Governing Bodies
Unbelieved by the body, Nigeria Football Federation clocks milestone 90 years today
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
When an error, assumption or even both become the norm, a body and the society live in ignorance. Unknown the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) or possibly a determined refusal to accept the facts, the Nigeria football governing body clocks 90 years today having been formed on 21 August 1933 in Lagos.
But on the crest of the NFF is a inscription: “Founded 1945”.
One day, it shall come to pass when the true foundation date will be acknowledged.
The NFF is today 90 years old, an age that in Latin is called “Nonagenary Jubilee” but known as “Granite Jubilee” in other climes. Like in other aspects of Nigerian life, football and indeed sports generally, suffer from poor documentation.
No official of the NFF has come forward to defend their claim of the body being ‘founded in 1945’.
Their assumption emanates from the fact that the national cup competition, now called Federation Cup, began in 1945 as ‘Governor’s Cup’.
This itself is a distortion of historical fact on Nigerian football as the first three editions of the competition was not even organised by the then NFA but by the Lagos and Districts Amateur Football Association (LDAFA) which is now Lagos Football Association.
Verified archival materials have confirmed that the Nigerian football governing body was founded on Monday 21 August 1933 at house number 42, Broad Street Lagos. The building still exist, even with the same address.
Also, all the facts on the actual foundation date of the football governing body still exist and verifiable at the Nigeria National Archives at the University of Ibadan.
On the front page of the then Nigeria Daily Times of 21 August 1933.
On the front page of the then Nigeria Daily Times of 21 August 1933.
Despite overwhelming and documented evidences, it has been very hard, if not impossible, to get official recognition for the foundation date of the NFF which began as NFA on August 23, 1933.
The foundation meeting was held that day at the 42 Broad Street, in Lagos. The building which still exists today was then known as Health Office.
The founding officials were: Henry A. Porter as President while three Vice Presidents were appointed.
They were: Frederick Baron Mulford, Sir Adeyemo Alakija and Dr. Isaac Oluwole. The Secretary/Treasurer was James Mead who worked at UAC in Lagos.
The report of the foundation was published in the 25 August 1933 edition of the Daily Times.
Their first Annual General Meeting, as reported by the Daily Times of February 22 1934, took place in Lagos on Monday 19 February 1934.
The meeting decided to seek affiliation with The FA in England. A check by the Sports Village Square at the offices of The FA in London was very revealing. The minutes of meeting of The FA on 4 June 1934 shows under item 10 that: “The Nigeria Football Association was admitted to membership under Rule 5 of the Rules of Association.”
The affiliation was also reported in the Nigerian Daily Times edition of 14 September 1934. Reputable FA in England could not have registered a non-existing body.
The Nigerian Daily Times edition of 22 February 1934 reported the first Annual General Meeting of the then NFA, yet they don’t believe they existed before 1945
The various regimes of the NFA/NFF since 2003 have found it difficult to accept and effect the actual foundation date of the body. They are more concerned about a perceived global backlash they could receive for just realising the actual birth date of the Nigerian football governing body.
Regarding the assumption that the national competition started in 1945 and linking that to the foundation of the football governing body is an assumption based on fallacy.
Documented evidences discovered by Sports Village Square point to the fact that the Governor’s Cup was not a product of the then NFA but that of the Lagos and Districts Amateur Football Association (LDAFA) which is today known as the Lagos FA, the oldest football association in Nigeria having been established in 1932 by Henry A. Potter, the same man who founded the NFA the following year.
The LDAFA and not the NFA called for entries for the maiden edition of Governor’s Cup as published in the Daily Times of July 30, 1945.
The LDAFA, which already had two other competitions –War Memorial Cup and European Cup –, called for entries for the maiden edition of the Governor’s Cup. This can be found in the Daily Times edition of July 30, 1945.
As at the time, football competitions in Lagos were along racial lines. The War Memorial Cup was open to all affiliated clubs and scratch teams affiliated to the LDAFA while the European Cup was for all affiliated clubs of Europeans living in Lagos.
