Nigerian and African football legend, Nwankwo Kanu, has expressed optimism that the world would come out better and stronger from the deadly Corona virus pandemic currently ravaging the world. The former Super Eagles captain and Arsenal star, while speaking with journalists remarked that the present health situation in the world is a phase that would […]
Kanu International Football Academy received a morale booster with the arrival of top rated foreign football scouts at its Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort camp, Ibadan. According to the national coordinator of the high brow football academy, Prince Dapo Ajibade, the football scouts are in the country to witness the 8 teams national championship organised […]
via Foreign Scouts Storm KIFA Camp For New “Kanu” — finixsportsblog
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos state expressed his happiness and gratitude to the organisers and legendary African footballers of the testimonial match to celebrate his, achievements in office, paid him a courtesy visit this morning at the Lagos House, Ikeja. Led by the chairman of the organising committee, Waidi Akanni, the players included Diomansy Kamara, […]
The Nigeria Football Federation on Tuesday expressed concern over the burgling of the property of former Nigeria captain Nwankwo Kanu, with valuables such as medals, plaques and trophies carted away in the heartbreaking infraction. Reports in the media on Tuesday said valuables were carted away from Kanu’s Hardley Hotel Suites in Victoria Island, Lagos, less […]
via NFF Empathises With Kanu, Calls On Police To Track Down Burglars — finixsportsblog
Nigerian football legend, Nwankwo Kanu has heaped plaudits on Petrolex Oil and Gas and other sponsors of the Legends’ Charity Football game, which took place at The Hive Stadium in London for their support in making the programme a huge success. Speaking about the event which was tagged the Petrolex Kanu Cup, the former Arsenal […]
via Legends’ Charity Match: Kanu Lauds Petrolex, Other Sponsors For Successful Event — finixsportsblog
Campos Square will light up on Sunday February 21 as the stars of Nigeria’s glorious Atlanta 96 Olympic football gold medal winning team once again take to the pitch, 20 years after they stunned the world.
The likes of Sunday Oliseh, Emmanuel Amunike, Nwankwo Kanu, Austin Okocha, Victor Ikpeba, Taribo West and more will take on a Lagos All Stars team as part of celebrations to mark the event at Social Media Week Lagos.
“I think it is wonderful that SMW Lagos is doing this,” said Amunike. “Sometimes you don’t realize the importance of what you have achieved until much later, and I think that now we all appreciate what that meant to everyone.”
Among other events lined up are a gala night at SS 7 in Victoria Island to honour the heroes, while a series of panels and sessions on Thursday February 25 will relive those wonderful moments in Nigeria’s football history.
“It is hard to think that 20 years have flown by so quickly,” said Victor Ikpeba, who would go on to win the African Player of the Year prize a year later. “It was a moment that none of us will ever forget and we appreciate SMW Lagos for putting this together.”
“The victory of our team at Atlanta 96 was a seminal moment for Nigerian & African football, for us it is a privilege to host these Nigerian heroes and to celebrate them,” said Obi Asika, Chairman and Co-Founder, SMW Lagos.
“Please come out and support them, take a selfie, and relive those special moments. A special word of thanks to Lagos State football Association, Seyi Akinwumi and his team, Ayo Alli and the Gbamm team and all who have worked tirelessly with us to make this happen.”
All events, bar the football game and Gala, take place at the SMW Lagos Campus on Landmark Centre, Oniru.
The drive by the current board of the NFF to improve the beautiful game in Nigeria especially in aspect of helping National team coaches with backroom analysis, match preparation and match reading was stepped up today when a group made up largely of former footballers, coaches and some administrators departed for London from the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos on Monday for a two-week capacity building program in the UK.
The two–week capacity building exercise, put together by the Nigeria Football Federation, and powered by the Taleveras Foundation is a welcome development as this is one area where most Nigerian national teams could do with some help.
on hand to see the group off was NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, NFF first vice president Seyi akinwunmi and the Chief Executive Officer of Taleveras Foundation, Mr. Igho Sanomi of the Taleveras Foundation whose company has been bankrolling most of the “capacity building programs” of the Pinnick led NFF board so far.
