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SUPER 8 MUST GO AHEAD, NFF EMERGENCY COMMITTEE RULES
The Emergency Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation, chaired by the President of NFF, Amaju Melvin Pinnick, rose from a meeting at the weekend and announced that it had directed the go-ahead of the Super 8 Tournament of the Nigeria National League (NNL) to produce four teams to be promoted to the Nigeria Professional Football League for the 2018/2019 Season.
This is, as enshrined in the NNL 2018 Rule Book and in line with the propositions of the expanded meeting of chieftains of the NFF, the LMC, the NPFL Clubs, the NNL and NNL clubs, that the NNL should stage its statutory Super 8 to produce the four teams for NPFL.
The Emergency Committee said it took the decision after careful consideration of the relevant rules and regulations, contemporary best practice and what is obtainable and defensible in the international sphere.
Members commended the NFF President for the tremendous efforts he made to meet with the NNL leadership,the eight NNL Clubs qualified to participate in the Super 8 as well as the proprietors of the clubs with a view to explaining to them the need to stage the tournament.
“I am imploring the various club owners and other investors, promoters and facilitators, as well as the administrators of the two Leagues, to see the current situation as a consequence of the special circumstances that we found ourselves and consider the best interest of Nigerian Football.
“Nobody foresaw these special circumstances. Yet, it is only by obeying the rules and regulations, and being guided by global best practice that we can move forward. Nigerian football is operating within the international football community, and not an oasis in any desert.
“The NFF Emergency Committee endorses the resolution of the expanded meeting that the best eight teams in the NNL should contest the Super 8 Tournament, from which the best four teams will be promoted to the Nigeria Professional Football League for the 2018/2019 Season.”
Pinnick further stated that the decision to endorse the NPFL proposal of 30th August 2018 to end the League at Week 24, should be seen for what it is – a measure to deal with an exceptional circumstance to meet up with the deadline for submission of Nigeria’s flagbearer in the CAF Champions League, and the need to redraft the league calendar from August – May as directed by the Confederation of African Football.
“We are calling on stakeholders to see these decisions as the only way of getting out of the special circumstances and forge ahead.”
It would be recalled that the meeting of the NFF Executive Committee, held in Asaba, Delta State on 20th November 2018, had mandated the NFF President to take a decision on the matter having considered the propositions/decisions of an expanded meeting of NFF chieftains and LMC leadership, after a meeting of Administrators and Club Owners of the NNL.
However, in his quest for wider consultation, Pinnick referred the matter to the NFF Emergency Committee for deliberation.
The Emergency Committee thus directed that teams contesting the Super 8 Tournament, scheduled for Aba, should arrive the Abia State capital on Wednesday, 19th December, and the tournament must be concluded by Sunday, 23rd December for the Nigeria National League to present teams to the Nigeria Professional Football League for the new season.
“The Super 8 Tournament must go ahead with all the teams arriving on or before Wednesday, 19th December.
“I enjoin all the eight qualified teams to endeavour to be in Aba for this tournament, in order to ensure that the LMC has the names of the four teams promoted from the NNL, and go ahead to conduct its draws for the new season.”
The Committee also directed that the NNL must proceed with the tournament as scheduled with the Clubs that report to Aba while stating that disciplinary action would be taken against those who fail to honour their obligations to participate in the Super 8 and the directives of the NFF.
“At the same time, the League Management Company must make best efforts to ensure that all parameters,processes and procedures are set to commence the new Nigeria Professional Football League season before the first day of January, 2019.”
Gombe United FC, Remo Stars FC, Shooting Stars Sports Club, Bendel Insurance FC, Delta Force FC, Kada Stars FC, Real Stars FC and Kogi United are the teams qualified for the NNL Super 8 Tournament.
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Iran Rally Twice to Earn Draw Against New Zealand Amid Charged Atmosphere in Los Angeles
Iran came from behind twice to secure a 2-2 draw with New Zealand in a dramatic FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G clash at Los Angeles Stadium on Monday, with the match unfolding against the backdrop of political tensions surrounding Tehran and a tentative agreement aimed at ending the recent U.S.-Iran conflict.
According to Reuters, the atmosphere inside and outside the stadium reflected the complex emotions surrounding Iran’s participation in the tournament. Los Angeles, home to the world’s largest Iranian diaspora community, saw hundreds of protesters gather before kickoff, many carrying Iran’s pre-revolutionary Lion and Sun flag and anti-government signs.
On the pitch, New Zealand made a bright start and took the lead when Elijah Just volleyed home from close range after being picked out by captain Chris Wood. The goal sparked celebrations among some anti-government supporters, while others had earlier booed Iran’s national anthem before the match.
However, the majority of the crowd of more than 70,000 appeared to back Team Melli, repeatedly chanting “Iran, Iran” and erupting in celebration when veteran defender Ramin Rezaeian equalised in the 33rd minute.
