Sport

AFCON 2023: Bring the trophy back home – Minister charges Super Eagles

By Web News 418

By Olawale Asake

As Nigeria’s Super Eagles prepare to take on the rest of the continent at the African Cup of Nations, AFCON, the Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan-Enoh has charged the team to imbibe the spirit of resilience and togetherness to bring the trophy back to the country.

In an address during the team’s farewell dinner, Senator Owan-Enoh emphasized the importance of wearing the Nigerian badge with patriotism at the tournament, urging the team to play for Nigeria and millions of football lovers at home.

“With over 200 million Nigerians eagerly watching and supporting, your performance holds the hopes and dreams of our entire nation,”  Senator Owan-Enoh stated, highlighting the immense significance of the team’s representation on the continental stage.

Acknowledging the comprehensive support provided by President Bola Tinubu in ensuring the team’s readiness, the minister urged the Super Eagles to use every opportunity from the very first game and keep progressing in the tournament.

“Take the fight to your opponents and show the Naija Spirit that you carry”, he charged.

Senator Owan-Enoh pledged his presence in Ivory Coast to offer on-ground support and work closely with the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, to maintain focus and motivation within the team. 

“I assure you of undistracted support and endeavor to secure all that is rightfully yours, ensuring your representation of the fatherland is marked by your commitment.” the minister said.

In attendance at the dinner include, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu who hosted the dinner, the Super Eagles players, Coach and technical team members, the NFF President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau and members of the board, and past president of the NFF, Mr Amaju Pinnick.

Nigeria is hunting for its fourth continental glory, after the triumphs of 1980, 1994, and 2013.

The Super Eagles will battle against Equatorial Guinea in its first game on Sunday, January 14th, before wrestling against the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire four days later while their last group game will be against the Wild Dogs of Guinea Bissau on January 22nd.

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Sport

Aisha Falode Joins Race for NFF Exco

By Web News 619

Chairperson, Nigeria Women’s Football League, Aisha Falode has announced her desire to run for a position on the Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation, (NFF), in the election scheduled for Benin City, Edo State, on September 30.

Falode, the only appointed female member of the current NFF’s Executive Committee, confirmed this at an event held at Ikeja, Lagos state, for her declaration of intention to run for an exco seat, Vanguard.com reports.

The sports journalist explained that her decision was out of a desire to effectively develop women’s football at both the league and national team levels.

“I want to be a real stakeholder in Nigeria Football Federation, with real stake and not limited by the status of an appointee.

“It’s better to contest and win a seat on the Executive Committee, and get on board so as to ensure the gains made in Women’s football are not watered down”, she said.

Falode added that she wants to be part of the authority to take the initiative that will push for a professionally run NFF.

FRCN Abuja/Titilayo Kupoliyi

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Sport

BREAKING: Super Eagles Gets New Technical Adviser

By Web News 1869

The Sports Ministry has approved the appointment and service of Jose Peseiro as the new technical adviser of the Super Eagles.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) picked Peseiro to replace Gernot Rohr as the substantive head coach of the Super Eagles ahead of three other candidates, Frenchman, Laurent Blanc, former Barcelona coach, Ernesto Valverde and erstwhile Netherlands defender Philip for the post.

According to report from Complete Sports the sports ministry has now approved Peseiro’s appointment after talks with the NFF.

Jose Peseiro was first announced by the NFF to take over the Super Eagles after the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

Peseiro eventually did not take up the job after Augustine Eguavoen’s temporary appointment was extended to cover the ill-fated 2022 World Cup playoffs against the Black Stars of Ghana

The Portuguese last managed the Venezuelan national team. He has previously handled Egyptian club Al Ahly, his only managerial experience in Africa.

Details of Peseiro’s contract including paperwork are almost done and an announcement is expected be made soon.

The 62-year-old first assignment begins from the Qualifiers, as Super Eagles take on Sierra Leone and Sao Tome and Principe next month.

Meanwhile, It remain to be seen if Peseiro will take charge of the Super Eagles for their friendlies against Mexico and Ecuador on May 28th and June 2nd

BSN Sport / Titilayo Kupoliyi

Sport

Ogun Sports Administrators Mourn Chief Laloko

By Web News 687

The Chairman, Ogun State Football Association, Alhaji Ganiyu Majekodunmi

A statement in Abeokuta described the late Chief Kasimawo Laloko as a diligent and energetic administrator, who will be greatly missed for his contribution to football development in Nigeria.

Alhaji Majekodunmi who is also a member of the executive board of Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, said his board members are in a moment of grief at the passing of the renowned football administrator.

He prayed God to give the family he left behind the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

Also, the Acting General Manager of Gateway United football club, Mr Niyi Soleye expressed grief over the passing of the club’s one-time Technical Adviser and former Nigeria Football Federation’s Technical Director, Chief Kasimawo Laloko.

