Governing Bodies
Aisha Buhari Cup: It is 30 Days to Kick-off!
The much -anticipated Dr Aisha Buhari Invitational Women’s Football Tournament which will see six of Africa’s leading women National Teams competing for honours in the City of Lagos is only 30 days to its commencement.
Nine-time African champions, Super Falcons of Nigeria, are looking to rekindle rivalry with other top African teams in the women’s game at the invitational tourney themed Playing for Good. The tournament is billed for 13th – 21st September 2021 and will also involve the women A teams of Cameroon, South Africa, Ghana, Morocco and Mali.
Super Falcons, presently in high spirits after a first-ever participation in the USWNT Summer Series in the United States of America and an 8-day training camp in Austria ahead of this tournament, are largely expected to re-assert their dominance and superiority in Africa, following their inability to make the just-concluded Olympic Games in Tokyo.
The Dr Aisha Buhari Invitational Women’s Football Tournament, otherwise known as Aisha Buhari Cup, is enjoying the support of top football stakeholders in the country and all hands are on desk for a successful tournament, with an organizing committee peopled by tested administrators and technocrats.
Chairman of the LOC, Seyi Akinwunmi has stated that “the theme of the tournament resonated with the vision and mission of the organizing committee to use the tournament to uphold the honour of the name and Office of Her Excellency, highlight the good causes of the Aisha Buhari Foundation and build and sustain positive narratives about the City of Lagos and Nigeria at large.”
A Football Conference is planned for the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja in the coming weeks to further sensitize and galvanize the political and business environments to the principal objectives of the week-long tournament.
Cameroon’s Lionesses open camp for Aisha Buhari Cup
Head Coach Gabriel Zabo has invited 30 players to the camp of the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon, 30 days to the commencement of the Dr Aisha Buhari Invitational Tournament holding in Nigeria, 13th – 21st September 2021.
The Lionesses have been runners-up of the Women Africa Cup of Nations on four occasions, including the 2016 finals that Cameroon hosted, falling in the final hurdle when a late goal by Nigeria’s Desire Oparanozie ended their ambition at the Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo in Yaounde.
In Coach Zabo’s provisional list, which has only home-based professionals, are four goalkeepers, 10 defenders, eight midfielders and eight forwards.
The Lionesses made their debut appearance at the FIFA World Cup finals in Canada in 2015, and were also one of Africa’s flag-bearers at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in France.
They are currently ranked number 2 in Africa (behind the Super Falcons) and 52nd in the world.
CAMEROON’S PROVISIONAL LIST:
Goalkeepers: Kirya Michaely Bihina; Ange Bawou; Marthe Ongmahan; Pauline Ayangma Alang
Defenders: Evanick Touta; Doudou Ousmanou; Laure Kong; Vanessa Kalieu; Dani Mimbang; Ambena Ewondo; Michelle Moumazin; Zeh Manga; Rita Wanki; Berthe Abega
Midfielders: Alice Maffo; Raissa Nyangbang Adama; Yvette Kamieta; Ebenye Ebongue; Monique Ngock Ngo; Fatima Kome; Edjenguele Endalle; Melvis Tantoh
Forwards: Eliane Bibout; Brenda Tabe; Alice Kameni; Batoum Ngo; Annie Enganaben; Latifa Ousmane; Lamine Mana; Adrienne Mekuko
The FIFA Museum in Zurich has launched a new special exhibition titled Innovation in Action: Football Technologies on and off the Pitch, offering visitors an unprecedented glimpse into how innovation is transforming the world’s most popular sport.
Opened on Monday, October 1, 2025, the immersive showcase was developed in collaboration with the FIFA Innovation Team and other departments within world football’s governing body. It explores how cutting-edge technology supports players, referees, and fans—enhancing performance, ensuring fairness, and enriching the overall football experience—while preserving the game’s passion and human spirit.
“What makes this exhibition truly special is that we can give visitors a never-before-seen behind-the-scenes look that allows them to step inside football innovation, experiencing it hands-on rather than just reading about it,” said Marco Fazzone, Managing Director of the FIFA Museum. “We offer a glimpse at technologies and tools that fans don’t normally get to experience up close, while also showing how innovation has evolved over almost 100 years of FIFA World Cup history.”
