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Super Eagles’ Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr, has called up 23 players for next week’s all –important 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying showdown against the Chipolopolo of Zambia in Uyo. Skipper Mikel John Obi and forward Odion Ighalo (both based in China) and England –based Victor Moses, who bossed the two encounters against Cameroon earlier this month, retained their places, but Portugal –based goalkeeper Dele Alampasu dropped down to the standby sector alongside wing back Tyronne Ebuehi, and South Africa –based Daniel Akpeyi and Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi return after injury knocked them out of the sessions against the African champions. The list is essentially the same personnel that decimated the Indomitable Lions, with defenders Leon Balogun, Abdullahi Shehu, William Ekong and Elderson Echiejile, midfielders Wilfred Ndidi, Ogenyi Onazi and Oghenekaro Etebo and forwards Ahmed Musa, Kelechi Iheanacho, Moses Simon, and Anthony Nwakaeme also included. Two home –based professionals, ...

Ex Super Eagles, current Super Eagles and entertainers are all out supporting the current African women’s footballer, Asisat Oshoala ahead of her maiden edition of the Asisat Oshoala Lagos Secondary School Football Clinic. Vincent Enyeama, Kenneth Omeruo, Obafemi Martins, Odion Ighalo, AY Comedian, Moses Simon, Ogenyi Onazi have all confirmed to be part of the project. The Clinic will be an intensive 5-day coaching for aspiring female footballers that will spread across 4 locations in Lagos. The programme will hold from November 13th to 17th, 2017. The clinic is endorsed by the Nigeria Football Federation and the Lagos State Football Association and also supported by the office of the first Lady of Lagos State. About 5000 girls from different secondary schools in and around Lagos are expected to take part in the competition.

Chairman of Niger State Football Association, Alhaji Ahmed Yusuf Fresh was part of the people who commensurates with the Lapai Local Football Council chairman, Alhaji Mohammed Mohammed whose father left this world on Tuesday 19th of September 2017 in Niger State. Fresh who was in the company of other sympathizers visited the bereaved chairman at his residence Lapai Local Government.  "Mr chairman when I received the news from people I felt really bad that our Father, Alh Mohammed Yusuf (Sarkin Ruwa Lapai) left us, but we all here should remember that death is inevitable in life thus, may his soul rest in peace," Fresh prayed.  Comrade Fresh left no stone unturned as he followed the tradition to the latter by sympathising with HRH Alh UMARU TAFIDA BAGO 111 The Emir of Lapai in the company of Niger State Football Association executive board members. "Highness traditionally, if such thing happens to one of your titled chiefs it's expected of us ...

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Osun chapter and Osun State Football Association have conferred meritorious honour of excellence and achiever award bestowed on the Chairman Referees Appointment Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ahmed Yusuf Fresh. The double awards is in recognition of his dedication and his selfless services in dedication to football development Nation worldwide. The Event took place at the weekend during the second edition of the Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi, Golden cup championship held inside the Oshogbo Stadium, Osun state. Presenting the award on behalf of the two bodies to Comrade Fresh, The pillar of sports in Osun State Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi said the award followed thorough scrutiny of the leadership role played by the the NFF Executive Board member and his services rendered which has led to the development of the game in the country. Ogunjobi called on all stakeholders to emulate the role played by Alhaji Fres...

The chairman Niger State Football Association representing North Central on the current board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ahmed Yusuf Fresh believes it's high time talented kids get opportunity to show case themselves through the NFF/Zenith Bank Under 13 and 15 programme in the North Central Zone. The NFF Executive Board member said this through is SA on media Mr Aro Olaoluwa on Tuesday. "The teams (Seven States) in my zone are to arrive Abuja on Wednesday 13th September 2017, and screening holds on Thursday 14th September 2017 at the FIFA Goal Project in Abuja by 7am," revealed Fresh. He also explains the sequence of the programme. "The draws will take place immediately after the screening exercise and the tournament proper would start by 2pm the same day," said Fresh. Fresh who is also the vice chairman Technical and Development Committee of the NFF further shed more lights on the plans put in place for th...

As the 2016/2017 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) comes to end across the country, chairman of the Referees appointment committee of the Nigeria Football Federation Alhaji Ahmed Yusuf Fresh appraised the match officials (Nigeria referees) on duty throughout the season with a commendable pass mark. “I am really impressed with the way the referees discharged their duties during the just concluded 2016/2017 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season. Although, there were challenges as the season got tougher but we, at the referees committee of the Nigeria Football Federation, were able to manage them,” Fresh recounted. The chairman of Niger state Football Association also spoke on some of the successes recorded as regards Nigeria match officials last season. “Interestingly some of our referees were chosen by Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) to officiate the Africa Cup on Nations qualifiers not only that but also for the ongoing Russ...

