NFF Crisis: Aggrieved Faction Drag Pinnick-led Board To Supreme Court

​SPORTS NEWS

NFF Crisis: Aggrieved Faction Drag Pinnick-led Board To Supreme Court

The Supreme Court is set to deliver its judgement on the leadership crisis that has engulfed the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Thursday.

Chris Giwa and his board had dragged the FIFA-recognised Amaju Pinnick-led board to the Supreme Court, to set aside the verdict of the Appeal Court after they had won at the High Court, claiming that the mandate given to them by the congress of the NFF in August 2013 was sacrosanct.

They also insist that the election in Warri that brought in the Amaju group was held in defiance of a High Court order.

But the defendants have held on to FIFA statutes to argue their case, telling the Supreme Court in their submission that football matters must not be adjudicated in the ordinary court.

They also insisted the plaintiffs had been banned by the world football governing body.

The Supreme Court will decide on Thursday, whether to uphold the verdict of Justice Joseph Tur of the Appeal Court in his judgment in 2016 when he held that the discontinuation of the cases on October 30, 2014, which was affirmed by the court, stands.

Please Share This Post

2018 FIFA World Cup: Super Eagles To Pocket $24m

​SPORTS NEWS

2018 FIFA World Cup: Super Eagles To Pocket $24m

President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick has said that the Super Eagles players stand the chance of pocketing $24 million if they play in the final of the 2018 World Cup.

Pinnick told newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday during a parley that the money was part of the agreement reached with the players to share 50-50 whatever would accrue to the country if they get to the final and lift the trophy.

“I don’t put players under pressure. Pressure can be put on them unconsciously because we are creating enabling environment for them.

“If for example we don’t have money to prepare them, they can now relax but now, we have given them everything upfront and they should deliver.

“If today they get to the final, the World Cup money will be shared 50-50 between the team and the NFF.

“Winning the final is 48 million dollars, it means the team will get 24 million dollars and the football house will take the remaining 24 million dollars,” Pinnick said.

He also said that the adequate preparation, including grade A friendly matches have been secured with England and Czech Republic to ensure the team do well at the World Cup.

The NFF boss further said that glass house had already secured 2.8 million dollars to pay the players allowances and bonuses during the mundial.

“We are ready to play against England on June 2 in London in an international friendly. We had a conclusive meeting with the England FA.

“After the England match, we will play Czech Republic and from there we move to Russia. As it is everything is going on very well.

“For the world cup, I don’t think we have any problem, I am in touch with the technical committee. It is the desire of every Nigerian to see the Super Eagles do well at the World Cup.

“We had a meeting with the team, we signed a contract with them and ready to pay them 20 per cent of eight million dollars which is what is accrued to us for the World Cup.

“At the end of the day it amounts to 2.8million dollars which will go to the players. The money is almost 100 per cent ready,” Pinnick added.

Pinnick also explained that the football house met with some state governors who were ready to assist the NFF financially to achieve the country’s World Cup dream.

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his support for the NFF and the Super Eagles, and assured that they would not let him down in Russia.

2018 World Cup will run from June 14 to July 15 in Russia. 

Please Share This Post

2018 World Cup: Super Eagle Will Need Obafemi Martin's Experience - Yobo

​SPORTS NEWS

2018 World Cup: Super Eagle Will Need Obafemi Martins' Experience - Yobo

 

Ex-Super Eagles captain, Joseph Yobo has urged coach, Gernot Rohr to consider Shanghai Shenhua striker, Obafemi Martins for a return to the national team before the commencement of the 2018 World Cup in June.

Yobo believes Martins’s experience will be useful for the team during the tournament in Russia.

“I am not imposing players on Rohr, but I think the likes of Obafemi Martins and Austin Ejide can help strengthen the defective areas,” Yobo told Vanguard.

“They are experienced players and they know the in and out of Nigeria football”, he said.

Meanwhile, Obafemi scored three goals in a match which helped his team beat Hebei 4-2 in the Chinese Super League at the weekend.

The former Newcastle United and Inter Milan star has earned 42 caps for Nigeria.

Please Share This Post

2018 World Cup: Obuh Warns Rohr On Super Eagles' Squad, Says Stop Experimenting

​SPORTS NEWS

2018 World Cup: Obuh Warns Rohr On Super Eagles' Squad, Says Stop Experimenting

 

Former Nigeria U-17 team coach, John Obuh has told Super Eagles manager, Gernot Rohr, to stop experimenting with his team ahead of the 2018 World Cup.

With less than 80 days left before the tournament, Obuh feels Rohr should be concentrating on the players he will take to Russia.

Reacting to Nigeria’s 2-0 defeat by Serbia in an international friendly on Tuesday in London, Obuh claimed the Eagles played badly because the coaches did not use the main players.

“I think it is too early to start passing negative comments on the Eagles now. My position is that Rohr should stop spending time testing players.

“He should learn from other big teams like Germany, Spain who are already working with their main team to produce better-organised squads before the World Cup.

“In the game against Serbia, the Eagles were outplayed because the coach was still testing. The tactically disciplined Eagles we saw in the World Cup qualifiers were different from the ones that played the friendly.

“Rohr would have used the main team in the first half and injected one or two new players in the second half to blend with the team,” he said.

Please Share This Post

Portugal Coach, Santos Explains Why Ronaldo Led Team Fall 3-0 To Netherlands

​SPORTS NEWS

Portugal Coach, Santos Explains Why Ronaldo Led Team Fall 3-0 To Netherlands

 

Portugal manager, Fernando Santos has explained why his side fell 3-0 to Netherlands in a friendly match on Monday.

The coach said Monday’s 3-0 loss was his responsibility.

Portugal, currently the European champions, were beaten by Netherlands, who delivered Ronald Koeman’s first win since he took over in February.

Netherlands were too good for Portugal, who had Joao Cancelo sent off in the second half.

Memphis Depay, Ryan Babel and Virgil van Dijk were the scorers in the game.

Santos told reporters, “I could have done better, but the responsibility for defeat is mine.

“It was I who chose the players, had observed the opponent, set up the strategy so that we had possession of the ball and I think in the initial 10 minutes we had the ball and circulated well.

“We conceded a goal and from there things got more complicated.

“They explored the side aisles well and had many difficulties in the first half.

“The overall behaviour was not adequate and we could not go on a counter-attack. We talked to the players at half-time and in the second half we were a different team in every respect.

“We did not allow spaces to the opponent, except near the end.

“With 10 players on the pitch, we had a bit more difficulties, but we kept trying to reach the goal and we had three or four chances. We deserved a goal or two.”

Please Share This Post