FIVE SUPER EAGLES PLAYERS WHO STOOD OUT IN THE FIRST ROUND

Kenneth Omeruo has been outstanding so far for the Super Eagles in Egypt

So the Super Eagles bombed, badly, in their final group match against Madagascar. Old news. But one that will be talked about for a long time, especially if they do not beat Cameroon on Saturday and advance to the quarterfinals.

It was a bad time to lose, after a good start where they made two wins in two for the first time in 13 years. But all the talk since has been on the loss side, with most of the positives all but forgotten.

But there have been more than a few. Like how many players shone brightly in those games, even during that loss.

As we get ready to dive into the round of 16, let us take a look at the top five players who have excelled for Nigeria so far

KENNETH OMERUO

He played only those first two games, rested by Gernot Rohr for that flawed third, but by Jove, what a tournament he is having!

Actually, he started during the qualifiers. Omeruo has been imperious in defence, not only succeeding in breaking up the Oyibo Wall, but making himself just about the first choice in defence. 

And he has proved that he deserves it. The Leganes man missed a header against Burundi that was as close a shave as anyone could get. And then he guided in a header against Guinea for his first ever international goal.

It is a sign of how his form has ticked up that he can afford to go that high up the pitch and also play the ball out of defense with confidence.

If he keeps up this form, there is no telling how far the Super Eagles can go.

OLA AINA

Who can forget that assist? My word!

The dejavu-inspired goosebumps it brought as it threw back to the goal scored by Ben Iroha in 1994, also from a similar backheel. This time, from Austin Okocha. Aina must have been preening.

This is shaping up to be the tournament of breakout defenders for the Super Eagles. Left out of the Nigeria World Cup squad, Aina must have been relieved when he was finally named on the Nations Cup roster.

But even he did not expect to start with Shehu Abdullah the regular right back and Jamilu Collins the regular on the opposite flank.

But it would appear that the former Chelsea man was just waiting for an opportunity to come. Come it did when Collins picked up an injury and Aina was thrown in, he absolutely killed it. He was a monstrosity in the first game, looked great in the second, and even in the train wreck that was the third, was one of three players who come out smelling of roses. 

How Gernot Rohr will find a way to fit in Jamilu when he returns from injury is one headache the German will be happy to have.

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OGHENEKARO ETEBO

Nigeria’s own Energizer Bunny keeps showing exactly why he is such a valuable asset to this national team. Etebo brings energy, dynamism and the lungs of a horse to the midfield. He can play as both an attacking midfielder and and a defensive midfielder. And the team’s transition and pressing game - when they do press - pivots around him and his lung-bursting abilities.

Against Guinea, his destructive coverage of Naby Keita was key to disrupting the Guineans rhythm and against Madagascar, he did the job of three people in the midfield for the better part of the game.

Hard to find a more industrious worker in that squad.

AHMED MUSA

Musa’s quality has never been in doubt, neither has his devotion to the cause of battle. And with Nigeria struggling against Madagsacar, the assistant captain led by example. He ran himself ragged, chased after balls, swapped wings and even dropped deep to pick up balls when service was not forthcoming. It is a shame his efforts did not result in a goal.

But his attitude is always spot on and he can always be found in and around the goal area, threatening with his pace and looking dangerous with his efforts from both inside and outside the box.

Although he is yet to score - Ighalo’s decision to go for goal rather than square the ball to him a factor there - Musa remains has shone and shown that he will continue to be a potential decider for Nigeria going forward.

WILFRED NDIDI

If Etebo is the Energizer Bunny, Ndidi is the street-fighter in that midfield. Between them, they shut out two teams. Without them, the Super eagles midfield looked every bit as strong as rotting tomatoes.

Ndidi lets nothing get by him, and this tournament, has been even more aggressive in his tackling and interceptions.

As if that was not enough he has found himself venturing into the opposition box to create shooting opportunities, like he did in turning on a dime inside the Madagascar box and shooting at goal. A few millimeters left or right of goal and that would have been 2-1 with more than a healthy few minutes to play, which would have given the Super Eagles a chance at clawing back a draw.

These are our top five Super Eagles players from the group phase. Is there anyone that deserves to be here that is not? Let us know.

Next up will be the top three players who can make a difference against Cameroon and maybe even further.

ROHR’S AXE, IHEANACHO AND OTHER MATTERS

Kelechi Iheanacho has been shut out of the Super Eagles

Such has been the consistency of Gernot Rohr’s squad and team selection that there was next to no surprise when his final 23-man squad list for the African Cup of Nations was released.

And while Semi Ajayi’s cut may have stirred a flutter of emotion from fans, the axing of Kelechi Iheanacho, expected as it was, cut to the quick.

It has been less than four years ago since the forward made a blistering start to his senior international career. Since then, his club fortunes have taken a nosedive. Offloaded by Manchester City, Iheanacho’s career at Leicester City has stalled to the point of stagnation.

For the first time ever, he was left out of the Nigeria squad for games last March, and suffered a public chiding by the Nigeria manager.

