Nigerian Football

NFF MOVES TO AVERT BONUS ROW AT WORLD CUP

Published

6 years ago

November 14, 2017

The usual bonus row that has characterised Nigeria’s participation at the World Cup may not occur at Russia 2018 if the moves of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) yields result.

Before the Nigeria’s 4-2 defeat of Argentina on Tuesday, the NFF and the Super Eagles’ players signed a landmark agreement ahead of the World Cup.

According to a media release by the NFF, an historic and binding agreement that will eliminate all manner of rancour and distractions around Nigeria’s preparation and participation at the 21^st FIFA World Cup finals in Russia was signed in the Russian city of Krasnodar on Tuesday morning. The meeting to prepare the agreement was held on Sunday night in the same city.

NFF President Amaju Pinnick, Vice Presidents Seyi Akinwunmi and Shehu Dikko, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and Technical and Development Committee chairman Yusuf Ahmed Fresh represented the NFF, while Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr, Chief Coach Salisu Yusuf, Team Administrator Enebi Achor and Captain Mikel John Obi, Ahmed Musa, Kenneth Omeruo and William Ekong stood in for the team.

Before the meeting, Pinnick, who made an impressive remark at the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour that made a stop in Krasnodar on Tuesday, told thenff.com that the NFF was determined to, with the single agreement, put behind it all the crises and confrontations that had bedevilled African teams’ participation at the FIFA World Cup in the past.

At the end, NFF 2^nd Vice President/Chairman of Strategic Committee Shehu Dikko confirmed to thenff.com: “We have done it; we have concluded negotiations and come to agreement with the team as regards bonuses, allowances and share of income from FIFA for the 2018 World Cup. Every detail has been agreed on match bonus for each match and each round up to the Final as well as share of income from FIFA money for each round until the stage we are able to get to at the finals.

“We also agreed on preparation, such as how much players will be paid for the friendly matches, including how and when the monies would be paid. We even delved into how the NFF would apply the funds due to it from FIFA after paying the players their share.”

Pinnick and Sanusi signed for the NFF while Gernot Rohr and Salisu Yusuf signed for the technical crew and Captain Mikel Obi and Ahmed Musa signed for the players.

“The agreement represents the full and final understanding between the NFF and the team for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia and not subject to review or negotiations, except there is a review by FIFA of what it has approved and published as prize money for the participating countries.

“We have opted for this international best practice in order to fully motivate the team and ensure there are no distractions or discontent before and during the tournament,” Dikko added.

It is the first time in the history of Nigeria’s participation in international championships that a formal agreement between the Federation and the team is documented, and the major actors see this as a catalyst for the Super Eagles’ best performance ever at the FIFA World Cup. It can also be recalled that the NFF ensured there was no distraction over bonuses and allowances for the team during the qualifying campaign, with the Super Eagles easily dominating a so –called ‘Group of Death.’

“We are very happy and excited with this development. This is the first time since I started playing for the senior team that I would see everything regarding preparation and bonuses and allowances put down in black and white and a binding agreement executed.

It is reassuring that we now have a Federation leadership so committed to making everything work that they arranged this meeting and allowed the players to contribute and then set out to sign the agreement,” Captain Mikel Obi said.

It would be recalled that at the last FIFA World Cup finals in Brazil, the Super Eagles missed a training session in protest over bonuses and allowances and share of the income from FIFA, forcing the Federal Government to dispatch then Sports Minister Tammy Danagogo to Brazil with millions of dollars in cash.

A similar situation played out in the camp of Ghana’s Black Stars, and back in 2006, the camp of the Togolese National Team was torn by disputes over bonuses and allowances.

Pinnick later told thenff.com: “We communicated the Honourable Minister of Sports on the negotiations and he endorsed the agreement on behalf of the Government. He also applauded the NFF for the bold step to sort out all issues that could militate against Nigeria having a great outing at the World Cup finals in Russia next year.”

Nigerian Football

Rivers fail to find their course

Published

11 hours ago

May 12, 2024

Kunle Solaja

BY MITCHEL OBI

It is over and another defeat for the Pride of Rivers on the road, going down to a 67th minute goal by Sunshine Stars Yusuf.

It was a goal the boys from Akure desperately needed to ease off the breeze from the relegation waters.

And now they can smile, sharing the same 39 points with Bayelsa United and hoping to go clear when the full league resumes on May 25, the international day of football as declared by the United Nations.

Rivers United can now settle for their next rescheduled match against Abia Warriors on Wednesday May 15 before returning home to face stubborn Niger Tornadoes May 18. Indeed, it has been a miserable southwest run for Rivers Utd, picking only a point in three games and fluffing away the opportunity to challenge effectively for another continental ticket this season. Consolation may come in their chase for the President Federation Cup in which they have a contend again with the same Niger Tornadoes in the round of 32. That game happening on May 22 will see foot faithfuls in Auchi coming out in their numbers to watch two premier league clubs after almost a decade.

The Sunshine Stars versus Rivers United game in Akure was live on StarTimes, committed to broadcast all the rescheduled premier league games this month and continue their four match weekly schedule when the league fully returns.

