NFF Apologises to Nigerians, Plans to Hire New Foreign Coach After Finidi’s Performance

The Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) held a hybrid meeting on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, to address several critical issues in Nigerian football.

The committee issued an apology to Nigerians for the disappointing performance of the Senior Men’s National Team, Super Eagles, in their current World Cup qualifying campaign. The team has managed only four wins out of ten matches.

In response, the committee has resolved to hire an expatriate Technical Adviser for the Super Eagles in preparation for the upcoming AFCON 2025 qualifiers and the continuation of the World Cup qualifiers in March 2025.

During the meeting, the following are their resolve: 1) The Executive Committee wholeheartedly apologised to Nigerians for the dismal output and subsequent very poor returns of the Senior Men National Team, Super Eagles, in four out of 10 matches in the ongoing qualification series for the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals and pledged to work assiduously and put necessary measures in place to ensure a better-prepared squad ahead of the AFCON 2025 qualifiers in September this year and the resumption of the World Cup qualifiers in March 2025.

2) Further to (1) above, the Executive Committee resolved to employ an expatriate Technical Adviser for the Super Eagles in the coming weeks, ahead of the AFCON qualifiers and the remaining FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.

3) Still further to (1) above, the Committee resolved to beef up the NFF Technical Department with more qualitative hands. Equally, the Technical and Development Sub-Committee will be re-jigged with immediate effect.

4) Notwithstanding the challenges that attended the team’s preparations for the Day 3 and Day 4 games of the FIFA World Cup qualifying matches, owing to a 38-hour nationwide industrial action, the Board expressed displeasure with the poor attitude of some of the players to the national assignment and unanimously decided in favour of a more robust scouting programme of outstanding Nigeria-eligible players from across the four corners of the universe, who can add tremendous value to the nation’s flagship team.

5) The Executive Committee also resolved that a Stakeholders’ Forum be convened in a few weeks to deliberate amendments to the current NFF Statutes in conjunction with FIFA, the world football governing body.

6) While appreciating the fact that the preparation of teams involved in the Olympic Games falls squarely within the purview of the Federal Ministry of Sports Development, the Executive Committee stated unequivocally that it will provide robust support, within the room allowed it, to the Senior Women National Team, Super Falcons, to adequately prepare for this year’s Women’s Olympic Football Tournament, taking place in France from 24 July to 11 August.

6) In order to ensure an impressive performance of the U20 Women’s National Team, Falconets, at this year’s FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals in Colombia, 31st August – 22nd September, the Executive Committee mandated its Technical and Development Sub-Committee to diligently and swiftly consider the programme submitted by the Head Coach for the team’s preparation. The Board approved a two-phase camping for the team, with a four-week camping in Nigeria to be followed by a two-week final camping programme in Colombia before the commencement of the tournament.

7) Impressed by the performance of the U17 Women National Team, Flamingos, so far in their FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup African qualification series, the Executive Committee charged the Secretariat to ensure the team’s total readiness for its final round, final leg encounter against its Liberian counterparts, scheduled for the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, on Friday, 14th June 2024.

Attendees of the meeting included: Ibrahim Musa Gusau (President); Felix Anyansi-Agwu (1st Vice President); Gbenga Elegbeleye (2nd Vice President); Yusuf Ahmed (Member); Babagana Kalli (Member); Sharif Rabiu Inuwa (Member); Sunday Dele-Ajayi (Member); Aisha Falode (Member); Ganiyu Majekodunmi (Member); Nse Essien (Member); Margaret Icheen (Member); Timothy Heman Magaji (Member); Silas Agara (Member); George Aluo (Member); Nkechi Nneka Obi (Member); Mohammed Sanusi (Secretary).

Peoples Gazette