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NIGERIA FOOTBALL SEASON TO END IN 6-8 WEEKS

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The Nigerian Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare on Thursday, April 16, 2020 engaged the leadership of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), via videoconference, to discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on football in Nigeria and to firm up strategies to mitigate the effect of the disruptions and protect the domestic football industry.

The Permanent Secretary in the ministry,. Gabriel Aduda was also part of the meeting, while the NFF team was represented by the President, Amaju Melvin Pinnick, 1st Vice President Seyi Akinwunmi, 2nd Vice President/LMC Chairman Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the NWFL Aisha Falode and NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi.

The Minister informed the NFF team that in view of the Coronavirus pandemic that has practically paralysed the sports industry, it is imperative to assess its impact on the domestic sports industry including football and consider strategies for charting a new course for football in the post-COVID-19 era.

He reiterated the need for NFF to keep the stakeholders, including the Government and private sector, duly informed on the steps being taken so they can consider interventions to protect the industry.

The meeting discussed several issues around: 

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. General impact of the disruption caused the domestic football industry by the Covid-19 pandemic

. Plans to conclude the current football season across all levels

. Time to start the new football season

. New formats to adopt when re-opening the leagues especially the NPFL and possible options to crown the champions

. Funding for the domestic league

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. Plans by the NFF to win back the confidence of partners/sponsors to Nigeria football in view of the dark clouds that have truncated the efforts to get more private sector involvement into the game

. NFF’s international commitments and plans post COVID-19

. Possible options to source and/or create support/intervention for the domestic football industry due to the the current circumstances and post COVID-19.

Further to the meeting with the Minister, the Nigeria Football Federation resolved as follows:

  • The current football season will be concluded within 6-8 weeks of the re-opening of the country and a clear go-ahead by the relevant authorities is obtained to commence football activities.
  • The format to be adopted upon the resumption of football activities regarding the completion of the various Leagues and Cup competition will be determined by the time available, health and security guidelines, as well as decisions by global football authorities on football calendar and international competitions (CAF and FIFA).
  • NFF will constantly review the football calendar as the issues develop and periodically keep stakeholders informed on proposals and plans. The Honourable Minister is working on many channels including but not limited to the setting-up of an Athletes Protection Fund (driven by the private sector) and sourcing for intervention/support funding that could be utilised to support athletes and sports, including the football industry affected by this pandemic.
  • The NFF recognises the need to win back the confidence of partners/sponsors to football and intends to arrange private visits and special programs, and will continue to solicit the support of the Honourable Minister in this regard.
  • The NFF has mandated the Leagues to work to ensure players, coaches and other employees’ salaries are protected and should liaise with club owners to ensure players are paid accordingly.
  •  That the domestic league must be protected to ensure its commercial viability is sustained and the competition integrity upheld both in the current circumstances and post COVID-19 pandemic.

The NFF would further submit a detailed brief to the Sports and Youth Development Ministry on the issues and the likely support needed to ensure the protection of the football industry as envisaged.

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Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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Ahead of Nigeria-Libya match: Some kidnapped journalists regain freedom

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An unspecified number of Nigerian journalists travelling to Uyo for Friday’s Nigeria versus Libya’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match have been rescued.

This is contained in a press release by the Sports Writers’ Association of Nigeria (SWAN) on Thursday. The association commended the Nigerian security forces for their efforts in the rescue operation.
From the press release, it was gathered that the media men were abducted within the  Anambra and Imo states axis.

”SWAN therefore commends the security operatives, particularly the Nigerian Army and Police for their prompt action which ensured that up to six of the held Sports Journalists regained their freedom with efforts to get the remaining person freed”, reads the SWAN statement.

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Klopp becomes Red Bull global soccer chief in first job after Liverpool

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Liverpool v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - May 19, 2024 Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp reacts as he gives a speech after his last match as Liverpool manager REUTERS/Phil Noble/File Photo

German coach Juergen Klopp has been appointed head of global soccer for Red Bull, owners of several clubs including RB Leipzig and New York Red Bulls, the company said on Wednesday, in his first job since leaving Liverpool earlier this year.

Klopp, who ended his successful nine-year stint with Liverpool at the end of last season, will be starting on January 1, 2025.

“After almost 25 years on the sideline, I could not be more excited to get involved in a project like this,” Klopp, who also coached Mainz 05 and Borussia Dortmund, said in a statement.

“The role may have changed but my passion for football and the people who make the game what it is has not.”

The 57-year-old joined Liverpool in October 2015 and won the Champions League, their first English League title since 1990, the Club World Cup, FA Cup, League Cup and Super Cup, as well as the Community Shield during his time in charge.

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Klopp, who also led Dortmund to two Bundesliga titles, a German Cup and a Champions League final in 2013, had announced in January he would be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season.

Klopp will not be involved in the day-to-day operations of the Red Bull-owned clubs in Germany, United States, Brazil and Austria, the company said.

“He will provide strategic vision, supporting individual sporting directors in advancing the Red Bull philosophy,” Red Bull said.

Klopp will also support the organisation’s global scouting operation, and contribute to the training and development of coaches.

“I see my role primarily as a mentor for the coaches and management of the Red Bull clubs but ultimately I am one part of an organisation that is unique, innovative and forward looking. As I said, this could not excite me more,” Klopp said.

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Some German media reported his Red Bull contract included an exit clause for the post of Germany national team coach.

Klopp has long been linked to that job, especially after his successful stint at Liverpool and with Germany struggling to make an impact on the international stage in the past decade.

-Reuters

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Cape Verdean, Delgado Rocha, to take charge of Libya, Nigeria battle in Benina

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Referee Delgado Santos Rocha Lenine of Cape Verde

The Confederation of African Football has appointed Delgado Santos Rocha Lenine, from Cape Verde, as referee for Tuesday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match between the Super Eagles and the Mediterranean Knights of Libya at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium in Benina, close to Benghazi.

He will be assisted by compatriots Djêry Gomes Lopes (assistant referee 1) and Jorge Santos Fonseca Aritson (assistant referee 2), with Hamidou Diero from Burkina Faso as fourth official.

Amir Abdi Hassan from Somalia will be in the role of commissioner, with Malian Dramane Dante as referee assessor and Rachid Medjiba from Algeria as security officer.

Tuesday’s encounter, which is at the back-end of a double header between both nations, will kick off at 9pm Libya time (8pm Nigeria time).  

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