Author: Muhyideen Jimoh

NFF denies banning Osimhen from Super Eagles

Ban

By Muhyideen Jimoh

Abuja, June 19, 2024 (NAN) The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has described as false, reports in some online mediums that the federation has banned Super Eagles’ forward Victor Osimhen from the team, for his recent social media outburst.

NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, in a statement on Thursday, expressed amazement at the reports.

According to him, the federation has neither instructed a process nor has a process been concluded to ban the player from the national team.

“The NFF hereby implores the media to join hands with the body to positively resolve issues and then focus on the big picture all the time, rather than needlessly escalate certain matters.

“There was no official communication from the NFF, yet some persons have gone to town to talk about a ban on Osimhen from the National Team. This is not good at all,” he said.

The general secretary said the focus of the NFF is to get the Super Eagles on track in the 2025 AFCON and 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

“Our focus is to resolve all matters around the Super Eagles and be able to look ahead with confidence to the 2025 AFCON qualifiers and the remaining six matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification series.

“This is not the time to spread falsehood and foul the public space the more.” Sanusi said.

It will be recalled that Osimhen recently went on a rant on social media against Finidi George, the former Super Eagles head coach, few hours after he resigned from the job.

Osimhen had accused Finidi of allegedly questioning his commitment to the national team. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

MUYI/AMM

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Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Win

Stuttgart, June 19, 2025 (dpa/NAN) Hosts Germany on Wednesday became the first side to qualify for the Euro 2024 last 16 after Jamal Musiala’s controversial goal and an Ilkay Gündogan strike in a 2-0 win over an enterprising Hungary.

Croatia’s draw with Albania earlier and the situation in Group C means there will be at least two third-placed sides who cannot match Germany’s six points.

The four best third-placed teams out of six groups would qualify for the knock-out stages alongside each top two.

Germany’s 5-1 thrashing of Scotland lit up the opening of the tournament and Julian Nagelsmann unsurprisingly kept the same starting line-up.

Hungary, who lost 3-1 to Switzerland in the first match, started brightly but Germany got the opener midway through the first half.

Musiala rifled home his second of the tournament after good work from captain Gündogan.

Hungary appealed for a foul by Gündogan in the box before he pulled it back, but a video review allowed the goal.

Hungary continued to threaten but Gündogan settled matters on 67 minutes when he swept in left back Maximilian Mittelstädt’s low cross.

Manuel Neuer was kept busy on his 17th Euro appearance as he moved level with ex-Italy icon Gianluigi Buffon as the goalkeeper with the most Euro outings.

The Marco Rossi’s side also had a goal ruled out for offside.

Hungary’s hopes of progressing are slim but they next meet Scotland, who will later play against Switzerland in the other Group A game. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

MUYI/EMAF

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Kanu rallies support for Attom foundation’s eye treatment project

Support

By Muhyideen Jimoh

Abuja, June 17, 2024 (NAN) Ex-International, Kanu Nwankwo has called for support for Attom Foundation’s awareness and fund raising charity geared towards eye treatment of over  10, 000 Nigerians.

The football legend told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the sidelines of a Charity Champions Cup match organised by the  Foundation in Abuja to raise funds for the project.

Kanu, who coached Team Attom to a 4-1 win over Team Celebrities in the well attended match at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, said he was proud to be part of such a noble cause.

“”It’s a football match to raise awareness for the Attom Foundation, which helps people with eye problems.

“Because it’s a good cause, you can see all these big names and players are here today to support and make sure the foundation succeeds” he said.

Kanu who is renowned for his charity work through his Kanu Heart Foundation, said there was a  need for more NGOs to continue to support the needy in the society.

“The Attom Foundation is just starting, so we need to encourage them, because I love being involved in such initiatives,” he said.

NAN reports that  the carnival-like event at the  Moshood Abiola national Stadium, had Super Eagles players legends  like Jay Jay Okocha, former Arsenal stars Robert Priest and Emmanuel Eboue.