Nigerian Football

NFF commiserates as former Super Eagles right winger, Babangida is hit with another tragedy

Published

12 hours ago

May 12, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Gusau (fourth from left), Magaji (third from right), Sanusi (third from right) and Eguavoen (left) during the visit to bereaved Tijani Babangida (middle) at the hospital on Sunday.

President of Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, NFF Executive Committee member Timothy Heman Magaji and the General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi on Sunday paid a condolence visit to former Nigeria international forward and President of the Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria, Tijani Babangida, who was involved in a ghastly auto crash along the Kaduna – Zaria Road on Thursday.

The unfortunate crash claimed the life of Tijani’s younger brother, Ibrahim – a member of the 1993 FIFA U17 World Cup -winning Golden Eaglets, on the spot. Tijani’s infant son, Fadil reportedly passed on Friday night during surgery, while his wife, Maryam is said to have successfully undergone facial surgery.

In the delegation also were NFF Technical Director, Coach Augustine Eguavoen; Member of the NPFL Board, Jude Anyadufu; former Nigeria international and Chairman, Bauchi State Football Association, Pascal Patrick; former Nigeria international goalkeeper Emmanuel Babayaro; former Nigeria international, Austin Popo; prominent football stakeholder, Abubakar Danfulani and; former Nigeria international and special assistant to NFF President, Mallam Nasiru Jibril.

The delegation met Tijani Babangida at a hospital in Abuja to which he was transferred from ABUTH, and commiserated with the former World Cup star on the deaths of his brother and son, while praying for quick recovery for himself and his dear wife, who is still under intensive care at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria.

Nigerian Football

Flying Eagles 1983 set awards full scholarship to son of their skipper, Late Ali Jeje

Published

12 hours ago

May 12, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Ali Jeje, first from left in the Flying Eagles at the 1983 World Youth Tournament in Mexico.

In a poignant tribute to the enduring legacy of their late captain, Ali Jeje, the 1983 set of the Nigeria.

In a signed statement, vice captain of the team, Paul Okoku recalled the late Ali Jeje’s leadership was the cornerstone of the Flying Eagles’ journey to become the first Nigerian team to the FIFA under 20 World Cup, in Mexico.

According to Okoku, who resides with his family in USA, “1983 was the first time a Nigerian flag was raised and flown on the world football stage, in admiration of the world gathering for a pride of a nation, the players were the pride of the nation, Nigeria and the continent of Africa.

“The raising of the Nigerian flag was a proud moment, symbolizing the nation’s admiration for its players who embodied the pride of Nigeria”, added Paul Okoku, who pointed out that “despite facing significant adversities, Ali Jeje’s unwavering dedication to the team and the sport left an indelible mark on the annals of Nigerian football history”.

Okoku noted that in recognition of the late Ali Jeje’s unparalleled contributions and the enduring legacy he left behind, the Flying Eagles, 1983 set, has resolved to support Abdul Rahman’s educational aspirations through a scholarship.

“Furthermore, on behalf of the Esteemed Solidarity Flying Eagles Team, 1983 set, and as the vice captain of the history-making squad, I salute you, my fellow teammates, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all our team members who generously supported this initiative financially and in kind who deserve our genuine appreciation for their integral role in the scholarship scheme:

“Chibuzor Ehilegbu, Otti Amaechi, Paul Okoku, Femi Olukanni, Segun Olukanni, Dehinde Akinlotan, Taju Disu, Dahiru Sadi, Tarila Okorowanta, Manu Garba, Alphonsus Akhahon, Sunday Edema Benson, Yemi Adebanjo, Samson Siasia, Patrick Udoh, Muyiwa Manny Motajo, Humphrey Edobor, Bright Benson, Wahab Adesina, Wilfred Agbonabare, Christopher Anigala, Yisa Sofoluwe, Raymond King, Mike Igbeka and Tarfa Kpako”.

Reflecting on the profound impact of this initiative, Paul Okoku expressed deep gratitude to his former teammates for their unwavering support and commitment, stressing that ” our collective action exemplified the essence of true teamwork and underscored the power of unity in honoring the cherished memory of our beloved Captain, Ali Jeje.

Abdul Rahman Jeje’s heartfelt appreciation for the opportunity to further his education serves as a poignant testament to the transformative impact of this scholarship on his future. With profound humility, he extends his heartfelt gratitude to the Flying Eagles, 1983 set, for illuminating the path to a brighter future and honoring his father’s enduring legacy.

“Incidentally that was also the first FIFA tournament attended by a Nigerian national team, when the Flying Eagles qualified after beating Guinea over two legs and he was the centre referee in the Group B match between Poland and the United States in Pueblo as well as the game between Brazil and Holland at the Jalisco Stadium, Guadalajara.”

“At the tournament, two other African referees – Bernard Grah of Cote D’Ivoire and Mohammed Larache of Morocco – were sent home after the Group games while Okubule was among the 12 retained to proceed with the remaining matches.

“As the Flying Eagles, 1983 set, continue to honor our illustrious legacy and invest in the next generation, we remain steadfast in our commitment to supporting Abdul Rahman’s educational journey”