International Football

NIGERIA’S CHRISTIAN EMERUWA ASSUMES DUTIES AS CAF HEAD OF SAFETY AND SECURITY

Published

6 years ago

January 8, 2019

A staff member of the Nigeria Football Federation, Dr. Christian Emeruwa, has assumed office in Cairo, Egypt as Head of Safety and Security of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Emeruwa, who has served as special assistant to three successive NFF General Secretaries, is on a two –year leave of absence at the CAF Headquarters in 6^th October City, near Cairo.

Holder of a doctorate degree in health education and human kinetics from the University of Ibadan, Emeruwa took up appointment with the Nigeria Football Federation in 2007 and has, over the years, brilliantly coordinated safety and security matters at venues of major international and domestic games round the country.

He is also a FIFA Security Officer.

Before taking up appointment at CAF, Emeruwa had coordinated safety and security issues at a number of matches and competitions for CAF and world footballing –governing body, FIFA on invitation.

He becomes the second Nigerian to take up a high –profile appointment at CAF headquarters since the election of NFF President, Amaju Pinnick into the CAF Executive Committee less than 22 months ago.

The first was Samson Adamu, who is CAF’s Director of Competitions.

Apart from the duo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, A. U Mustapha, is the President of CAF Appeal Board, with so many other Nigerians on several committees of the continental body as well as FIFA.

While Pinnick has been elevated to the 1^st Vice President of CAF and is also President of the AFCON Organizing Committee, NFF 1^st Vice President, Barr. Seyi Akinwunmi, 2^nd Vice President, Mallam Shehu Dikko, Executive Committee members Ibrahim Gusau and Yusuf Ahmed, as well as Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, Mrs Chisom Ezeoke, Dr. Peter Singabele and Senator Obinna Ogba are on various panels.

At the level of FIFA, where Pinnick is a respected Member of the Organizing Committee for FIFA Competitions, he has been able to get the former Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Ayotunde Philips and NFF 2^nd Vice President Dikko into committees. While Justice Philips is the only African on the FIFA Ethics Committee (Adjudicatory Chamber), Dikko is a Member of the FIFA Football Stakeholders Committee.

“I am delighted with the number of Nigerians we have been able to get into key positions and committees in FIFA and CAF, but we are just starting. I have always been saying that Nigeria is a big country globally and we can no longer remain a silent voice in international football politics. The work is ongoing to ensure more Nigerians come to the fore at global and continental levels,” Pinnick said on Tuesday.

NIGERIANS IN FIFA

. Mr. Amaju Pinnick – Member, Organizing Committee for FIFA Competitions

. Justice Ayotunde Philips – Member, FIFA Ethics Committee (Adjudicatory Chamber)

. Mallam Shehu Dikko – Member, FIFA Football Stakeholders Committee

NIGERIANS WORKING IN CAF

. Mr. Samson Adamu – Director of Competitions

. Dr. Christian Emeruwa – Head of Safety and Security

NIGERIANS IN CAF COMMITTEES

. Mr. Amaju Pinnick – 1^st Vice President/Member, Emergency Committee/President, AFCON

. Barr. Seyi Akinwunmi – Member, Youth Competitions Committee

. Mallam Shehu Dikko – Member, Inter-Clubs and Club Licensing System Committee

. Alh. Ibrahim Gusau – Member, Organizing Committee for CHAN

. Alh. Yusuf Ahmed – Member, Technical and Development Committee

. Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah – Member, Organizing Committee for AFCON

. Mrs Chisom Ezeoke – Member, Women Football Committee

. Dr. Peter Singabele – Member, Committee on Sports Medicine

. Senator Obinna Ogba – Member, Futsal and Beach Soccer Committee

International Football

Former Chelsea manager, Pochettino takes over US men’s team

Published

1 week ago

September 11, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Nottingham Forest v Chelsea - The City Ground, Nottingham, Britain - May 11, 2024 Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino arrives at the stadium before the match REUTERS/Molly Darlington/File Photo

Former Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has been named new coach of the United States men’s team, U.S. Soccer announced on Tuesday.

