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NPFL returns for the final stretch

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NPFL returns for the final stretch

Amid battles for the league title & relegation

 

 

By George Akpayen

 

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) returns with a full cast of fixtures this Sunday and it comes with mouthwatering matches involving clubs in the race for survival, title, and continental places.

 

Table-toppers Rangers are the only top-four sides that will play at home this matchweek when they play hosts to Bayelsa United at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu. Fidelis Ilechukwu’s men hold the best form guide in the last six matches alongside Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) going into this matchday (W4 L2). In the reverse fixture, Bayelsa United won 2-0 through goals from Kehinde Malik Lawal and Ekeson Okorie but the Yenagoa club has failed to avoid defeat in their last three visits to Enugu though have scored on all three occasions.

 

Fourth-placed 3SC dropped points against Katsina United the last time out in Ibadan when they played out a 1-1 draw. Gbenga Ogunbote will however lead 3SC to the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium without their influential captain Taofeek Malomo who is suspended for this fixture. Andrew Idoko is the man to watch in this contest as he has scored in all of Katsina United’s last four home matches which they have won.

 

Chasing a first title, Remo Stars will make a trip to Ilorin to face Kwara United, who are undefeated in their last five matches (W2 D3). The Sky Blue Stars who currently sit in second place with 56 points, one behind leaders Rangers, will be relieved that they will go head-to-head with Kwara United without their top scorer this season, Emmanuel Ogbole who is suspended. Last time out, Olamilekan Adedayo and Samad Kadiri scored to ensure Remo Stars won 2-0.

 

Titleholders Enyimba start the matchday in third place and four points behind the leaders. The People’s Elephant will begin life without Finidi George in the saddle after he got appointed as Nigeria’s head coach by the country’s football federation. His assistant, Yemi Olanrewaju Daniel steps in as head coach till the end of this campaign. They make the short trip to city rivals, Abia Warriors for the Abia Derby. Enyimba have dominated the head-to-head of this derby, losing just once in their last 10 league meetings (W8 D1 L1). When both teams met this season, Abia Warriors lost 1-2 after Chimezie Njoku managed a late goal for them after their more decorated opponents took a two-goal lead through Eze Ekwutoziam and Chidiebere Nnachi.

 

At the other end of the standings, the bottom two sides, Heartland and Gombe United go head-to-head at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri. Already NPFL pundits have written off both clubs’ chances of beating the drop. Heartland is 10 points below safety while Gombe United is 14 points adrift. In the first meeting this season, Gombe United defeated Heartland 2-0 with Umar Abba and Chijioke Alaekwe scoring the goals. The Savannah Scorpions will head to Owerri undefeated in their last five league meetings with Heartland (W3 D2) including drawing in their last two visits. It will be another wonder of the World if both teams survive relegation in the competitive NPFL.

 

Champions in 2021, Akwa United, find themselves below the red line and in trouble of being relegated. They play on the road at Lobi Stars where they have failed to avoid defeat in their last 12 trips. The Promise Keepers have a Herculean task at hand but will draw inspiration from the fact that Lobi has struggled in their last seven NPFL games, winning just once (W1 D3 L3). Akwa United head coach, Mohammed Baba Ganaru, who worked with Lobi last season before leaving, is confident of helping the Uyo club avoid the drop.

 

“We are confident going to face them (Lobi Stars),” began Baba Ganaru. “I have worked with Lobi so I know them and about Akwa (United) going on relegation that won’t happen. We will play in the NPFL next season, I can assure the fans that.”

 

Four other matches will also take place on Sunday in the NPFL including an early kickoff in Jos where Plateau United plays host to Niger Tornadoes.

 

MATCHDAY 33 FIXTURES

Rangers v Bayelsa United

Rivers United v Sporting Lagos

Abia Warriors v Enyimba (Live on StarTimes & NPFL-Live)

Katsina United v 3SC (Live on NPFL-Live)

Sunshine Stars v Bendel Insurance

Heartland v Gombe United (Live on NPFL-Live)

Lobi Stars v Akwa United

Kano Pillars v Doma United (Live on NPFL-Live)

Kwara United v Remo Stars (Live on NPFL-Live)

Plateau United v Niger Tornadoes (Live on StarTimes & NPFL-Live)

 

 

Eaglets cruise into semi-finals

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Eaglets cruise into semi-finals

WAFU B U17 Championship: Set to face Baby Elephants

 

 

By Rasheed Adewuyi

 

Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets sailed majestically into the semi-finals of the ongoing WAFU B U17 Championship in Ghana with a 3-0 whiplash of Togo’s Baby Sparrow Hawks, that catapulted them to the top of group B and set the stage for a last-four confrontation with the Baby Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire. The match, which should have been played on Wednesday evening, was postponed to Thursday morning after the venue became water-logged following a heavy downpour.

