NFF to train, absorb Ikeme into Super Eagles’ crew

The Nigeria Football Federation has announced that it will offer retired Super Eagles’ safe hands Carl Ikeme coaching education as a goalkeeper trainer and then absorb him into the technical crew of the Senior National Football Team.

NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi disclosed at the weekend that the Federation is in contact with Ikeme, who announced his retirement from the game on Friday afternoon, with a view to training him as a goalkeeper coach.

“Carl Ikeme was an embodiment of absolute dedication, commitment and patriotic fervour in the games that he played for the Super Eagles. The circumstances of his retirement from the game are somewhat depressing, even as we thank God for his life.

“The Nigeria Football Federation will find the resources to send him on a coaching course, and afterwards absorb him into the technical crew of the Super Eagles. That is the least we can do for such a dedicated patriot.”

Dr. Sanusi revealed that the NFF was in the know about Ikeme’s plan to retire from football. “A few weeks ago, he had spoken on phone with the NFF President and 1st Vice President of CAF, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick, to intimate him on his (Ikeme’s) desire to retire. Even though he was sad about, the NFF President commended his fighting spirit and respected his decision, and also said he would rather allow the player or his club to break the news.”

Wolverhampton Wanderers FC of England goalie Ikeme, diagnosed with acute leukaemia in July 2017 but who entered into complete remission only last month, announced his decision to retire from the beautiful game on Friday.

He played 191 matches for Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, and was pivotal in the club’s promotion from League One to the English Championship. He is currently being heavily celebrated for uniting a club more renowned for its divisive tendencies.

Ikeme was in goal for the Super Eagles in 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Swaziland home and away, and away to Zambia; the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Tanzania home and away, and against Egypt at home, and; in friendly matches against Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon and Niger Republic.

Haggai Sportswear partners Ogunjobi Cup

Nigeria's foremost sports kitting company Haggai Sportswear has entered into partnership agreement with the organisers of Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi Football Championship as official kit sponsor of the third edition of the tournament.



Haggai is a sister company of Nigeria’s foremost sports equipment marketers, the popular Zenith Sports.



Ogunjobi Cup is sponsored by the Pillar of Sports in the State of Osun and organized by State of Osun Football Association and gradually becoming a commercial hot cake for big brands.



The partnership deal was sealed on Monday in Oshogbo after the Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Sports, Paul Maduakor, and Tunde Shamsudeen (Ogunjobi's SA on Media) concluded talks.



Haggai Sportwear announced it will kit the U-13, U-15 and U-18 finalists, and awards for the Best Goalkeeper, Highest Goalscorer and the Most Valuable Player..



According to Shamsudeen who brokered the deal noted: "It's another feather in the cap for the tourney as it has come into partnership agreement with top sportswear brand, Haggai.



“We are excited with the Haggai partnership. Haggai's presence is an indication that the tourney has a bright future."



Maduakor said his firm entered into partnership with the organizers of the tournament because of his love for Chief Ogunjobi, having proven to be one of the best football administrator in the country.



"The idea behind this partnership, is to help develop our grassroots football which of course is the bedrock/ foundation for our football."




Sixty-two (62) grassroots teams in the State of Osun, registered for the ongoing tourney with the final scheduled for August 21, to celebrate the former Secretary General of the Nigeria Football Federation, date-of-birth.

Ogunjobi Cup begins Sunday, July 22

Arrangements have been concluded for the third edition of Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi Football Championship, scheduled to kick-off on Sunday July 22, at the Oshogbo Township Stadium.



Sixty-two (62) grassroots teams in the State of Osun, registered for the tourney with the final scheduled for August 21, to celebrate the former Secretary General of the Nigeria Football Federation, date-of-birth.



Thirty-six (36) teams registered for the U-18 tourney which will be decided on knock out format, while sixteen (16) teams obtained forms for the U-15 and have been group into four to be played on league format, with ten (10) teams registering for the U-13 category.



The age grade tournament is sponsored by the Pillar of Sports in the State of Osun and organized by State of Osun Football Association to boost discovery of exceptional talents abounding at the grassroots, catching them young in a bid to provide a well defined future for the players.



Rotimi, Ogunjobi's son, a Law student of Afe Babalola University will do the official kick off for the U-13 and U-15 tourney, in company of Chief Ogunjobi, who will perform the U-18 kick off.