In both instances, the teams paid entry fees of five shillings. The War Memorial Cup later changed to Mulford Memorial Cup to honour the man who did so much for football in Nigeria that he was affectionately called “Baba Eko” (respected elder of Lagos). He was one of the pioneers of the NFA.
Another fact to show that the Governor’s Cup was the creation of the present day Lagos FA can be gleaned from a write up in the Daily Times publication of November 6, 1946 in which the LDAFA Chairman, Frank G. Lloyd wrote that the Governor’s Cup presented in 1945 was in the custody of the LDAFA.
Frank G. Lloyd, Chairman of Lagos and Districts Amateur Football Association (LDAFA) in a letter published in the Daily Times edition of November 6, 1946 affirming that Governor’s Cup was owned by LDAFA and that plans were underway to transfer it to NFA in 1947.
“This season (1946), as an experiment, invitations were issued by the LDAFA to numerous provincial associations. It is also intended that the Nigeria Football Association shall shortly be re-organised in order that it may provide a more effective vehicle for the experience gained in Lagos to provincial association.”
This proves that as at November 1946, the NFA was not organising the Governor’s Cup. It was in 1947, when Captain D.H. Holley became the LDAFA boss and also emerged the chairman of the NFA that the NFA began to organise the Governor’s Cup competition.
At the annual general meeting of the LDAFA on February 26, 1948, Captain Holley announced the transfer of the Governor’s Cup to the NFA.
Another pointer that the NFF was not founded in 1945 was the fact that it was first affiliated to The FA in England as far back as 1934. Reputable FA in England could not have registered a non-existing body.
As stated earlier in another story, the first secretary of the NFA, Joseph Mead told the first Annual General Meeting in 1934 that an application had been forwarded to The Football Association (The FA) in London for affiliation.
That led to another opening in the search for the true origin of what is now known as the NFF. A letter, which was dispatched to The Football Association in England by this reporter was responded to by David Berber, the Public Affairs Officer at The FA.
Letter from The FA in England affirming that NFA , now NFF, existed before 1945.
He wrote in part: “I can advise that the name of the Nigeria Football Association first appeared in the FA Handbook for the season 1938-39 in the list of our affiliated associations. The NFA secretary at that time was F.B Mulford, with a Lagos address.”
That is an indication that the body had existed before 1945. Then a visit to the offices of the oldest football body in the world which will, on October 26, celebrate its 155th anniversary resulted in more startling revelations.
The minutes of the meeting of the council of The FA (England) held at 22 Lancaster Gate London on June 4, 1934 revealed that under item number 10, “The Nigeria Football Association was admitted to membership under Rule 5 of the Rules of the Association”.
Minutes of meeting of the Council of The FA held on June 4, 1934. In Item number 10, “The Nigeria Football Association was admitted to membership under Rule 5 of the Rules of the Association”.
The affiliation of the NFA as an associated member of The FA was reported in the Nigeria Daily Times edition of September 14, 1934.
Like FIFA founded in 1904, the then NFA went into coma during the World War II. After the first AGM in February 1934, the NFA was in a state of inactivity, especially in the period of the World War II when according to Daily Times report of November 8, 1947, “all attention was on the Essential Work Order”.
It was 14 years after the formation that the NFA was reconstituted as reported by Daily Times of November 8, 1947. A similar scenario was that of FIFA, founded in 1904 but was inactive for 26 years till the inaugural World Cup of 1930.
FIFA did not alter its foundation year to the commencement of the World Cup. This is also the case with The FA in England, which was founded in 1863 but had its first FA Cup competition eight years later in 1871. Yet, the world’s oldest FA did not claim 1871 as its foundation year.
The first time the phrase: “Founded 1945” crept into the NFA letter head was in a correspondence with FIFA – a letter dated March 17, 1981 when a new executive led by the late Col. Mike Okwechime was announced. Before then, previous correspondences had just the affiliation year.
Canadian soccer took centre stage in a FIFA experiment on Saturday as the country’s top-flight league began testing a “daylight” offside rule aimed at speeding up play and encouraging attacking football.
The rule was introduced at the opening match of the Canadian Premier League season as part of efforts by global soccer authorities to cut delays caused by video reviews, reduce controversy over marginal offside decisions and shift the balance of the game in favour of attackers.
