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AKINWUNMI MOURNS AS REALITY OF OGUNJOBI’S PASSAGE SINKS IN
The morning after, it was still like the strike of thunder; like a bad dream. The death of Chief Taiwo Joseph Ogunjobi, former international defender, former Secretary General of then NFA, former NFF Board Member and Chairman of Osun State Football Association remained a huge shock.
First Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Seyi Akinwunmi, said: “It has taken me 24 hours to truly accept the reality of Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi’s passage.
True, it was confirmed to me by many who should know, all through yesterday (Monday, 11th February 2019) including Tunde Shamsudeen (his sort of adopted son) and Ade Somefun (close friend and brother).
“I was even present when the NFF President spoke to his blood brother, but it was not until I woke up this morning (Tuesday, 12th February 2019) to remember my telephone conversation of late last night with Mazi (Amanze) Uchegbulam and I read Big Seg (Chief Olusegun Odegbami) tribute that it finally sunk in…”
In a chat with thenff.com, Akinwunmi, who is also Chairman of the Western Nigeria Football Forum of which the late Chief Ogunjobi was a strong pillar, added: “He was a humble, charismatic and humorous personality. For someone who had seen it all, from being a former international and hugely successful club player and administrator, to being the Chief Operating Officer of the NFF and later as Member of the Board, he was down-to-earth.
“It is still like a bad dream. But we have to accept the reality that Chief Ogunjobi is no longer with us. He led very well and supported very well, at different situations. His life was a testimonial of integrity.”
Akinwunmi said he saw in Chief Ogunjobi, who was also a Member of the NFF Reforms Committee of which Akinwunmi is chairman, a commitment and passion for success capable of infecting and impacting anyone close to the former defender and administrator of repute.
Ogunjobi, who captained then IICC Shooting Stars FC (now 3SC) to the final of then African Champions’ Cup (now CAF Champions League) in 1984, was Sole Administrator of the same club when it again reached the final 12 years later.
He also left huge footprints at Gabros FC and Julius Berger FC, before he was appointed Secretary General of then NFA in February 2002. He worked with Brigadier General Dominic Oneya’s board, and also with Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima’s board, before leaving the post in 2005.
The following year, he was elected Chairman of Chairmen of Nigerian Football, earning a seat on the Executive Committee led by Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdullahi, and was Chairman of Technical and Development Committee in a period that Nigeria qualified for and participated in every competition it registered for.
During the Lulu presidency (2006-2010), and with Ogunjobi as Chairman of Technical and Development Committee, Nigeria won the FIFA U17 World Cup (2007), won the Women Africa Cup of Nations (2006), won the silver medals at the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament (Beijing 2008), won the silver medals at another FIFA U17 World Cup (Nigeria 2009), won the African Beach Soccer Cup of Nations twice (2007 and 2009) and played at the first –ever FIFA World Cup finals held on African soil (South Africa 2010).
The Nigeria Football Federation has opened a condolence register for its deceased former Chief Operating Officer at its secretariat in Abuja.
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Ahead of Nigeria-Libya match: Some kidnapped journalists regain freedom
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
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.
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.
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
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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