Author Archives: Sports Angle International-SAI

By SAI Reporter

The Executive Committee of Nigeria Football Federation met on Monday, 13th February 2023 at the NFF Secretariat, Abuja to deliberate on important issues in Nigeria Football and resolved as follows:

1) The Board thanked the Federal Government for its continued support and encouragement to the various National Teams, and prayed for safety and security, as well as peace and tranquility to rule nationwide during the forthcoming elections into various positions across the land.

2) While expressing satisfaction with the general preparations of the U20 Boys’ National Team, Flying Eagles for the upcoming Africa U20 Cup of Nations in Egypt (during which the team has remained unbeaten in 18 friendly matches), the Board charged the team to go all out for a ticket to the FIFA U20 World Cup finals by reaching the semi-finals in Egypt, after which it must now aim determinedly for the trophy. It pledged to provide all necessary support to the team as well as motivate the squad in an extra way to attain its objectives.

3) With commendations for world football -governing body, FIFA for its greater attention, interest and commitment of funds to women’s football, the Executive Committee expressed delight that Nigeria will be participating in the Four-Nation Revelation Cup Tournament holding in Leon, Mexico 15^th -21^st February 2023. It praised the wisdom behind getting the Super Falcons into the preparatory tourney ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand this summer, noting that the other three participating nations, viz Mexico, Costa Rica and Colombia are also World Cup-bound. It was also pleased that the Falcons will be participating in another preparatory tournament in Turkey in April.

4) The Board exhorted the Senior Men National Team, Super Eagles, to leave no stone unturned in amassing all six points from their upcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying quickfire-double against Guinea Bissau next month, while projecting that those six points will make the team unassailable in its group contest for a spot at the AFCON finals, ahead of the final qualifying matches against Sierra Leone and Sao Tome & Principe. 

5) Similarly, the Board charged the U23 Boys, Olympic Eagles to go all out and defeat their opponents, Guinea, home and away in their final qualification fixture for the U23 Africa Cup of Nations, at which Africa’s flagbearers for next year’s Olympic Men’s Football Tournament will emerge.

6) The Board expressed satisfaction with the preparations of the U17 Boys, Golden Eaglets for this year’s Africa U17 Cup of Nations scheduled for Algeria 29^th April – 19^th May, but asserted that the Board and indeed Nigerians from all walks of life expect nothing less than a World Cup ticket from the squad, and in fact the continental title as a matter of course.

7) In affirming that the grand finale of this year’s Federation Cup competition will hold a week before the last matches of the Nigeria Premier Football League season, the Executive Committee stated that this will allow the winner to prepare adequately for the task of flying the country’s flag creditably at the CAF Confederation Cup. It observed that failure to adhere to the calendar/lack of any in the past few years was the principal reason for Nigeria’s recent poor show in continental club competitions.

8) The Board unanimously endorsed a proposal by its President to utilize the residual funds from FIFA Forward 2.0 and the proposed funds from the incipient FIFA Forward 3.0 for the construction of a befitting hostel accommodation for the National Teams, and the construction of two Football Pitches (one natural turf and one synthetic turf) for use by the Teams at the Goal Project section, Package B of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

9) With regards to the proposed Guidelines for the establishment of Football Academies in the country, the Executive Committee charged the Football Associations in the 36 States and the FCT to be ready to work assiduously towards enforcing the guidelines in their various jurisdictions.

IN ATTENDANCE: Ibrahim Musa Gusau (President); Felix Anyansi-Agwu (1^st Vice President); Yusuf Ahmed (Member); Babagana Kalli (Member); Ganiyu Majekodunmi (Member); Sunday Dele-Ajayi (Member); Nse Essien (Member); Margaret Icheen (Member); Timothy Henman Magaji (Member); Mohammed Sanusi (Secretary).

ABSENT WITH APOLOGY: Sharif Rabiu Inuwa (Member); Aisha Falode (Member).

……Ogun to host the next edition

By Tolu Atobatele

The final medals table after the conclusion of events at the 21st National Sports Festival in Asaba the Delta State capital. The festival which ended on Saturday the 10th of December 2022 officially started on Wednesday the 30th of November 2022.