“I see this as an opportunity to grow as a coach. It’s going to give me more tools for the future,” Atletico Ottawa head coach Diego Mejia told reporters.
Under the rule, an attacker is deemed onside if any part of the body that can legally score is level with, or further away from, the goal line than the second-to-last defender. An offside offence is only given if there is visible space — the so‑called “daylight” — between the attacker and the defender.
The concept has been championed for years by former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, now FIFA’s chief of global football development, as a way to ease frustration over marginal decisions and limit delays that have fueled debate long after matches have finished.
Wenger called the Canadian experience “an important pilot.”
Players from reigning champions Atletico Ottawa and Forge FC were involved in the first application of the new rule on Saturday, including a video review triggered after a penalty award was challenged by the defending side.
Under the revised Canadian system, head coaches are allowed two challenges per match for game‑changing decisions, with the referee reviewing each appeal using video assistance.
The initial review took more than five minutes but was not centred on an offside decision, as officials assessed two possible offsides, a potential foul in the buildup and a collision between the goalkeeper and the striker that led to the penalty.
The challenge was unsuccessful.
A later offside decision using the daylight rule did not interrupt the flow of the match.
Video assistance itself is also new to the Canadian league and was used for the first time on Saturday. Some commentators said officials would need time to adapt to both the revised offside interpretation and the new technology. The system in use is not full VAR, but FIFA’s lighter Football Video Support (FVS) model.
The Canadian league’s willingness to adopt the rule has given FIFA a professional testing ground, something European leagues have so far resisted.
Critics argue the change could push defenders, particularly centre-backs, to adopt more cautious positioning.
Others say it could open space in midfield, with defenders likely to hold deeper lines.
-Reuters
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By Kunle Solaja.
The recent appointment of Samson Adamu as Acting General Secretary of the Confederation of African Football has sparked fresh conversations about legacy, influence, and the quiet emergence of dynasties in global sports administration.
For the first time in its 69-year history, CAF’s administrative nerve centre is being led, albeit in acting capacity, by a Nigerian and indeed a West African, marking a significant geopolitical shift in African football governance.
Yet beyond the symbolism of regional representation lies a deeper narrative: the possible birth of another administrative dynasty, echoing the long-standing dominance of Egypt’s Fahmy family.
From Father to Son: The Adamu Trajectory
Samson Adamu’s rise within CAF is not an isolated story of personal ambition; it is rooted in a powerful lineage. His father, Amos Adamu, was one of the most influential figures in Nigerian and African sports administration for over two decades.
Between 1992 and 2013, Dr Amos Adamu occupied multiple high-profile roles, ranging from Director General of the National Sports Commission to Executive Committee member of both CAF and FIFA.
He also played a pivotal role in landmark events such as the 2000 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2003 African Games. Notably, his era coincided with Nigeria’s historic qualification for its first FIFA World Cup in 1994.
Samson’s career path appears to mirror and modernise that legacy. Widely credited as the pioneer of modern beach soccer in West Africa, he transformed what was once a recreational pastime into a commercially viable sport.
Through his company, Kinetic Sports, he founded Copa Lagos in 2011—sub-Saharan Africa’s first international beach soccer tournament.
The event blended elite sport with entertainment, attracting global teams such as Brazil, England, and Spain, while earning recognition from FIFA and Beach Soccer Worldwide.
His growing influence became even more evident in 2016 when Nigeria successfully hosted the CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations, a qualifying tournament for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. That milestone further cemented his reputation within continental football administration, paving the way for his steady rise within the Confederation of African Football—from Director of Beach Soccer Competitions to Director of Tournaments and Events, culminating in his latest elevation.
Former CAF executive member Amos Adamu expressed pride in his son’s achievements, noting in an interview with Sports Village Square that excellence in sports runs deep in the family. He added that Samson’s brother, Ezekiel, has also carved a niche in the industry as a professional boxing promoter.
The Fahmy Blueprint
To understand the significance of the Adamu ascent, one must revisit the most enduring administrative dynasty in African football—the Fahmy family of Egypt.