Organised around five themed sections — Broadcasting & Media, Intelligent Data, Refereeing & Fair Play, Staging the Game, and the Innovation Lab — the exhibition blends rare artefacts with interactive displays. Visitors can relive football’s broadcast evolution, from the black-and-white footage of the 1954 World Cup to today’s ultra-slow motion 4K replays, and even step into a virtual referee booth to experience the pressures of officiating in real time.
Among the standout features is the FIFA Player App, which allows fans to explore Chelsea star Cole Palmer’s performance statistics from the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Final, illustrating how data helps players refine their craft.
Another exhibit showcases Canada goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan’s water bottle from the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 — marked with opponents’ penalty data — revealing how analytics influence critical moments.
Visitors can also view a referee body camera used at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, giving a fresh perspective on decision-making from the official’s point of view.
The exhibition invites visitors to engage directly with football technology. They can test their reflexes and judgment as referees, operate goal-line technology systems, or assume the role of a broadcast director managing live match feeds. Data enthusiasts can analyse player movements, while aspiring innovators can design their own football tech concepts inside the Innovation Lab.
Innovation in Action runs until 31 March 2026 at the FIFA Museum in Zurich. Entry is included with a standard museum ticket.
With its rich mix of storytelling, interactivity, and history, the exhibition promises to be a must-see experience for anyone passionate about the future of the beautiful game.
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FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on Thursday that football could not solve conflicts, but it must carry a message of peace and unity as Israel’s military operation in Gaza and other global tensions fuel calls for the sport to take a stand.
“At FIFA, we are committed to using the power of football to bring people together in a divided world,” Infantino told a FIFA Council meeting in Zurich where he met Palestinian federation president Jibril Rajoub.
“Our thoughts are with those who are suffering in the many conflicts that exist around the world today, and the most important message that football can convey right now is one of peace and unity.”
Infantino said world football’s governing body could not solve geopolitical crises, but “it can and must promote football around the world by harnessing its unifying, educational, cultural and humanitarian values.”
“I met Palestinian Football Association (PFA) President Jibril Rajoub today at the Home of FIFA in Zurich to discuss the ongoing situation in the Middle East region,” Infantino later wrote on Instagram.
“I commend President Rajoub and the PFA for their resilience at this time and I reiterated to him FIFA’s commitment to using the power of football to bring people together in a divided world.”
FIFA has faced repeated calls to act over the war in Gaza, with Palestinian officials pressing for Israel to be suspended from international football.
The issue has been under review by FIFA for months, but no decision has been taken. Infantino has consistently said such matters require consensus with the confederations and must be handled with caution.
The comments came a day after FIFA Vice President Victor Montagliani noted that any decision over Israel’s participation in European competitions, including World Cup qualifiers, was a matter for UEFA to decide, effectively putting the onus on the European body.
“First and foremost, it (Israel) is a member of UEFA, no different than I have to deal with a member of my region for whatever reason… They have to deal with that,” Montagliani told reporters at the Leaders sports business conference on Wednesday.
Israel are third in Europe’s Group I of the qualifying stage for next year’s World Cup in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Amnesty International on Wednesday sent a letter to FIFA and UEFA calling on them to suspend the Israel Football Association.
-Reuters
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The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has dismissed reports suggesting that its Statutes will be amended at this year’s Annual General Assembly (AGA), insisting that no such plans are on the table for the September 27 meeting.
In a statement, the Federation stressed that the ongoing conversation around its Statutes remains at a preliminary stage and that suggestions of imminent changes are unfounded.
Ahead of the AGA, the NFF will host a workshop on September 26, bringing together representatives of its members, as well as officials from FIFA and CAF. According to the Federation, the forum is strictly consultative, designed to deliberate on proposals for new Statutes in line with the principles of good governance and international best practices.
The NFF explained that only after consensus is reached with its members will a separate General Assembly be convened to formally consider and adopt any proposed Statute changes.
“The NFF remains committed to due process, transparency, and working hand-in-hand with its General Assembly Members, FIFA, and CAF,” the statement read.
“The ultimate goal is to establish enduring Statutes that will strengthen governance, broaden representation, and promote inclusivity within Nigerian football.”
The Federation added that the long-term reform framework is aimed at ensuring stability and progress across its structures and enhancing the participation of all stakeholders in the country’s football administration.
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