Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi battle for NFF Presidency

 

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 Bauchi State Football Association and also headed the Bauchi sub –seat for the FIFA U17 World Cup that Nigeria hosted nine years ago.

 

Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi, former Nigeria international defender, also has his hat in the ring. Ogunjobi captained and administered one of Nigeria’s traditional powerhouse clubs, Shooting Stars of Ibadan, served as Secretary General of then Nigeria Football Association (2002-2005) and was Member of the NFF Executive Committee 2006-2010. He is presently Chairman of the Osun State Football Association.

 

There is also Mr. Chinedu Okoye, proprietor of amateur league club, Bimo FC.

 

For the 1^st Vice President’s position, there are two candidates. The incumbent, Barr. Seyi Akinwunmi, whose stock has risen steeply as a result of his passion, commitment and investment in youth football development and charity, slugs it out with another South West chieftain, Otunba Sunday Dele-Ajayi.

 

Incumbent Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau will battle club proprietor, Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah for the slot of Chairman of Chairmen on the board.

 

For other positions on the Executive Committee, Alhaji Sharif Rabiu Inuwa, a Member of the present Board, is the only candidate from the North West. 

 

The battle in the North Central has been somewhat narrowed with the withdrawal of FCT FA chairman Musa Talle. However, Alhaji Ahmed Yusuf ‘Fresh’ and Honourable Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande, ranking Members of the Board, have to contend with Alhaji Busari Ishola, chairman of Kwara State FA.

 

Similarly, incumbents Babagana Kalli and Musa Duhu from the North East have to contend with Farouk Yarma Adamu.

 

In the South East, Hon. Chidi Ofor Okenwa (presently Chairman of the Nigeria National League), will vie with Enyimba FC chairman, Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu (ranking Member of Board); Barrister Jude Obikwelu (Vice Chairman, Anambra State FA); Sir Emmanuel Ochiagha (Vice Chairman, Imo State FA) and; High Chief Emeka Inyama (former Chairman of the NNL and former Chairman of NFF Marketing and Sponsorship, and also Chairman of NPFL side Abia Warriors).

 

From the South West, only Alhaji Ganiyu Majekodunmi, chairman of Ogun State FA, is seeking an Executive Committee member position. From the South South, Oswald Atuake from Cross River State is up against Emmanuel Ibah, chairman of the Akwa Ibom State FA. 

 

Elections into the NFF Executive Committee 2018-2022 will hold as scheduled on Thursday, 20^th September 2018 in the city of Katsina. 

 

World football –governing body, FIFA, has concluded plans to send a top ranking official as observer to the elections. 

 

AITEO Cup Round of 32 Matches (Men)

 

Akwa United Vs Aklosendi FC – Enugu (16/09)

Kebbi United Vs Rangers International – Abuja 1 (16/09)

Kogi United Vs Niger Tornadoes – Makurdi 1 (16/09)

Mighty Jets Vs Kwara United – Lokoja (16/09)

Nasarawa United Vs Standard FC – Jos 1 (16/09)

Yobe Desert Stars Vs Plateau United – Gombe (16/09)

Remo Stars Junior Vs Rivers United – Minna (16/09)

Kano Pillars Vs Sokoto United – Kaduna (16/09)

Osun United Vs Katsina United – Abuja 2 (17/09)

Wikki Tourists Vs Bayelsa United – Makurdi 2 (17/09)

Go Round FC Vs Supreme Court – Akure (16/09)

Dynamite Force Vs Enyimba FC - Nnewi

FC IfeanyiUbah Vs J. Atete FC – Port Harcourt (16/09)

Crown FC Vs Abia Warriors – Warri 1 (16/09)

Cofine FC Vs Sunshine Stars – Warri 2 (17/09)

El-Kanemi Warriors Vs Katsina United Feeders – Jos 2 (17/09)

 

AITEO Cup Round of 24 Matches (Women)

 

Rivers Angels Vs Police Machine – Owerri (16/09)

Delta Queens Babes Vs Beautiful Tour Angels – Lokoja 2 (16/09 – 2pm)

FC Robo Vs Tin City Queens – Lokoja 3 (17/09 – 2pm)

Edo Queens Vs Fortress Ladies – Akure 1 (17/09 – 2pm)

Sunshine Queens Vs Owena Angels – Ogwashi-Ukwu (16/09)

Bayelsa Queens Feeders Vs Young Talent 99 – Iyamu, Edo (16/09 – 2pm)

Osun Babes Vs Kada Queens – Iyamu, Edo (16/09 – 4pm)

Bayelsa Queens Vs YSFON Queens – Lokoja 4 (17/09 – 4pm)

Nasarawa Amazons Vs Unity Blessed Angels – Jos (17/09 – 2pm)

Confluence Queens Vs ACI Female FC – Ughelli (17/09)

Delta Queens Vs Dosad Doves – Akure 2 (17/09 – 4pm)

Abia Angels Vs Ibom Angels – Port Harcourt (16/09 – 2pm)    

 

AITEO Cup Round of 64 Results (Men)

 

Akwa United 7 Hope of Glory 0

Kano Pillars Feeders 2 Crown FC 2 (4-6 after penalties)

Kwara United 3 All Stars of MKO Stadium 1

Nyansagwag FC 1 FC IfeanyiUbah 5

Ugwa United 2 Kano Pillars 3

Doma United 1 J Atete FC 4

Dan Masani FC 0 Go Round FC 3 (W/O)

Gombe United 1 Dynamite FC 1 (3-5 after penalties)

Confine FC 1 Heartland FC 1 (4-2 after penalties)

Shooting Stars 0 Supreme Court 0 (3-4 after penalties)

Wikki Tourists 3 Crime Busters 0 (W/O)

George Turner FC 1 Nasarawa United 2

Katsina United Feeders 3 Jigawa Golden Stars 1

Smart City 1 Abia Warriors 2

Aklosendi FC 0 FRSC FC 0 (5-4 after penalties)

Katsina United 3 Madagali United 0 (W/O)

Rangers International 0 Niger Tornadoes Feeders 0 (5-4 after penalties)

Sunshine Stars 3 FC IfeanyiUbah Feeders 1

Igho FC 0 Kogi United 4

Rivers United 6 Gusau Eleven 0

Samba FC 0 El-Kanemi Warriors 3

Bayelsa United 4 Fasbir FC 1

Lobi Stars 1 Standard FC 1 (5-6 after penalties)

ABS FC 1 Kebbi United 1 (2-3 after penalties)

Yobe Desert Stars 2 DMD FC 1

Sokoto United 0 MFM 0 (4-3 after penalties)

Bendel Insurance 0 Remo Stars Junior 1

Zabgai 0 Plateau United 2

Ekiti United 1 Mighty Jets 2

Wasiu Alabelewe FC 0 Enyimba FC 3

FC Minda 1 Osun United 2

Chief of Staff FC 0 Niger Tornadoes 3 (W/O)