Even when he was called up to the current squad it was little more than a token recognition, and after he failed to feature in the friendly against Zimbabwe, it was clear that the deed was done.

From the high of being one of the most talented players of his generation, perhaps a future leader around which the team could be built, Iheanacho finds himself cut from the Nations Cup squad, and replaced by Paul Onuachu and Victor Osimhen.

It is a rude awakening for the forward, if he will take the lessons. Rohr agreed that he spoke to the striker, but declined to say what was discussed

“I speak to the players but our conversations are confidential,” he told me.

It is clear however, that whatever the conversation was, it would have involved pulling up his socks and knuckling down for next season. Moving clubs, if necessary and possible.

For a player of his talent and potential to fall so low in such a short time is as shocking as it is unacceptable.

Kelechi’s failure is not his alone. It is also Nigeria’s failure. To put it in perspective, Christian Pulisic is the poster boy for the future of the US national team. After a successful spell at Borussia Dortmund, he will now join Chelsea where his growth trajectory is projected to continue to stay on the upward curve.

While it can be a dangerous pastime trying to predict the future (Freddy Adu, anyone?), Pulisic’s foundational grounding and management means he is more likely to hit his expected heights than Iheanacho or most other African talent.

Looking at the bigger picture, the same basic foundational issues that afflict the likes of Iheanacho (a leaden first touch, amongst other things) was also on exhibition when the Flying Eagles stank up the joint at the FIFA Under 20 World Cup in Poland, and when the Super Falcons let in three goals against Norway at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

These are all symptoms of a much bigger malaise, one that needs immediate surgery and reconstruction. 

At the moment, there is too much of a dependence on the hit or miss approach. It is time to start taking a more structured approach to both identifying, developing and grooming talent for the long haul.

It is the only way we can avoid seeing a major talent gradually slink into oblivion, or two (and more) national teams display disgraceful performances at the international stage.

Otherwise, the only way is down.

Total become new CAF Nations Cup sponsors

CAF have announced multinational oil and gas company TOTAL will take over from Orange as the new sponsors of its ten principal competitions.

The new partnership will run for the next eight years, starting with the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon, which will now be renamed the Total Africa Cup of Nations.

“This partnership is a major milestone in our ongoing search for additional resources to accelerate African football’s development, bring its governance up to date, upgrade its sports infrastructure and advance its performance globally,” Issa Hayatou, President of the Confederation of African Football said in a statement released by the body. “As a leading multinational in its field, with strong ties to Africa, Total will make a significant contribution to CAF’s initiatives to foster personal and professional growth for young Africans.”

“We are delighted to partner with CAF, because Africa is part of Total’s makeup,” commented Patrick Pouyanné, President and Chief Executive Officer of Total. “Through this commitment, we hope to strengthen ties to our stakeholders and customers through exciting, celebratory events that are always popular, including within our own teams.”

As the title sponsor of 10 CAF competitions, Total will be seen during:

·         The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). 

·         The African Nations Championship (CHAN). 

·         The CAF inter-club competitions (CAF Champions League, CAF Confederation Cup and CAF Super Cup).

·         The Youth competitions (U-23, U-20 and U-17 Africa Cup of Nations).

·         The Women Africa Cup of Nations.

·         The Futsal Africa Cup of Nations.

No details of the financials involved have been released

What the DTMS means for NPFL transfers

A little less than a decade ago, while I was editor of GOAlL!, a league-focused weekly paper, I was doing a story about a major transfer transaction between two clubs in the Nigeria Premier League.

The move involved a top player moving from a northern club to a south eastern one. Because he was such a major acquisition, I wanted to do a big story not just about him, but also about the fee.

When I spoke to the chairman of the selling club, he told me the player had been sold for N5million. At the time, that was a big sum in and of itself. I was excited. As part of my story, I called up the chairman of the buying club. 

That was when things got interesting. When I asked him what about the player convinced him to pay N5million, he paused for a moment. Then he told me they didn't pay N5 million, but N8 million.

Further digging revealed that that the actual fee paid for the player was N3million. Unfortunately, a combination of circumstances meant the story could not be published. No one would go on record, and I could not get documents from the clubs to prove the case.

That is one example of the sort of skullduggery that was going on with player transfers in Nigeria. It is why transfer disputes became a regular staple between clubs almost every season.

All due to a total lack of transparency and disdain for contracts in player transfers.

Things have improved considerably with the LMC-led restructuring, but it is still difficult to get actual figures involving domestic transfers in Nigeria. 

When players move abroad from the NPFL, the only time the fee is known is when the foreign club makes it public.

All that is about to change.

On Tuesday, FIFA announced that Nigeria has become the first African country to implement the Domestic Transfer Matching System (DTMS).

What this means in a nutshell is that 

1. ALL domestic transfers, without exception, will go through an electronic database managed by the NFF in partnership with the LMC.

2. Both buying and selling club must upload all details and documents of the transaction onto the system before the transfer can be approved.