 

Forward Abdulmuiz Adeleke came up big in the morning encounter with a brace, while Rapha Adams did his rising reputation no harm with his second of the tournament.

 

Adeleke fluffed an opportunity to put Nigeria ahead in the 6th minute, but made no mistake five minutes later with an assist from Abdulmuiz Oladimeji, to emburden a Togolese side that had lost its previous two games in the championship.

 

Adams, the scorer of the lone goal that earned the five-time world champions all the points against the Niger Republic on Sunday, got close in the 20th minute off a pass from Oladimeji, but his hit missed the target.

 

The forward would make no mistake 15 minutes later, nodding home a sublime pull-out by captain Simon Cletus.

 

Adeleke got his brace and Nigeria’s third in the 57th minute, off another assist from captain Cletus.

 

The forward should have made it a hat-trick but fluffed a penalty kick awarded to the Eaglets in the 68th minute.

 

Nigeria’s Edward Ochigbo was selected as Player of the Match.

 

The victory meant the Golden Eaglets finished as group B winners, following Burkina Faso’s 1-0 defeat of Niger Republic in the other match of the pool.

 

Nigeria will now clash with Cote d’Ivoire in the second semi-final on Saturday evening (7 pm Nigeria time), after the first semi-final between Ghana and Burkina Faso.

 

Eaglets face Togo in crucial tie

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Eaglets face Togo in crucial tie

WAFU B U17 Championship: Manu insists Nigeria will gun for three points against a familiar foe

 

 

By Rasheed Adewuyi

 

Coach Manu Garba has reiterated that Nigeria’s U17 ream will go for a win in Wednesday’s group B final encounter in Accra even though a draw will be good enough to see the five-world champions through to the semi-finals.

 

“We are not here to be drawing matches. I am not happy that we drew our first match against Burkina Faso. We should have scored several goals, especially towards the end but we cannot cry over spilt milk.

 

“We got the three points against Niger Republic, and we have to keep at the winning mentality. We cannot afford to gamble; a win is what we are going for. Even though they lost their first two matches, we cannot afford to under-rate the Togolese. They got two goals against Niger Republic, even though they eventually lost, so they are not a team to be taken for granted.”

 

Cup holders Golden Eaglets will finish top of the pile if they win against the Togolese at the Accra Sports Stadium and fellow group leaders Burkina Faso fail to get the better of Niger Republic at the University of Accra Stadium in games that will be played simultaneously.

 

Victory for Nigeria, and draw or defeat for the Burkinabes, will mean the Eaglets avoid in-form Black Starlets of Ghana, who are expected to top group A, in the last-four confrontations.

 

President Federation Cup: Enters round of 32

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President Federation Cup: Enters round of 32

Big teams face minnows in acid-test matches across the nation

 

 

By Rasheed Adewuyi

 

Several teams in the top-tier Nigeria Premier Football League countenance exit from this year’s President Federation Cup as the Round of 32 matches are held across the country on Wednesday and Thursday.

 

Former champions Lobi Stars and Shooting Stars battle in Awka while holders Bendel Insurance are up in arms against Wikki Tourists of Bauchi in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja as Plateau United and Sunshine Stars test might also in Abuja.

 

Katsina United squared up to Bayelsa United in Abuja as well, while CAF Confederation Cup quarter-finalists Rivers United threw their weight up against Niger Tornadoes.

 

Giant-killers Hammola FC and Inter Lagos are at each other’s jugular in Ibadan. At the same time, former CAF Champions League winners Enyimba must guard their loins against free-scoring FC One Rocket in Yenagoa. Enugu is the battleground for the confrontation between Warri Wolves and Kwara United.        