Others included  former Chelsea legend Claude Makelele, Mark Fish and comedians, such as AY, Sabinus and Broda Shaggy among others.

Other notable music stars like Tiwa Savage, Wande Cool and several other top celebrities also graced the event. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

MUYI/JPE

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Edited by Joseph Edeh

Finidi resigns after 2 games in charge of Super Eagles

Resignation

Abuja, June 15, 2024 (NAN) Finidi George has resigned as the head coach of the Super Eagles after just two competitive  games in charge.

George resigned in controversial circumstance following poor results in the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign,and the decision of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to employ a foreign technical adviser.

It will be recalled that the Super Eagles drew 1-1  with South Africa at home in George’s first game in charge, followed by a shock 2-1 loss to less fancied Benin Republic in the qualifiers.

A source from NFF who pleaded anonymity confirmed to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the coach tendered his resignation letter via email to the Federation.

NAN reports that the Miniser of Sports Development Development, Sen. Joh. Owan Enoh had summoned  NFF over the poor outings of the Super Eagles.

The 53-year-old gaffer was unveiled as coach of the Super Eagles in May following the departure of Portuguese tactician,  Jose Peseiro at the end of the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in February. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

MUYI/JPE

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Edited by Joseph Edeh

Adewumi pledges support for golf development in Nigeria

Golf
By Muhyideen Jimoh

Abuja, June 15, 2024 (NAN) Dr Rowland Adewumi, a golf enthusiast and promoter has pledged to invest more in the development of golf in Nigeria through his “Rowland Adewumi” golf classic tournament.

Adewumi stated this on Saturday at the tee-off of the tournament at the prestigious IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja, where both professional and amateur golfers are slugging it out for honours.

He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the inaugural tournament is meant to serve as a veritable platform for the development of amateur and professional Nigerian golfers to international standards.

The philanthropist stressed the need to have sustainable tournaments for golf development across the country, in line with international best practices.

“I think the game of golf has been lagging behind, so I just decided to make my own contribution to the develop the game better in Nigeria.

“This is the inaugural tournament and I intend to make it a yearly affair in the spirit of developing the sport further.

“So apart from the game, we intend doing charity today, so we are supporting about four charity homes/orphanages and widows, so it’s not all about the game but at the same time supporting charity,” he said.

Adewumi, who is a professional golfer Handicap 7 with the IBB Int golf and country club called on government and the private sector to show more commitment to the development of the sport in the country.

“We need to support the pros in the country,, because if you look at the ranking in the world, Nigerian pros are not performing better.

“So I think the private sector, the government and other stakeholders need to support the pros as well to lift up the game to a higher height,” he added.

He said the tournament was put together to celebrate his 50th birthday, but promised to make it an annual event that will serve as platform for grooming professional and amateur golfers.

Earlier, Captain of the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Ibrahim Babayo extolled the support of Adewumi to the growth of the sport in the country, while calling on others to emulator him.

“We have got talents that are not opportuned to be exposed to this game and this philanthropist, Dr Adewumi has created a platform for these talents.

“I can tell you what he has done for us in this club is unprecedented, so we wish him happy birthday.

“We thank him for deepening the game of golf in Nigeria, we thank him for the sponsorship he’s been doing in IBB golf club, he’s one of our biggest donors and he’s been supportive of all our programmes,” he said.

NAN reports that the three-day tournament featured more than 100 golfers competing in a stroke play format over the renowned 18-hole, lush green IBB golf course.

A total of N20 million prize money and other consolation prizes are up for grabs at the end of the classic. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
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edited by Sadiya Hamza

 Osimhen, Okocha, others storm Abuja for Attom charity cup

Foundation

By Muhyideen Jimoh

Abuja, June 14, 2024 (NAN) The Attom Foundation, an NGO in collaboration with some African football legends will on Saturday play a Charity Champions Cup to raise funds for the eye treatment of  over 10, 000 Nigerians.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the much anticipated match is billed for the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

Reigning African footballer of the year, Victor Osimhen and some Super Eagles stsrs will join African legends like Jay Jay Okocha, Kanu Nwankwo, Didier Drogba, Emmanuel Ebue among others.