3. All documents uploaded during a transfer are uploaded by the clubs themselves. All documents so uploaded on the TMS is considered legal and can be used to settle any transfer disputes.

4. The LMC will have to approve all transfers involving NPFL players after reviewing the documents uploaded. This eliminates the possibility of inadvertent or intentional errors in contracts.

5. The use of Intermediaries (formerly known as agents) will now become mandatory for all transfers in the NPFL and any fees paid to intermediaries (agents), will be reflected on the TMS. What this means is that only approved percentage of fees will be paid to intermediaries.

6. Financial details of all transfers will be available on the TMS.

7. Each player will have a Unique ID on the system. So once entered, players basic details cannot be changed.

8. Once the NFF gets on the FIFA Connect, the DTMS Platform can be used by clubs to determine the status of players, players contract duration and the playing history of the player

What is missing however, is a subscription to the Intermediary Regulatory Tool (IRT) which is required to keep tabs on the activities of Intermediaries (agents).

Nigeria's TMS (both ITMS and DTMS) are managed by Nasiru Jubril, who has had years of training with the FIFA TMS system.

This new tool is a game-changer in terms of how it eliminates the pervasive corruption in the Nigerian transfer system.

No longer will club A claim to have sold a player for N5m and club B claim to have bought the Same player for N8m when the actual cost is N3m.

More, clubs cannot claim to have a player on contract when there was no such contract or claim a transfer fee on a player whose contract has lapsed.

Overall, it is another step towards a better and more transparent league. Combined with more television coverage, improved refereeing, more aesthetic grounds, and return of fans to stadia, it is a sign that Nigerian domestic football is going one way. 

Up

How will Isaac Success qualify for a work permit?

Last week, Nigeria junior international Isaac Success joined Watford from Granada as their club record signing.

It is a move that has been celebrated here in his home country. But one key question has been asked. How will he qualify for a work permit as he has yet to make a senior appearance for Nigeria.

Under the old rules, he would not qualify because he has not played for Nigeria's senior team at all. The rules require that he should have made at least 75% of appearances for Nigeria's senior team over the last two years.

But wait, Mikel Obi was in the same boat some 10 years ago and got a work permit. That's because there was a plan B: was an appeals process where the club would have to show that the player was an exceptional talent.

Those regulations have now changed. It is still a two-step process of either 1) automatic eligibility or 2) appeals, but is a bit more straightforward, especially in part two and harder to qualify

PART 1: AUTOMATIC ELIGIBILITY

Automatic eligibility will now be determined according to a national team’s ranking, as set out in the table below:

Official FIFA Ranking Required % of international matches over previous 24 months

FIFA 1-10                 30% and above

FIFA 11-20         45% and above

FIFA 21-30         60% and above

FIFA 31-50         75% and above

Based on the table above, Algeria (ranked 32), CIV (ranked 36), Ghana (ranked 37), Senegal (ranked 41), Egypt (ranked 45), Tunisia (ranked 47) and Cape Verde (ranked 49) are the only African countries whose players would automatically qualify for a work permit by virtue of playing the required percentage (75) of international matches over the last 2 years.

With Nigeria ranked 61, players would need to go the appeals route.

PART 2: APPEAL

If a player fails to meet the automatic criteria stated above, the club can request that an appeals body (called the Exceptions Panel) considers the player’s experience and value to decide whether the player should nonetheless be allowed to join the club. 

This new system is a little different from the old, as it is now a points-based system under which the panel will award points depending on the circumstances of the transfer.

Four points is the minimum threshold a player must meet for the panel to recommend approval for the application. Nonetheless, the panel can still reject the application even if four or more points are scored.

The table below shows how the scores are tallied 

If the player fails to meet the above points-based system review, there is a secondary system  under which if the player scores 5 points or more, the panel may recommend that an application is granted. 

Points can be scored if, for example, the player has played in the final qualification rounds of the Champions League, Europa League or the Copa Libertadores within the last 12 months and the player has played in 30% or more of the available domestic league minutes. 

There are also points for a player's country reaching the semifinal of the African Nations Cup or Asian Cup, for example.

The review at this stage is more flexible meaning that the panel can take into account the circumstances if no transfer fee is payable (perhaps because the player has reached the end of his contract) or if the player satisfies some but not all of the automatic criteria.

If the player fails to score 5 points or more, there is one final review stage during which further arguments can be made if there are extenuating circumstances that are beyond the control of the player or national association (for example, a long term injury or suspension that has prevented the player from appearing in the last year).

These changes to the FA's rules on non-EEA (European Economic Area) players playing in the UK was done in consultation with the Premier League, Football League, League Managers Association, Professional Footballers Association and Home Association.

Isaac would therefore qualify for a work permit by virtue of his transfer fee, wages and previously playing for a club in a top league.

The same would apply for Ahmed Musa if and when he joins Leicester City, as Nigeria's low FIFA ranking means Super Eagles players do not automatically qualify.

Keshi, Amodu: time to blame the NFF again

One of the first reactions when players or coaches pass on in Nigeria, especially high profile ones, is to blame the Nigeria Football Federation for not taking care of those who served the nation.

