Nigerian Football
VIDEOS: HOW SUPER FALCONS AND CAMEROON NARROWLY ESCAPE INTO ROUND OF 16
BY FOLAKE SOLAJA
After nearly 50 hours of waiting, Nigeria Super Falcons finally made it to the Round of 16. It was more of an escape by the skin of their teeth. They had to wait till the last minute of the added time of the last match of the group series to be assured of a place.
What an agonizing wait of fluctuating fortunes! At first, when Argentina played a 3-3 draw with Scotland in Group D on Wednesday, it was like the coast was clear for the Nigerian side to advance.
The 3-3 draw meant that Argentina had fallen on the way side among thr third-placed teams having obtained two points as against Nigeria’s three. That result was a morale booster prompting Nigeria to resume training and had an hour 30 minutes session at Stade Edemond Blanchet on Thursday morning.
But enthusiasm later died Thursday evening when Cameroon unexpectedly overpowered New Zealand 2-1 in added time to overtake Nigeria on technical ground.
Although both African neigbouring countries had three points apiece and two goals difference, Cameroon had the advantage on account of better rating on fairplay sheet.
No thanks to the three yellow cards and an expulsion Nigerian players had which put their scores on fairplay sheet at minus eight. Cameroon had minus six.
So, qualification was delayed, but not denied. That Narrowed Nigeria’s chances to the last matches of Group F, especially where Chile faced Thailand. Going into the match, both had no point and Thailand had a goal deficit of 19 while Chile had minus five and needed at least a three goal margin to upstage Nigeria.
They
nearly did. After a goalless first half, the South American benefited from a
Thai own goal when Goalkeeper Waraporn Boonsing parried the
ball into her net. It was the first ever goal for Chile in World Cup history.
After a purposeful break down the Chile’s right by Daniela Zamora, she finds Yanara Aedo. Her effort rebounds back off the post, and Goalkeeper Boonsing cannot sort out her feet in time, the ball deflecting back into the.
Chile doubled the lead in the in the 80th minute through Urrutia’s header sending Nigerian into nervous situation as Chile needed just one goal to edge the African champions out.
Five minutes later, the tension rose as a VAR reviewed ruled a penalty in favour of Chile. It was just four minutes to regulation time. Alas, Francisca Lara’s kick hit the cross bar! Respite, for Nigeria!
More drama and tension in the Nigerian
camp as an added seven minutes was ruled by match officials. Chile threw every
player forward in search of a third goal that could haven seen them through.
In the end, African football was the winner as both Nigeria and Cameroon made it to the Round of 16.
Nigeria last got to that stage 20 years ago in the US.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will on Thursday, April 2, 2026 inaugurate its Electoral Committee and Electoral Appeals Committee, marking a key step in preparations for the federation’s next executive elections.
The inauguration ceremony will take place at the NFF Secretariat in Abuja and will be presided over by NFF President and WAFU B Zone President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau.
The two committees were constituted during last week’s Extraordinary General Assembly held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, as part of the roadmap towards the NFF Elective Congress scheduled for September 26 in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
A total of 12 members have been appointed across both bodies. The Electoral Committee will comprise seven members, including a chairperson, vice chairperson and three other full members, alongside two alternates. The Electoral Appeals Committee will have five members, made up of three full members and two alternates.
According to the NFF, the Electoral Committee will oversee the entire electoral process in line with the provisions of the federation’s Statutes (March 2026 edition) and Electoral Code (March 2026). Its responsibilities include organizing, conducting and supervising elections into the NFF Executive Committee.
Those appointed into the two committees include Matthew Burkala (SAN), Hon. Justice C.J. Aneke, Emmanuel Dada Obafemi, Babagoni Grema, Benjamin Sak, Bature Musa and Professor Abdulmalik Awwal. Others are Arinze Azubuike Anughere, Dr Akogun Olugbenga Omole, Abayomi Akin Omoyimi, Ayibaye Peter Great Temedie and Ayi Ekpo Ukpayam.
Thursday’s inauguration is expected to formally set the committees in motion, with their immediate mandate being to lay the groundwork for a transparent and credible electoral process leading to the September congress.
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Nigerian Football
NSC, Edo FA Back Ikhana Football Academy, Set to Adopt Model for Youth Development
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, and the Edo State Football Association have pledged strong institutional support for the newly launched Kadiri Ikhana Football Academy (KIFA), describing it as a model for grassroots football development in Nigeria.
The commitment was made during the official unveiling of the academy in Auchi, Edo State, on Saturday, where stakeholders praised the initiative of former Nigerian international, Kadiri Ikhana.
Represented at the event by his aide, Ebidowei Oweife, Olopade commended Ikhana for establishing an academy that integrates football training with formal education, noting that the Commission intends to nurture and replicate the model across the country.
“We are happy that a person of the calibre of Coach Kadiri Ikhana has taken this initiative. He is not only a member of the historic 1980 Green Eagles squad that won the Africa Cup of Nations but also the first Nigerian coach to win the CAF Champions League with Enyimba,” Olopade said.
Declaring the project a priority, the NSC boss added, “The academy is our baby, and we shall adopt it. We are particularly impressed that it combines football with schooling. We want the students to take their education seriously alongside their football careers. The NSC will definitely support this project.”
Also throwing its weight behind the initiative, the Edo State Football Association described the academy as a significant step toward youth empowerment and football development in the state.
Chairman of the association, Fred Newton, who was represented at the ceremony, praised Ikhana for investing his experience and knowledge in grooming the next generation of players.
“We are delighted that you have chosen to give back by shaping young talents in Edo State. This initiative will have a lasting impact not only in Edo North but across the entire state. We are fully behind you and will support you in achieving your goals,” Newton stated.
The Kadiri Ikhana Football Academy is expected to serve as a hub for nurturing young football talents while ensuring their academic growth, aligning with broader efforts to create a more structured and sustainable pathway for sports development in Nigeria.
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By Kunle Solaja.
For the fourth time, the elective congress of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, will be held in September. It is a pattern that evolved in Warri in 2014 when Amaju Pinnick was elected on 30 September.
Four years later in Katsina, another elective congress was held in Katsina on September 20. Four years ago in Benin, the 30 September election brought in Ibrahim Musa Gusau.
Another September fever is in the offing as the NFF will hold its next Elective Congress on Saturday, September 26, 2026, in Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State.
The decision was ratified by the NFF Extraordinary General Assembly at its meeting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, as part of resolutions aimed at setting the stage for the federation’s next leadership cycle.
The Elective Congress will determine the composition of the NFF Executive Committee, including the election of a president and other key officials to steer the affairs of Nigerian football for the next term.
By fixing both the date and venue several months in advance, the federation is expected to provide ample time for electoral preparations, including the nomination of candidates, screening processes and compliance with provisions of the NFF Statutes and Electoral Code.
The choice of Lafia underscores the NFF’s continued rotation of major football events across different parts of the country, while also aligning with efforts to ensure a transparent and orderly electoral process.
Further details regarding the election timetable and guidelines are expected to be released by the NFF Electoral Committee in the coming months.
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