The lineage began with Mourad Fahmy, who served as CAF General Secretary from 1961 to 1982. He was succeeded by his son, Mustapha Fahmy, who held the position for nearly three decades until 2010 before moving to FIFA.
The dynasty extended into a third generation when Amr Fahmy took over the role in 2017, effectively maintaining the family’s grip on CAF’s administrative machinery for over half a century. It was a case of from grandfather to son, then to grandson.
The Fahmy Dynasty at CAF: Three generations of leadership—Mourad Fahmy (1961–1982), his son Mustapha Fahmy (1982–2010), and grandson Amr Fahmy (2017–2019)—who shaped the administrative backbone of African football across nearly six decades.
This continuity was not merely symbolic; it shaped policies, competitions, and governance structures across African football for decades.
Dynasties Beyond Africa
The Fahmy model is not unique. Across global sports, familial networks have often influenced governance and administration.
One notable example is the Brazilian axis involving João Havelange and his son-in-law Ricardo Teixeira. While not a direct bloodline succession, their combined leadership of FIFA and the Brazilian Football Confederation created a powerful transnational influence over the game.
Such dynasties, whether rooted in lineage or strategic alliances, highlight a recurring theme in sports governance: continuity often breeds influence, and influence can evolve into legacy.
A New Chapter for Africa?
Samson Adamu’s appointment does not yet constitute a dynasty in the classical sense. However, it represents the early contours of one that converges legacy, expertise, and institutional familiarity.
Unlike previous eras, his rise is also shaped by modern sports marketing, commercialisation, and global connectivity. His work in beach soccer demonstrated an ability to innovate within the system, not merely inherit it.
RELATED STORY: https://sportsvillagesquare.com/2017/11/17/grandfather-son-grand-son-fahmy-family-sets-dynasty-caf/
For African football, this could signal a transition, from traditional bureaucratic continuity to a hybrid model where legacy meets innovation.
Whether the Adamu name will come to define another era in CAF’s administrative history remains to be seen. But for now, the parallels with the Fahmy dynasty are unmistakable, and the story of succession in African football has entered a compelling new phase.
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Players and match officials in Canada’s national soccer league are rewiring their brains and bodies as a critical test of provisional FIFA offside rules takes place on Saturday.
The provisional rule, known as an “alternative offside law” by world football authorities, will be tested in the Canadian Premier League’s season opener on Saturday in Hamilton, Ontario, between hosts Forge FC and reigning champions Atletico Ottawa.
“Just having that idea that most of those times you’re not going to be offside now, I think it just adds a bit more confidence in players making the runs, whether it’s wingers, strikers or attacking midfielders,” Forge FC forward Tristan Borges told reporters on Friday.
“Defenders are going to be a little bit more wary of it and watch it a little bit more, which ultimately will add more excitement to the game.”
FIFA says the rule has evolved from ideas designed “to enhance match tempo and reduce time-wasting,” as well as to promote a more attacking style of play.
Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, FIFA’s chief of global football development, called the Canadian test “an important pilot”.
“By testing this new interpretation in a professional competition, we can better understand its impact,” he added.
Few developments in world soccer have provoked more controversy in recent years than protracted video‑assisted offside decisions that disallow goals and interrupt play over marginal infringements.
Matches were often halted for several minutes as VAR reviewed offside decisions, dulling goal celebrations for players and fans and disrupting the game’s flow.
The proposed FIFA rule is designed to make calls clearer and faster, reducing controversy and delays. Critics in Europe have resisted the rule for a number of reasons, with some believing it will cause defenders to play too defensively and bog down the game.
The trial in Canada is taking place with a young league, launched in 2019 and quickly hit with pandemic shutdowns. It now has eight teams in a country where the popularity of soccer is soaring, but the professional infrastructure remains underdeveloped.
Interest in football has grown in a country traditionally associated with ice hockey, driven by the popularity of the English and Spanish leagues and the prospect of hosting the World Cup alongside the United States and Mexico.
Although small by global standards, the CPL drew worldwide online attention when its 2025 final was played during a blizzard, producing a spectacular bicycle kick that became known as the “icicle kick.”
-Reuters
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