Governing Bodies
State of Cape Coast pitch gets NFF’s attention
It is two weeks to the first leg match of the Ghana-Nigeria World Cup play-off in Cape Coast. But the pitch of the arena is in deplorable state that could prompt CAF to cancel the initial approval given to the arena to host the match.
It was gathered that the Ghana Independence Day Celebration held at the arena had adverse effects on the pitch and Ghanaian authorities are battling to retore the pitch.
According to reports gathered from Nigeria’s ThisDay publication, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed that they are monitoring the developments regarding the deplorable state of the pitch that will host the March 25th in Ghana.
Over the last few days, the Ghana Media had raised concern on the state of the pitch which hosted the country’s independency ceremony last week and doubt if the turf will allow free flow of football in the 90 minutes of play against its eternal rival, Super Eagles of Nigeria.
However, Thisday gathered from the Glasshouse that the secretariat had informed the Confederation of African Football (CAF), on the development and it has received assurance that the continental football body is monitoring the host FA on the need to return the playing turf back to the global standard.
“Yes, we are not waiting to find excuse where there is none and because of this, we have regular update on the coming match in Cape Coast and we are aware of the state of the pitch which will not be conducive for our players to play at their best hence, we have notified CAF on the development.
“The response from CAF is also encouraging because they have assured Nigeria that they are monitoring Ghana FA to return the pitch back to approved standard and with that we are good to play and hoping to get good result before the next match in Abuja,” a top official in NFF said in a telephone interview.
Earlier yesterday, Ghana web had raised question on why the stadium was initially approved by CAF considering the fact that the country would stage its annual independence ceremony on same ground before the first leg match against Nigeria.
The publication even described it; it is looking more like a cassava farm because it was pounded with Independence Day activities last Sunday.
“The newly built stadium in central Ghana has been left in terrible condition following the Independence Day parade on Sunday.
“Military and police horses hit the ground for several hours during the parade to celebrate Ghana’s 65th Independence which has left the pitch looking like a cassava farm.
“The grass, that was approved by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), has suffered severe damage and the surface look brown, making it unplayable.
“The pitch would not look unrecognizable for CAF officials who gave the greenlight to the Cape Coast Stadium to host the match that would attract global attention.
“That is because global television stations will be beaming the match live on their screens and the poor state of the pitch would project Ghanaian and African football in a very bad light.
“Top stars from both sides and their foreign clubs would also be worried that their players could be prone to serious injuries if they play on a pitch of such nature.
“The players from the top clubs would also not be able to play their best football on a pitch of such nature which has been the bane of African football and how administrators take the issue of pitches for matches seriously.
“This has sparked fears that the game could be relocated to another venue to avoid any embarrassment for African football.
“However, the National Sports Authority will be racing against time to get it in shape before the first leg of the game against Nigeria. The Black Stars host Nigeria on Friday Match 24 in Cape Coast”, reports Ghanasoccernet.
The top official of NFF also confirmed that conversations between the two football federations has been cordial and both looking forward good soccer mini-fiesta that will project the continent in good light to the world.
“Despite the long-standing rivalry between the two football nations, we are on same page to be a good host to one another during the visits.
“We have been able to secure accommodations for the team and delegates from Nigeria that will attend the match. We do not need to wait for the host nation to arrange for us,” the top Management staff said last night.
Nigeria will host the second leg of the match at the MKO Abiola Stadium four days later and the best of over the two legs will pick one of the continental five tickets and represent Africa at the tournament in Qatar.
Governing Bodies
Sanusi set for record-extending tenure as Nigeria’s football politicians assemble in Asaba
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Speculations gathered ahead of the 2024 Annual General Meeting of the Nigeria Football Federation holding in Asaba on Friday have it that tenure elongation for the General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, is a major item on the agenda.
Neither formal confirmation nor denial has been issued since one of the leading newspapers in Nigeria, ThisDay dropped the hint.
The agenda of the meeting is also not made public. Dr, Sanusi is the longest-serving General Secretary in history having been in office from 30 March 2015 making 3,476 days or nine years six months and four days.
