Nigerian Football
MANCHESTER UNITED BOSS, SOLSKJAER, INTOXICATED BY IGHALO’S FORM
Manchester United boss, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has told youngsters to learn from the physical presence of Odion Ighalo, the loan striker. Many critics were left scratching their heads when Manchester United plumped for Odion Ighalo on the last day of the January transfer window, but the loan signing now appears to be a shrewd move.
The former
Nigeria international made it three goals from two starts as the Red Devils,
who opened the scoring through Luke Shaw, beat second-tier Derby 3-0 on
Thursday night to move into the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Having spent
the last three years plying his trade in the Chinese Super League, it was
assumed that Ighalo would be nothing more than a stop-gap measure for United in
the wake of Marcus Rashford’s double stress back fracture.
But the former Watford striker, who took a pay cut to secure his dream move from Shanghai Shenhua, has impressed in his six appearances for the Premier League club, showing glimpses of the form that saw him plunder 15 top-flight goals for the Hornets in the 2015-16 campaign.
United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has also seen enough from Ighalo, tipping him to make a big impact heading into the business end of the season.
After seeing the visitors seal a last-eight meeting against Norwich at Carrow Road on March 21, he said: “He’s doing what it says on the tin and what we asked for when we signed him… there’s more to come.
“He’ll improve, he’ll get sharper and more used to us. I have no doubt. He has a physical presence.
“You can get the ball up to him and he can keep hold of it. It’s hard to be a centre-back against him when he’s looking for you first and he buys himself half a yard just by that movement.”
At 30, Ighalo has plenty of experience when it comes to going toe-to-toe with aggressive defenders, something Solskjaer is convinced will rub off on youth-team products like Mason Greenwood.
“Sometimes, our young boys, they are not used to that from the academy,” he added. “They are used to, ‘You’re not allowed to tackle me’ almost.
“So, of course, I would like them to look at him and learn a couple of things.”
Former United defender Rio Ferdinand also told BT Sport Ighalo had won him over, owing to his different attributes compared to the usual front pairing of Rashford and Anthony Martial.
On his ability to occupy defenders and play with his back towards the goal, the pundit said: “People and myself included were probably thinking, Odion, where does he fit into all of this?
“If you have an opportunity to sign a player at the beginning of the January window, he is not the guy you are going to sign, but what he does bring is a point. A point where they can focus and play into him from the midfield. He offers the platform to run off.
“Marcus and Anthony want the ball in behind and not to bring people in. He’s in the centre of goal and that’s what he adds to this team.”
Ighalo should be on the bench for tomorrow’s Premier League clash with Manchester City at Old Trafford, but looks set to be introduced at some stage of the derby.
The boyhood United fan is also counting on the 12th man to will the hosts towards a league double – they beat City 2-1 away in December.
“Since I came here, the support I’ve been getting from the fans is amazing,” he told the club website yesterday.
“I’m very happy and I thank them, I want them to keep doing that on Sunday. It’s going to be a massive game, let’s cheer us to victory again.”
– REUTERS
Nigerian Football
NSC, Edo FA Back Ikhana Football Academy, Set to Adopt Model for Youth Development
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, and the Edo State Football Association have pledged strong institutional support for the newly launched Kadiri Ikhana Football Academy (KIFA), describing it as a model for grassroots football development in Nigeria.
The commitment was made during the official unveiling of the academy in Auchi, Edo State, on Saturday, where stakeholders praised the initiative of former Nigerian international, Kadiri Ikhana.
Represented at the event by his aide, Ebidowei Oweife, Olopade commended Ikhana for establishing an academy that integrates football training with formal education, noting that the Commission intends to nurture and replicate the model across the country.
“We are happy that a person of the calibre of Coach Kadiri Ikhana has taken this initiative. He is not only a member of the historic 1980 Green Eagles squad that won the Africa Cup of Nations but also the first Nigerian coach to win the CAF Champions League with Enyimba,” Olopade said.
Declaring the project a priority, the NSC boss added, “The academy is our baby, and we shall adopt it. We are particularly impressed that it combines football with schooling. We want the students to take their education seriously alongside their football careers. The NSC will definitely support this project.”