Last week's double tragedy of losing both Stephen Keshi and Amodu Shuaibu, provided yet another opportunity for NFF bashing to add to a recent story of the abandonment of the Kate Rashidi Yekini and his family.

After Amodu's death, it emerged that he was being owed wages. Former international Idah Peterside revealed on Twitter that the late coach had told him a few days to his death, that he was owed 7 month's wages as NFF Technical Director.

NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi countered by claiming it was two months wages, same as was being owed other members of the federation's secretariat team.

Seven month, two months, it matters little. But provided further fuel for a fire that continues to be stoked regardless.

Without a doubt, and while there may be extenuating circumstances, the NFF must and should take responsibility for paying its staff wages on time. The consequences of not doing so, within a regulatory system which oversees an ecosystem where match-fixing is an ever present danger with potentially far reaching effects, can be dangerous.

But that is where the point of convergence with blaming the NFF ends. And where that of holding the players and coaches association to account begins.

Contrary to popular opinion, the federation is not responsible for either the welfare or well-being of past players and coaches. Its responsibility is to oversee and regulate football within its territory and organise matches for the country's representative teams.

Those other responsibilities fall within the purview of the player and coaches associations. These two bodies, unfortunately, have fallen short of meeting their obligations. 

For years, there was sharp and bitter division between the National Association of Nigerian Footballers (NANF) and the breakaway NFF-recognised Association of Professional Footballers of Nigeria (APFON).

This splintering meant that players had no real representation, with both bodies consumed by the battle for survival. As a result, even the serving players trusted neither enough to want to be associated with them.

During my time as Nigeria Officer, I remember APFON official Austin Popo come into the team camp to give out membership forms for the players to fill. Not many took it seriously and the majority of those forms were left behind at the hotel.

While the story with the coaches association was not one of division, there is a clear lack of distinct strategy.

A recent report stated that 70 per cent of Nigerian coaches are hypertensive. Although the veracity of that figure is questionable, there is little doubt that health care should take priority among past players and coaches.

And this is where the respective associations, and not the NFF, must play their part. They can do so by first unifying their respective bodies, a process that has thankfully already begun, especially with NANF and APFON.

Next step should be identifying the core needs of their members. Past experience suggests that healthcare would top that list of needs. Which means that their next step should be to develop strategic partnerships with health care providers in the country, and ensure that their members make the regular, mandatory contributions that guarantees them effective coverage.

And then there is the issue of wages. Clubs and the national federation are guilty of owing wages. So far, only the League Management Company have taken concrete steps to ensure that players and coaches get paid.

Rather than continue to be paper tigers that snarl on occasion, both the players union and coaches association must present one strong, unified voice to ensure their members are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.

Blaming the NFF at every turn has not and will not help.

Keshi Tribute. Football's alchemist

Keshi has a knack for making ordinary players play above their level

It is debatable whether or not Stephen Keshi could have achieved this level of greatness if it were not for the convergence of circumstances early in his career.

Called up to the national team by Chris Udemezue, Keshi led a group of players who infuriated officialdom by refusing to turn up. And their reasons were simple. Players were expected to spend upwards of two months at the national camp at the peak of the season, and with decisive league and FA Cup games looming.

NFA Chairman Anthony Ikhazoboh slammed a 6-month ban on the players, forcing Keshi to move to Ivory Coast, where he joined Stade Abidjan and then Africa Sport, captaining both clubs before leaving for Belgium to join Lokeren.

His leadership qualities stood him out and he made the big move go giants Anderlecht and later Strasbourg in France.

Keshi was not the first African player to move to Europe. But he was the one who ensured he opened the floodgates for others. Recommending this player to that club, another to a different club.

And as his teammates would say, Keshi kept in touch with every player, sometimes even calling a player's coach to find out why he was not playing his teammate.

It was easy to see why he held such control over the national team, which he captained for 11 years. Players found Keshi easy to gravitate to, but he was as good a friend as he Was formidable an opponent.

Getting on his wrong side was never a good idea.

His force of character drove the Super Eagles to Nations Cup victory in 1994, and World Cup qualification not long after. And while his waning powers meant he was not guaranteed minutes at the World Cup, his leadership and long service guaranteed he would be on the plane. And he was.

Not many great players turn out to be good managers. Keshi was among the few who carried in their greatness from the pitch to the bench.

Drifting into coaching in error rather than design, he worked as assistant to Dutchman Jo Bonfrere, who himself was assistant to Clemens Westerhof when Keshi lifted that Nations Cup in 94.

He returned as assistant to Shuaibu Amodu and helped guide Nigeria to World Cup qualification in 2002, before war broke out between the team and the media leading to the sack of the coaching crew, and some of the senior players in the squad.

Keshi took his talents to Togo, and stunned the world by qualifying the tiny nation for the 2006 World Cup. He was not allowed to lead them there however, after a rift with star player Emmanuel Adebayor meant he was cut loose.

