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A panel of judges from Arsenal Football Club and its official online money transfer partner, WorldRemit, have selected six coaches - including one Nigerian - from across Africa as finalists in their new Future Stars coaching progamme. These final six coaches will now compete in a public vote on futurestars.worldremit.com for the chance to attend an exclusive training programme with Arsenal Soccer Schools in London - fully sponsored by WorldRemit. The finalists facing a public vote are: Adegun Shola John from Lagos, Nigeria, Ahmed Ali from Hargeisa, Somaliland, Hamisi Mohamed from Nairobi, Kenya, Innocents Yeboah-Num from Abease, Ghana, Tersia Davids from Cape Town, South Africa and Titus Tongesai Sanangurai from Harare, Zimbabwe. Speaking on his selection, Adegun Shola John said: “As coaches our work is not just to teach football. It's also to get the kids off the streets, developing better behaviours and values. We try to help players grow as footballers, but also

Nigerian international Victor Osimhen has revealed the source of his inspiration after scoring a crucial professional goal for Royal Charleroi Sporting Club of Belgium against Waasland-Beveren on Saturday. The 19-year-old striker whose first professional goal against Waasland-Beveren in the Belgian top League earned his team a point in the matchday eight fixture decided at Freethiel Stadion, Beveren has disclosed that Africa Football Leagend, Didier Drogba inspires him a lot as he stated his delight to have scored his first Belgian League goal. " I think am very happy to be able to score my first goal for my new team and I think I can be satisfied with the quality of my game.  "I really had good feelings for this first and after the red card Marco - who shot a lot of gambling until then - we thought we should all play for him, showing solidarity, I think we did it." He continued " For my part, I observe and analyze the style of severa

Stephen Odey's 55th minute strike earned FC Zurich a crucial 1-0 home win over FC Luzern on Sunday in match day seven of the ongoing Swiss Super League played at Letzigrund. Smarting from their 1-0 away triumph against AEK Larnaca FC of Nicosia on Thursday where the Nigerian international made his debut in the UEFA Europa League, FCZ claimed another maximum points to make it three consecutive  victory  in all competitions. Odey whose side has been on some good form of late was pleased with the  important win and his fifth goal in eight games from all competition for the city club this season. "I am very happy that I was able to help the team with my goal, but we still have the victory in the group today, the three points were very important to us and I am glad that we left victorious today," said Stephen to FC Zurich media team. He completed his remark by saying "another goal another victory. What a moment." With this win, FCZ n

Nigerian international, Stephen Odey has proclaimed that he has been longing for a UEFA Europa League experience after his debut against AEK Larnaca FC of Nicosia two days ago. Odey's team FC Zurich beat AEK Larnaca FC 1-0 away from home on Thursday, 20, September 2018 at the GSP stadium to secure their first three points in the Europa League group stage courtesy of a well taken 61st minute penalty kick scored by Benjamin Kololli. FCZ put up a defiant display and disturbed the opponent early in the game. The Cypriots were given little room for creativity on the offensive with fast counterattacks.  Odey who was substituted in the 75th minute with Assan Ceesay had a chance to score his first Europa League goal in the 15th minute of the exchange when his effort went centimeters off the post. The 20 year-old striker said in a chat with  nigeriasports.blogspot.com  " I am really excited. I have been waiting all my life for this type of vibe and I am happy it

By Wale Ajayi ....Hatred, envy and backstabbing from trusted friends almost cost Fresh a third term ambition.... He is a man of the people, a friend of the media, a cheerful giver, an easy going politician, a fearless administrator and a role model to many emerging F.A chairmen especially in the Northern part of Nigeria, where his growing profile and influence has seriously touched the lives of many who love to associate with the lion of the Niger. Three days to the NFF elective congress, Ahmed Yusuf Fresh was expected by many, to easily scale the hurdle presented by the sudden emergence of Kwara state FA chairman, Busari Ishola who resisted every temptation to withdraw, to give the two incumbents, Ahmed Fresh and Hon.Yahaya Kwanda a run for their money. One week to the polls, Fresh and Kwande had heaved a sigh of relief, when FCT FA chairman, Musa Talle pulled out of the race for no particular reasons. Talle's decision meant, the race for two slots in the North

