Sports

Football: Understanding The Politics Of Nigeria’s Self Isolation

Published

15 years ago

July 2, 2010

President Goodluck Jonathan’s decision on Wednesday to withdraw Nigeria from international football for two years, and more or less dissolve the Nigeria Football Federation came straight from left field.

Few, not even the most ardent of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF’s) critics, expected it. But make no mistake, this was less about Nigeria’s poor performance at the World Cup, and more about the elections into the executive committee of the NFF.

This action would seem to be the final masterstroke of the Presidential Task Force, set up by the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua to help mastermind Nigeria’s qualification for the World Cup.

With the country’s participation in South Africa on the verge of collapse, the late President put together a team headed by Rivers State Governor Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, and including the then Sports Minister, Bawa Kaoje as his deputy, to help the NFF ensure that the Super Eagles made it to the World Cup.

But the friction between both parties was evident from the get go. And the fact that at least two members of that body had designs on positions in the NFF already held by sit tight officials did little to ease the situation.

While the qualification campaign lasted, both parties fought a silent, but bruising battle to stay ahead in the build up to the elections. The little matter of actually participating at the event itself, was almost an afterthought.

NFF President, Sani Lulu and his executive committee were wary of the political and financial might of the PTF, and moved not so silently, not only to strengthen their vice grip on power, but also to ensure that the August elections were in the bag before a single ballot had been cast.

The plan was simple. They tweaked the Statutes by extending the life of state FA chairman (who held the majority of the votes at the Elective Assembly), until after the NFF elections.

What this meant in effect was that those gentlemen would not have to worry about their positions until after they had voted the not so new board in. It also meant that the current executive knew exactly who to ‘keep happy’ in the run up to the elections.

And they did a good job of it.

First, the ‘grants’ due to the state FAs were paid for the first time in over four years.

Then 30 out of 37 chairmen and secretaries were taken on an all expenses paid trip to the World Cup in South Africa. Harmless looking actions on the face of it, but one which effectively left the favoured beholden to the NFF.

The direct consequence was that even if the eligibilty criteria had not been so considerably skewed in favour of the incumbents, none but those in the inner circle would have a chance of winning.

Led by the new Sports Minister, Isa Bio, members of the PTF appealed to FIFA, accusing the NFF leadership of corruption and asking for the elections to be suspended.

They met a brick wall in President Sepp Blatter who informed the delegation that corruption issues should be tackled by the national agencies involved, and the elections could not be stopped as long as the Statutes were followed.

And so the PTF played their final card, a direct appeal to President Goodluck Jonathan, presenting a World cup report that detailed ‘maladministration’. It is that appeal which has now led to the withdrawal of Nigeria from international competitions.

FIFA’s initial official response was to reaffirm their position on government interference in football matters. However, it is understood that the world football governing body would not be unwilling to negotiate a resolution to the crisis, although that would be strictly off the record.

In the event, the Nigerian government’s demands are clear; that FIFA must accept the removal of the current NFF leadership, with transparent elections to be held to bring in a new team.

FIFA, on the other hand, would want to see the Nigerian government reverse their decision. Hopefully, that will be in time for the country to take part in the 2012 African Nations Cup qualifier or risk a one tournament ban, in line with Art 51 of the CAF Regulations on the competition.

City Crime

‘NFF Conducted Federation Cup Draw Fairly’

Published

1 week ago

April 21, 2025

The Tide

The Nigeria Football Federation has defended the recent quarter-finals draw for the 2025 President Federation Cup, saying it was conducted in line with best global practices.
A member of the NFF Executive Committee Board, George Aluo, stated that criticism over venues for the quarterfinals was unfortunate.
Going by the fixtures released on Saturday by the football body, Abakaliki FC will take on Nasarawa United in Benin, Wikki Tourists will clash with Ikorodu City in Bwari, Abuja, Akwa United and Kwara United will fight it out in Enugu, just as Area 3, Abuja, will host the encounter between Rangers International and Plateau United. All matches are scheduled for May 3rd for the emergence of semifinalists in a leg affair.
However, there have been criticisms over the Ikorodu United vs Wikki Tourist tie billed for Abuja, with a section of the press saying the venue is skewed in favour of the Bauchi team.
Aluo, also the Chairman of the Nigeria National League (NNL), said: “Some of our media men need better education, and newsmen should not be like the fans out there on the streets. In the English FA Cup, it is always a one-legged pairing that can see a club like Arsenal host Manchester United at home”.

Sports

Act Sports Signs New Teqball Specialist Contract In Nigeria

Published

1 week ago

April 21, 2025

The Tide

A new contract that will see Act Sports Di Oyibo Limited managing the career of Nigerian teqball specialist, Victor Oyemade, has been signed in Lagos.
The deal gives exclusive rights to Act Sports to manage, and exercise power of attorney over issues relating to the player’s welfare as it concerns his transactions, engagement for professional, promotional, sponsorships, endorsements, and exhibition purposes.
In signing the document, both parties also agreed that proper safeguards would be put in place to protect and promote the player’s interest at all times.
Director of Act Sports, Di Oyibo Limited, Pastor Samuel Robinson Oyibo, excited about the deal, said it would benefit both parties in the area of spreading the message of the sport, as well as laying a firm foundation for his new client’s future.
“Teqball is one of the world’s fastest-growing ball sports, and Victor Oyemade is the face of the sport here in Nigeria and Africa. That is why we are excited about this partnership that gives Act Sports official authorisation to manage his career, just as it will lay the foundation for its rapid growth in our country,” Pastor Oyibo said.
Oyemade was no less excited about the deal, saying it would help his growth in the sport.

Sports

Nigeria Name Handball Squads For Zonal Champs

Published

1 week ago

April 21, 2025

The Tide

Coaches of Nigeria’s U-18 and U-20 women’s handball teams have released their final lists of 14 players ahead of the IHF Women’s Trophy Zonal Phase, which will be held in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, that commenced yesterday to end 24th of this month.
The two teams have been training at the Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba, Lagos, for close to two weeks and departed for the competition on Thursday.
Coach John Uzor of the national U-18 team has included Omole Joy of Defender Babes and her sister Omole Shola alongside Ojie Princess of Funad Academy alongside right back Faisat Balogun in the mix while Success Duru, Chetachi Ngaodurubie of COAS Babes and Sharon Okonkwo make the cut, amongst other players.
In the U-20 team, Coach Shittu Agboola has largely stuck with the players he has been grooming since their U-18 days. The team is led by Captain Chidera Ogbusimba alongside, her Rima Queens teammates the Samuel Sisters, Amina Mohammed and Joy Peters.
Israel-based Rahima Bello, Kehinde Babatunde of ASPAC HBC of Benin Republic and Esther Mathew, who is also based in Benin Republic, keep their places.
Coach Shittu believes his team will make Nigeria proud just as they did previously at the U-18 level.
“I am really upset that Taiwo Babatunde will not be part of the team for this competition as her school, Yaba College of Technology, insisted that they will not release her for national service because of examinations.
“We did everything humanly possible to secure her release and they didn’t care that it is a national service for the interest of Nigeria and the growth of sports. We have other players who are also students and they got a release from their schools but for no tangible reason, Yabatech refused to release Taiwo despite the fact that we did everything possible to secure her release. It’s sad and I hope the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Sports Commission will work in tandem so that schools will support our goal in making Nigeria proud in sporting events”.