His next stop was Mali, but their Nations Cup adventure did not quite go as planned and Keshi was called to take up the Nigeria job when Samson Siasia was fired.

If his exploits with Togo were considered a fluke, with Nigeria he proved he was football's alchemist, turning base players into golden boys.

In talent, his 2013 Super Eagles team would rank well outside the top 10 of previous iterations, but he instilled self belief and tactical ingenuity to guide them to the title and become only the second man to win the title as player and coach.

Controversial he may have been. Political he most certainly was. But Keshi was as great a coach as he was a player. And unlike others, he proved himself with three different countries.

His constant battles with the federation would ultimately cost him his job with Nigeria. But he remained loved by the fans and the players he led, both serving and retired.

Timeline of NFF crisis

November 28, 2013: 

NFF held a General Assembly schedules next Elective Congress for August 26, 2014.

Appoints new NFF Electoral Committee led by Amoni Biambo (and new NFF Electoral Appeals Committee) to organize and supervise the said election into the NFF Executive Committee.

July 2, 2014: 

Federal High Court, Jos, issues an injunction on the NFF Executive Committee, including the then NFF President Mr. Aminu Maigari, preventing it from controlling, commanding or managing NFF affairs and from presenting or holding itself out as the NFF Executive Committee.

The High Court also instructed the Minister of Sport to appoint a senior member of the civil service in the NFF to take charge during the injunction. The Minister of Sports, acting on this Order, appointed Mr. Lawrence Katken. 

Katken immediately calls an Extraordinary Congress.

July 4, 2014: 

FIFA writes to the NFF, declaring 

That the actions of July 2 contravened Articles 13, para. 1 and 17, para. 1 of the FIFA Statutes, as they prevented the NFF from managing its affairs independently and without influence of third parties. 

FIFA further stated that, applying Articles 17, paras. 2 and 3, FIFA would not recognize any person or organ not elected in compliance with NFF Statutes.

FIFA would also not recognize any decision taken by the Extraordinary Congress called by Katken

Only decisions and persons elected in the NFF General Assembly of 26 August 2014 would be considered legitimate. 

If the NFF officials were not fully reinstated by 8 July 2014, Nigeria would be banned from all football activities.

July 5, 2014:

NFF holds an Extraordinary Congress as called by Katken.

Congress votes to sack the entire NFF Executive Committee, accusing President Aminu Maigari of “financial impropriety and abuse of office”.

July 9, 2014:

FIFA Emergency Committee suspends NFF with immediate effect until the withdrawal of the High Court’s Injunction Order and a confirmation that the “properly elected NFF Executive Committee, the NFF general assembly and the NFF administration are able to work without any interference in their affairs”.

July 17, 2014:

NFF General Secretary Musa Amadu informs FIFA that the High Court’s Injunction Order had been withdrawn and that consequently the NFF Executive Committee was once again allowed to function and run NFF affairs.

July 18, 2014: 

FIFA lifts the suspension on the NFF with immediate effect.

July 25, 2014: 

NFF Executive Committee impeaches Maigari as NFF President due to alleged violation of Article 35 of the NFF Statutes (specifically for “financial impropriety and abuse of office”) and appoints his vice-president, Chief Mike Umeh, as acting president pending the new election. 

August 14, 2014:

FIFA again writes to NFF, pointing out procedural irregularities in the removal of Maigari and directing, among other things, that 

The Executive Committee of the NFF be reunified as it was before the 2014 FIFA World Cup with Maigari as president.

That major decisions [be] frozen until the elections of 26 August. 

That NFF provide FIFA with a new roadmap for elections. 

That Maigari must preside over the NFF Congress on 26 August

August 12, 2014, 

Having been reinstated on the basis of FIFA directive, Maigari surprisingly hands in his resignation "with effect from congress of 2014 election."

August 19, 2014:

NFF General Secretary Musa Amadu sends a “Notice of NFF General Assembly” to all members of the NFF Congress to remind them of the NFF General Assembly scheduled for 26 August 2014. In this notice, Mr. Amadu declared that said assembly, “in line with the provisions of Article 23(a) of the NFF Statutes 2010, [would] consider a proposal from the Executive Committee of NFF to alter the Agenda for an Elective Congress... and to fashion a new roadmap for the elections into the Executive Committee of NFF, that is open, transparent, free and fair to all contestants, and fix a new date for the Elective Congress”.

On the same day, Maigari also sends a letter, on behalf of the NFF, to FIFA, which read, in part as follows:

“This is to inform you that, based on the advice contained in your letter of Thursday, 14 August 2014..., the Executive Committee of Nigeria Football Federation convened on Tuesday, 19th August 2014 with a view to fashioning a new roadmap for the elections into the Executive Committee.

Maigari's letter specifically stated that "This effectively means that the election will not take place on that date (26th August 2014) but at a later date to be decided by the Congress, but not later than two weeks thereafter.”

August 21, 2014:

FIFA acknowledges receipt of this letter on 21 August 2014 and took note of the NFF Executive Committee’s decision “to ask the members of the upcoming congress on 26 August 2014 to consider a new roadmap for the elections, which should be held no later than two weeks after the congress...”. 

