Nigerian Football
Nigeria Premier League club owners celebrate Paul Bassey
The election of Paul Bassey, Chairman Akwa United Football Club of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State as the 2nd Vice President of the newly launched African Clubs Association (ACA) in Cairo, Egypt on Thursday, November 30, 2023 has been described by the Club Owners Association of Nigeria as a well deserved recognition of one of its own.
Chief Okey Kpalukwu, Chairman of the Club Owners eulogized the former member of the Interim League Management Company of Nigeria as the right man for the job.
“Elder Paul Bassey is a man that is highly respected in the game of football globally. We all know his contributions to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) and Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) committees.
“His experience will be needed in this new body that was launched by CAF to give clubs in Africa a voice in matters that concerns them on the continent. We salute and wish him all the very best. We know he will represent us and Nigeria very well.”
The Rivers United General Manager added that the Club Owners will give the veteran sports journalist and seasoned sports administrator all the support he would be needing to excel in the assignment.
While describing his election as something he wasn’t prepared for while going to Egypt on the invitation of CAF, Elder Bassey thanked members of the Club Owners from Nigeria who nominated and voted for him during the election.
“I want to thank most sincerely the Chairmen and General Managers of Bendel Insurance of Benin, Rangers of Enugu and Plateau United of Jos who asked me to go for the election and they stood by me.
“For Nigeria to be so recognised, kudos must go to clubs like Rivers United and others for their good outing in recent times on the continent. My take away and the task ahead of me as 2nd Vice President of ACA is to bridge the gap between Nigerian clubsides and our colleagues from other countries”, explained the former CAF General Coordinator.
ACA is made up of 80 elite clubs drawn from leagues across Africa and four Nigerian clubs were invited by CAF during its launch last week in Cairo, Egypt.
The motives behind the creation of ACA is to protect and promote the interests of African Football Clubs, ensure that they’re commercially viable, globally competitive and profitable, to ensure that Referees, Match Commissioners and VAR operators are respected, credible, independent and world-class.
To build partnerships with sponsors, the private sector and Governments to build stadiums that comply with CAF and FIFA standards and other football infrastructure and facilities in each of the 54 CAF Member Associations.
To develop African youth talent, academies for Boys and Girls and improve the quality of African Club football to be world class.
Engineer Hersi Ally Said of Young African Football Club of Tanzania emerged President, while the Marketing Director of Kaizer Chiefs Football Club of South Africa Jessica Motaung will serve as the 1st Vice President of ACA.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe and other top officials as well as representatives from FIFA attended the event.
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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