Delta State won it for a record 7th time with Bayelsa and Edo state settling for 2nd and 3rd positions while Oyo and Lagos finishes in 4th and 5th position respectively.

To our brand sponsors and partners, we say a very big thank you for making it possible for SAI TV Sports Crew to serve our teeming audience, fans, and avid sports-loving Nigerians the very best and most entertaining moments of the 21st National Sports Festival in Asaba the Delta State capital.

Overall, Team Delta topped the overall medals table with a haul of 648 medals comprising 320 gold, 200 Silver, 128 bronze, while team Bayelsa dethroned Edo to finish second with a total of 337 medals, 132 gold, 115 silver and 90 bronze, the highest number of medals won in the history of the state.Edo were distant third amassing 339 medals: 78 gold, 94 silver, 167 bronze. Oyo State came 4th with 163 medals: 50 gold, 51 Silver, 62 bronze, as Lagos finished 5th with 172 medals, 41 gold, 57 Silver, 74 bronze. Rivers,Kano, Ogun and FCT all occupied 6th to 10th position.

Zamfara finished bottom with no medal, as Gombe recorded 6 bronze, Sokoto got 3 medals: 1 silver, 2 bronze.

To our friends and colleagues in the media industry from Sunday Agunbiade (MR. VAR), Olawale Quadry, Jesse Adams, Charles Diya, Taiwo Hussein Aremu, Joan Nnenna Iwuchukwu, Faith Oluchi, Faith Itohan Omozokpia, Femi Fabunmi, Tosh Michaels, Tunde Liadi and others too numerous to mention you have all been wonderful to join hands with to make the festival a huge success and I pray to God to make and channel a way for us where we think there’s no way, bless us all abundantly and lead us back safely to our various destinations.

The next edition of the National Sports Festival holds in 2024 in Ogun State as announced and pronounced by the Hon. Sports Minister Mr. Sunday Dare in his farewell speech during the closing ceremony of the festival inside the magnificent Ifeanyi Okowa main bowl of Stephen Keshi Stadium Asaba, Delta State.

God’s willing we will all be alive, hale, and healthy to witness and play a huge part/role when it comes around in two years.

To God be the glory

GOD BLESS NIGERIA 🇳🇬

….promises to be a fun and exciting moment with him

By : Tolu Atobatele

Radio Nigeria commentary guru and a top bras in the business, Amar Ignis has been selected to anchor the closing ceremony of the ongoing National Sports Festival,tagged Delta 2022

The closing ceremony of the 21st National Sports Festival (Nigeria’s version of the traditional Olympic Games ) will take place on Saturday 10, December 2022 inside the governor Okowa main bowl of the Stephen Keshi Stadium,Asaba,Delta State capital.

Ignis with the gift of the gab and microphone savvy has attracted both the local and main Organizers of the sports fiesta to chose him yet again as compere for Nigeria’s prized sports showpiece.

This will be Ignis 3rd as master of the event following his sterling performances at the Edo and Abuja versions of the National sports festival handling of the sports festival.

He has also anchored other big sporting shows in the land like:The 60 Nigeria Sports Icons,1st National Paralympic Games,the Nigeria Police Games , the One Service one medal games (OSOM Games) and others .

Ignis, a former Head of Station, Brila FM now Head media to Nigeria national league -NNL described as “The Most Important” is expected to again,bring his qualities to bare as he mounts the stage to celebrate sports in the country with the curtain drawing after two weeks of sporting actions in the “Big Heart of the Nation”

Amar Ignis is also a sports presenter, analyst ,football commentator, with the federal radio corporation of Nigeria (FRCN),headquarters,Abuja.

Equally ,he is an actor and a ex model with Silver models owned by top actor Alex Usifo Omiagbo “Talab Abbas and movie director Andy Amenechi.

By Tolu Atobatele

As the National Sports Festival tagged “Delta 2022” kicks off in Asaba the Delta State Capital, the atmosphere is now set to hunt for budding talents who will fly the nation’s flag high during international competitions.

The Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare said that his focus for the next 10 days was looking for talents to deploy into the national teams for the next Olympics, scheduled for France, come 2024.

Mr Dare made the assertion today while speaking to journalists at the Stephen Keshi Stadium Asaba.

