FIFA Presidential Race: Pinnick Confers With Hayatou

President of the Confederation of African Football, Alhaji (Dr) Issa Hayatou has emphasized that Nigeria is a very important nation in African, nay world football, and would always play an influential role at every turn.

At a private meeting with NFF President Amaju Pinnick in Yaounde, Cameroon on Monday, the continent’s football supremo lauded the measures that the present NFF has been taking to rebuild Nigeria football and restore the nation’s glory in the international game.

Pinnick briefed the CAF boss on the various developmental programs of the Nigeria Football Federation, which Hayatou said he was very much aware of.

Africa’s number one football administrator, who is world –governing body, FIFA’s only Senior Vice President, spoke at length on the unity in CAF – which insinuates that CAF would only support a candidate which has Africa’s interests at heart, for the forthcoming FIFA presidential elections.

NFF President, Amaju Melvin Pinnick.

The NFF boss then thanked the CAF President and assured him of Nigeria’s steadfastness in support of CAF’s programs.

“As a responsible affiliate body, the NFF will continue to follow CAF’s lead in global football politics and policies. We have a lot of developmental programs that we are about to unveil, and we will always require CAF’s support,” said Pinnick.

It will be recalled that while setting its conditions for Nigerians aspiring for the highest office in world football, the NFF had made it clear that it would be willing to facilitate meetings with CAF’s top hierarchy for the aspirants. This also formed part of discussions between the CAF President and NFF boss Pinnick on Monday.

INYAMA CHALLENGES FOOTBALL ASSOCIATIONS

The Chairman, Abia Warriors Football Club of Umuahia, Chief Emeka Inyama, has challenged various state football associations to organize strong and virile league for local clubsides in their states to act as a foundation for the discovery of burden stars who could be nurtured for national teams.

Chief Inyama, who threw the challenge in Umuahia when members of the Abia State Football Association called on him, lamented that local State league competitions which created waves in the past, was fast becoming extinct as most state FAs no longer pay serious attention to it.

He noted that going back to the grassroots will enable the country discover more hidden talents and promised that Abia Warriors Youth Team will participate actively in the State league which the Abia FA is planning to organize.

The Abia Warriors Chairman, who is also the chairman of the Nigeria National League Board, commended the cordial relationship currently existing between the Abia FA and clubsides in the State, pointing out that the situation is so because the members are united.

Abia Warriors Football Club, Chairman Emeka Inyama

He used the opportunity to commend the State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu for his support to sports generally and football in
particular, describing him as a square peg in a square hole while promising that Abia Warriors will make the state proud at the end of the season.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Abia State Football Association, Sir Ephraim Chukuemeka said they had come to present the new executive to the Chairman after their last election in which he noted, Chief Inyama supported them highly to emerge.

Sir, Chukuemeka, who described Abia Warriors as partners in progress, pointed out the club is run with the highest international standard and promised that the football Association will always stand by the club at all times.

Port Harcourt Derby: Asamoah Wants Sharks’ Scalp

Six goal hero for Dolphins this season, Godbless Asamoah wants his 7th and maybe 8th on Sunday against Sharks in the Port Harcourt derby.

Asamoah did not play for Dolphins until Match Day 10 against FC Taraba in Jalingo.

He has also been out injured on two occasions totaling 8 match days, yet has managed 6 goals for his side this season.

Now he wants to score the goals that will give his side maximum points against neighbours, Sharks on Sunday.

“Remember, my first ever goal for Dolphins was against Sharks at our home. Now I pray to God that I can do same at their home,” Asamoah said.

“It’s a local derby. Remember the last time I scored against Sharks was my first goal in the Nigerian league so I believe I can do same again as we continue on our way to escaping relegation,” the Ghanaian striker said.

After he made his debut for the club against FC Taraba, he told DolphinsFCMedia that he planned to either finish top scorer in the league or at least for the club.

Godbless Asamoah in action for Dolphins vs Giwa fc in a Glo NPFL match

“The league is still going on and I know if I cannot be league top scorer, then I can be for Dolphins, just like Emem (Eduok) did last season.

“Then after this season, I can continue my goals adventure next season,” he said.

The last five encounters between both sides have ended in 4 draws and a 2-1 win to Sharks in 2013

Nigerian Sports Award: Nominations to Close September 26…Organizers Salutes Nigerian Athletes Performance at AAG

Organizers of the prestigious Nigerian Sports Award, Unmissable Incentives Limited have announced that the nominations of Sportsmen and Women for the different categories of awards for the 2015 edition would close on Saturday, September 26, 2015

Kayode Idowu, Executive Director, Unmissable Incentives Limited, disclosed this in Lagos on Monday while briefing the media on developments on the 2015 edition of the Nigerian Sports Award.

Kayode Idowu, Nigerian sports awards

Idowu revealed that the nominations for this year’s edition of the award was deliberately prolonged to close after the just concluded All African Games to accommodate the different major sporting activities for the year.

“In the past, we have had instances where some Nigerian Sportsmen and Women recorded some outstanding performances during the course of the award year but couldn’t make it into nominations. This is why we decided to ensure that nominations for this year closes at the end of all the major sporting events” he said.

He then used the opportunity to commend and congratulate the Nigerian athletes to the just concluded All African Games for the outstanding performance and medal haul at the tournament.

AfroBasket 2015 champions Nigeria

He also commended the Nigerian Basketball Team, D’Tigers for winning the recently concluded FIBA Africa Basketball competition and picking the ticket to compete in the Basketball event at the next Olympic games billed to hold in Rio, Brazil.

Idowu called for Nigerians to seize the opportunity of the remaining few days to nominate their favourite Nigerian athletes who have recorded excellent performances in their various sports during the course of the year.

He urged Nigerian sports enthusiasts to visit the website of the award using the link – http://nigeriansportsaward.com/nominations/ or nominate on Facebook as well as Twitter.

It would be recalled that the nominations phase of the 2015 edition of the award opened on June 4th, 2015. Verification of entries by the Auditors would hold between September 26th and 28th while the announcement of final shortlist would be made public on October 6th.