 

MEN’S ROUND OF 32 FIXTURES

 

Bendel Insurance (Edo) Vs Wikki Tourists (Bauchi) – Abuja Area 3 – 22/05/24 – 4pm

EFCC FC (FCT) Vs Edel FC (Anambra) – Ilorin – 22/05/24 – 4pm

ABS FC (Kwara) Vs Kebbi United (Kebbi) – Abuja Goal Project – 23/05/24 – 4pm

Akwa United (Akwa Ibom) Vs Zamfara United Feeders (Zamfara) – Abuja Bwari – 23/05/24 – 4pm

Gombe United (Gombe) Vs El-Kanemi Warriors (Borno) – Kaduna – 22/05/24 – 4pm

Lobi Stars (Benue) Vs Shooting Stars (Oyo) – Awka – 22/05/24 – 4pm

Ikorodu City (Lagos) Vs Coal City (Enugu) – Benin City – 23/05/24 – 4pm

Hammola Int’l (Osun) Vs Inter Lagos (Lagos) – Ibadan – 22/05/24 – 4pm

Warri Wolves (Delta) Vs Kwara United (Kwara) – Enugu – 22/05/24 – 4pm

Abia Warriors (Abia) Vs Sporting Supreme (FCT) – Benin City – 22/05/24 – 4pm

Nasarawa United (Nasarawa) Vs Sokoto United (Sokoto) – Kano – 22/05/24 – 4pm

FC One Rocket (Akwa Ibom) Vs Enyimba FC (Abia) – Yenagoa – 22/05/24 – 4pm

Plateau United (Plateau) Vs Sunshine Stars (Ondo) – Abuja Goal Project – 22/05/24 – 4pm 

Rivers United (Rivers) Vs Niger Tornadoes (Niger) – Auchi – 22/05/24 – 4pm

Katsina United (Katsina) Vs Bayelsa United (Bayelsa) – Abuja Bwari – 22/05/24 – 4pm

Doma United (Gombe) Vs Kano Pillars (Kano) – Bauchi – 22/05/24 – 4pm

 

Pep Guardiola replies Jurgen Klopp

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Pep Guardiola replies Jurgen Klopp

 After Liverpool’s boss brought up Manchester City charges

 

Pep Guardiola has led Manchester City to four successive Premier League titlesPep Guardiola has led Manchester City to four successive Premier League titles (Image: Getty Images)

 

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola had some kind words for Jurgen Klopp after the Liverpool boss completed his final match in charge of the side at Anfield on Sunday, Scott Trotter reports for The Mirror.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola paid an emotional tribute to departing Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, as he was moved to tears when discussing the German coach.

 

Klopp took charge of Liverpool for the final time on Sunday, as Manchester City won their fourth consecutive title, and Guardiola took the time to provide a heartfelt answer about his longtime rival. The City chief’s voice almost broke as he highlighted how significant Klopp’s role has driven him forward.

“I will miss him a lot,” Guardiola said, “Jurgen has been an essential part of my life. He brought me to another level as a manager. We respect each other incredibly.

 

“I have the feeling he will be back and thank you so much for his words but he knows that behind me there is a lot that this club provides me with, otherwise alone I can’t do it. I’m humble enough to understand that.

 

“He helps me with his team, he has been a huge competitor in my life. I didn’t discover the way I can punish them like I can find for other teams. With him, it has been so difficult.

 

“I’m sure Mikel [Arteta] will continue his legacy to drive us to another level. I wish him all the best and hope his final game was special, he deserved it.

“He made Liverpool recognized with his stamp and the incredible pride of being a Liverpool fan. It’s not just about titles, there are personalities that when they arrive in one place they stay forever and Jurgen and Liverpool will be part of the level of Shankly and Paisley and these incredible legends.”

 

Klopp had likewise paid compliment to Guardiola heading into the weekend. The Reds boss suggested the ex-Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager was the best in the world.

The 56-year-old reckons only Guardiola could achieve what he has with Manchester City. “Everybody knows about the 115 charges, but I have no clue what that means,” said Klopp.

 

“I only know the number. Whatever has happened at Manchester City, Pep Guardiola is the best manager in the world – and that is important.

 

“If you put any other manager in that club, they don’t win the league four times in a row. That’s down to him and his boys. Does that mean they can do what they want? No. But I don’t know what they did – if they did anything – and I’m not here to say they have.

