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Sports Minister Meets NFF, Club Owners, Referees Association, on Strategies to Improve League

The Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, on Friday met with the leadership of the Nigerian Football Federation, NPFL Club Owners’ Association, as well as the Nigeria Referees Association (NRA), to deliberate on key issues necessary for the development of the NPFL and football in the country.

The meeting held in Abuja, was a follow-up to the minister’s earlier engagement with key football stakeholder groups in the nation some weeks ago, to chart a way forward for the development of the round leather game. He described the engagement as expedient due to the need to take intentional and strategic actions, especially on the operations of clubs and match officials, to ensure the football grows to an appreciable level of professional admiration. He decried the omission of Nigerian referees for AFCON 2023 duties as a sad reality and thus the need to look inwardly and reorganize the state of football in the country.

“Officiating as an integral part of football that could either make or mar the development of the round leather game,” the Minister said. “Our football cannot be said to be developing, if our referees are excluded from international tournaments year in, year out. As a ministry, we are concerned because this does not spell well for the reputation of the nation.”

“This new season, the bitter experience from CAF (exclusion of Nigerian officials for AFCON) should be treated as a lesson to improve our conduct and operations,” he added. “Corruption and kickbacks must not be tolerated. We are likely in this sorry state more because of what had happened in the past, but it is incumbent on us to take action points from our deliberations and define the future of our game. We must put our house in order internally before we focus on the external determinants of our reputation.”

In his address to the NPFL Club Owners Association, Senator Enoh stated that clubs have a responsibility to scale up their operation to a professional level, where the welfare and insurance of players, club licensing compliance, security, infrastructure, contract matters and others are treated in accordance to best practices.

“Club owners must also rally their supporters, and provide security to ensure the protection of referees. Most of the time, they feel threatened and work in danger,” he added.

Speaking at the meeting, the President of the NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau stated that the Federation has made changes to enhance the performance of referees in the country and younger individuals are now being supported to take up officiating roles. He added that the NFF is developing a project in conjunction with CAF and FIFA, to enhance both the physical and education aspects of match officials in the country.

“We have the vision to ensure that those that will earn FIFA refereeing badge in the country are young and can be relevant on the international stage for a long time. There are training we organize in conjunction with FIFA and also with CAF, with respect to the educational and physical training of match officials. We tell them what our problems are and our vision as a federation” Gusau said.

Senator Enoh was in the company of the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Sports Development, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar at the meeting. The NFF team included President, Alh. Ibrahim Gusau, 1st Vice President, Felix Anyansi-Agwu, and General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi. The NPFL board was represented by chairman, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi, and ex-international, Daniel Amokachi.

President of Nigeria Referees Association, Zubairu Sani, and Chairperson of the NFF Referees Committee, Faith Irabor were also in attendance. NPFL Club Owners were represented by Association Chairman, Dr Okey Kpalukwu and General Secretary, Godwin Enakhena.

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Rivers State SWAN To Mentor 80 Varsity Students As Executive Celebrates One-Year Anniversary

Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Rivers State chapter says it has lined up series of activities to celebrate one year anniversary of the current executives of the association.
According to Viura Lezigha, Assstant Secretary, Rivers State SWAN/Secretary, Anniversary Committee, “We have lined up three remarkable programs slated from April 4-6, 2025.
“On this regard, the Mentorship program is scheduled for Friday 4th April at the Faculty of Communications and Media Studies Auditorium, Rivers State University (RSU), at 11 am.
“SWAN Rivers State Chapter will mentor over 80 final year students of the Faculty of Communications and Media Studies of the institution about Sports Writing.
“The resource persons for the Mentorship program are Amb. Mrs. Didi Phina Ojogwu, Mr. Carl Orakwe and Mr. Emeka Dennar.
Guests expected to be present at the event are
1. Prof. R. N. Amadi – Dean, Faculty of Communications and Media Studies
2. Dr. Justice Njoku C. – Ag Head of Department, Public Relations and Advertising
3. Dr. N. N. Nwankpa – Ag Head of Department, Journalism and Media Studies
4. Dr. I. Harry – Ag Head of Department, Development Communications Studies
5. Dr O. P. Brisebe – Ag Head of Department, Cinematography and Broadcast Studies

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U-13 JOF Kids Cup: Strong Dove, Miracle FC, Solution Boys, Others Eye Semi Final Slots

 

 

The coast is cleared for teams to fight for the semi-final slots of the ongoing 6th U-13 JOF Kids Cup as the Round of 16 matches were concluded last weekend setting the stage for the quarter-final (Round of 8) encounters.

Playing at the Lekki playground, Strong Dove of Orile beat Yinka Babes from Badagry 2-1

After playing a 2-2 draw game during the regulation time, B. Unit Boys of Mainland defeated Apapa Boys 4-3 with penalties.