Ogunjobi, who’s the Special Assistant to the State of Osun Governor on Football Matters and Chairman Osun Football Association, emphasised the need to return to the grassroots to scout for talented football players, saying some of the country's soccer heroes were discovered at the grassroots.



Zakariyau FC, Ikirun will lock horns with Young Makanaki FC, Ilesha by 11.am in the opening game of the U-13, while Golden Boys of Oshogbo will battle Awolu FC of Ifon Osun by 12.noon for the U-15 opening match.



In the other fixtures of Matchday One of the U-18, Paragon FC of Ilesha and Success FC, Ilesha will renew their rivalry when they draw swords by 2.pm, as Fehinty FC of Ido Osun, will be having their hands full as they will tango Sharp Strikers FC of Oshogbo by 4.pm.

AYC: Focus is our watchword - Alalade

Seyi Joshua

Nigeria Flying Eagles will on Saturday tango with Mauritania Under 20 team in the second leg of the African Youth Championship qualifiers, Junior Eagles are at the edge of qualifying for the championship which they have won seven times after pulling a draw in far away Nouakchott, a week ago. 

Abubakar Ibrahim succeeded in breaking the deadlock after having a pop at goal inside ten minutes of play at the Stade  Olympique, but the celebration in the Junior Eagles camp lasted only for four minutes before the hosts restored the parity.

Enyimba forward, Wasiu Alalade has informed that, focus and determination would be vital tools while engaging their tactically savvy opponents in the Soccer Temple on Saturday's evening.

"We will go for early goal so as to abrogate unnecessary tension because our destiny is in our hands.

"We are optimistic of a better result come Saturday so as to consolidate on the positive out-turn. We need the support of Nigerians because total victory is non-negotiable." The former ABS FC goal poacher told codedreporter.blogspot.com.ng

The Confederation of African Football has appointed Egyptian officials to take charge of the match, with Mahmoud Zakaria Mohamed El Banna as Referee. He will work with compatriots Ahmed Taha Hossam (Assistant Referee 1), Hany Abdelfattah Mahmoud Elsnadidy (Assistant Referee 2) and Ahmed Mahrous Mahmoud Ahmed Hassan ElGhandour (Reserve Referee).

62 teams for Ogunjobi Football Tournament

Seyi Joshua




Sixty two grassroot teams shall participate in all categories of the third edition  of Ogunjobi Football Tournament, the tournament contrived and packaged by the State of Osun Football Association to unearth raw talents hidden in the grassroots.




Thirty six (36) teams have registered for U-18 category, while sixteen (16) teams have been screened to jostle for shield in U-15 category.




Meanwhile, ten (10) promising teams have shown interest to size up shoulders in the U-13 category. A total of one thousand two hundred and forty (1,240) players are expected to participate in all categories.





The tournament is expected to kick off on Sunday 22nd July, 2018. Lots of amazing prices are up for grabs at the end of the competitions.

Kada City to sponsor 25 Kaduna coaches for CAF 'C' license

Tears of joy and jubilation filled the air at the Gymnasium hall of Ahmadu Bello Stadium this afternoon when twenty five CAF 'C' forms were presented to twenty five Kaduna based coaches ranging from ex-internationals,ex--players and grassroots coaches by Kada City FC as part of touching lives and football development from the grassroots.


Making the presentation, Kada City CEO, Mr Ekene Abubabar Adams charged the beneficiaries to see themselves as  developmental tools toward football development in Kaduna State especially from the grassroots.


"Don't acquire this knowledge for the sake of it, but to come back and develop football in our darling state especially from the grassroots. We have untapped talents scattered across the streets and I believe acquiring the CAF 'C' license will help in discovering and polishing these talents"


He went further to express satisfaction for fulfilling part of Kada City unveiling promises five months ago, " this is a dream come true. We made a promise five months ago during Kada City official unveiling to sponsor fifty coaches for the CAF 'C' and today with the help of God we are able to purchase twenty five forms for a start. This is a huge opportunity for our coaches in Kaduna to stand and be counted. This is part of Kada sport management structure of giving back to the society and if it's the only thing we can achieve before the year runs out football wise, good and fine.