 

‌“We will see. Of course, I would like to know (if City are guilty) one day. Everyone wants to know. But I will be somewhere else. The quality of Pep makes the difference so I don’t worry about these things. We will see. It’s not my problem and I am fine with what we have and what we’ve achieved.”

 

 

Manchester City lifts Premier League trophy

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Manchester City lifts Premier League trophy

As Arsenal settles for less again

 

 

By Ed Emeanua

 

Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City are again champions of the English Premier League becoming the first team to win the title four times on the trot on Sunday evening.

 

City’s 3-1 defeat of West Ham at the Emirates helped them finish two points ahead of Arsenal who came from behind to hand Everton a 2-1 loss at the Emirates on the final day of the 2023-2024 Premier League season.

 

It was a feature of contrasting fortunes at the Etihad and the Emirates as City reveled in their latest success in sheer joy just as Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal gnashed their teeth in sorrow with another distant second-place finish.

 

The City side made certain of not being denied as they set out in style by hammering ahead through Phil Foden’s early first-half brace of goals in the 2nd and 18th minutes at the Etihad against an insipid West Ham defense.

 

Mohammed Kudus halved the lead in the 42nd for the Hammers before Rodrigo Hernández Cascante or Rodri for short, restored the two-goal lead for the champions on the 59th-minute mark of the tie.

 

Meanwhile, at the Emirates, Arsenal posed a less convincing challenger allowing Everton to run amok with Idrisa Gueye finding the net for the visitors in the 40th minute of play.

 

Takehiro Tomiyasu evened the scoreline for the home side in the 43rd minute of play before Kai Havertz’s 89th-minute goal secured the victory for the Gunners.

 

However, City risks a possible points deduction with a likely incident of pitch encroachment by their ecstatic fans who appeared to have encircled the pitch moments before the referee’s final whistle.

 

 

Osimhen, Ndidi, Finidi vie for honors

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Osimhen, Ndidi, Finidi vie for honors

Tenth Nigeria Pitch Awards: Obasogie, Ajibade, and Soname are also in the running

 

Wilfred Ndidi

 

By Rasheed Adewuyi

 

Organizers of the Nigeria Pitch Awards are set to take the ‘uncommon transformation’ city of Uyo by storm with the tenth edition of Nigeria’s longest-running football awards scheduled for Saturday, 8th June at the Ibom Meridien Hotel and Resorts.

 

President of Nigeria Pitch Awards, Shina Phillips said during the week that his team is packaging a show-stopper of an event to mark one decade of an interesting project that has continued to gain strength and relevance on the pillars of authenticity, transparency, and credibility, and which is endorsed by the Nigeria Football Federation.

 

“We are leaving no stone unturned to ensure a memorable tenth edition of the awards. All is set, and we are heading to Uyo to put up a super-show and to mobilize resources within our capacity to support the Super Eagles to victory in the FIFA World Cup qualifying match against South Africa on Friday, 7th June.

 

“I want to use this opportunity to deeply appreciate the NFF, the Super Eagles, all our friends, enablers, affiliates, and commercial partners, for their support over the past 10 years, and to promise that the values of transparency, integrity, and credibility will never depart from the Nigeria Pitch Awards.”

 

Already, nominees have emerged in the 18 award categories, with the winners to be unveiled at the Ibom Meridien on the night of Saturday, 8th June. The award categories include Goalkeeper of the Year, Defender of the Year, Midfielder of the Year, Striker of the Year, Queen of the Pitch, King of the Pitch, Sam Okwaraji Award, Football Pitch, Football-Friendly Governor, Corporate Sponsor, alongside several honors for media representatives.

 

Goalkeeper of the Year: Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars); Amas Obasogie (Bendel Insurance); Ojo Olorunleke (Enyimba FC)

 

Defender of the Year: Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC); Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK)

 

Midfielder of the Year: Alhassan Yusuf (Royal Antwerp); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC)

 

Striker of the Year: Robert Mizo (Bayelsa United); Victor Osimhen (Napoli SC); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen)

 

Queen of the Pitch: Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico de Madrid Femenino); Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC); Asisat Oshoala (Bay FC)

 

King of the Pitch: Victor Osimhen (Napoli SC); Emeka Obioma (Enyimba FC); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen)

 

Team of the Year: Super Falcons; Enyimba FC; Remo Stars

 

