ikhana Football Academy (KIFA), describing it as a model for grassroots football development in Nigeria.

The commitment was made during the official unveiling of the academy in Auchi, Edo State, on Saturday, where stakeholders praised the initiative of former Nigerian international, Kadiri Ikhana.

Represented at the event by his aide, Ebidowei Oweife, Olopade commended Ikhana for establishing an academy that integrates football training with formal education, noting that the Commission intends to nurture and replicate the model across the country.

“We are happy that a person of the calibre of Coach Kadiri Ikhana has taken this initiative. He is not only a member of the historic 1980 Green Eagles squad that won the Africa Cup of Nations but also the first Nigerian coach to win the CAF Champions League with Enyimba,” Olopade said.

Declaring the project a priority, the NSC boss added, “The academy is our baby, and we shall adopt it. We are particularly impressed that it combines football with schooling. We want the students to take their education seriously alongside their football careers. The NSC will definitely support this project.”

Also throwing its weight behind the initiative, the Edo State Football Association described the academy as a significant step toward youth empowerment and football development in the state.

Chairman of the association, Fred Newton, who was represented at the ceremony, praised Ikhana for investing his experience and knowledge in grooming the next generation of players.

“We are delighted that you have chosen to give back by shaping young talents in Edo State. This initiative will have a lasting impact not only in Edo North but across the entire state. We are fully behind you and will support you in achieving your goals,” Newton stated.

The Kadiri Ikhana Football Academy is expected to serve as a hub for nurturing young football talents while ensuring their academic growth, aligning with broader efforts to create a more structured and sustainable pathway for sports development in Nigeria.

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Nigerian Football

September Fever Returns: NFF Election Heads to Lafia in 2026

Published

1 week ago

March 23, 2026

Kunle Solaja

By Kunle Solaja.

For the fourth time, the elective congress of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, will be held in September. It is a pattern that evolved in Warri in 2014 when Amaju Pinnick was elected on 30 September.

Four years later in Katsina, another elective congress was held in Katsina on September 20. Four years ago in Benin, the 30 September election brought in Ibrahim Musa Gusau.

Another September fever is in the offing as the NFF will hold its next Elective Congress on Saturday, September 26, 2026, in Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State.

The decision was ratified by the NFF Extraordinary General Assembly at its meeting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, as part of resolutions aimed at setting the stage for the federation’s next leadership cycle.

The Elective Congress will determine the composition of the NFF Executive Committee, including the election of a president and other key officials to steer the affairs of Nigerian football for the next term.

By fixing both the date and venue several months in advance, the federation is expected to provide ample time for electoral preparations, including the nomination of candidates, screening processes and compliance with provisions of the NFF Statutes and Electoral Code.

The choice of Lafia underscores the NFF’s continued rotation of major football events across different parts of the country, while also aligning with efforts to ensure a transparent and orderly electoral process.

Further details regarding the election timetable and guidelines are expected to be released by the NFF Electoral Committee in the coming months.

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