The newly elected Executive Member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ahmed Yusuf Fresh has taken out time to appreciate all key football stakeholders in Nigeria football family after a successful re-election into NFF board led by Amaju Pinnick in Katsina State on Thursday (September 20, 2018). The Niger State Football Association boss specifically extends gratitude to the Congressmen who were the voters of his hard fought victory. "I appreciate all the 44 Congressmen of the Nigeria Football Federation who found it worthy to give me the mantle of representation and leadership position into the continuity board of NFF, headed by Mr Amaju Pinnick," Fresh said. Ahmed Fresh, who is a Member of Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) Technical and Development Committee glorify Almighty Allah for his re-election even as he heap praises on his faithful followers in Nigeria football family. "Yesterday, was historic, left indelible marks in my life a

Former Secretary General Nigeria Football Federation, Chief Taiwo Joseph Ogunjobi, has congratulated Amaju Melvin Pinnick, after he emerged victorious in the 2018 NFF Elective Congress held in Katsina State on Thursday. Ogunjobi alongside Aminu Maigari lost to the incumbent President, who became the first Nigerian to win a back to back election in 37 years. The Osun State FA boss, while speaking to newsmen called for every stakeholder in the football industry to rally round the new NFF board. “My candid advice to Pinnick and his board members is to unite the aggrieved factions. Let us work towards stability of Football in Nigeria. “Let enduring peace return to Football. Like I have always said on 'Association Football' I stand.” Speaking further, “I want to wish the board a successful tenure termed with peace and progress in Nigerian Football. I would also like to wish other members of the Congress well in their future endeavours. On association football I s

The newly appointed Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries Football Club director, Barrister Davidson Adejuwon, has joined hundreds of Nigerians to celebrate Lagos State Football Association chairman, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi, who has just been re-elected as the 1st vice-president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Thursday in the city of Katsina. The big event tagged 'NFF 2018 Elective Congress' was witnessed by top government officials and football administrators from world football governing body, FIFA, CAF and every part of Nigeria among which was Adejuwon, who was in Katsina as an observers and also to support Akinwunmi. "For us it's a welcome development and we are also delighted to have our own Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi returned and elected," said Davidson. "The success is a sweet one to us at MFM FC bearing in mind that we are situated in Lagos State. Even though the club is meant for all the youths in Nigeria and

The New Media Journalists in their congratulatory message to the newly elected leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation has charged the board to bring all the football family together so as to take football in the country to the next level. The General Secretary of the NMJ, who is also a member of the NFF Players Statues Committee, Tobi Adepoju, praised the congress for returning most of the executive board members as he called on the Amaju Pinnick-led board to see the opportunity as a new call for service. “This is a great moment in the history of Nigeria football,” Adepoju said. “The newly elected board should see this as a new call for service. To whom much is given, much is always expected. “Personally I feel the most important  thing now is how to bring all the football family together so as to move the game forward in Nigeria. “We at NMJ are happy for the return of the president Amaju Pinnick, who is also the first vice president of CAF,

The leadership of Lagos SWAN has congratulated the Nigeria Football Federation President, Amaju Melvin Pinnick and the 1st Vice President, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi on their re-election in Katsina for another term in office. Speaking on behalf of the Lagos State Chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), the Chairman, Debo Oshundun said their re-election is a testament to their achievements in the last 4 years. “As the most vibrant chapter of SWAN, we wish to felicitate with you over this uncommon feat which you have achieved as a team. We must commend you for the innovations you have brought to the Nigerian Football scene in the last 4 years.” Lagos SWAN said Nigerian Football has never had it so good. Oshundun in his congratulatory message pledged the unalloyed support of Lagos SWAN to Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi who he described as a ‘friend of the house.’ “The working relationship between Lagos SWAN and Lagos State Football Associat

Former Ekiti State Football Association chairman, Dr. Isaac Ayodele, has called on the 44-man delegates comprising the state FA’s across the country to allow for continuity by voting the current Nigeria Football Federation president, Amaju Pinnick, and his 1st Vice President, Seyi AKinwunmi, for another four-year term in the office. Speaking with our correspondent, Ayodele reiterated all what the current board has done to develop football in the country especially from the grassroots leading to the country having a pool of young players that will gradually turn to stars for the Super Eagles. “It is out there for all to see the good work of the president NFF board led by Amaju Pinnick,” he said. “I just want to urge the delegates to really give continuity a chance by voting these people (Pinnick and Akinwunmi) in again. “There is no need to be sentimental at this crucial moment of our football development. We have gone too far and the only way to continue the good work