Coach of the Year: Daniel Ogunmodede (Remo Stars); Finidi George (Enyimba FC); Randy Waldrum (Super Falcons)

 

Sam Okwaraji Award: Victor Osimhen (Napoli SC); Ahmed Musa; Kunle Soname (Proprietor, Remo Stars)

 

State With The Best Grassroots Football Development Programme: Edo State; Delta State; Lagos State

 

Football Pitch of the Year: Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos; Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne; Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo

 

Football-Friendly Governor of the Year: His Excellency Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom State); His Excellency Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos State); His Excellency Godwin Obaseki (Edo State)

 

Corporate Sponsor of Football: Bet9ja (Sport Betting); GTI (Financial Services); MTN (Telecom)

 

Sportsmanship Award: Hon. Kunle Soname (Proprietor, Remo Stars); Victor Osimhen (Napoli SC); Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye (Chairman, NPFL Board)

 

Football Journalist of the Year (Print): Christian Okpara (The Guardian); Charles Diya (New Telegraph); Johnny Edward (Punch Newspapers)

 

Football Journalist of the Year (TV): Miyen Akiri (TVC); Mozez Praiz (SuperSport); Cecilia Omorogbe (Channels TV)

 

Football Journalist of the Year (Radio): Olawale Adigun (Mainland FM); Yinka Oyedele (Brila 88.9 FM); Anthony Bekederemo (Brila 88.9 FM)

 

Football Journalist of the Year (Online): Samuel Ahmadu (Savid News); Tobi Adepoju (Oganla Media); Kunle Solaja (sportsvillagesquare.com)

 

 

Nigeria, South Africa set for toe-poke

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Nigeria, South Africa set for toe-poke

CAF appoints Chadian official as referee for Super Eagles versus Bafana Bafana Africa World Cup qualifying battle

 

 

 By Rasheed Adewuyi

 

Chadian official, Alhadi Allaou Mahamat will be in the center when the Super Eagles host South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo next month.

 

Mahamat, 38, became an international referee 12 years ago and has officiated in the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup competitions. He was also a referee at the 34th Africa Cup of Nations held in Cote d’Ivoire earlier this year.

 

Mahamat will work with Sudanese official Mohammed Ibrahim Abdallah (assistant referee 1), Abelmiro Dos Reis Monte Negro from Sao Tome & Principe (assistant referee 2), and compatriot Pousri Armi Alfred (fourth official) at the encounter that will commence at 8 pm Nigeria time on Friday, 7th June.

 

Ahmed Sayed Abou Elela from Egypt will serve as the referee assessor while Ghanaian Munkaila Nassam Adam will be the commissioner for the Day 3 clash.

 

CAF has also appointed Ethiopian official Bamlak Tessema Weyesa, 43, as the referee for the Day 4 encounter between the Super Eagles and the Cheetahs of Benin Republic at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny, Abidjan. That match will kick off at 4 pm CIV time (5 pm Nigeria) on Monday, 10th June.

 

An icon of refereeing on the African continent, Bamlak Weyesa will work with compatriots Temesgin Samuel Atango (assistant referee 1), Tigle Gizaw Belachew (assistant referee 2) and Tewodros Mitiku (fourth official). Djamel Haimoudi from Algeria will be the referee assessor. David Yameogo from Burkina Faso will serve as the commissioner, and Ivorian Claude Elloh will work as security officer.

 

WAFU B U17: Ghanaian, Nigerien officials for Nigeria, Burkina Faso match

 

Ghanaian official Adaari Abdul Latif will be the referee for Thursday’s WAFU B U17 Championship group B opener between five-time world champions Nigeria and the Burkina Faso U17 boys at the Accra University Stadium.

 

Latif will work with compatriot Emmanuel Dolagbanu (assistant referee 1) and Nigeriens Sakina Hamidou (assistant referee 2) and Brahamou Sadou Ali (fourth official) at the game that will kick off at 3 pm Ghana time (4 pm Nigeria time). Latre-Kayi Edzona Lawson-Hogban from Togo will be the commissioner while Ivorian Songuifolo Yeo will serve as referee assessor.

 

The championship serves as a qualifying competition for next year’s Africa U17 Cup of Nations. 

