International Football
NIGERIA’S CHRISTIAN EMERUWA ASSUMES DUTIES AS CAF HEAD OF SAFETY AND SECURITY
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 6th 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 1st Vice President of CAF and is also President of the AFCON Organizing Committee, NFF 1st Vice President, Barr. Seyi Akinwunmi, 2nd 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 2nd 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 – 1st 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
Nigeria’s Super Eagles put up a spirited performance but were edged 2-1 by Portugal in an international friendly at the Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa in Leiria on Wednesday night.
The match served as Portugal’s final tune-up ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America and offered the Nigerians a chance to test themselves against one of Europe’s leading sides led by veteran captain Cristiano Ronaldo.
Portugal drew first blood in the 23rd minute when Pedro Neto broke the deadlock, firing past Nigerian goalkeeper Maduka Okoye after a lively opening period in which both teams created opportunities.
The Super Eagles responded positively and were rewarded eight minutes before halftime when striker Akor Adams found the equaliser. The goal capped an impressive Nigerian fightback and ensured the teams went into the break level at 1-1.
Ronaldo, making a rare appearance against Nigeria, started the match and remained on the pitch until the 67th minute. The 41-year-old was given a standing ovation by the home crowd when he was replaced by Gonçalo Ramos.
Portugal made several changes after the interval as coach Roberto Martinez rotated his squad in preparation for the World Cup. Despite the substitutions, the hosts continued to press for a winner.
Their persistence paid off in the 75th minute when Francisco Conceição struck the decisive goal, restoring Portugal’s lead and ultimately securing victory for the European side.
Nigeria battled to find another equaliser in the closing stages but Portugal’s defence held firm to preserve the 2-1 result.
The defeat means Portugal have now won both meetings between the two countries. Their first encounter came in Lisbon in November 2022, when the Portuguese recorded a convincing 4-0 victory in a pre-World Cup friendly.
While the result will disappoint Nigerian supporters, the Super Eagles can take encouragement from their resilient display against one of the teams widely tipped to make a strong impact at the World Cup. Akor Adams’ goal and Nigeria’s competitive showing against a star-studded Portuguese side provided positive signs as the team continues its rebuilding process under the national team set-up.
For Portugal, the victory provides a confidence boost as they head to North America, where they hope their talented midfield and experienced squad can propel them to a successful World Cup campaign.
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Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo will be in the starting line-up when the Selecao take on Nigeria in an international friendly match which kicks off in a few minutes tonight.
The 41-year-old forward, who remains a key figure in the Portuguese national team, has been named among the starters as Portugal continue preparations for upcoming competitive fixtures.
Ronaldo’s inclusion is expected to add further excitement to the encounter, with Nigerian fans eager to see one of football’s greatest players in action against the Super Eagles.
The match offers Nigeria another opportunity to test themselves against top European opposition, while Portugal will look to sharpen their squad ahead of future international assignments.
Kick-off is scheduled for later tonight, with both teams expected to field strong line-ups in what promises to be an entertaining contest.
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By Kunle Solaja
Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Portugal will meet for only the second time at the senior level when they clash in an international friendly in Leiria on Wednesday night.
The encounter comes under remarkably similar circumstances to their first meeting in November 2022, when Portugal defeated Nigeria 4-0 in Lisbon just days before the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Once again, Portugal are using Nigeria as their final warm-up match before the World Cup. Four years ago, the Portuguese selected the Super Eagles to prepare for a group-stage clash against Ghana, the team that denied Nigeria a place at Qatar 2022.
History appears to be repeating itself. This time, Portugal are preparing for a World Cup opening fixture against the Democratic Republic of Congo, another team that shattered Nigeria’s World Cup ambitions by eliminating the Super Eagles from the qualification race.
The match at the 29,000-capacity Estádio Dr Magalhães Pessoa offers Nigeria an opportunity to avenge the heavy defeat suffered four years ago and test themselves against one of Europe’s strongest sides.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has assembled a star-studded squad featuring five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Rafael Leão and João Félix.
The Portuguese head into the encounter unbeaten in their last four matches, having recorded victories over the United States and Chile while drawing with Mexico.
Nigeria, under coach Eric Chelle, have also enjoyed an impressive run. Since taking charge 15 months ago, the Franco-Malian tactician has overseen 24 matches and suffered only one defeat in regulation time.
With both teams carrying impressive recent records, Wednesday’s friendly promises to be far more competitive than the scoreline from their last meeting suggests.
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