"Our target moving forward is to employ ten coaches based in Kaduna. Presently we have six coaches in Kada City and when you take a look at our present position on the NNL standings,you will agree with me that the coaches are doing very well and on the verge of making history with Kada City".


Some of the beneficiaries who also spoke to the media expressed gratitude to Kada City for the kind gesture and promised to impact the knowledge to be acquired on football development in Kaduna State and the country at large.

" This is the first of its kind in the history of Kaduna State to have such a large number of coaches sponsored by a football club birthed only five months ago. You can't coach at any top level without your coaching badge no matter how much of football you played at top level", said an excited ex Lobi Stars and U23 Sidney Olympics 2000 speed star player Sunday Johnson.


Former Jasper FC player based in Zaria City, Aliyu Ahmed also thanked Kada City and described the gesture as a dream come true and promised to make a difference.

"I have longed for this opportunity and now that I have it, I will definitely make a difference by impacting the knowledge I will acquire to the upcoming players"


It will be recalled that before the current NNL season got underway, Kada City had visited the Adonai Orphanage home and widow center at No. 1B Challawa Crescent Barnawa, Kaduna and donated bags of rice, noddles, toiletries and other materials to the orphanage home.


Kada City are placed second in Group A2 with 15 points,one point behind table toppers Kogi United but with an outstanding home match against FC Taraba.


Kada City will this weekend  travel to Lafia and Makurdi to engage Nasarawa United and NPFL league leaders Lobi Stars as part of preparation ahead of second round resumption of the Bet9ja NNL.

@KadaCityMedia

Duke Udi, Alegbe send SOS to Akeredolu, ODSFA

Former Sunshine Stars International Football Club, Head Coach, Duke Udi, and his assistant, Tony Alegbe, have made an appeal to the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, and the management of Ondo State Football Agency to offset their outstanding debts the club is owing them.


A joint statement from Udi and Alegbe to Governor Akeredolu stated; “We want you to use your good office to instruct the management of ODSFA to pay us our outstanding money, because it is long overdue.


"ODSFA management promised in their letter of agreement to be paying us monthly until our money is fully paid but, to our surprise Sunshine players and officials were paid one month salary on Friday and we were not paid and ODSFA management told the players not to tell us.



“Your Excellency, we believe in your ability and your words, we are using this medium to appeal to you to ask ODSFA to pay us because we sweated a lot to save the club from relegation last season.”

Dan Fulani resigns as Elkanemi General Coordinator

General Coordinator of Elkanemi Warriors Football Club, Alhaji Abubakar Abubakar has tendered his resignation letter due to internal wrangling.

Dan Fulani as the former Enyimba International Football Club North East Coordinator is fondly called by his admirers on Wednesday resigned from his position as General Coordinator of the Nigeria Professional Football Club side.

The fans and players of the Borno Army, are in a state of shock following his resignation.

The former Sunshine Stars International Football Club North Coordinator said the decision to leave Elkanemi, a club close to his heart, was difficult as he enjoyed a good working condition throughout his stay adding that he would remain grateful for the chance to serve and contribute to the development of the team.

“After difficult considerations, I have decided to resign from my position as General Coordinator of Elkanemi Warriors Football Club.

“I deeply appreciate my time with Elkanemi and I want to thank all the fantastic people who made Maiduguri a fantastic place to work for me.”

Dan Fulani, joined Elkanemi Warriors on Monday January 9, 2017 from Shooting Stars Sports Club.

-Tunde Shamsudeen

NFF President Amaju Pinnick appointed CAF 1st Vice President

Nigeria Football federation(NFF) President Melvin Amaju Pinnick has been appointed the new CAF 1st Vice President this follows the resignation of Kwesi Nyantakyi after the prevailing situation in Ghana.

In a communique from CAF ,Pinnick was appointed after CAF President Dr.Ahmad consulted the members of the emergency committee .

“The CAF President,after consulting with members of the emergency committee have appointed Melvin Amaju Pinnick as CAF 1 st Vice President”

“The decision is immediately applicable, in accordance with article 27 para 2 of the statutes, which will be ratified by the executive committee in their session scheduled for 27 and 28 September 2018” the statement read in part.

Pinnick also doubles up as a CAF Executive committee member and President of the Africa Cup Of Nations(AFCON) organizing committee