Governing Bodies
NIGERIA’S SPORTS MINISTER, SUNDAY DARE PAYS TRIBUTE AS ICONIC AKINYELE GOES HOME
BY JOHN JOSHUA AKANJI
The age long practice of paying glowing tributes to dead heroes without commensurate honour and monuments erected to immortalize them will no longer be the norm.
Youths and Sports Minister, Sunday Dare has remarked that he is committed to changing the narrative by ensuring that recognition and honour is bestowed on athletes, coaches and administrators who have made immense contributions to sports development.
As the body of the late NSC Chairman, Chief Alex Akinyele is interned this Friday, the Nigerian sports minister, who by his position, is one of the successors to the late Ondo high chief, said beyond graveside oration, President Mohammadu Buhari is irrevocable committed to honouring sports men and women, coaches and Administrators that have contributed to sports.
Hence a powerful delegation is not only in Ondo to pay their last respect, the Minister is personally involved with the burial arrangements. The Minister mobilized men and resources to ensure a befitting final rites of passage for the Ondo High Chief.
While paying glowing tribute to heroes and heroines that had won laurels, brought glory and honour to our fatherland, Dare said it must go beyond mere rhetorical statements and empty promises.
“We must learn to honour athletes, coaches and administrators that committed their lives to the service of the nation. Chief Akinyele was an epitome of service and patriotism. He exemplified what genuine service to the country meant.
“His personal charm was infectious and hard work quite motivational. He tried to use his position to impact on the society. He was simply a true Nigerian hero.
“Sports remains our greatest unifying instrument, public relations tool and could be the biggest source of revenue if properly harnessed.
“So many heroes have died unheralded and in penury. We must celebrate our athletes and administrators while they are alive”, remarked, the sports minister.”
According to him, Akinyele was a pace setter, astute administrator, accomplished technocrat , consummate business man who left his mark on the sands of time.
Dare affirmed that Akinyele led an exemplary life worthy of emulation. He was a man who abhorred failure, set his goals and ensured that they were accomplished.
He presided during great epochs in Nigerian Sports like the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations victory and the qualification for the World Cup for the very fist time among others.
He was meticulous and a stickler to details. He never believed in impossibilities. Dare further described him as humane, humorous, urbane and honest in his views. While some viewed him as too cosmopolitan, he was a grasroot man who was at home with his people, no wonder he held the title of Lobosin of Ondo Kingdom.
He made remarkable marks in the development of his community in sports, education and infrastructural development. He united his people and brought them to national prominence. He was dutiful, loyal and patriotic. He was indeed passionate about the unity and progress of Nigeria. No wonder, he midwifed so many reforms in Nigeria’s body polity. He headed the Reconciliation Committee set up by the late Head of State General Sani Abacha.
While he was widely criticized in the South West, he won accolades across the Niger for his courage, zeal and unflinching believe in the sanctity of the union called Nigeria. Before his foray into sports, he brought panache, glamour, professionalism and respect to public relations practice as the pioneer President of the Institute of Public Relations of Nigeria.
His contributions to Public Relations Practice continue to evoke found memories when he worked at the Nigerian Customs Service.
As Minister of Information under General Ibrahim Babangida, he developed the template that led to the of media practice in Nigeria. He was a stylish man, great orator, full of wits and idioms, jovial and quite amiable.
He was married to a South African, Indian and lastly a Nigerian. He can therefore be best described as a man of the universe. Born on April 24th 1938 in Ondo town, Chief Akinyele was educated at the University of Ife. He died on November 15th 2019. He will be buried today, Friday.
*John Joshua Akanji Special Adviser, Media to the Minister of Youth and Sports
Governing Bodies
CAF President to Address Kenya 2027 AFCON Concerns, Senegal Trophy Row, Future Hosts and New Secretary General
By Kunle Solaja
The President of the Confederation of African Football is set for a potentially far-reaching press conference on Sunday evening, with four key issues expected to dominate discussions and shape the immediate future of African football.
At the top of the agenda will be the announcement of Nigeria’s Samson Adamu as the acting general secretary of CAF. He will thus be the highest-ranking Nigerian football official.
The next may be the growing concerns over Kenya’s readiness to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, the controversy surrounding Senegal’s continued public display of the AFCON trophy, and the anticipated announcement of hosts for the 2028, 2032 and 2036 editions of the tournament.
The briefing is widely viewed as a critical moment for CAF’s leadership, coming at a time when governance, credibility and long-term planning are under intense scrutiny.
Particular attention is expected to be paid to Kenya, one of the three co-hosts of the 2027 AFCON alongside Uganda and Tanzania. CAF is believed to have raised red flags over the pace of infrastructure development in the country, especially regarding stadium upgrades, training facilities and transport networks.
Recent inspection findings have reportedly pointed to gaps that could jeopardise project timelines if not urgently addressed. CAF may, therefore, outline stricter compliance benchmarks or timelines for Kenya to meet, with the possibility of sanctions or redistribution of hosting rights within the East African bloc if progress remains unsatisfactory.