Pochettino, who parted ways with Premier League side Chelsea in May after one season in charge, will take the reins of the national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Mexico, Canada and the United States.

The Argentine, a former Paris St Germain and Tottenham Hotspur manager, said his decision to join U.S. soccer was not just about football, but about the journey the country was on and he could not pass up the opportunity.

“The energy, the passion, and the hunger to achieve something truly historic here – those are the things that inspired me,” he said in a statement.

“I see a group of players full of talent and potential, and together, we’re going to build something special that the whole nation can be proud of.”

U.S. Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker said Pochettino was a “serial winner with a deep passion for developing players”.

“His track record speaks for itself, and I am confident that he is the right choice to harness the immense potential within our talented squad. We are thrilled to have Mauricio on board as we embark on this exciting journey to achieve success on the global stage.”

The U.S. have been without a permanent coach since a humiliating early exit from the Copa America on home soil in July led to the sacking of Gregg Berhalter after his second stint as head coach.

The 51-year-old boss was first appointed in 2018 and led the Americans to the knockout stages of the 2022 World Cup, but just weeks later found himself embroiled in a bitter public row with one of the team’s brightest emerging talents, Gio Reyna.

U.S. Soccer’s search for a new coach when Berhalter’s contract expired at the end of 2022 included names such as Canada coach Jesse Marsch, but they ultimately rehired Berhalter in June last year with the full support of the players.

However, it proved unsuccessful as the U.S. failed to progress beyond the group stages of the Copa America after a shock 2-1 defeat to Panama and a crushing 1-0 loss to Uruguay.

Pochettino will take over after Mikey Varas, who has been appointed interim coach, oversaw friendlies against Canada last Saturday and New Zealand on Tuesday.

The U.S. drew 1-1 with New Zealand in Cincinnati after Christian Pulisic’s goal was cancelled out by Ben Waine’s late equaliser.

The U.S. will next play friendlies against Panama on Oct. 12 and Mexico three days later.

-Reuters

International Football

BREAKING – Video: Osimhen accepts to join Galatasaray

Published

3 weeks ago

September 3, 2024

Kunle Solaja

At last, Nigeria’s striker Victor Osimhen is out of the limbo. He has accepted to join Galatasaray on loan.

He is now asking for a release clause at Napoli to become €75m instead of €130m

He also wants a break clause for January in case top clubs approach him over move.

The final points are being discussed. He has been videoed celebrating with the Turkey club’s fans.

International Football

Uruguay striker Suarez to play last international match on Friday

Published

3 weeks ago

September 3, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Uruguay striker Luis Suarez announced his international retirement on Monday, ending a 17-year career with his national team as their top scorer with 69 goals.

The 37-year-old, who has 142 caps for his country, made his international debut in 2007 and was key in the squad that reached the semi-finals of the 2010 World Cup and won the Copa America a year later.

“Friday will be my last match with my country’s national team,” an emotional Suarez told a press conference.

“The fact that is my decision to retire and that I’m not retired because of injuries or that they stop calling me for one thing or another, that gives me a lot of comfort, it helps me individually.

“It’s difficult but it gives me peace of mind that until the last game I have given my all, and that flame has not been extinguished little by little,” the striker added.

Uruguay take on Paraguay at the Centenario stadium in Montevideo on Friday in the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup before facing Venezuela four days later.

Suarez scored the stoppage-time goal against Canada that secured third place at the Copa America in July and the striker added that one of his aims was to show he could continue to contribute to the national team.

“My dream was for my children to see me win something important with the national team … that last goal was very nice for them and even though it wasn’t a trophy to take home, it was very nice for them,” he said.

“I wanted to show people again that I can continue to contribute to the national team and, well, I had the Copa America and yes, I could have done it (retired) perfectly after that, but having analysed the situation, I want to do it with my people, in my stadium.

“I want my children to live this experience. Saying goodbye with the people here is something that I don’t know if many have done.”

Suarez has already said Inter Miami will be his last club after joining the Major League Soccer side last year to reunite with former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.

-Reuters