The Minister who was at the Stadium with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar and some Management Staff was earlier seen at the Indoor Sports Hall cheering athletes who were competing in table tennis

He expressed excitement at seeing the level at which the players were exhibiting their talents in table tennis and Para table tennis, stating that he has never hidden his undying passion for the Paralympians knowing fully well that there is ability in disability. “They have won so many laurels for this country and there is no better way to motivate them than to be seen in their midst. It will go a very long way in lifting their spirits”, he added.

The Minister who described the National Sports Festival as the nation’s prime platform for identifying and picking the best out of the best reiterated the present administration’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for the teeming Nigerian youth to compete with a view to developing their sporting potentials.

Dare stated further that to ensure junior category participation in sports, the National Youth Games (NYG) platform and Principals’ Cup were also being given the deserved attention

The Minister applauded the Calisthenics performance by children of ages 9 – 11 at the Opening Ceremony yesterday and stated that “when it comes to sports, the gold is in the child”

“Without competition, an athlete is not worth his salt, government will therefore continue to create more opportunities for Youth competitions to bring out the hidden talents in our youth” he concluded.

By Kunle Adewale

Ahead of the year 2022 National Sports Festival (NSF) ,the Chairman of Delta State Sports Commission and Co-chairman of Asaba 2022 National Sports Festival, Chief Tonobok Okowa has approved the nomination of an hard working Ibadan and Lagos based journalists,  Sunday Agunbiade popularly known as MR VAR and Atobatele Tolulope Taiwo and 10 others to serve as the Media Committee of the 21st edition of Nigerian Olympic Version. 

It would be recalled that Chief Okowa who doubles as State Commissioner for Youths and Sports ,Delta State had in the last few months embarked on construction of new infrastructure, including the Games Village ahead of the sports festival.

The official Media Committee was approved after consultation with all stakeholders both the LOC and the sports ministry and they all agreed to work with the high flying media team of experts for Asaba 2022 sports festival. They are:

Richard Jideaka

Atobatele Tolulope Taiwo

Fidelis Ebu

Mike Ndidi

Andrew Abba

Martins Odiete

Sunday Agunbiade (Mr VAR)

Joan Iwuchukwu

Lucky Isawode

Collins Ajibola

Jide Olusola

Oge Madu

The last edition hosted by Edo State was postponed on four different occasions before it was finally held between 4—15 April 2021-almost a year after the original set date.

The National Sports Festival hosted by Edo State was initially scheduled to hold in March 2020 but was continually postponed due to the outbreak of COVID-19, which also affected social and economic activities at that time.

Delta State, the host of the 2022 NSF have dominated what is fondly referred to as Nigeria’s version of the Olympic Games in recent years and would be looking to maintain that momentum on home soil. 

The National Sports Festival commences on November 28th and ends on December 10th,2022

Andrew Johnson

For: Delta State Sports Commission

By Tolu Atobatele

The President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, in company with a couple of NFF Board Members, on Thursday paid a courtesy call on the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele.

During the visit, the NFF supremo expressed appreciation to the CBN Governor for the support and encouragement afforded the previous Board of the NFF by himself and the CBN institution, and earnestly sought the same support and encouragement for the new Board. Mr. Emefiele assured the new NFF team of the support and encouragement of himself and the CBN institution for its programs, events and activities.

By Tolu Atobatele

The Ministry of Youth and Sports Development have announced new dates for the staging of the 2022 National Principals Cup.

After exhaustive deliberations on new possible dates which will not put schools’ calendar into jeopardy, the state finals will now hold between 24th and 26th November 2022.

The zonal finals will take place between 11th and 15th December 2022 while the national finals is scheduled for 18th to 22nd January, 2023.

The Nigerian School Sports Federation is saddled with the responsibility of coordinating the organization of the state finals, after which the baton will handed over to the zonal coordinators for the prosecution of the zonal finals. The tourney then transits to the national finals that will take place at the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The Director of Grassroots at the ministry, Mr. Patrick Okeke said that “the purpose of the National Principals’ Cup is to discover talents and it is part of the clear mandate of the ministry. It is key to develop talents and the reinjection of life into the National Principals’ Cup, which is in its second successive year is important”.

