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Sunday Oliseh: A breath of fresh air.

The Nigeria Football Federation finally got rid of Stephen Keshi after several months of unending drama, media wars and bad blood. The sack of keshi was inevitable. It was clear alot of power brokers in charge of administrating football in the country did not want him. Stephen Keshi banked too much on the links and goodwill that followed his AFCON 2013 victory. He became almost uncontrollable and was always at loggerheads with his ‘bosses’.

Nigerians endured months of war of words in the media, resigning, re-appointing, sacking and rehiring –  all which culminated into bad results for the super Eagles. There was no way the Super Eagles would thrive under such atmosphere or condition given that there is a friction in the marriage of the two  major components that contributes to the success of the team.
Essentially, there are three components – the administrators, manager and players. A seamless or good marriage of the three will yield good results and similarly, a friction can only yield bad results.
The failure of the Super Eagles to qualify for the 2015 AFCON despite entering the qualifiers as defending champions only affirms this.
More than anything, there is a need for our football to move on!, a need for a fresh air and from clear indications, it won’t happen with Stephen Keshi as manager of the Super Eagles. Hence, his sacking and possible (almost sealed) hiring of Sunday Oliseh will provide the much needed fresh air.
Sunday Oliseh – great analytical mind, principled, assertive and hugely certified might be the unifying factor of the three components. The news of his appointment have been met with great reception and optimism. Nigerians seem to be gradually moving on from the whole Keshi imbroglio and are anticipating a bright future under one of the most cerebral players the Super Eagles ever had.
Though, there might be some reservations over his poor managerial experience given that his only stint was with a third tier Belgian side. There are, however, examples of players who switched from active playing to managing and recorded huge success.
Stephen Keshi was not a bad coach and in fact would go down in history as one of the best coaches Nigeria ever had given his immense achievements, however, the environment and atmosphere around him wasn’t ideal anymore for progress. There was a need for a breath of fresh air – the kind that Sunday Oliseh symbolises. 
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Entertainment, Sports

Done deal! Sunday Oliseh is Super Eagles manager-in-waiting.

The Nigeria Football Federation are currently in talks with ex Super Eagles captain, Sunday Oliseh to become the Head Coach of the men’s national team. Recall that the managerial position became available few days back after ex coach, Stephen Keshi was fired for breaching some terms of his contract.
Sunday Oliseh met with NFF President Amaju Pinnick in London on Tuesday and right now negotiations have reached advanced stage. Confirming the news, Felix Anyansi-Agwu, chairman of the NFF Technical and Development Committee said, “An offer has been made, and there is understanding, but we have to work out the final details of the agreement in a few days. Of course, the Executive Board has to give approval for his appointment based on the final terms to be agreed.”
Oliseh will come with a Foreign Technical Assistant, whose job description will centre around development programmes, and who will work with Clubs’ Youth Teams and certified Academies towards developing the game from the grassroots.
According to nff.com, Oliseh is expected to come up with a five –year developmental plan to fashion a unique playing and coaching philosophy for all the National Teams, and will for this purpose, interface regularly with coaches of those teams.
“We are also looking at how he will periodically organize clinics and seminars for coaches of Clubs in the Nigeria Professional Football League, probably once in a month, so as to strengthen the playing philosophy across board. A robust youth development programme, elite player development strategy and performance programmes to drive higher standards, among other core sustainable development programmes, are also part of the proposal,” Anyansi-Agwu added.‎

NFF President Amaju Pinnick said: “Sunday Oliseh has vast experience and immense knowledge of the game, and will certainly add value to what we are doing. He has bought into our vision and objectives towards the development of Nigeria football. He will command the respect of the players and we trust he has the temperament to work harmoniously with the Technical and Development Committee, the Technical Directorate and the Technical Study Group.

“On our part at the NFF, we will give him all the support to succeed as we have been giving to all our coaches. Subject to the approval of the NFF Executive Committee, we will conclude negotiations by weekend and he will be unveiled next week.”

The 40 year-old FIFA instructor won 63 caps for Nigeria between 1993 and 2002. He was part of the Nigeria squad that won the Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia in 1994, and played in the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cup final competitions. He played in clubs like  Reggiana, FC Cologne, Ajax Amsterdam, Juventus, Borussia Dortmund etc. He holds a UEFA Pro License. Between 2008 and 2009, he coached Belgian club, Vervietois.
Credit: nff.com
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Entertainment

Ogenyi Onazi appeals $5000 fine

Super Eagles’ midfielder, Ogenyi Onazi, has appealed against the $5,000 USD fine imposed on him by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for his misconduct during the Super Eagles AFCON qualifier against Chad‎ weeks back. 
The Nigeria international made the appeal in a letter ‎addressed to the NFF General Secretary on 30th June, 2015. 

“Sequel to your letter REF: NFF/OGS/Admin/Vol.V/009, I hereby tender an unreserved apology with respect to my conduct which led to my dismissal in the game against Chad in Kaduna.

“I accept the fact that my act was tantamount to an unacceptable one on the field of play. However, I want to inform you that my action on the pitch was not premeditated and was only a reaction to a violent attack on me by the Chadian player, who hit me from behind while I was standing outside the penalty box.
“In addition, I had tendered an unreserved apology immediately after the match via my official social media accounts, as well as in the traditional media, to my teammates and to Nigerians who felt let down by an act they considered surprising because of my reputation in that regard.
“Also, I had volunteered to attend the two matches that I have since been punished for by CAF both at home and away, to support my teammates. I believe this is an amenable punishment and therefore appeal for the further fine of $5,000 that was imposed on me by the NFF.”‎ He wrote

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Entertainment

NFF sack Super Falcons coach, Edwin Okon.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have terminated the contract of Super Falcons coach, Edwin Okon. The women’s national team’s exit at the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada and his refusal to shake hands with coaches at the tournament were the major reasons why his contract wasn’t renewed. ‎The Rivers Angels’ assistant, Christopher Danjuma has taken over as an interim coach.