The group led by NFF board member Chris Green is made up of the following Nigerian football personalities:
Ahmed Yaro-Yaro, Ann Chiejine, Austin Jay-Jay Okocha, Dahiru Sadi, David Ngodigha, Edema Fuludu, Florence Omagbemi, Garba Lawal, Idris Musa, Isah Ladan Bosso, John Obuh, Nasiru Jibril, Nwankwo Kanu, Salisu Yusuf, Shaibu Amodu, Siji Lagunju, and Yisa Sofoluwe.
The objective of the exercise is to enable the persons selected to return to Nigeria empowered with the right technical tool with which to provide effective backroom support to the technical crew of Nigeria’s National Teams, as at when required.
Member of the NFF Executive Committee and former chairman of the Technical and Development Committee, Barrister Chris Green is at the head of a 19–man contingent traveling to the United Kingdom on Monday for a two–week capacity building exercise, at the instance of Nigeria Football Federation,
Concerned about the need to develop qualified persons in the country to help coaches of the National Teams in the areas of match reading, match preparation and backroom analysis, the NFF sought sponsorship from Taleveras Foundation to enhance the capacity of these persons through a special programme. Taleveras Foundation was only too happy to be part of a move in support of Nigeria’s football development.
The objective of the exercise is to enable the persons selected to return to Nigeria empowered with the right technical tool with which to provide effective backroom support to the technical crew of Nigeria’s National Teams, as and when required.
NFF President, Amaju Melvin Pinnick and the Chief Executive Officer of Taleveras Foundation, Mr. Igho Sanomi will be at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos on Monday to see the delegation off to England.
The exercise is with the full support and effort of The Football Association, the Professional Football Coaches Association led by Dave Richardson, the League Managers’ Association led by Graham Mackrel, and Full-time Marketing and Logistics represented by Danny Stones.
Also on the trip are former National Team Head Coach Shaibu Amodu and former Super Eagles’ captains Austin Jay-Jay Okocha (new chairman of Delta State Football Association), Nwankwo Kanu and Garba Lawal.
There are also respected former internationals Yisa Sofoluwe, David Ngodigha, Edema Fuludu, Dahiru Sadi, Siji Lagunju and Nasiru Jibril.
Former U-20 National Team Head Coach, Isah Ladan Bosso, former Super Eagles’ Assistant Coach Salisu Yusuf, former U-17 and U-20 Head Coach Sam John Obuh and former Super Falcons’ captains Florence Omagbemi and Ann Chiejine are also included. Coaches Ahmed Yaro-Yaro and Idris Musa also make the list.
The group will be based at Champneys, Leicestershire on arrival, and on Tuesday will listen to ‘Preparation on Scouting’ by former Everton FC player Ian Atkins, now Chief Scout at the Goodison Park, and another paper by former Wolves manager John Ward, before departing for Villa Park to watch the Premier League match between Aston Villa and West Brom. A full time analysis and de-briefing on the match will be led by John Ward later on Tuesday night.
The trip of the first batch of highly–qualified Nigerians for match reading and backroom analysis technique programme in the United Kingdom is assured, as sponsors Taleveras Foundation on Monday released the cheque for the amount of money to cover the trip and the programme.
Chief Executive Officer of Taleveras Foundation, Mr. Igho Sanomi said on Monday in Abuja that his organization was extremely proud to be involved in a process meant to facilitate the rapid development of Nigeria football.
“We are doing this based on our belief that the potential is there for Nigeria football to be much better than what it is now, and everyone who has something to offer should come forward and be counted.
“Taleveras Foundation is excited to be involved in this programme that will see the likes of Nwankwo Kanu, Jay –Jay Okocha, Coach Amodu Shaibu, Garba Lawal and Florence Omagbemi improved themselves in order to be able to deliver positive impact on Nigeria football in the very near future.”
NFF President, Amaju Melvin Pinnick, just back from CAF duties at the 30th Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea, praised Taleveras Foundation for the organisation’s professionalism, integrity and keen interest in the development of football in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.
“I was at the Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea, but I was not happy that the Super Eagles were not there to defend their title. The capacity building programme in the United Kingdom is one of the plans the present NFF Executive Committee has in place to reposition Nigeria football.
“For me, and other members of the NFF Executive Committee and Management, Nigeria must never again fail to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations.