Minister for Youth and Sports development, Sunday Dare commited to reinstating the National Principals’ Cup and his administration is set to host another edition of the championship that has produced international heroes for Nigeria.

By Tolu Atobatele

I keep saying that football is the world’s best means of communication because it is Impartial, Apolitical, and Universal. It brings people together irrespective of their ethnic background and religious affiliations. Football unite people around the world old or young, black or white, and never causes disaffection and disharmony amongst its teeming fans.

Football is no respecter of any team. No one is the king of football forever and no team wins every time. You revel in a winning streak today and hit a brick wall tomorrow. You overpower and defeat the strongest team today and fall to the less fancy team tomorrow.

Sometimes football makes you happy and sometimes makes you sad depending on the outcome of the game.

Sometimes football makes you look vulnerable by not going/ending the way you predict it. Often, football makes you wonder how beautiful it is with the outcome after regulation time.

The Saudis team is a good example of a team with unalloyed commitment, dedication and a never say die mentality. They have proven to the world that NAMES no longer play football but sometimes do have an effect on a game. They played their hearts out and neither were they jittery nor gift away the balls on too many occasions.

Give it to Harve Renard a master tactician who knew what he wanted. A coach who never brags or boasts about. He turned the game around in his team’s favor during the fifteen minutes interval thus making his boy swoop on the Lionel Messi-led Albaceleste.

The Saudi Arabian team has no exceptional quality in their team but what they possessed beats having exceptional player(s). The team is united, plays for each other defends together, and attacks together. They are a clear picture of a team with direction and purpose. No dependence on an individual player and a very organized team both defensively and attack-wise.

The substitutions made by Harve Renard were the icing on the cake and one that clearly shows (Renard) his technical proficiency. Saudi Arabia shows the world how beautiful the game of soccer can be and send a message to the rest of the world that the game of soccer respect no one.

By Tolu Atobatele

 Gusau assures NFF’s partners and sponsors

President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau has provided the Federation’s corporate partners and sponsors with strong assurance that the new NFF administration will put their monies to judicious use in developing the game of football in Nigeria to the benefit of all stakeholders.

At warm and insightful interactions with a number of the partners and sponsors in Lagos on Monday, the NFF supremo, in company with immediate past NFF boss and FIFA Council Member, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick, NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi and Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire, expressed heartfelt appreciation to the frontline corporates and appealed for even greater support for the Nigeria game at this time.

Pinnick’s role, described as noble and in the national interest by Gusau, was to formally introduce the new NFF President to the corporate partners, most of them brought on board by the former helmsman.

“For the first time in decent memory in Nigeria Football, we had a rancour-free transition from one Executive team to the other. It is as a result of the deep respect and strong passion for Nigeria Football and the Nigeria nation that we all share. It is for this reason that I have decided to introduce the new helmsman to you in order that you can continue to interact with and support him and the Federation to achieve their vision and mission,” Pinnick said at the office of MTN Nigeria (NFF’s official telecommunications partner), with Chief Executive Officer Carl Toriola, Chief Operating Officer Hassan Jaber, Chief Corporate Services Officer Tobechukwu Okigbo and Chief Marketing Officer Adia Sowho all seated.

In his remarks, Gusau thanked MTN for their strong support to Nigeria Football and Nigeria sports generally: “We appreciate what you have been doing for the game of football and we want you to continue, and even do more so that the new Board can be enabled to work assiduously to lift the Nigeria game to new heights. We apologize for the inability of the Super Eagles to qualify for the FIFA World Cup starting in Qatar next week but we want to use this opportunity to commence the hard work necessary to avoid such mis-step in the future.

“I am assuring you that whatever funds come through you will be put to judicious use as we are presently cutting down on expenses to ascent prudence and manage available resources to achieve the best results.”

Toriola responded that having signed a long-term contract with the football body, his organization would not break same because of a missed World Cup tournament. “We will continue to support the Federation until Nigeria football gets to the level it should be internationally. We must re-energize ourselves for the work at hand. I must commend Mr. Pinnick’s exceptional dynamism and the MTN commits to supporting the new administration.”

The same theme of appreciation and pledges of judicious use of funds and optimization of resources ran through the other meetings, with Executive Vice President of AITEO Group (NFF’s official optimum partner), Mr. Francis Peters pledging his company’s continued support and encouragement to the new Board.

