SPORTS
Musa Amadu Joins NFF Presidency Race
By Jude Opara, Abuja
Former Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Musa Amadu on Tuesday, formally declared his interest to contest for the office of the president of the federation.
Addressing a world press conference in Abuja, Ahmadu said his main focus was not to lament over the dwindling fortunes of the nation’s football but to use his experience and expertise to run the federation like it is done in other climes.
“We want to build an image of Nigerian football that will make the Nigerian person walk tall in the street anywhere in the world and be referred to as ‘the guy or lady who comes from that football country where everything is well-run’.
“We want to create opportunities for people who hitherto would not have had a chance to be anywhere near a football field – job opportunities that will take our youth off the streets, football opportunities that will empower every sector of our society and create gainful employment”.
Amadu further promised to partner with the federal government to ensure proper development of the game adding that the practice where the NFF goes to collect money from the government, but shouts ‘interference’ when they ask questions.
“Our relationship with the government is also key. We always run to them when we need funding for our projects, but we cry foul when they show an interest in what we are doing and we call it interference. That is enough now. We are partners. Government cares for the people. NFF cares for the people through football. We will maintain partnership and create a NFF/Government Liaison structure that is workable, as has been working in many countries I have had the opportunity to visit and understudy. It is not rocket science”.
He added that a country that has produced most of the best footballers doing great exploits across the world deserves to be more recognized in international football.
He further regretted the seeming dwindling fortunes of women football, adding that the era when the Super Falcons used to maul other African countries is fast coming to pass with the rising profile of countries like South Africa, Zambia, Ghana, etc.
Amadu who retired from the NFF about eight years ago in answering a question concerning how he left the federation said he has no fraud case pending anywhere against him.
Also speaking, the first vice president of the NFF, Barr. Seyi Akinwumi who is also a candidate in the election said he came in because of the need to maintain the unity of which football represents.
He also declared that for him the election is not a do or die affair, adding that no matter who wins eventually, the growth and development of football in the country.
The event was attended by football personalities past and present, including former Chairman of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA), Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima and former Secretary General of the NFA, Dr. Tijani Yusuf .
The finals of Gov. Peter Mbah Secondary Schools Games, on Thursday began in Enugu with the arrival and accreditation of athletes at Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium Enugu.
Dan Onwuegbuna, Director, Information, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Enugu State, said in a statement on Thursday that the games would be held between Aug.
7 and Aug. 10 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium and the Enugu State Sports Council.“The games is designed to help the state discover talents to represent the state at the forthcoming U15 National Youth Games scheduled to take place in Asaba, Delta, from Aug. 26 to Sept. 6,” he stated.
Onwuegbuna said that apart from representing the state at the Youth Games in Asaba, talented athletes discovered would represent the state in other competitions.
He quoted the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Lloyd Ekweremadu as thanking Gov. Peter Mbah for approving the games.
Onwuegbuna said that the games was made possible following the collaboration between the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the state Post Primary Schools Management Board (PPSMB).
The games finals followed the outcome of the inter- Secondary Schools competitions held at the local government areas in the six Educational Zones in the State – Enugu, Agbani, Awgu, Udi, Nsukka and Udenu.
“The games will feature athletics, boxing, chess, basketball, volleyball, football, tennis and scrabble,” Onwuegbuna stated.
Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie has been nominated for the 2025 Women’s Yachine Trophy, the Ballon d’Or award for the best female goalkeeper.
The 24-year-old recently joined Brighton Women FC from Paris FC after helping the French side win their first major title in nearly two decades.
Nnadozie delivered a heroic performance in the final of the 2025 Coupe de France Féminine, where Paris FC edged Paris Saint-Germain 5-4 on penalties following a goalless draw at Stade de l’Épopée in Calais.She was also instrumental in Nigeria’s success at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), where the Super Falcons secured a record-extending 10th continental crown against host nation, Morocco.
Her standout displays earned her the Best Goalkeeper award and a place in the Team of the Tournament.
Other nominees for the Yachine Trophy include Ann-Katrin Berger (Gotham FC), Cata Coll (Barcelona Femeni), Hannah Hampton (Chelsea Women) and Daphne van Domselaar (Arsenal Women).
Nigeria’s Super Falcons maintained 36th position in the latest FIFA women’s world ranking.
The latest ranking was released on FIFA’s official website yesterday.
While the Super Falcons remain the number one team in Africa, WAFCON 2024 runners-up Morocco are third on the continent and dropped to 64th spot in the world.
Former WAFCON champions Banyana Banyana of South Africa maintained 54th place in the world and second in Africa.
Ghana’s Black Queens who claimed third place at the WAFCON dropped to 67th position in the global ranking.
The Super Falcons recently won their 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after coming from 2-0 down to beat hosts Morocco 3-2 in the final.
Second half goals from Esther Okoronkwo, Folashade Ijamilusi and substitute Jennifer Echegini completed the turnaround.
Okoronkwo, scored a goal and provided two assists against the Moroccans was Named Player of the Match.
Chiamaka Nnadozie was named Goalkeeper of the Tournament while Captain Rasheedat Ajibade won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.
Meanwhile, World champions Spain (1st, up 1) had an impressive run to the final of the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 with five back-to-back wins, which was enough to see them reclaim top spot in the ranking, a position they previously held from December 2023 to June 2024.
The USA (2nd, down 1) have therefore been knocked off their perch, which they had occupied since August 2024.
However, three convincing home wins in friendlies during this period have kept the USA in contention, and they are now sitting less than two points behind Spain.
The top 10 has been shaken up completely since the June edition of the ranking, with France (6th, up 4) performing best among them.
France completed a flawless group stage at the European Championship before falling to Germany in the quarter-finals.
The next edition of the Women’s World Ranking will be published on 11 December 2025.
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