A broadcast production agreement was on Thursday in Abuja signed by the League Management Company (LMC) and the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) for production of matches of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL). The papers were signed by the LMC Chairman Shehu Dikko and Mallam Yakubu Ibn Muhammed, the Director General of NTA. An official statement jointly signed by the heads of the two organizations indicate that the LMC and NTA would be setting up a private sector driven company to manage the business of the broadcast production. According to the statement, “the company which shall be operated as a private, commercial venture will leverage its operations on the huge infrastructure, technical and human capacity and equipment of NTA spread across the country. The equipment includes very high grade eight Outside Broadcast (OB) Vans specially designed for football and sports coverage, which had been acquired by the Federal Government at huge cost.” It m...

Head Coach of the home –based Super Eagles squad, Salisu Yusuf has selected goalkeepers Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Dele Ajiboye, and 16 other players for this month’s West African Football Union (WAFU) Cup of Nations tournament for senior national teams taking place in Ghana. Energetic midfielder Rabiu Ali and forward Kingsley Eduwo, who both scored as the Eagles prevailed 2-0 over Benin Republic in Kano to qualify for next year’s African Nations Championship, are also included alongside defenders Eze Stephen, Chima Akas, Osas Okoro and Emmanuel Ariwachukwu, and midfielders Ifeanyi Ifeanyi, Samuel Mathias and Afeez Aremu. Akwa United’s Gabriel Okechukwu and Ubong Friday, Katsina United Destiny Ashadi, Peter Eneji of NPFL leaders Plateau United and Lobi Stars’ prolific striker Anthony Okpotu are the new faces on board. Nigeria will play Sierra Leone in the first round of the tournament (which is a knock –out), before eight teams will emerge for a group phase competition. T...

Skipper Mikel John Obi was in buoyant spirit as the Super Eagles arrived Yaounde on Sunday afternoon for Monday’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon. “We are just very keen to finish what we started. We started a job in Uyo and it is time to finish it. If we can pick the World Cup ticket by Monday, why wait any longer? “We are all very confident, because we know our ability and what we are ready to bring to the party.” Nigeria achieved her highest win ever over Cameroon with the massive thumping of the Lions on Friday, and Mikel is aware the wounded Lions will want to salvage some pride. “We are as hungry, perhaps even more hungry than they are. It will be a tough affair but we will give our very best to take the three points.” Nigeria could become the first African team to earn a slot in Russia as early as Tuesday (next 48 hours) if they defeat the Cameroonians on Monday in Yaounde and Zambia fail to beat Algeria at t...

NFF President Amaju Pinnick has called for even more passion and commitment from the Super Eagles as the Nigerian delegation to Monday’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying match landed in Yaounde on Sunday afternoon. On Thursday last week, the NFF supremo and CAF Executive Committee member charged the players to approach Friday’s leg in Uyo with passion and to play with their heart, soul and spirit – the players obliged with a near –incredible 4-0 bashing of reigning African champions Cameroon on the turf of Godswill Akpabio International Stadium. On Sunday, the Nigerian delegation touched down at the Aeroport Nsimalen-Yaounde at about 1.27pm, and Pinnick again told the players not to take their feet off the pedal as the race to Russia continues apace on Monday at the Stade Omnisports Ahmadou Ahidjo. “The Cameroonians will come at us with everything on Monday, knowing they have to get a result and with anger born out of their humiliation in Uyo. That is why we cannot a...

Vice-chairman Technical and Development Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Alhaji Ahmed Yusuf Fresh has submitted that the present Super Eagles players would go 'Goal Haywire' as Nigeria sets to lock horns with Cameroon this evening, in a FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo . "I believe the Super Eagles players understand the significance of playing the biggest football showpiece 'World Cup', it would further raise their profile as they all continue to make name for themselves in their chosen field," fresh submits. The Chairman Niger State Football Association chairman believes the return of the team captain Mikel Obi, Victor Moses and Odion Ighalo would also spur the rest of the players who never featured at the African Cup of Nations, let alone FIFA World Cup to give over 100 percent this evening.  "We at the Technical Committee of the Federation try as much as possible to injects well...