At Ojo Oniyun playground in Ebute Metta, Miracle FC of Ijesha ran away with a lone goal victory over Abay Babes from Ajah

Idimu Bombers lost 1-2 to Solution Boys from Apapa.

I’m other results at Lekki playground on Sunday ThankGod Boys from Oko Baba beat Ultimate Villa of Ikorodu 4-2.

Versity Boys of Lagos Island defeated G. Tomorrow also from Lagos Island 1-0.

At Ojo Oniyun playground, First Class Boys from Lagos Island beat Ikosi Boys from Ketu 2-0, while Oloto Babes stopped HB Utility of Ilupeju in a grudge encounter that ended 1-0.

The quarter-final matches will be decided this weekend as the organisers, Lagos Grassroots Football Association and the sponsor, JOF Nigeria Limited are working round the clock to ensure that the final ceremony is held in April.

Mr. Adeyinka Adetunji, Director of Strategic Support Services, JOF Nigeria Limited, was enthusiastic about the level of sportsmanship exhibited by the kids in the matches played so far. He assured that the final ceremony this year will be more glamorous than the past five editions.

Quarter Final Qualified Teams:

Strong Dove
First Class Boys
Versity Boys
Oloto Babes
ThankGod Boys
Solution Boys
Miracle FC
B.Unit Boy

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FIFA World Cup 2026: Full list of countries that have qualified 

FIFA World Cup 2026: Full list of countries that have qualified 

Seven spots out of the required 48 for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have already been filled after the March international break ended

Argentina is the biggest name on the list after the reigning world champions booked a spot to defend their title next year
In the other list, Nigeria leads a list of big teams who are at risk of failing to qualify after a string of disappointing results
The first international break of the year came with teams battling to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, which will be held next year.

The tournament will be the first time we will have 48 teams and will be hosted across three countries meaning the United States of America, Mexico and Canada have already qualified.

How many countries will each continent produce at World Cup 2026?

The 48 teams will be distributed based on coefficients, with UEFA (Europe) having the most with 16 slots. Here is a breakdown of how many countries have been allocated to each body.

UEFA (Europe): 16 slots

CONMEBOL (South America): 6 slots

CAF (Africa): 9 slots

AFC (Asia): 8 slots

CONCACAF (North, Central America and Caribbean): 6 slots

OFC (Oceania): 1 slot

Inter-Confederation Playoff: 2 slots

Who has already qualified for FIFA World Cup 2026?
Four more countries have joined the hosts in confirming their place in North America next year.

Japan
Japan from AFC was the first to seal its spot after they beat Bahrain 2-0 to attain an unassailable lead at the top of Group C of the qualifiers. Goals from Daichi Kamada and Takefusa Kubo did the work, rendering their remaining three games a mere formality.

“Thanks to the players for their efforts and the fans for their support. We knew that if we persevered that the goals would come. We will try and win our three remaining games and grow as a team,” said head coach Hajime Moriyasu to Associated Press. This will be their eighth straight World Cup.

New Zealand
New Zealand booked the only spot reserved for the OFC region after they thumped New Caledonia 3-0.

It is the first time the Oceania region has had an automatic qualification spot and New Zealand left nothing to chance to reach only their third-ever World Cup.

Iran
Iran followed in Japan’s footsteps by nicking one of the AFC spots. Mehdi Taremi scored twice to salvage a point against Uzbekistan. The Uzbeki would have gone through with a win, while Iran only needed a point to confirm their place.

Team Melli will be at the biggest stage for the fourth consecutive time while Uzbekistan can close in on a hisorc achievement with a win in any of their remaining two games.

Argentina
The defending champions will be in North America to defend their title. The Albiceleste confirmed their place without even kicking a ball after Bolivia held Uruguay to a goalless draw.

As if that wasn’t enough, Lionel Scaloni’s side went ahead and pumped four goals past a hapless Brazil to send out a strong statement of intent.

It would be interesting to see whether talisman Lionel Messi will be in the squad come next year. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has been bogged down by injuries in recent times.

Which big country can fail to qualify for FIFA World Cup?
The qualification process for Europe is still in its infant stages, or yet to begin completely in some groups, so there is nothing much to say there.

However, in Africa, where only four matches remain, some heavyweights are staring at failure to make it.

Nigeria tops this list after Zimbabwe stunned them in extra-time at home. The disappointing draw, coupled with South Africa’s win over Benin, leaves the Super Eagles’ dreams in tatters. Of course, there is still that matter of Teboho Mokoena that could change the group’s dynamics.

Senegal were handed a lifeline after Sudan failed to beat South Sudan. The Teranga Lions are now locked in a three-way battle with Sudan and DR Congo for the top honours in Group B.

How Harambee Stars can still qualify for FIFA World Cup
TUKO.co.ke has also worked out some permutations of how Harambee Stars can still qualify for the World Cup.

It is almost an improbable task at this moment after the draw against the Gambia and loss to Gabon but it is still mathematically possible.

Story by Martin Moses

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