Further, FIFA went on to state that “[t]he Congress being the highest decision-making body of any football association, we approve of the above plan and, as previously stated, we are supportive of an electoral process that is free and open to everybody thereby fulfilling the requirements of the NFF regulations.”

August 26, 2014:

Aminu Maigari, Chris Green and Musa Amadu detained by DSS. 

Sports Minister Tamuno Danagogo assists in securing Amadu's release and bringing him to Congress venue at Chida Hotel.

Without Maigari and Green, Delegates decide to leave venue in search of both men.

Mike Umeh, NFF 1st Vice President, decides to take charge of proceedings in the absence of Maigari.

Amadu begins to take roll call. Observes that only 5 legitimate delegates are present. 

One of the delegates moves a motion for elections. Amadu stages a walkout.

Elections hold. Giwa is elected president ahead of Mike Umeh

Having secured the release of Maigari and Green, 39 legitimate delegates sign the roll call and continue the Congress at Bentley Hotel.

Congress of 39 legitimate delegates resolves to schedule elections for September 30 in Warri, Delta State.

Congress also approved the dissolution and reconstitution of both Electoral Committee and Electoral Appeals Committee.

August 29, 2014:

FIFA writes to the NFF (specifically, Mr. Amadu, the General Secretary), informing that FIFA did not recognize the election that had taken place at the Chida NFF General Assembly and threatening to suspend the NFF if the officers purportedly elected on that day still continued to occupy the NFF offices by midnight on 1 September 2014.

September 3, 2014:

FIFA again writes to the NFF (specifically, Mr. Amadu) directing that, as indicated in FIFA’s letter to the NFF of 29 August 2014, given that individuals claiming to have been elected on 26 August 2014 were still occupying the NFF premises at midnight on 1 September 2014, it had sent the case to the FIFA Emergency Committee, and that said committee, after having been briefed of sequence of events of the last weeks, had issued a deadline of September 8 for such persons to vacate the NFF premises or have Nigeria suspended with immediate effect.

September 8, 2014:

Amadu writes to FIFA confirming that "those persons claiming to have been elected at the Congress of 26th August 2014 had vacated the premises of the NFF." Thus, avoiding the FIFA ban

September 10, 2014:

Musa Amadu sends out a “Notice of NFF General Assembly” to all NFF members, informing them that an NFF Extraordinary General Assembly would be held on 20 September 2014 in Warri, Delta State, and that in said assembly the NFF members would be “requested to, in line with a recent directive by world football-governing body, FIFA, elect Members of the NFF Electoral Committee and NFF Electoral Appeals Committee, in preparation for the elections into the NFF Executive Committee” and in addition to “set a date for the Elective Congress, which FIFA has also directed should hold at the shortest possible time."

September 17, 2014:

Amadu, on behalf of the NFF, informed FIFA that, in consonance with FIFA’s directive of 9 September 2014, the NFF Executive Committee unanimously agreed that the First NFF Extraordinary General Assembly would be held in Warri, Delta State on 20 September 2014 and that in it, the NFF Executive Committee would propose a new roadmap for the election of a new NFF Executive Committee (to be conducted in a second NFF extraordinary general assembly, the date and venue which would also be fixed and communicated in this First NFF Extraordinary General Assembly) and oversee the election of the members of the NFF Electoral Committee and the NFF Electoral Appeals Committee.

September 19, 2014:

Justice Ambrose Allagoa of the Jos Federal High Court issues an injunction under which, pending the hearing and determination of the “Motion on Notice” filed in the case:

(i) Maigari, Amadu and all other members of the “defunct” NFF Executive Committee (as so-referred to by said Court) whose tenure of office had in its view expired on 25 August 2014 were prevented from convening or holding a NFF General Assembly or a NFF Extraordinary General Assembly or conducting any election of the NFF Executive Committee, as well as from representing themselves respectively as the President, General Secretary and members of the Executive Committee of the NFF;

(ii) the Plateau State Football Association and all other football associations of the other 36 states of Nigeria and of the Federal Capital Territory were prevented from participating in any NFF General Assembly convened by Maigari, Amadu or any other members of the “defunct” NFF Executive Committee;

(iii) the Ministry of Sports was prevented from recognizing Maigari, Amadu or any other members of the “defunct” NFF Executive Committee; and

(iv) all aforementioned parties were prevented from interfering with the performance of the duties of the members of the NFF Executive Committee elected on 26 August 2014.

September 20, 2014: 

The First Extraordinary General Assembly was held.

September 30, 2014:

The Second NFF Extraordinary General Assembly holds in Warri, Delta State, with all 44 delegates in attendance, and resulted in the election of Amaju Pinnick as NFF President

October 27, 2014:

Jos High Court grants an order setting aside the election of 30 September 2014, in effect annulling the First and Second Extra-ordinary General Assemblies.