Mr Soleye in a condolence message described the deceased as an indefatigable contributor to the growth of the round leather game in Nigeria and Africa at large.

Olusegun Folarin

Sport

NNL Resumption: Remo Stars Tests Players For COVID-19

By Web News 858

Remo Stars Football Club, RSFC, have conducted COVID-19 test for its players and management as the club resumes preparation ahead of the upcoming Nigeria National League, NNL, season.

The test was conducted immediately after the club resumed from the Yuletide break to put the players and officials in good medical state before the commencement of the season.

The Team Manager, Mr Yinka Samuel explained that the test was in compliance to the guidelines set by the Presidential Task Force, PTF, and made mandatory by the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, to all football teams taking part in the three tiers of the country’s leagues.

The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, had approved January 16th as kick-off date for the Nigeria National League.

Olusegun Folarin

Sport

Ogun Government Assures NFF Of Enabling Environment For Sports

By Web News 654

Ogun State government has promised to create an enabling environment towards ensuring that the state taps from the multiplier effects of sporting activities.

Governor Dapo Abiodun gave the assurance while receiving the officials of the Nigerian Football Federation, NFF, led by its National President, Mr Amaju Pinnick at the Exco chamber, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

Governor Abiodun explained that plans had been concluded to inaugurate the Ogun State Sports Commission and Sports Trust Fund in a bid to promote and develop sports in the state.

The governor who described sports as means to reduce youth restiveness and other social vices in the society, reaffirmed his administration’s determination to partner the nation’s football body to encourage football in the state.

Earlier, the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, President, Mr Amaju Pinnick, who lauded the governor for his achievements in the last one year, explained that he was in the state to lay the foundation of Sports House which he noted would assist in keeping proper records of footballers in the country.

Bolanle Adesida

Lifestyle

Bode Oyewole was a hardworking sports administrator – Ojo-Oba

By Web News 1489

Living a life that pleases God should be taken as top priority in every individual’s daily dealings.

The Venerable, Saint Mark Anglican Church, Olomi Ibadan, Dan Oyewole, said this during the funeral sermon of a former chairman, Shooting Stars Sports Club, 3SC and former staff of Radio Nigeria, Elder Bode Oyewole.

Venerable Oyewole who described death as inevitable, said it was important for Christians to live a Christ-like life.

One of the daughters of the deceased, Miss Iyabo Oyewole, who was short of words, maintained that her father was the best in the world.

Former Secretary General, Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Dr Bolaji Ojo-Oba described late Oyewole as a hardworking sports administrator.

Also speaking with Radio Nigeria, a former deputy speaker, Oyo state House of Assembly, OYHA, Mr Tunde Olaniyan said the deceased would be greatly missed for his elderly advice.

Elder Bode Oyewole who died last Tuesday at the age of sixty-eight, retired as principal officer of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN, Ibadan, was also a former chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Oyo state council, and was the Chief Press Secretary to former Governor Kolapo Ishola of Oyo state.

His body had been laid to rest at the Church Cemetery, Olomi, Ibadan.

Taiwo Akinola

Sport

Gernot Rohr contract renewal is a welcome development – Ogun SWAN Chairman

By Web News 814

The renewal of the contract of Super Eagles Coach Gernot Rohr by the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF has been described as a welcome development.

The Chairman, Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, Ogun state chapter, Alhaji Akeem Akintunde said in an interview with Radio Nigeria in Abeokuta that the decision would put to rest the long term speculation regarding his contract renewal.

Alhaji Akintunde said there was the need to give the coach the needed support and assistance towards the development of football in the country.

Alhaji Akintunde also encouraged the Nigeria Football Federation to strengthen the technical department and ensure that all hands were on deck in a bid to move football forward at the national level.

Olusegun Folarin

Sport

Gateway FC Condoles with NFF over Okenwa’s Demise

By Web News 979

The management of Gateway United has expressed its condolences to Nigerian football fraternity over the sudden death of a member of the executive committee of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Chidi Ofo Okenwa.

The acting General Manager of the Ogun State-owned club, Mr. Niyi Soleye in a statement through the media officer, Mr Moses Ojewunmi described death of Mr Okenwa as big loss to Nigeria football family. 

Mr Soleye said Mr Okenwa was a great football administrator who had keen interest in the development of the round leather game in the nation.

He noted that the late member of the executive committee of the Nigeria Football Federation would be greatly missed by all. 

Olusegun Folarin

Sport

Covid-19: Oyo FA Suspends Football Activities

By Web News 1012

Oyo State Football Association has suspended all football activities in the state in accordance with the directive from the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, that all football activities in the country for the next four weeks.