 

WAFU B U-17: Organizers announce officials

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WAFU B U-17: Organizers announce officials

Ghanaian, Nigerien officials for Nigeria, Burkina Faso match

 

 By Rasheed Adewuyi

 

Ghanaian official Adaari Abdul Latif will be the referee for Thursday’s WAFU B U17 Championship group B opener between five-time world champions Nigeria and the Burkina Faso U17 boys at the Accra University Stadium.

 

Latif will work with compatriot Emmanuel Dolagbanu (assistant referee 1) and Nigeriens Sakina Hamidou (assistant referee 2) and Brahamou Sadou Ali (fourth official) at the game that will kick off at 3 pm Ghana time (4 pm Nigeria time). Latre-Kayi Edzona Lawson-Hogban from Togo will be the commissioner while Ivorian Songuifolo Yeo will serve as referee assessor.

 

The championship will serve as a qualifying competition for next year’s Africa U17 Cup of Nations. 

 

 

Paul Okoku Ignites the Flame

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Paul Okoku Ignites the Flame

Why I Back Finidi George as Head Coach of the Super Eagles

Down Memory Lane

 

By Paul Okoku

 

As the dawn breaks on a new era for Nigerian football, the announcement of Finidi George as the new chief coach of the Super Eagles reverberates across the nation, stirring a sense of anticipation and hope among football enthusiasts.

 

While I may not be intimately familiar with his coaching credentials, something about Finidi resonates deeply within me—a sense of confidence emanating from his humble demeanor and echos of his illustrious playing career. This indomitable spirit, reminiscent of the legendary Stephen Keshi, compels me to throw my support behind him.

 

In the wake of Keshi’s passing, there is a palpable yearning for an indigenous coach to rise to the occasion and carry forward his legacy of success. Like Keshi, Finidi embodies the virtues of resilience and determination, which transcend tactical prowess on the pitch.

 

As we embark on this new footballing journey, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) must extend to Finidi George the same respect and support afforded to his foreign counterparts. Transparent contracts, stipulating payments in US Dollars, and publicly disclosed salaries akin to what obtains in European and American football, are not extravagant requests. Rather, they are essential pillars of a nurturing environment conducive to success.

 

Additionally, granting Finidi the freedom to handpick his coaching staff and outlining clear roles and responsibilities in his contract is crucial to fostering a supportive and conducive working environment. Furthermore, this agreement must be in place before the coach begins his job, thereby ensuring clarity and commitment from both parties.

 

Moreover, considerations such as providing a vehicle and assigning a driver and a comprehensive benefits package for the Chief Coach position are necessary to ensure fairness and equality for all coaches, regardless of nationality or race.

 

By addressing these fundamental aspects, the NFF can uphold the principles of fairness and transparency, setting a precedent for the treatment of indigenous coaches in the footballing landscape.

 

However, beyond the realm of administrative formalities lies the heart of the matter: Finidi’s ability to inspire and lead. As a tactician with a visionary outlook, he holds the potential to unlock the latent talent within our squad and craft a dynamic, attacking style of play that captivates audiences worldwide.

 

Crucially, Finidi must balance humility and assertiveness, treating players with the dignity they deserve while instilling a culture of mutual respect and accountability. Only then can he truly harness the collective potential of the Super Eagles and propel them to greater heights on the international stage.

 

With crucial qualifying matches looming on the horizon, including a much-anticipated rematch against South Africa hungry for revenge, the stakes couldn’t be higher. But as we stand on the precipice of a new era in Nigerian football, let us rally behind Finidi George—the beacon of hope who will guide our team to glory.

 

Traditional Wisdom:

 

In our quest for a coach who embodies the virtues of humility, accountability, and respect, we must not forget the legacy of the late Stephen Keshi, who was a no-nonsense leader and commanded respect from homegrown talents and internationally renowned players. His unwavering belief in the potential of home-based players is a testament to the wealth of talent within our shores.

 

As Keshi once emphatically told me, “Isn’t this country Nigeria of ours that produced the likes of Segun Odegbami, Paul Okoku, Chibuzor Ehilegbu, Yisa Shofoluwe, Adokiye Amesiemaka, Godwin Odiye, Henry Nwosu, Felix Owolabi, Andrew Uwe and Thompson Usiyan?” Indeed, it is time to embrace our indigenous talents with the opportunities they deserve to shine on the world stage.

 

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