“I like to commend Taleveras Foundation for redeeming their pledge. I have been reliably informed that most of the persons listed for the trip have already secured entry visas into United Kingdom.”
Officials reliably informed that the first batch will depart Nigeria for the United Kingdom on 25th February. Among those listed are former National Team Captains Jay-Jay Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, Garba Lawal and Yisa Sofoluwe, Coaches Amodu Shaibu, Sam John Obuh, Isa Ladan Bosso, Salisu Yusuf and Kelechi Emeteole, Edema Fuludu, Paul Aigbogun, Dahiru Sadi, Ann Chiejine, Siji Lagunju, David Ngodigha, Florence Omagbemi and Garba Musa.
Taleveras Foundation has hailed the Nigeria Football Federation for the opportunity to partner with it in the building of a Technical Performance Team around the National Teams, starting with the sponsorship of 17 qualified persons for a three–week match–reading technique and backroom analysis exercise in the United Kingdom next month.
At a brief ceremony consummating the relationship, in Abuja on Monday, Chief Executive Officer of Taleveras Foundation, Igho Sanomi identified the development of technical persons as very key to turning around the fortunes of the Nigeria game for the better.
“We want to commend the NFF President, Mr. Amaju Pinnick and his Board for identifiying one of the major problems with our football and being willing and ready to partner with the private sector to find solutions through implementing our ideas to turn things around.
“I must say here that Mr. Pinnick is of immense value to Nigeria football, because of his excellent vision and passion for the game. Our commitment here is a scientific approach to provide full sponsorship to 15 male and two female persons so highly qualified to engage in this match –reading and backroom analysis exercise for the good of Nigeria football.”
Sanomi said the company was excited to be involved with a programme designed to enhance capacity for Nigerian legends like Jay–Jay Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, Yisa Sofoluwe, Shaibu Amodu, David Ngodigha, Garba Lawal, Dahiru Sadi, Kelechi Emeteole and Florence Omagbemi.
NFF President Amaju Pinnick praised Taleveras Foundation for their contribution to help take Nigeria football to a new high.
“Taleveras Foundation is a company that we have come to adore because of its passion for football, as well as their interest in capacity building. Lack of qualified match readers has impacted negatively on Nigeria football over the decades.
“The three–week exercise will take place in England while the resource persons will come from Germany and Belgium. It is a full sponsorship. The new face of football is scientific, and Taleveras will go down in history as pioneering capacity building in this special area.”
Also present at the event were Chairman, NFF Marketing, Sponsorship and Television Advisory Committee, High Chief Emeka Inyama, NFF General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu and NFF Director of Marketing Adama Idris. From Taleveras, Sanomi was joined by Chief Financial Officer Oghens Sanmi, General Manager Felix Gbemudu, Senior Manager (Finance) Goodluck Hayi and Company Secretary Achadu David Attah.
Those listed for the exercise, tentatively slated for 17th January – 8th February next year, are Shaibu Amodu, Jay–Jay Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, Sam John Obuh, Isa Ladan Bosso, Salisu Yusuf, Paul Aigbogun, Kelechi Emeteole, David Ngodigha, Edema Fuludu, Yisa Sofoluwe, Garba Lawal, Dahiru Sadi, Siji Lagunju, Ann Chiejine, Florence Omagbemi and Garba Musa.
Elite Referees Back From England As Edibe Heads To Malabo
Nigeria’s elite referees returned from a two –week capacity enhancing programme in England on Sunday, expressing deep appreciation to the Board of Nigeria Football Federation for the exercise.
Their return coincided with the appointment, by the Confederation of African Football, of top Nigerian assistant referee Peter Edibe to officiate at the 30th Africa Cup of Nations finals taking place in Equatorial Guinea early next year.
One of the referees, Tope Orowole, said they were very grateful to NFF President, Mr. Amaju Pinnick and Senforce Insurannce Limited for packaging the capacity building programme, and that they have gained a lot professionally.
“We are full of appreciation to the NFF President and the Board as a whole for the sponsorship that was brokered and the general arrangement that was so flawless. We benefitted a lot in terms of capacity enhancement and this will certainly reflect in our performance in the coming season.
“Now that one of our own Peter Edibe has been appointed to officiate at the Africa Cup of Nations, we believe it is the beginning of many good things to happen to Nigerian refereeing.”
