Nigerian Football

Former Falcons superstars Okosieme, Igunbor to pick draws for Betsy Obaseki Cup

Published

3 years ago

September 23, 2021

Two retired Super Falcons Super Stars, Nkiru Okosieme and Okuwa Igunbor, will be on ground on Sunday, September 26th at new Festival Hall, Government House, Benin City, to pick and conduct the draws ceremony for the First edition of the Betsy Obaseki Cup. Time is 8pm.

The Local Organizing Committee of the event headed by Mrs. Sabina Chikere, disclosed that twelve top women’s league clubs in Nigeria will battle for the Betsy Obaseki Cup title with the theme, ‘Promoting The Girl Child’ at four different venues in Benin City ; the School of Health Technology, Uniben Sports Complex, Western Boys High School, with the opening ceremony, the semi finals and finals to be played at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City.

In the words of member Main Organising Committee of the Betsy Obaseki Cup, Honourable Frank Ilaboya, Nkiru and Okuwa who are household names in women’s football in Nigeria and across the world were specially invited for these roles, to encourage and promote the girl child in the area of sports and education

He noted that for Nkiru Okosieme, until she retired from international football after the USA 2003 World Cup, she played for Nigeria at the China 91, Sweden 95, USA 99 and USA 2003 FIFA Women’s World Cups and the 2000 Olympic Games soccer event.

And before her retirement from active football, she was the longest serving Super Falcons player and most educated in the team with a PhD Degree in Health Administration from Clayton State University, USA, where is a 2014 Hall of Fame winner. She won three Africa Women’s Nations Cup titles in 1998 and 2000 and 2002. She also played in the American Women’s League the biggest in the world at the time.

While, Okuwa was a first generation Nigerian women’s footballer instrumental to the country’s first women’s Nations Cup title in 1991, as a top striker and the country’s inuagural qualification for the China 91 World Cup. She also played at the Sweden 95 World Cup and all the qualifier matches for the USA 99 World Cup but got injured few months to the World Cup.

Okuwa, who hails from Edo State, is a Guinness Book of Record holder as the scorer of the fastest goal in a FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers match against the Black Queens of Ghana in 1991 in just 26 seconds.

A graduate of Business Administration from the Lagos State University and a former assistant coach of the national U-17 and U-20 Women’s teams, the Flamengos and Super Falconets. She is a founding member of the Police Machine Football team and Chief Coach of the team. She is one of the prides of the Nigeria Police Force in sports, aside from Chioma Ajunwa and the late Sunday Bada.

The 12 participating teams are eight first class NWFL Premiership clubs which include two former champions of the league and four first class NWFL Chamionship teams; Rivers Angels FC, Bayelsa Queens FC, Edo Queens, Sunshine Queens FC, Robo FC, Royal Queens FC, Confluence Queens FC, Naija Ratels FC, Kaduna Queens FC, Heartland Queens FC, Fortress Ladies FC and Rolly FC.

The opening ceremony has been scheduled for the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium on September 27, while the final and closing ceremonies hold on October 3.

BOC MEDIA.

Nigerian Football

Nigeria Football Federation Congress backs Pinnick for FIFA post

Published

4 hours ago

October 4, 2024

Kunle Solaja

One of the high points of the Congress of the Nigeria Football Federation on Friday in Asaba is the endorsement of the body’s immediate past president, Amaju Pinnick to retain his position as a FIFA Council member.

Pinnick was elected into FIFA Council at the CAF Congress in Rabat, Morocco on 21 March 2021. He seeks re-election next year and has already secured the backing of the Nigerian president.

Nigerian Football

NFF budget surpasses Nigeria’s spending at Paris 2024

Published

4 hours ago

October 4, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Super Eagles’ Coaching Job Now An All-comers Affair As NFF Throws The Gates Open -

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has budgeted N17.6 billion for next year. The body’s Congress approved the budget, which sat in Asaba on Friday.

By the current exchange rate, the approved budget is $10,591,610. The figure is higher than the N12 billion that Nigeria budgeted for the Paris 2024 Olympics where no medal was won.

Next year, The NFF programme includes the six remaining qualifying matches for the 2026 World Cup, the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, and the Morocco 2025 Africa Cup of Nations which will be held in December if the Super Eagles qualify.

Nigerian Football

NFF launches monthly Football Awards

Published

2 days ago

October 2, 2024

Kunle Solaja

NFF spokesman, Dr. Ademola Olajire

As football leagues across the globe resumed fully last month, the Nigeria Football Federation has announced the launch of NFF Monthly Awards, a celebration of the outstanding performances of Nigerian football players across various Football Leagues including Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL.

With the football calendar in full swing, the NFF Monthly Awards aim to honour the brilliance, dedication and passion that Nigerian football players bring to the game, recognizing the top players who have left their mark on the pitch.

Award Categories:

Player of the Month (Male & Female)
Goal of the Month
Discovery of the Month

Nomination Process

According to the NFF, the nomination process for the awards is scientific, ensuring a fair and accurate selection of nominees. An independent organization will collect and analyse players’ statistics throughout the month, ensuring that the best performances are highlighted.

“This unbiased, data-driven approach guarantees that the nominations reflect the top-performing players based on their contribution to their teams”, an NFF statement signed by its director of communication, Dr Ademola Olajire disclosed.

Nominations for the first round of awards will be announced on Thursday. From there, voting will be opened to fans and journalists alike, making this a truly inclusive and engaging event for the Nigerian football community.

Voting Process

Fans and journalists will have the chance to vote for their favourite players via the official NFF voting portal on the website www.thenff.com.

The voting period will run for one week following the announcement of the nominations.

Fan Votes will account for 40% of the final decision, enabling supporters to have their voices heard and directly influence the outcome of these prestigious awards.

The remaining 60% will be determined by journalists and industry professionals, ensuring a balanced and well-rounded selection process.

Speaking on the launch of the awards, NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, said:
“The NFF Monthly Awards are a key part of our efforts to further elevate Nigeria football, not only by recognizing outstanding talent but by engaging with fans and the media in a way that brings the football community closer together. We believe that this initiative will encourage excellence on the field and foster a deeper connection between players and their supporters.

“The NFF Monthly Awards are a step forward in celebrating the rich and growing talent pool, and we look forward to the excitement that the awards will bring to fans, players and the media.”

Key Dates: Nominations Announcement: 3^rd October, 2024; Voting: 3^rd October – Midnight of 7^th October 2024.