Court rules that NFF were not properly served earlier ruling, and absolves NFF of contempt charges

October 28, 2014:

FIFA writes to NFF that if it did not have proof that the case at the High Court against Mr. Maigari, Mr. Amadu, and the Plateau State Football Association had been withdrawn by 31 October 2014 at midday Nigerian time, the matter would be referred to the FIFA Emergency Committee for implementation of an immediate suspension on the NFF.

October 30, 2014:

The action against the NFF before the High Court withdrawn and the NFF Executive Committee elected on 30 September 2014 was again permitted to carry out its activities without any hindrance.

May 2015

Court of Arbitration for Sport rules that FIFA were right in refusing to recognize the elections of August 26 due to egregious third party interference which meant the elections were not completely independent.

January 21, 2016

Sports Minister Solomon Dalung calls 'peace meeting' between NFF with Chris Giwa. Meeting degenerates into name-calling chaos.

April 8, 2016

Jos High Court re-lists withdrawn case of October 2014 and restores previous reliefs 

NFF appeal decision and file for stay of execution.

Mikel wants control against Egypt

 

Midfielder John Mikel Obi says the Super Eagles must control the game in order to win against Egypt on Friday.

Both countries meet in the first of two back to back games in the race to the 2017 African Nations Cup

"Egypt are a very good team and they quick and play very good football," said the Chelsea midfielder. "We have to be very tactical and make sure we control the game at every point."

On a personal note, the 28 year old says he is ready to do his bit

"I am always ready. It's the same as every other game I have played for this country. I always want to do my best."

Mikel admits that smouldering temperatures, which are expected to be in the mid 30s, would prove challenging

"It's difficult because the weather is always very hot. In Europe you can play for 120 minutes without feeling it. But here after 30 minutes, it feels like you've been playing for 2 hours.

"But it's our job, so we have to make sure we control the game. The more control we have, the less we have to run and the more we can have a chance to win this game."

Kickoff is at 4pm on Friday. Egypt lead the group on 6 points, two more than second-placed Nigeria.

Only the group winners qualify automatically for the tournament.

5 thoughts from last week in football

1. NIGERIAN CLUBS MUST RE-ASSESS AFTER CONTINENTAL FAILURES

With just two match days played, only one Nigerian club remains in the hunt for continental accomplishment.

This, despite four years of improvement on almost every front spurred by the League Management Company.

In previous years, exit from continental competition was generally blamed on the corrupt shenanigans which did not allow for the best teams to emerge as the country's representatives in Africa.

With those practices mostly eliminated, there are few who will doubt that any of the current representatives did not earn their respective spots.

This suggests that the problem lies within the club's themselves and a long term view will be required to provide a lasting fix.

Pointing fingers at match officials, like one club has already done, helps no one. Instead, a long hard look in the mirror, followed by an honest x-ray of the campaigns over the last few years will serve the clubs and league better.

There is no plaster that can cover this ulcer. What is needed, is surgery.

2. IWOBI POINTS TO BRIGHT FUTURE BUT REPRESENTS NIGERIA FAN CONUNDRUM

More than a few eyebrows were raised when Sunday Oliseh called up Alex Iwobi to the Super Eagles squad for two friendlies in his tour of Belgium.

Many of those were in relation to the apparent overlooking, at the time, of Manchester City's Kelechi Iheanacho who had notched up more minutes.

There were even open claims of nepotism playing a part in his call up.

Few remembered that he had first been invited to the under 23 team by Samson Siasia, but was ineligible to play because he had already represented England at cadet level.

But there is more to the Iwobi case than meets the eye. The youngster, with his parents' backing and inspired by uncles Emma and Austin Okocha, had decided to commit to Nigeria. Federation officials were keen to lock him down with a senior cap. Siasia's invitation was for him to get a feel of the Nigeria environment while Oliseh's was the first step towards cap-tying him.

Iheanacho, naturally, was only eligible for Nigeria and there was plenty of time to get him into the senior set up.

Iwobi's case is one that represents the unsteady beast that is Nigerian fandom. On the one hand, every Diaspora-born player is tapped to be capped. When one actually is, holes begin to get picked in the selection.

Coaches (sometimes with a nudge from the federation) have their own reasons for selecting different players outside of a core team. 

Iwobi is so far proving Oliseh and Nigeria right. And with the likes of Iheanacho, the Nwakali brothers, Victor Osimhen, Taiwo Awoniyi, Isaac Success, William Troost-Ekong, Kenneth Omeruo and more, the future suddenly looks bright for Nigeria. If they can develop and progress  properly.

3. IKORODU UNITED AND MFM ON OPPOSITE TRAJECTORIES

Since the relocation, then demise of Julius Berger, Lagos, Nigeria's commercial nerve-centre and the heart of almost everything the country does, had been without a premier league club for over a decade.

At the beginning of the season, two promptly came along, securing promotion in remarkable circumstances.

While both carried the private ownership standard, Ikorodu United looked the moneybags. Backed by serious private investment and with shirt sponsorship from GOTV, they made all the right noises.