This was sequel to the outbreak of the deadly coronavirus.

A statement made available to newsmen by the secretary of Oyo FA, Kehinde Ojelowo, explains that chairman of the association, Oba James Odeniran directed that all school and local football competitions be suspended with immediate effect till the next four weeks.

Oba Odeniran enjoined chairmen of Zonal Football Associations across the five Zones and thirty-three Local Governments in the state, stakeholders and other members to adhere strictly to the various safety precautions such as hand-washing, the use of sanitizers and social distancing. 

The statement adds that Oyo FA will sanction violators of the directive.

Olaolu Fawole

Sport

NFF Mourns with Nasarawa United over Player’s Death

By Web News 865

…Suspends league matches and orders immediate compliance with NFF Medical Regulations

The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has expressed sadness over the death of Nasarawa United defender, Chineme Martins, during a Matchday 23 league game against Katsina United at the Lafia Township Stadium last Sunday. 

Martins was reported to have slumped and died while in action.

NFF has therefore ordered the suspension of league matches until there is medical equipment compliance at different league venues.

This decision came after the Ministry of Youth and Sports, in conjunction with the NFF engaged the League Management Company, LMC, to review the situation. 

As an immediate first step, the NFF has directed that no NPFL league match be played except there is a full complement of the medical equipment and personnel as provided in the NFF Club Licensing Regulations. 

The effective compliance date is Saturday, March 14. 2020. 

Meanwhile, all Match Commissioners and the host FA are to ensure they inspect all the facilities including carrying out test runs before giving go-ahead for any match to be played. 

Olaolu Fawole

News Analysis

Ensuring Justice for Late Remo Stars Footballer, Kazeem Tiamiyu

By Web News 1236

On February 22, 2020, a Nigerian footballer who played for Remo Stars Football Club, Kazeem Tiamiyu also known as Kaka, bade the world farewell in a very controversial manner in Sagamu, Ogun State.

The deceased who was also the assistant captain of Remo Stars was said to be driving in the company of one of his teammates, Sanni Abubakar.

According to the report, he was said to have been stopped by some officers of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS.

Report says one of the SARS officers had allegedly labelled Tiamiyu a cyber-fraudster, popularly known as yahoo boy and decided to take him to a police station close by.

Tiamiyu was said to have identified himself as a player of Remo Stars, however, this fell on the deaf ears of the SARS officers.

In a statement by the media officer of Remo Stars FC, one of the SARS officers was alleged to have pushed Tiamiyu out of the vehicle that was conveying him to the station and in the process, he was knocked down by a vehicle.

The young star was subsequently confirmed dead on arrival when he was rushed to a nearby private hospital.

The death of Kazeem Tiamiyu was just few of extrajudicial killings of innocent Nigerians by personnel of both the nation’s security agencies.

In October 2016, a player of Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan, Joseph Izu was killed by soldiers of Joint Miltary Task Force in Okaki, Ahoada, Rivers State.

It is so cruel that a defenceless player like Tiamiyu who had gone to meet his manager a day before the incident ahead of his football trials coming up in Sweden would just be killed like a fly.

Instead of being remorseful and sympathetic, Nigeria Police, Ogun State Command, issued a statement which generated a public outcry on the situation that led to Kaka’s death which of course contradicted the position of Remo Stars FC.

A protest was staged on the police reaction by some youths in Sagamu where some people were feared dead.

In the light of this, the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu disbanded the Zonal Intervention Squad, ZIS, in Ogun State, while the officers involved was been arrested for being on illegal duty, and for failure to obtain clearance from the formation in Sagamu before the operation.

The killing of Tiamiyu should not be swept under the carpet as it was in the case of Joseph Izu where hasty investigation exonerated the person that killed him.

The Inspector General of Police should rise to the calls to reform the Nigeria Police to make them more people-friendly and as well conform to international standard in the discharge of their duties.

No matter the pressure, Nigeria Police must protect the people and not kill them.

The hierarchy of the police must admit its shortcomings and restore sanity into the force, thereby preventing such provocative cases in the future.

Furthermore, Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun must live to his words that such ugly incident would not occur again in the state and that the case would be thoroughly investigated.

The governor should equally consider immortalising the footballer by naming a sports institution or facility after him.

The governor, during a visit to the parents of the dead footballer, had promised to use all instruments of government to unearth the circumstances surrounding the death of Tiamiyu.

The management of Remo Stars FC should equally ensure that all entitlements accrued to Kazeem Tiamiyu are paid to his family as soon as possible, while the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, should equally come up with an award in honour of the late assistant captain of Remo Stars FC for his contribution to the development of football in Nigeria.

Nigerians are patiently waiting to see that not only is justice served but also seen that it has been served.

Olaolu Fawole