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NFF Presidency: Akinwunmi Vows to Rebrand Nigerian Football
By Jude Opara, Abuja
The incumbent First Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Barr. Seyi Akinwunmi, has vowed to make Nigerian football great again.
Akinwunmi who is also the Chairman of Lagos State Football Association (FA), spoke on Tuesday, during his formal declaration to contest for the office if the president of the NFF.
Akinwumi is among the several contestants seeking to succeed the incumbent president of NFF, Amaju Pinnick, whose second term in office ends in September 2022.
Unveiling his ambition before the gathering of FA chairmen, serving and past executive committee members of NFF, club owners, players and other stakeholders, Akinwunmi promised to develop the nation’s football if given the opportunity to serve.
He also said he was in the race to reset the country’s football and transform Nigeria into an epitome of football development using meritocracy, professionalism, technology, creativity, transparency and education.
According to him, his administration will create an inclusive, vibrant and efficient football ecosystem beginning with the grassroots to develop a sustainable national football culture, provide pathways to success and exploit the Nigerian entrepreneurial spirit.
In his action plan for Nigeria’s football upliftment, Akinwumi listed four key growth drivers; development, business of football , infrastructure and technology.
He also frowned at the gross mismanagement of public funds and promised to run a transparent administration accountable to people, adding that he will ensure funds are appropriated and channeled for the right purposes.
He said he wants to be president because he believes the next president of NFF should be a person that will invest in grassroots football and ensure a viable football ecosystem for schools and private sector grassroots leagues in each state and zone to grow the game from bottom to up, using his managerial experiences gathered in the past eight years.
“I am coming to restore those glorious days when Nigeria used to be respected in the comity of football- playing nations in Africa and the world.
“I will give priority to grassroots development so as to find replacement for the aging players so that no gap will be left in the process of growing the sport again,” he said.
At the event were several football stakeholders including former Chairman of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA), Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima as well as some of the other contestants.
The Super Eagles camp in Cairo has grown to 22 players with the arrival of Blackburn Rovers defender Ryan Alebiosu, ahead of Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) international friendly match against Egypt.
News reports that Atalanta winger Ademola Lookman and defenders Semi Ajayi and Bright Osayi-Samuel reported to camp earlier on Monday at the Renaissance Hotel, joining a steadily increasing squad.
Goalkeeper Amas Obasogie, defender Igoh Ogbu and midfielder Tochukwu Nnadi were also among the latest arrivals to bolster the team.
They linked up with early arrivals Francis Uzoho, Stanley Nwabali, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, who had checked in on Sunday.
Super Eagles Media Officer Promise Efoghe said that 20 players participated in the team’s first training session held on Monday evening.
“Training went smoothly and the players showed good energy and commitment, which is encouraging at this stage of preparations,” Efoghe said.
Efoghe said that Club Brugge midfielder Raphael Onyedika and Alebiosu arrived shortly after training, raising the number of players in camp to 22, with six more expected.
He said as part of preparations, the Super Eagles would play a friendly against the Pharaohs of Egypt on Tuesday at the Cairo International Stadium.
“The friendly will help the technical crew assess team shape and readiness ahead of the AFCON challenge,” Efoghe said.
Nigeria, three-time champions, and seven-time winners Egypt will clash at 8 p.m. Egypt time (7 p.m. Nigeria time) in the build-up to the 35th Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco.
Efoghe confirmed that the team will depart Cairo for Féz on Thursday aboard a chartered flight to continue final preparations.
Nigeria’s quest for a fourth continental title, following victories in 1980, 1994 and 2013, begins on Dec. 23 against Tanzania, under the theme “NAIJA 4 THE WIN.”
The Eagles will also face Tunisia on Dec. 27 and Uganda on Dec. 30 in Group C, with all matches scheduled for the Complexe Sportif de Féz.
Egypt, the only nation to win AFCON three consecutive times, will battle South Africa, Angola and Zimbabwe in Group B, with matches holding in Agadir.
As anticipation builds for the Africa Cup of Nations 2025, set to kick off on December 21 in Morocco, the Confederation of African Football has released a list of items prohibited across all tournament stadiums.
According to the guidelines cited on CAF’s website on Monday, the rules are aimed at ensuring fan safety throughout the competition.
Fans attending AFCON 2025 matches in Morocco will be subjected to security screening.
They are advised not to bring prohibited items into stadiums to ensure safety, order and a smooth match-day experience.
Below is the list of items fans are advised to leave at home before entering AFCON stadiums:
Alcoholic beverages, Illegal substances and drugs, Weapons and sharp objects, Fireworks and pyrotechnics, Glass bottles or containers, Flammable materials, Racist, violent or discriminatory banners, Unauthorised political, religious or commercial signs, Drones and animals, Large umbrellas and oversized hats, Professional cameras and recording equipment, Musical instruments and loud horns, Radio-emitting devices (except mobile phones) and Heavy or large bags.
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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has disclosed that the team are still a work in progress following his expensive overhaul of the squad since last season.
The Spanish tactician made this known after the Citizens thrashed Crystal Palace 3-0 in Sunday’s Premier League game.
In a chat with the club’s website, Guardiola stated that the team are in a better position than last season.
“Many things we have to improve.
Madrid gave me a lot of things, that still we are not ready, not in mentality but in how to approach certain games. They are young some of the players. But 3-0 here is a big statement for us.“When you win in the past, you believe the past was perfect, always brilliant, always the red carpet.
When we won with 100 points, all the things we achieved, we had a lot of games like today. The resilience was part of that.“There are moments that you struggle. Madrid was not the perfect game, but it was a step. We fought unbelievably to achieve that.
“We are in a better position than last season. We are close in the competitions we are in.”
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