Also throwing its weight behind the initiative, the Edo State Football Association described the academy as a significant step toward youth empowerment and football development in the state.
Chairman of the association, Fred Newton, who was represented at the ceremony, praised Ikhana for investing his experience and knowledge in grooming the next generation of players.
“We are delighted that you have chosen to give back by shaping young talents in Edo State. This initiative will have a lasting impact not only in Edo North but across the entire state. We are fully behind you and will support you in achieving your goals,” Newton stated.
The Kadiri Ikhana Football Academy is expected to serve as a hub for nurturing young football talents while ensuring their academic growth, aligning with broader efforts to create a more structured and sustainable pathway for sports development in Nigeria.
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By Kunle Solaja.
For the fourth time, the elective congress of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, will be held in September. It is a pattern that evolved in Warri in 2014 when Amaju Pinnick was elected on 30 September.
Four years later in Katsina, another elective congress was held in Katsina on September 20. Four years ago in Benin, the 30 September election brought in Ibrahim Musa Gusau.
Another September fever is in the offing as the NFF will hold its next Elective Congress on Saturday, September 26, 2026, in Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State.
The decision was ratified by the NFF Extraordinary General Assembly at its meeting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, as part of resolutions aimed at setting the stage for the federation’s next leadership cycle.
The Elective Congress will determine the composition of the NFF Executive Committee, including the election of a president and other key officials to steer the affairs of Nigerian football for the next term.
By fixing both the date and venue several months in advance, the federation is expected to provide ample time for electoral preparations, including the nomination of candidates, screening processes and compliance with provisions of the NFF Statutes and Electoral Code.
The choice of Lafia underscores the NFF’s continued rotation of major football events across different parts of the country, while also aligning with efforts to ensure a transparent and orderly electoral process.
Further details regarding the election timetable and guidelines are expected to be released by the NFF Electoral Committee in the coming months.
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Nigerian Football
NFF Congress Approves Statutes Amendments, Electoral Committees Ahead of 2026 Elections
The Extraordinary General Assembly of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has approved sweeping reforms to its governing framework, including amendments to its statutes and electoral processes, as preparations intensify for the federation’s 2026 elections.
At the meeting held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Congress unanimously endorsed proposals from the NFF Executive Committee to amend the NFF Statutes (March 2026 Edition), the Electoral Code and the Standing Orders of the General Assembly.
In a major step toward the next electoral cycle, Congress also ratified the composition of both the NFF Electoral Committee and the Electoral Appeals Committee. The decision followed nominations by leaders of the country’s six geopolitical zones, with 12 individuals selected to serve across the two bodies.
Those appointed include Matthew Burkala (SAN) and Emmanuel Dada Obafemi (North Central); Alhaji Babagoni Grema and Barrister Benjamin Sak (North East); Bature Musa and Professor Abdulmalik Awwal (North West); Justice C.J. Aneke and Arinze Azubuike Anughere (South East); Akogun Olugbenga Omole and Abayomi Akin Omoyimi (South West); as well as Ayibaye Peter Great Temedie (Esq.) and Ayi Ekpo Ukpayam (South South).
The members are scheduled to be inaugurated in Abuja on March 25, 2026, where they will constitute the two committees and elect their respective chairmen. In line with the Electoral Code, the Electoral Committee will comprise five full members and two alternates, while the Appeals Committee will have three full members and two alternates.
Congress further approved the appointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the new independent auditor of the federation for an initial four-year term, following what was described as a rigorous selection process involving seven firms. The Assembly commended outgoing auditors PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) for their nine years of service.
Looking ahead, the Congress fixed September 26, 2026, for the NFF Elective Congress, which will take place in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
In addition, members passed a unanimous vote of confidence in the NFF Executive Committee led by President Ibrahim Musa Gusau, praising its efforts in promoting and developing football across Nigeria.
The communiqué was drafted by a committee chaired by Mohammed Nasir Saidu, with Hajji Gafaar Liameed, Davidson Owumi, Yakubu Salma, Coach Ladan Bosso and Dr Ademola Olajire serving as members.
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