Football today has become a veritable tool, used to drive social change. Football has given life to the lifeless, help promote world peace and contribute to happiness. In Africa, it’s becoming a viable economic tool and contributing to infrastructural development. In essence, football can become what you project it to be. Seyi Akinwunmi is a board member of the Nigeria Football Federation and chairman Lagos State Football Association, belonging to the ‘digital age” of Nigeria Football, which breaks from the norm of rigidity found in the conventional way of doing things. Akinwunmi’s life as a philanthropist is well documented. He has contributed in no small measure to various charities aimed at the development and improvement of children. He is devoted to the promotion of human welfare and social reforms. His stellar works include his involvement with the Parents Against Autism Initiative (PAAI) Courage Education Foundation (CEF): a not-for-profit organization which he

Football is undoubtedly the major component of Sports in our Dear country Nigeria, that unify its people regardless of any cultural, ethnic, religion diversity due to the way it is Worship herein. Football in Niger State was nearing state of moribund before the emergence of this present Executives of Niger State Football Association led by Ahmed Yusuf Fresh came into power in 2004. Who is Ahmed Yusuf Fresh? Ahmed Yusuf Fresh, is a man who does not have television his dreams, but has vision in his goals and tasks himself to move Niger State Football Association forward. Before 2004 Niger State FA Elections: The youths of Power State (Niger State)  were never engaged in what can give hope to their dreams in terms of programs that would allow raw talents (Footballers) visualise their prospects and their quests to be professional footballers. Ahmed Fresh, not just as Chairman but as a team player deliberated with his Executives and other football stakeholders in Niger st

Chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Technical and Development Committee, Alhaji Ahmed Yusuf Fresh has activated the mood of the Nigeria national U17 team, Golden Eaglets who defeated their West Africa counterparts with two million naira. The Nigerian U17 team emerged as the Champions of this year's WAFU B U17 Cup of Nations in Niger Republic on Saturday night as they sealed the sole ticket to 2019 Africa U17 Cup of Nations in Tanzania. Nigeria defeated Ghana 3-1 on penalties after the game ended 1-1 on duration time. The NFF Chieftain has congratulated the West Africa Zone B representative in next year AFCON U17 in Tanzania. "I congratulate you on your hard fought victory, your stories have changed from ordinary Nigeria national U17 team to West Africa Zone B Champions. The Technical Committee make bold to say that you will replicate this at the tournament proper in Tanzania next year," Fresh said. The Niger State Football Associatio

Nigerian international, Stephen Odey scored his fourth goal in six games as FC Zurich defeated FC Breitenrain 4-2 in the second round of the Helvetia Swiss Cup played on Saturday at the sports field Spitalacker in Bern. Three first half goals from Odey’s 4th minute header, Benjamin Kololli, Alain Nef  and a  93rd minute goal from Roberto Rodriguez powered FCZ to the round 16 of the most prestigious Swiss Cup. Rapheal Kehrli and Miroslav Konopek netted for the Promotion League side in the 82nd and 90th minute respectively after the Nigerian forward was substituted for Toni Domgjoni in the 75th minute of the match. The draws for the round of 16 will take place tomorrow Sunday immediately after the last game of the second round. Up next for the young Nigerian striker is the first Group A match of the UEFA Europa League against AEK Larnaca which will take place on Thursday, 20 September 2018, at the GSP Stadium in Nicosia.

  The coast is now clear with regards to the 20 th  September elections into the NFF Executive Committee 2018-2022, following the official release of the list of candidates for the polls by the NFF Electoral Committee on Friday.   Four persons are battling for the presidency, including incumbent Amaju Melvin Pinnick, who is also the 1 st  Vice President of CAF, Member of the Organizing Committee for FIFA Competitions and President of AFCON.   Pinnick, a former Chairman of the Delta State Football Association and Executive Chairman of the Delta State Commission, is the highest –placed Nigerian ever in football’s boardroom globally, and has a very useful cordial relationship with world football’s top hierarchy. His Board also holds the ace of a blossoming positive appreciation by Corporate Nigeria that has galvanized considerable private sector funding of NFF’s activities.   There is also Alhaji Aminu Maigari, immediate past President of NFF, who was for several years Chairman of the Bau