It easily drowned that of his closest rival in tenure – Sani Toro whose tenure from 21 December 1993 to 3 May 1999 is merely 2020 days or five years, six months and 12 days.
Thus, no one had enjoyed a longer period in office than the incumbent, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi. It is speculated that the tenure will be extended as NFF has reported that all delegates have arrived in the Delta State capital by Thursday evening.
The NFF Annual General Assembly, the first of which took place 90 years ago in Lagos on 19 February 1934, is the biggest assemblage of football administrators and stakeholders in the country.
In one such meeting on 24 July 2008 in Makurdi, the football body changed its name from NFA to NFF.
This year, according to a press release by the NFF, the plenary will have in attendance, the chairmen and secretaries of football associations in the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory, chairmen and secretaries of the Nigeria Premier Football League, Nigeria National League, Nigeria Women Football League and the Nationwide League One, as well as chairmen and secretaries of the referees’ association, players’ union and coaches’ association. This group of 88 makes up the Congress.
They are joined by the members of the NFF Executive Committee and the management team as well as former NFF Presidents and General Secretaries.
The Minister of Sports Development, John Owan Enoh, is announced as the special guest. Nigeria’s Member of the FIFA Council, Amaju Melvin Pinnick is also expected as well as a representative of the West African Football Union (WAFU B).
The Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Francis Oborevwori will declare the General Assembly open.
Venue is the Unity Hall of the Delta State Government House.
Governing Bodies
Like in Egypt, former Nigerian Olympian, Sadiq Abdulahi wants Tinubu to declare ‘State of Emergency’ in Sports
Former Nigerian tennis player and Olympian, Prof. Sadiq Abdulahi has called for drastic action to arrest the decline of Nigeria in global sporting events.
The former tennis player who is now a professor in the United States declared that the “failure to win a medal at the regular 2024 Paris Olympics, the few medals at the Paris Paralympic and the fallout at the National Youth Sports Festival has exposed the deep problems facing the sport’s sector.”
He wants Nigeria to have the same approach that the Egyptian president has taken while reacting to the country’s performance at the Paris 2024 Olypics.
Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi ordered a comprehensive evaluation of sports federations that participated at the Paris Olympic Games, following a mission report submitted by the country’s sports minister.
According to Prof. Abdulahi, the National Sports Federations charged with the preparation of elite athletes have failed to do their job despite the cry for funding from the government.
“Federal Government cannot adequately fund all the Olympics sports. It is impossible.
“By declaring a state of emergency, new people, new approaches and new funding models will be identified. More importantly, the Federal Government will redefine grassroots sports development.
“We will lay sustainable foundation for sports development.”
Continuing, he called for the return of the National Sports Commission (NSC) which enabling decree was abolished through Decree No. 7 of 1991, but came back through presidential proclamation under Sani Abacha before it was abolished again.
The original NSC was established in 1964 as National Sports Council before the promulgation of Decree 34 of 1971 which legalised it as the apex Federal Government agency to control, regulate and organize sports.
“The FG may now bring back the National Sports Commission or the National Sports Authority. Our emerging national economy with the full participation of the private sector can support this new beginning. I hope this helps.”
RELATED STORY: President Al-Sisi orders sports system overhaul
Governing Bodies
CAF gives Yoruba and Arabic interpretations of ‘OLA’ the Super Cup 2024 Official Match Ball
The Confédération African of Football, CAF, has given the linguistics interpretation of OLA, the confederation’s official match balls produced by Puma which has also unveiled a special edition for the Super Cup duel holding on Friday in Saudi Arabia.
According to CAF, OLA, symbolizing the dynamic and energetic nature of African football, means “wealth,” “honour,” and “respect” in Yoruba and “rise” and “success” in Arabic.
The OLA ball stands out with its vibrant design and cultural significance. “OLA”
The ball is a mix of black and gold, representing power and sophistication. The ball will be the centrepiece of the eagerly-awaited match between the two giants of African football.
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