Nigerian Football

NFF/ZENITH BANK TOURNEY: THE FUTURE IS HERE SAYS AKINWUNMI

Published

6 years ago

December 20, 2017

NFF 1^st Vice President and Chairman of the NFF Youth Football Committee, Seyi Akinwunmi was full of elan and elocution on Tuesday, after another successful and highly inspiring conclusion to the NFF/Zenith Bank Future Eagles Championship.

This year’s event was concluded at the Agege Stadium. Five days of exciting youth football in Kano came to an exciting finale in Lagos with South East U15 boys emerging champions after a 5-2 spanking of their North West counterparts.

Midfield action in the final match of the NFF/Zenith U-15 Tournament

Yet, there were so many talents on display on both sides that Akinwunmi, who is also Chairman of the NFF Football Committee, was much delighted: “I am very happy at what I am seeing here. We can safely say the future is here. I had no doubt when we started this programme that we were on to a great thing.

“Indeed, in the next two years or thereabout, we would have no reason to go outside this competition to pick our U17 National Team.

“We are also emphasizing the importance of combining academics with football. Any player who is unable to do this will be dropped.

“You can never compare the ball sense and guile of a player who is combining education with football career with that of one who is unable to.”

Most Valuable Player and Top Scorer of this year’s competition, Divine Nwachukwu netted a hat –trick to steer the South Easterners to glory. His goals came in the 32^nd, 43^rd and 53^rd minutes.

Franklin Eneh had put South East ahead in the 21^st minute, with Oluebube Oguduba sealing victory for them in the 75^th minute. Ibrahim Saifulahi netted both goals for equally impressive North West in the 52^nd and 60^th minutes.

South West emerged champions of last year’s edition. “Football is about catching them young and this is what we are doing.

“Talented players abound everywhere in this country and you only need look for them to get enough. We will not relent but will even intensify the programme to bring the best from all the zones.

“My joy is that the sponsors (Zenith Bank) are also happy with this and have expressed immense joy at how this is turning out.

“With the raw talents that we have, all that is left is for us to find ways of exposing them, and we will work very hard at that. We will also ensure we bring the selected players to camp periodically to nurture their talent and add finesse to their game,” Akinwunmi added.

NFF President Amaju Pinnick, Executive Committee members Ibrahim Musa Gusau, Yusuf Ahmed Fresh, Sharif Rabiu Inuwa, Babagana Kalli and Chidi Ofo Okenwa, NFF Youth Committee members Busari Ishola, Dotun Coker and Edema Fuludu, Emmanuel Iba (Chairman of Akwa Ibom FA), members of the Lagos State FA and an array of the nation’s top sports editors/managers were among dignitaries at the finale.

North Central had earlier emerged champions of the U13 competition after defeating South West 4-2 on penalties following a 0-0 draw in Kano at the weekend.

The NFF U15 National Team had earlier wowed dignitaries and spectators with eye –catching performance in a 3-0 defeat of Pepsi Academy in an exhibition match that preceded the final match.

HONOURS

Best Coach award – Jude Agada (South East)

Best Goalkeeper – Anthony Okoronkwo (South East)

Golden Boot Award – Divine Nwachukwu (South East: 6 goals)

MVP – Divine Nwachukwu (South East)

ALL THE RESULTS

(U13 COMPETITION)

South South 3 North East 0 (W/O)

North Central 2 North West 1

North East 0 South West 3 (W/O)

North West 3 South East 0 (W/O)

South West 0 South South 0

South East 0 North Central 3 (W/O)

South West 2 North West 1

North Central 2 South South 1

FINAL

South West 0–0 North Central (2-4 after penalties)

(U15 COMPETITION)

North East 2 South South 3

South West 0 South East 2

South South 2 North West 4

South East 4 North Central 0

North West 1 North East 0

North Central 1 South West 3

North West 4 South West 3

South East 4 South South 1

Nigerian Football

Rivers fail to find their course

Published

10 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”