At Premier Lotto, the Managing Director Mr. Adebisi Adebutu said his company will explore even other areas they can support the NFF, in addition to the present partnership agreement. “I must say that we had a wonderful relationship with the Board headed by Mr. Pinnick and we believe we will have same cordial relationship with the new Board.”

Stanbic IBTC (NFF’s official bank) also pledged continued support to the NFF, through Charles Omoera, Chief Executive: “We are particularly interested in the women’s football and youth programs you have enunciated and are ready and willing to commit to these programmes to develop Nigeria’s future legends and icons of the game.”

NFF’s chief marketing consultant, Mr. Mike Itemuagbor lauded the peaceful elections that brought in Gusau, and commended the role being played by Pinnick. “Pinnick has stout corporate drive and high relevance, and I believe he will help the new Board in that area. We will give ample support to the new Board but we want you to beware of the antics of ambush marketers and put stern measures in place to discourage them.

“Pamodzi Sports Marketing will be there for the new Board and will provide advice when necessary, because football is a passion that runs through the blood of every Nigerian and brings all of us together.”

Sanusi added that indeed, without Pamodzi Sports Marketing, things would have been a lot more difficult for a number of NFF administrations over the past two decades

By Tolu Atobatele

Minister Pledges Government’s Support for Football Development

In order to make world champions of World Cup bronze medallists, Flamingos given their innate talent and skills and demonstrated ability, the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development will provide maximum support and encouragement to the Nigeria Football Federation as the players graduate from one level to another.

This pledge was contained in the remarks of the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports, Hon. Sunday Dare as he hosted the bronze medallists of the recently-concluded 7th FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals, Flamingos of Nigeria at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium on Tuesday.

“We commend you for the way you performed without fear and held up the flag to win a historic bronze for our country in this competition. I praise the NFF for the support to the team right from their screening through the qualifiers and to the arrangements for final camping in Turkey and the final tournament in India. We must also commend the coaching crew for their steadfastness in imparting the right knowledge to the players.

“I will be happy to see these players graduate from this level to the U20 and then to the senior team, because they have the skills and talent, and demonstrated ability to do very well. The Ministry will give NFF the right support to achieve that. They have served well as good ambassadors of our country on and off the pitch.”

Earlier, President of the NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau had introduced the team to the Minister, recalling the team’s exploits during the qualifying campaign and at the final competition in India, describing the players as “young, energetic, vibrant, positive and promising.”

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar, hailed the team for “performing so wonderfully well” to make Nigeria proud, and observed that its success was attributable to synergy and telepathy, which should be credited to the coaching crew.

Captain of the team, Alvine Dah-Zossu expressed appreciation to the Ministry and the NFF, and thanked Nigerians from all walks of life who prayed for and wished the team well in India.

Also at the occasion were Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu (NFF 1st Vice President); Dr. Mohammed Sanusi (General Secretary); Mr. Timothy Henman (NFF Board Member); Dr. Simon Ebhojiaye (Director, FEADS); Engineer Olatunji Okedairo (Director, Facilities); Alhaji Musa Jafaar (Director, Human Resources); Mr. Segun Oke (Director of Procurement); Chairmen of the Football Associations of Gombe and Kwara States and; Ms Mary Onyali (SA to the Hon. Minister).

Earlier, on arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, the players and their officials were received by Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu (NFF 1st Vice President), Dr. Mohammed Sanusi (General Secretary); Ademola Olajire (Director of Communications); Barnabas Joro (Head of Protocol); Dayo Enebi Achor (Head of International); Toyin Ibitoye (Special Assistant to the Hon. Minister) and; Emmanuel Ayanbunmi (Chief Protocol Officer).

Chief Anyansi-Agwu gave kudos to the team for their excellent conduct on and off the field of play in India and assured them that the Government and people of Nigeria, as well as the NFF, are proud of their accomplishments.

A dummy cheque of the sum of N3million promised the team by Super Eagles’ captain Ahmed Musa was presented to the players and officials at the airport. Chairman of the NFF Task Force on Youth Competitions, Alhaji Aminu Balele Kurfi promised the team the sum of $10,000.

The Presidency will host the team at a later date.