Yahaya Atom, the Founder/CEO of Attom Foundation, disclosed this at a pre-match news conference  on Fiday in Abuja.

He said the charity match will go a long way in raising awareness about the plight of Nigerians in need of eye treatment.

He said the goal is to raise awareness and ultimately provide medical assistance to over 10,000 indigent Nigerians.

Attom who was represented by Emmanuel Ugonna, a comedian popularly known as Craze Clown,  said the foundation has offered free surgery to over 2,000 Nigerians in Maiduguri as part of it’s outreach.

He said going forward, the foundation plans to have mobile eye clinics in each of the 36 states of the country in line with international best practices.

‘Our plan is to have 36 mobile eye clinics across all states in the country where you can have eye tests, cataract surgeries and so on.

“Each of the mobile clinics costs 250,000 dollars   so you can see what we are talking about, we have four already at the Lagos port,” he said.

“When the foundation contacted me, I had no hesitation because am also involved in charity, especially as it involves the blind, my foundation is also supporting some schools.

“Abuja is also my city, so am proud to be part of this project, we have Jay Jay here, Kanu is here and a lot of other legends,” he said.

Dr Ozy Okonokhua, a public health optometrist and partner for the charity match decried the the lack of access to eye care/ treatment for most Nigerians, especially in the rural areas.

 Okonokhua said about 84 per cent of blindness in Nigeria are preventable/ avoidable with early checkup, treatment or surgery.

He said the north-east and northern part of Nigeria has the highest number of people with blindness/visual impairment, stressing the need for all hands to be on deck to reverse this trend.

According to him, HMC is partnering with the Attom Foundation to raise awareness and give some intervention and free consultation to Nigerians in this regard.

Kafayat Shafau, popularly known as Kaffy, a dance instructor/fitness coach, who is the Project Director for the Foundation assured of a world class event on Saturday.

NAN reports that the event was graced by ex-internationals and celebrities. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

MUYI/JPE

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Edited by Joseph Edeh

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2026 WCQ: NFF to employ foreign technical adviser for Super Eagles

Coach

By Muhyideen Jimoh

Abuja, June 13, 2024 (NAN) The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) says it will employ an ‘expatriate’ technical adviser for the Super Eagles in the ‘coming weeks’.

The decision is contained in a communiqué issued on Thursday in Abuja at the Federation’s executive committee hybrid meeting.

“The executive committee resolved to employ an expatriate Technical Adviser for the Super Eagles in the coming weeks, ahead of the AFCON qualifiers and the remaining FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.

“Notwithstanding the challenges that attended the team’s preparations for the Day 3 and Day 4 games of the FIFA World Cup qualifying matches, owing to a 38-hour nationwide industrial action.

“The Board expressed displeasure with the poor attitude of some of the players to the National Assignment, and unanimously decided in favour of a more robust scouting programme of outstanding Nigeria-eligible players from across the four corners of the universe, who can add tremendous value to the nation’s flagship team,” the communiqué read in parts

The NFF also apologised to Nigerians for the Super Eagles’ poor start to the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, with a pledge to beef up the technical department.

“The Executive Committee wholeheartedly apologised to Nigerians for the dismal output and subsequent very poor returns of the Senior Men National Team, Super Eagles, in four out of 10 matches in the ongoing qualification series for the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals.

“The Committee resolved to beef up the NFF Technical Department with more qualitative hands. Equally, the Technical and Development Sub-Committee will be re-jigged with immediate effect,” it said.

Super Eagles head coach, Finidi George has come under heavy criticisms following the team’s 1-1 draw with South Africa in Uyo and 2-1 loss to Benin Republic in the World Cup qualifiers.

The result leaves the Super Eagles with just three points out of a potential 12. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

MUYI/AMM

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Edited by Abiemwense Moru