The CAF President is likely to reaffirm the body’s commitment to delivering a world-class tournament while emphasising that hosting comes with non-negotiable standards.
Another sensitive issue expected to feature prominently is the situation involving Senegal, whose national team has continued to parade the AFCON trophy despite reports that they have been stripped of the title.
The development has sparked debate across the continent, raising questions about adherence to CAF’s disciplinary processes and the authority of its decisions. Observers say the episode risks setting an uneasy precedent if not decisively handled.
CAF is expected to clarify the circumstances surrounding the reported withdrawal of Senegal’s title, as well as outline any disciplinary or corrective measures deemed necessary.
Beyond the immediate controversies, attention will also turn to the future as CAF is expected to announce host nations for the 2028, 2032 and 2036 Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.
Such decisions are typically strategic, reflecting CAF’s broader vision of expanding football development across different regions of the continent. Sunday’s announcement could, therefore, reshape the geographical rotation and long-term planning of Africa’s flagship competition.
In addition, the CAF President is anticipated to unveil Samson Adamu as the acting General Secretary, marking a key administrative transition within the organisation. The role is central to CAF’s day-to-day operations and policy implementation, making the appointment a significant indicator of the leadership’s direction in the coming years.
Sunday’s press conference is shaping up as more than a routine engagement with the media. It represents a defining moment for CAF as it seeks to assert authority, address contentious issues and chart a clear path forward.
Stakeholders across African football will be watching closely for firm decisions and clear messaging that could influence not only the organisation of upcoming tournaments but also the credibility and governance standards of the game on the continent.
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By Kunle Solaja
Nigeria has recorded another major milestone in continental football administration with the appointment of Samson Adamu as Acting General Secretary of the Confederation of African Football.
Sports Village Square reports that Adamu, whose father, Dr Amos Adamu, was also a seasoned football administrator, has become the eighth person to hold the seat at the confederation, which clocked 69 on February 8 last year.
Top sources within CAF confirmed on Sunday that Adamu’s appointment takes immediate effect following the exit of Véron Mosengo-Omba, who stepped down from the position after mounting pressure and internal transition discussions.
Mosengo-Omba, a Congolese lawyer, had been appointed in March 2021, succeeding Abdelmounaim Bah, and brought with him experience from FIFA, where he served as Chief Member Associations Officer.
Adamu’s elevation is widely seen as a recognition of his growing influence and performance within CAF since joining the organisation in 2018 as Director of Competitions.
In that role, he replaced Mosengo-Omba and quickly established himself as a key figure in the organisation of major continental tournaments.
For Nigeria, his appointment represents a significant boost in representation at the highest administrative level of African football, reinforcing the country’s longstanding contribution to the development of the game on the continent.
Before his move to CAF, Adamu had built a strong reputation as an innovator in sports management, notably as the initiator and Chief Executive Officer of the internationally acclaimed Copa Lagos Futsal tournament, which attracted global attention and participation.
Since arriving at CAF, he has earned commendation for his efficiency and visibility, playing central roles in competition management and strategic coordination. His consistent performance reportedly made him a natural choice when discussions began over a replacement for Mosengo-Omba.
Although his current role is in an acting capacity, observers believe Adamu’s appointment could pave the way for a substantive position, depending on ongoing administrative decisions within CAF.
His emergence underscores Nigeria’s continued relevance not only on the pitch but also in the corridors of power in African football governance.
Past and Recent General Secretaries of CAF (in reverse chronological order):
- Samson Adamu (Nigeria): Appointed Acting General Secretary on March 29, 2026.
- Véron Mosengo-Omba (DR Congo/Switzerland): Served from March 2021 to March 2026.
- Abdelmounaim Bah (Morocco): Served as Acting General Secretary from March 2020 to March 2021.
- Mouad Hajji (Morocco): Served April 2019 to March 2020.
- Amr Fahmy (Egypt): Served from 2017 to 2019.
- Hicham El Amrani (Morocco): Served from 2010 to 2017.
- Mustapha Fahmy (Egypt): Served for nearly 30 years (starting in 1961).
- Youssef Mohamad (Sudan): Served as the first General Secretary upon CAF’s foundation in 1957.
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Governing Bodies
FIFA opens disciplinary proceedings against Congo officials over financial misconduct
FIFA’s ethics committee launched disciplinary proceedings against three senior Congolese Football Federation (FECOFOOT) officials on Wednesday, including president Jean-Guy Mayolas, over allegations of financial misconduct.
Mayolas, his wife and his son were sentenced to life in prison earlier this month after a criminal court in the Congolese capital, Brazzaville, convicted them of embezzling $1.1 million in FIFA funds. Media reports said their whereabouts were not known , and they were tried in absentia.
FECOFOOT general secretary Wantete Badji and treasurer Raoul Kanda are also subject to the disciplinary proceedings, FIFA said. Badji and Kanda were sentenced to five years each in prison by the court in Brazzaville for related charges.
“These proceedings follow the receipt of information and documents during an audit,” FIFA said in a statement.
-Reuters
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