Edibe’s appointment comes as NFF President Amaju Pinnick insisted that his focus remains seeing Nigerian referees officiate at the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals and other global championships.
It was a busy and exciting Monday for the Super Eagles and their crew as Sports Minister, Hon Tammy Danagogo accompanied by the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye and NFF President Pinnick Amaju, paid a surprise visit to the team during its evening training session at the mainbowl of the National Stadium in Abuja.
The Minister in his brief address to the players said he was doubly sure that Nigeria will qualify for the championship in Morocco, adding that obstacles that have been noticed have been eliminated. He assured players and officials of the team of President Goodluck Jonathan’s support in the remaining three qualifiers leading to the finals in Morocco.
The Minister said the team must not be distracted by criticisms from Nigerians, adding that they were doing that because of the huge believe they have in the capacity of the team to deliver. “If someone has absolute believe in you and you disappoint him a little he gets overboard, but go and restore that belief by winning the remaining three matches which will ensure you land in Maroc 2015”, he said.
The NFF President spoke in a similar vein, declaring that whatever the team will need to qualify, including his possible resignation for qualification will be made available. Amaju later came to the Eagles camp at the Bolton White Apartments, where he held two separate meetings behind closed doors, first with the technical crew led by Stephen Keshi and later the players. He refused to disclose his interaction with both parties, saying he was only making consultation with them because he wants a very strong and positive start for the new leadership of the NFF, which he heads.
Ahmed Musa Promises Birthday Goals…As Kanu Tips Team
As has become the tradition in the Super Eagles camp, Russian based striker, Ahmed Musa received a surprise birthday gift when all the players took turns in bathing him with water during Tuesday early morning training session of the national team.
The players took the petit winger, who returned to training on Tuesday morning after resting for a day following a knock he received in the first leg game in Sudan by surprise. Those who could not grab water cans, poured balls on him before training started under the early morning breeze of Abuja.
Speaking when the team returned to its camp base, Musa said he has suspended celebration till after the much desired win against Sudan on Wednesday. “After that we can paint the town red because we would have gotten our qualification hopes back on track. However, team skipper Vincent Enyeama, said there will be a short cake cutting ceremony during dinner, according to him, just to show him that he is loved by all and sundry in the team”.
Similarly, Nigerian legend, Nwankwo Kanu, says there will be no stopping the Super Eagles in the last three qualifier games for the Maroc 2015 Nations Cup. “I know the caliber of players in this team, some of them I have played with. I know the coaching crew and all the assistants, the slogan now is operation win all games”, he declared.
Kanu called for total support from all Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora, noting that what the team is passing through at the moment is common with great teams and all they need to bounce back is the support and understanding of their people.
Nigeria reclaimed the Milo U-13 Africa Championship trophy after beating Ghana 5-4 on penalties at the 3rd edition which ended in Lagos on Saturday. But the Ghanaians showed champion’s mettle when they came from 3-1 to level scores with just about five minutes to the end.
Nigeria opened scoring on the captain, Olusegun Olakunle four minutes into the game watched by illustrious ex-Nigerian internationals, Nwankwo Kanu, Peter Rufai and Ogbonna Kanu. Mustapha Adam Agba’a doubled the lead on 20th minute but Ishahaku Fatawu pulled one back for the Ghanains, restoring hope they might still keep the trophy.
But a determined Team Nigeria represented by pupils of St. Barnabas LGEA, Kwara State increased the lead when Agba’a completed a brace on 20th minute of the first half. Fatawu was on hand again for Ghana when he struck a second on the day and his third of the tournament to reduce the tally to 3-2 before the interval.
Ghana represented by Zogbeli Block A Primary School dominated the proceedings against an obviously fatigued Nigerian side but they were kept at bay by Ayodeji Otoola in goal for Nigeria. But with five minutes of play left, Abdulahi Haruna Rasheed restored parity for Ghana at 3-3 to drag the game into penalties.
Both sides converted their first three penalties and when Ahmed Ishmael failed to convert his kick, hitting the upright, the Nigerians took advantage and made no mistake directing their kicks beyond the goalkeeper.
Agba’a would go home with the golden boots for the highest goal having scored four goals in two matches and Olakunle Olusegun, the Nigerian captain took away the MVP Award presented by Kanu.
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