FIFA Hammer Dangles Dangerously

FIFA Hammer Dangles Dangerously…,Blatter, Hayatou furious with Nigeria; 24-hour grace expires on Monday

Nigeria football looks to be, unfortunately, heading into a long, dark night as world football –governing body is set to wield the big stick on Monday (27th October, 2014) against the most populous black nation on earth.

Even as the Super Eagles still have a chance of qualifying for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations to defend their crown, despite a poor start in the race; even with the Golden Eaglets, the reigning champions of the world, ready to compete at the African Championship to be eligible to travel to Chile to defend their world title next year, and with the Super Falcons reclaiming their continental title in Namibia on Saturday, non–conformity to simple football rules and regulations has put Nigeria at the danger of a big slam.

On Saturday in Windhoek, Namibia, CAF President Issa Hayatou told Nigeria’s Sports Minister, Tammy Danagogo in clear terms that the world was fed up with Nigeria’s incorrigibility in the area of football administration.

Hayatou’s words: “I had to plead passionately with FIFA President, Mr. Sepp Blatter not to take action on Nigeria on Friday, because Nigeria was in the final of the African Women Championship and a ban on your country would have been bad for the competition and our sponsors. We all heard the news of the court ruling on Thursday, and the football world is angry with Nigeria. That is the truth.

Issa Hayatou, photo credit fifa.com

“The FIFA letter that came to your Federation before the elections of September 30 was very clear about an automatic suspension should there be any interference with the political process, and after the elections went ahead, we all thought you had settled your issues.”

The CAF supremo, at a meeting that had Nigeria’s Sports Minister, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Namibia, Ambassador Biodun Olorunfemi, Nigeria’s Deputy President of the CAF Appeal Board, Mazi Amanze Uchegbulam, CAF General Coordinator, Mr. Paul Bassey and CAF Media Committee Member, Aisha Falode in attendance, said there was no going back on suspension of Nigeria this week if football matters are not withdrawn from civil courts.

“I appealed to FIFA to give until Monday for Nigeria to put its act together. After that, there is absolutely nothing I can do. It is all very disappointing because we have over 50 National Associations in Africa, but a big country like Nigeria is the one always giving us the biggest headache.

“Nigeria signed to be part of the football world by joining FIFA, and opted to abide by the FIFA –approved Statutes that you have. How many times do we have to tell your country that football matters are not taken to civil courts? If Nigeria no longer wants to be part of the football world, then so be it,” an obviously exasperated Hayatou said. His French words were translated to the rest of the Nigeria delegation by the multi-lingual Paul Bassey.

It would be recalled that FIFA President Blatter and CAF President Hayatou, as well as several National Associations and NFF’s partners and political leaders around the world, congratulated Amaju Pinnick following his victory at the September 30 elections.

NFF President, Mr. Amaju Pinnick.

NFF President, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick, who was, inexplicably, stopped by security operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on his way to Namibia on Friday night with the Sports Minister, monitored the meeting on phone.

On Thursday, the Federal High Court, Jos gave a ruling setting aside the FIFA–ordered elections of 30th September, 2014 into the NFF Executive Committee, stoking the fire of anger at the world body’s Zurich headquarters.

The NFF Executive Committee, led by Amaju Pinnick, has filed for a Stay-of-Execution of the order at the same court, which the court said it will be hear on Wednesday.

Falode, who spoke from Windhoek on Sunday, said it was obvious the Government of Nigeria has to now intervene to avoid the hammer falling on Nigeria football.

“The future of millions of Nigerian youth is being put at risk by some persons who feel they have nothing to lose in the case of a FIFA ban. It is now for the Government to wade in. If we get suspended from international football now, FIFA will not revisit the matter until their 65th Congress on May 29, 2015. That would be too bad for our country’s football,” Falode said.

Pinnick Hails Super Falcons, Promises Team Adequate Preparation For World Cup

President of Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Pinnick on Saturday night congratulated the Senior Women National Team, Super Falcons, following the team’s triumph over Cameroon that returned the African Women Championship trophy to Nigeria.

ASISAT OSHOALA, DEDICATES NATIONAL HONOUR TO TEAM MATES, PARENTS,

The Falcons defeated the Lionesses 2-0 in the final at the Sam Nujoma Stadium, Windhoek with goals from Desire Oparanozie and Asisat Oshoala – indisputably the two best players of the competition.

