Nigeria Sports Arena

  President of Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick has made a passionate appeal to sections of the Nigeria media to stop heating up the football polity in the name of sensationalism.   Speaking in Abuja on Thursday, Pinnick charged media persons to make peace and tranquility in the football family their winning words, and to be careful with the words they use in conveying messages to the public because of the important role they play.   “I have immense respect for the media, because of the very critical role they play in the promotion of football, nay sports, as an instrument for peace and fostering of tranquility worldwide.  However, there is need for caution in the way and manner a section amplifies and celebrates what is negative.   “A minute section of the media feels that only the negative sells, which is an archaic belief. On Wednesday, someone wrote on a website that Stephen Keshi called the NFF and particularly my pe...

NFF President Amaju Pinnick has met with parents of some ravemaking Nigerian youngsters across the top rank in England.   On his way to an official meeting with FIFA President, Mr. Sepp Blatter at the Home of FIFA on Wednesday morning, the NFF boss stopped over in the England capital and watched Sunday’s FA Cup fifth round match between Arsenal and Middlesbrough at the Emirates.   “I was able to see Kenneth Omeruo and Chuba Akpom at the match. I am meeting the parents of a number of these youngsters this time and have plans to meet all of them and also their parents in due course.   “You see, some of them might have represented England at junior level, but they are willing to represent Nigeria at senior level, and that is what we are looking at. We are looking at strengthening our teams at all levels and these players are willing, once we can convince them that there is a new set-up in Nigeria football.”   Pinnick’s diary has 18 ...

Former African Footballer of the year and ex-Nigerian international Victor Ikpeba yesterday stocked more fire on the fragile peace returning to the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF with an undue attack on the media. Ikpeba who is now a member of NFF Technical committee on arrival to their meeting at the country’s football headquarters arrogantly labeled Nigerian Journalists as ‘poor People’ who deserved no respect. The incidence that led to his unwarranted comments began when he confronted a Daily Sun Reporter asking him why he reported what an executive member of NFF said on issues relating to the delay in Stephen Keshi’s contract renewal and branded him a ‘Bastard’. NFF Vice President Barr Seyi Akinwumi had blamed NFF Technical committee as those responsible for the protracted renewal of Keshi’s Super Eagles’ deal in an interview he granted previously. Ikpeba while confronting Sun Reporter errantly asked him...

President of Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick has praised the “extra –ordinary fighting spirt, rare dedication and total commitment” of the Super Eagles in Saturday’s Cup of Nations qualifying triumph in Pointe Noire. Goals by Ikechukwu Uche (from the penalty spot) and Aaron Samuel (a sweetly curled finish) sent the Eagles to second position in Group A with an automatic qualification ticket earned once they achieve a win over South Africa in Uyo on Wednesday. Nigeria earned only one point from their first three matches of the campaign after defeat by Congo in Calabar, draw with South Africa in Cape Town and defeat by Sudan in Khartoum. “I cannot commend you enough for making Nigeria proud, through your fighting spirit and the patriotit fervour with which you approached the game. It was a difficult environment in its entirety but you were not deterred, and that must be our guiding philosophy from now on,” Pinnick said as he appre...

  Dolphins Football Club congratulates Amaju Pinnick and members of the new Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation.   We as a club are happy with the conduct of the elections on Tuesday, September 30, and I was there as a representative of the club and we believe this will be the dawn of a new era in Nigerian football.   We have looked at the caliber of people on the board and believe they are credible and have the ability to move our football forward.   We also congratulate Christopher Green on his reelection as a member of the Executive Committee.   We believe many good things will come from this. Knowing the antecedents of Amaju Pinnick, you will know that he has been in the football fraternity for a long time and he understands the heartbeat of the football loving people of Nigeria. Dolphins Football Club wish them the best as they begin their journey towards rebuilding Nigerian football.