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November 7, 2023

November 7, 2023 IFMSPORTS

NFF Suspends 14 Referees Over Poor Officiating

Fourteen referees have been suspended by the Nigeria Football Federation in the Nigeria Premier Football League campaign over poor officiating.

This was confirmed in a communiqué from the federation's Referees Development Committee on Monday to the NPFL chief operating officer, Davison Owumi, according to Ahmad Tijani on Inspiration FM.

The referees suspended are Saeed Abdulaziz, Jimmy Aimugbonrie, Brown Ebenezer and Atuwho Morrison, Bawa Buhari, Chukwuka Jahlove, and Akinwale Tomiwa.

Others include Saeed Maliki, Sunday Azi and the four match officials involved in a matchday six clash between Sunshine Stars and Abia Warriors.

The NPFL committee requested video footage of the matches where the match officials performed poorly.

The teams involved are Niger Tornadoes and two games of Sporting Lagos.

Also, match-day two clash between Niger Tornadoes and Rivers United, which ended 1-0 in favour of the Tornadoes and matchday four against Bayelsa which also ended in a lone goal in their favour, are part of the games affected.

However, the NPFL committee is expected to investigate further to determine the best disciplinary measures to be issued to the defaulting match officials.

October 18, 2023

October 18, 2023October 18, 2023 IFMSPORTS

Our Target Is The AFCON Title – NFF Technical Director

The Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation, Austin Eguavoen, has clarified that their target in the upcoming 2023 African Cup of Nations is the trophy.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria last won the competition in 2013 in South Africa under late coach Stephen Keshi, and since then, the country has been struggling to win back the title.

They failed to qualify in 2015 and 2017 before winning bronze in 2019 under the former coach Gernot Rohr, and 2021 was a story to forget as they crashed out in the round of 16.

Eguavoen said they've been craving to regain the title, which will not be different this time.

"We have been craving to get the Nations Cup back since 2013. We’ve not been able to achieve that feat because we know we have the capacity and the quality and everything to win it.

But to say it is easy to achieve is another thing, so everybody has to work towards the same goal, support the team whichever way we can support the coaches, and the players have to go out there and do the job", he said.

Nigeria will commence their campaign in the tournament with the opening group game against Equatorial Guinea before facing Ivory Coast and Guinea Bissau later in the competition.

August 9, 2023

August 9, 2023 IFMSPORTS

Ighalo and Osimhen Team Up with FIFPRO to Demand Unpaid Bonuses for Super Falcons

A collective voice from football stakeholders, including current and former Super Eagles players, has arisen, urging the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to promptly address the outstanding allowances owed to Super Falcons team members.

In tandem with a solidarity statement by FIFPRO, the global player union, shared on Instagram by Super Falcons forward Asisat Oshoala, these stakeholders have amplified the call for resolving the backlog.

Voicing their support, Napoli forward Victor Osimhen directly appealed: "Pay them NFF."
Victor Anichebe, the former Everton striker, emphasized: "NFF pay them! They did us all proud! And even if they didn't. Pay them what they are owed!!!"
Former Super Eagles striker Odion Ighalo remarked, "NFF never stop these things."

The ongoing issue revolves around unpaid salaries and bonuses, which has led Randy Waldrum and the Super Falcons team to clash with the football administration. The situation escalated to the brink of a potential boycott during the Women's World Cup.

February 15, 2021

February 15, 2021February 15, 2021 IFMSPORTS

Desire Oparanozie Slams NFF Over Her Exclusion From Super Falcons Squad To Play Turkish Women’s Cup

Nigerian footballer, Desire Oparanozie has slammed the Nigeria Football Federation following her exclusion from the Super Falcons squad that will feature at the Turkish Women’s Cup, to start today, Monday, February 15.

On Thursday last week, the NFF released a 23-man list for the competition, with Oparanozie a shock exclusion despite her form this season.

Reports emerged that she was excluded because of her role inciting protests amongst her teammates at the 2019 Women's World Cup in France.

Reacting to the reports, NFF’s Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire, in a recent interview with BBC, said it had nothing to do with the role she played in the protest.
“Oparanozie is still part of the team’s plans, and her non-inclusion has nothing to do with that protest in France because she was not the only one involved.

“Selection of players is predominantly the prerogative of the coaches and not the NFF.

“She remains an important member of the women’s national side. I think she will just have to keep working on her game and, if she gets the opportunity, then push for consistent selection.”

Oparanozie has now reacted to what Olajide said. Taking to her Twitter handle she wrote;

“Work on my game and push for consistent selection. Those ones who’s been without a club for over a year now, how many of their games did they work on over the past one year to merit their inclusion? When we’re spoilt for choice. Look for another lie.”

Desire Oparanozie slams NFF over her exclusion from Super Falcons squad to play Turkish Women?s Cup