“I am very happy at the performance of the Super Falcons. They have given this new Board of NFF its first trophy in under one month in office, and I am delighted.

“They played the Lionesses with lion hearts and there was no doubt which was the better team. They made the country proud and I want to assure the team that the NFF will do everything possible to prepare the team adequately for next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Canada.”

Pinnick was scheduled to travel out of the country on Friday night alongside Sports Minister, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, to watch the final match in Windhoek. He was however, inexplicably, stopped from traveling by some security operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

In the event, Dr. Danagogo was joined at the State Box of the Sam Nujoma Stadium by Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Namibia, Ambassador Biodun Olorunfemi.

NFF President, Mr. Amaju Pinnick.

Pinnick added: “The domination of our women in African football is no longer in doubt. Seven titles out of nine editions aptly tell the story. What we must now work hard towards is making our mark at the global stage. That is going to start with Canada 2015.”

Star–girl Asisat Oshoala was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament, replicating her feat at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Canada in the summer. But she was unable to repeat the double, pipped to the Top Scorer’s award by compatriot Desire Oparanozie, who got five goals to her own four. Nigeria’s Francesca Ordega was also named Player of the final match.

The Falcons, alongside the Lionesses of Cameroon and the Les Elephantes of Cote d’Ivoire, who shocked South Africa’s Banyana Banyana in the third place match, will represent Africa at the 7th FIFA World Cup finals in Canada, 6th June – 5th July, 2015.

AWC : FALCONS BEST YET TO COME – OKOBI

Ngozi Okobi who was voted the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in Super Falcons 4-2 win of Ivory Coast at the on going Africa Women Championship (AWC) says the best of the team has yet to come.

“I was overwhelmed when I was named the Most Valuable Player and I dedicate the award to my family”

“What we played against Cote d’ Ivoire is just a tip of the iceberg as Super Falcons are capable of doing greater things in this championship. We always knew the Ivoireans who eliminated the 2012 champions Equatorial Guinea will be tough so we took them seriously

Ngozi Okobi, PHOTO CREDIT fifa.com

“In the next game we will see a different Falcons. We shall play better now that we have navigated our opening game succesfully. Out target is to reclaim the title and we are here to give our best to achieve that” Okobi stated

The Super Falcons opened scoring in the 12th minute of the game through Esther Sunday who latched on to a sassy play by Ngozi Okobi to beat the Ivory Coast goalkeeper

The Ivorians responded 10 minutes later when Rebecca Elloh was fell in the box by Onome Ebi and Fatou Culibaly Tiegnou coolly beat Precious Dede to level up score at 1-1

Falcons persistent pressure yielded fruit in the 54th min. when Mariam Diakite scored an own goal while attempting to clear her goal area to give the Nigerians a 2-1 lead.

Desire Oparanozie made it 3-1 in the 74th with a good finish from Esther Sunday’s floater. But Cote d Ivoire pegged Nigeria back when Christine Lehoues Yeble was gifted a loose ball to fire home.

Oparanozie completed the scoring with three minutes left of play benefitting from
A pass from Asisat Oshoala to make 4-2

Speaking after the match Nigeria’s coach Edwin Okon said the Ivorians gave the Falcons a good game noting that they never played under pressure

He said that winning the cup is not negotiable and that Super Falcons will continue to improve.

NIGERIAN ENVOY MOBILIZES SUPPORT FOR SUPER FALCONS

The Nigerian High Commissioner to Namibia Biodun Olorunfemi has told the Super Falcons that they would not be lacking support while the African Women Championship lasts in Namibia.

Speaking in the dressing room after the match against Ivory Coast the High Commissioner urged Falcons to go all out to do their thing on the pitch and leave the rest for him and his staff.

“We are here to ensure that you are not lacking physical and moral support from this opening game to the last day. Nigerians in Namibia have been mobilized to come and cheer you to victory in all your matches

“Winning this opening game is a moral booster which also sends strong signal to others that you are here to win the cup.The cup is there for you to take home but you must work very hard to meet the expectations back home” he stated

He called on the team to remain focussed and committed to the task of reclaiming the title as well as pilot the development of women in Africa and Nigeria.