MFM, on the other hand, were commercially restricted by their faith-based association. On the field however, the story could not be more diametrically separated.

MFM, on the back of some sterling away results, have quickly shot to the top of the standings after 7 rounds of games.

Ikorodu, on the other hand, face the clear and present danger of a relegation scrap even before the season has properly broken sweat.

It's panic stations already. Sunday's 1-2 home reverse to Giwa FC proved the final straw for coach Edema Benson, who was already a dead man walking. He has been fired. Former Super Falcons coach Sam Okpodu has been brought in to steady the ship.

But Ikorodu are now at the point where they need more than a coaching change to tilt their fortunes in the right direction.

They have conceded in almost every game, and missed far too many chances. That personnel revamp must extend to the playing squad.

4. LVG PLUCKS ANOTHER LIFE OUT OF THE HAT

If you're Louis Van Gaal, taking broadsides from every Man United fan and his brother, a trip to bitter city rivals Manchester City is the last place you want to travel to. Especially not after elimination from continental competition by yet another hated rival.

But travel crosstown he did with his motley band of possession hoggers. And return with three points he did.

For some, every next loss has been prophesied to be LVG's last. But this old cat appears to have more lives than nine. And with this win against a hopelessly listless City, he has bought himself more time,

In fairness to the Dutchman, he had United playing like the Red Devils of old, something the fans have craved and continue to crave for.

On the debit side, it was his shackles that had them in straitjackets in the first place, anyway.

But look away now #LVGOut proponents. Doesn't look like old sour face is going anywhere soon. . . 

5. ON JOHN OKON ENE

News of the death of former Nigeria international John Okon Ene last week came like a gut punch. 

Not only because, at 47, he was so young, but because of the circumstances. Ene died of kidney problems. His former teammate and friend Etim Esin says he hid his illness from club officials

"He had kidney problems, but said he did not want to tell the club chairman because if they knew they would sack him," Etim said.

"That is very unfortunate. And now he is dead. What happens to the job now?"

Unfortunate indeed. With Ene's standing in Nigerian football, it is doubtful that either or both of the Akwa Ibom and Cross River State governments would not have pitched in to help him with the surgery and/or organ donation that would have saved his life.

But it also tells a lot about our society, especially its sports subset, that a former international would suffer to his death because he was scared of being fired for being sick.

Enough to make you stop and ponder.

Aubemayang squashes Arsenal rumors

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang displays his latest acquisition 

Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has poured cold water on rumours of a move to Arsenal.

Speculation from England was that the Gunners were prepared to table a £60m move for the Borussia Dortmund forward.

But moments after claiming his first African Player of the Year gong, Aubameyang told ColinUdoh.com that the move was not happening 

"Let me say this first. I am not going to Arsenal. Dortmund is my club and I am not leaving soon," he said.

Aubameyang edged out four-time winner Yaya Toure and Ghana forward Andre Ayew to win the top prize and broke down in tears 

"I am not usually an emotional person but to win this award, with players like Yaya and Dede is an important moment for me. I don't usually cry, but this has made me cry."

OTHER WINNERS

AFRICAN PLAY OF THE YEAR BASED IN AFRICA: Aly Samatta

AFRICAN WOMAN PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Gaelle Enganamouit

YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Victor Osimhen

MOST PROMISING TALENT: Oghenekaro Etebo

CLUB OF THE YEAR: TP Mazembe

COACH OF THE YEAR: Herve Renard

NATIONAL TEAM OF THE YEAR (MEN): CIV

NATIONAL TEAM OF THE YEAR (WOMEN): Cameroon

Oliseh rebuilding continues with Swaziland

The Super Eagles in training

Sunday Oliseh could not have picked a better opponent for his second and third competitive games as Super Eagles coach.

With his team still undergoing chopping and changing, it would not have been the best of times to get entangled with more formidable opposition, as DRC proved in their 2-0 friendly win last month.

Swaziland may be one of the lowest-ranked teams on the continent, but their performance against Guinea, and their destruction of Djibouti is a testament to their hardwork, discipline and team chemistry.

It is an advantage that a team like that, with all players based and playing locally, have over Nigeria's motley crew of assembled parts.

Oliseh appears to be gradually settling on his best team. A combination of injuries and withdrawals mean that the starting eleven all bit pick themselves.

This is a game that the Super Eagles are expected to win. While a draw would not be a bad result, it would be an unwelcome outcome. And Oliseh will certainly expect to get plenty of lip in that eventuality.

Recalls for Obafemi Martins and a first call up for Kelechi Iheanacho has ramped up the excitement levels. Now, his team must translate that to a stirring win.

His squad had their training session held up for 40 minutes on Thursday night because the floodlights at the stadium were turned off soon after the team arrived at the match venue.

But feathers were smoothed with an apology and the team held their official training session.

That slight hiccup should and has done nothing to dampen player spirits and a win is expected on Friday night.

PREDICTED LINEUP

Ikeme, Shehu, Efe, Oboabona, Echiejile; Onazi, Mikel, Igbonu; Musa, Ighalo, Simon