Rezaeian, one of several Iranian players whose domestic campaigns were disrupted after the suspension of the country’s league earlier this year, reacted quickest to a blocked effort and slotted the rebound past the advancing New Zealand goalkeeper.
The All Whites restored their advantage shortly after halftime through another combination between Wood and Just. Wood threaded a perfectly weighted pass through the Iranian defence and just finished emphatically to score his second goal of the match.
Iran again found a response, this time through Mohammad Mohebbi. The forward met Rezaeian’s pinpoint cross with a powerful header that struck the far post before bouncing into the net to level the score at 2-2.
Iran pushed hard for a winner in the closing stages and created the better opportunities, but New Zealand held firm to claim a valuable point.
“I love my mom and dad. They always pray for me in difficult times, so this is for them,” Rezaeian said after the match.
“And also for my people in Iran.”
The result leaves Group G finely balanced after Belgium and Egypt played out a 1-1 draw earlier in the day, meaning all four teams sit on one point after their opening matches.
For New Zealand, the draw extended their wait for a first World Cup victory. The All Whites, appearing in their third finals tournament, have now gone seven World Cup matches without a win.
“We’re disappointed not to win,” New Zealand coach Darren Bazeley said.
“When you’re leading twice in a game, you come away with that what if. We were probably as close as we’ve ever been to winning a game at the World Cup, and we couldn’t quite do that today.
“But we’re in the World Cup, we didn’t lose, we stayed in the game, scored goals and created chances, so it was a really strong performance, I’m really proud of it.”
Reuters reported that divisions among Iranian-American supporters were evident throughout the day. Some fans said attending the match could be interpreted as support for Tehran’s government, while others insisted they were there solely to support the national team and its players.
Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei also highlighted the challenges his squad has faced during the tournament. After relocating their World Cup base camp from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico, the team has been required to travel internationally for each group-stage match.
Ghalenoei complained that several federation officials and members of the coaching staff had been unable to enter the United States after visa applications were rejected.
“I think perhaps our team is the most oppressed one in the World Cup,” he said through a translator.
Despite those difficulties, the coach praised the support his side received in Los Angeles.
“It was a very good atmosphere,” he said.
“It was very positive. I was very happy with the supporters and the fans who were supporting the Iranian players. I think that was a very great achievement.”
Iran will return to Los Angeles to face Belgium in their next Group G fixture, while New Zealand will travel to Vancouver to take on Egypt as the battle for qualification to the knockout stages intensifies.
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Morocco Handed Boost as Brazil Lose Only Specialist Right Back Ahead of World Cup Clash
Morocco have received an early boost ahead of their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C opener against Brazil after the South Americans lost their only specialist right back, Wesley, to injury.
The AS Roma defender was ruled out of the tournament after suffering a left thigh muscle injury during Brazil’s 2-1 international friendly victory over Egypt in Cleveland on Saturday.
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) confirmed on Sunday that medical examinations revealed damage to the adductor muscle in Wesley’s left thigh, forcing him to withdraw from Carlo Ancelotti’s 26-man World Cup squad.
His absence leaves Brazil with a significant selection headache ahead of Saturday’s showdown with Morocco. Wesley was the only natural right back in the squad, meaning Ancelotti may now have to rely on makeshift options such as versatile defenders Danilo and Ibanez to fill the position.
“The MRI scan revealed a muscle injury to the adductor muscle in his left thigh,” the CBF said in a statement.
“The CBF regrets the injury. Wesley is a player much loved by the squad and will always be considered part of this team as it seeks to win its sixth World Cup title.”
Brazil have moved quickly to replace the injured defender, calling up Atalanta midfielder Ederson, who is expected to join the squad in the United States on Monday.
For Morocco, the development could offer a tactical advantage as the Atlas Lions prepare to face the five-time world champions in what is expected to be one of the most eagerly anticipated matches of the group stage.
The North Africans, who reached the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup and continue to be regarded as one of the strongest teams outside Europe and South America, will be looking to exploit any defensive uncertainty on Brazil’s right flank.
Brazil, chasing a record-extending sixth World Cup title, are grouped alongside Morocco, Haiti and Scotland in Group C. The opening encounter between Morocco and Brazil is expected to play a key role in determining the eventual group winner.
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Algeria have extended the contract of national team coach Vladimir Petkovic and his technical staff until 2028, the country’s football federation said on Sunday, days before the World Cup in North America, with his previous deal due to expire immediately after the tournament.
Petkovic, who took charge in February 2024, has overseen a strong turnaround, leading Algeria to 21 wins, four draws and three defeats in 28 matches and guiding the team to qualification for the 2026 World Cup, after their absence from the 2018 and 2022 editions.
Algeria also reached the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after consecutive group-stage exits in 2021 and 2023, while climbing from 43rd to 28th in the FIFA world rankings and from seventh to fourth in Africa during the Bosnian’s tenure.
The federation said the extension reflected “stability and confidence in the work accomplished”, with Algeria set to open their World Cup Group J campaign against Argentina on June 17 before facing Jordan and Austria.
-Reuters
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