“The contract given to the crew has elapsed with the Women’s World Cup in Canada. Mr. Christopher Danjuma will now take over the team in acting capacity, pending the appointment of a substantive coaching crew, the process of selecting a capable replacement has began.

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“We commend Okon and his crew for the services rendered to the country. They did well to reclaim the African Women Championship title for the country in Namibia in October 2014, thus qualifying the team for the Women’s World Cup in Canada,” NFF technical committee chairman, Felix Anyansi said.

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Entertainment

Enyeama in trouble after tearing NFF query letter.

‎Super Eagles goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama shocked not a few Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) officials after he tore a query letter issued to him by the organisation over the comments‎ he made about the safety of Kaduna to host last weekend’s AFCON qualifier against
Chad.‎

The Lille goalstopper in an interview with Brilla FM shortly before Nigeria’s match with Chad on Saturday said, “I’m not satisfied with the choice of Kaduna and you know I’m a very outspoken person. I don’t like the choice of Kaduna based on what is happening in the country but then the government knows exactly what to do make us safe. I am concerned because it’s not Kaduna but because of the security thing. I really don’t care where we play as long as there is going to be security and safety of the players and everyone coming to watch the match.”‎

The matter has been transferred to the NFF disciplinary committee. Albeit he’s written a letter of apology but some officials insist he should be punished.

“Top NFF officials told me he tore
the query he was issued. What
Vincent did is unacceptable and he cannot go unpunished for this.” Ex Nigeria international, Garba Lawal stated.




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Entertainment

No regrets about re appointing Keshi- Amaju

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) boss, Amaju Pinnick has ‎disclosed that Keshi was reappointed as Super Eagles coach  because the organisation lack the resources to appoint top-notch foreign coaches.

Speaking on the BBC’s Focus on Africa programme, the NFF President said, “We made no mistake in re-appointing Keshi. In his first term, Keshi did a lot to encourage the boys in the domestic League, and the boy who scored our winning goal at the Africa Cup of Nations, Sunday Mba, was playing in the domestic scene.

“We don’t live in the clouds. If we wanted a foreign Coach, we
would probably go for someone in the class of Jose Mourinho or
Arsene Wenger. We don’t have that money presently and we don’t want to be owing our coach.”

“In the past, we played matches blindly. We didn’t know enough about our opponents and we didn’t even know enough about our own players – their strengths and weaknesses. If we had the ProZone match preparation software before now, we prob­ably would have beaten France and reached the quarter finals of last year’s FIFA World Cup in Brazil.”
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Entertainment

Finally! Keshi returns as Super Eagles manager.

After months of speculation, Stephen Keshi has returned as Super Eagles manager. He signed a 2 year contract today nine months after his initial deal expired.
The contract signing took place in the presence of top NFF executives and the media today.
“We lost in the past, we drew and we won. But we have to move forward now. This is a new page in Nigerian football and what happened in the past has happened. I have what it takes to take d country forward,” Keshi said.
He continued, “We need the media. I cannot do this alone. I will work with office of the NFF to move our football forward.”
On Keshi’s contract delay, NFF vice President Seyi Akinwunmi explained that the delay in his return was occasioned by the elongated and unwarranted crises the organization had last year. “The NFF have agreed to continually sponsor Keshi on refresher courses.” He added.
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Entertainment

Photo: President Goodluck Jonathan receives FIFA Women's World Cup trophy.

President Goodluck Jonathan at a forum with Nigeria Young Professionals held yesterday at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos was presented with the FIFA Women’s World Cup trophy by NFF President, Amaju Pinnick.
The trophy is on its tour of all 24 countries qualified for the finals in Canada this summer. Meanwhile Nigeria will be participating in the FIFA Women World Cup Finals which will hold in Canada from 6th June-5th July 2015.
Source: The Nigeria Football Federation
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Entertainment, Sports

100th Cap: NFF to honour Vincent Enyeama

The Nigeria Football Federation has announced plans to honour Super Eagles goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama when he makes his 100th appearance for Nigeria during their friendly match against Bolivia on March 26. Enyeama would be celebrated at the Uyo Stadium in front of fans, friends and colleagues.
The Lille skipper would become the second Nigerian player to reach the milestone, the first being ex-captain Joseph Yobo during the match between Nigeria and Argentina at the FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
“Nothing matches being recognized by your own country. I am very excited at the prospect of reaching 100 caps, and more so at the decision by the NFF to honour me on the day.” 

“The NFF media department has also been speaking with me and I have followed the publicity they have generated about it. It is a delight. I am also excited by the fact that it will happen in Uyo, my hometown. What a great honour!” Enyeama said.

Enyeama made his debut for the national team in May 2002, played at three World Cups, led the team to win the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa and was recently named the 2014 Goal Nigeria Player of the Year. His memorable match was against Argentina in 2010.
“I can tell you that is one match I will always remember. I was highly inspired, and although we lost, I was selected the Man of the Match. We lost 0-1 but Lionel Messi did not score. That was some sort of joy for me.” he added.‎
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