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Don’t Be Distracted By AFN Audit Report, Porbeni Tells Okowa

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Former international athlete, Seigha Porbeni, has described as ‘big distraction’ a report by an audit committee set up by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) to investigate its finances, which is now causing ripples among board members.

The AFN had set up a five-man committee on September 16 to investigate its finances. The committee, headed by its First Vice President, Tafida Gadzama, had Victor Okorie, Samuel Onikeku, Oludare Esan and Mrs Maria Worphil as members.

The panel report had, among other things, questioned some financial transactions made by AFN Secretary General, Mrs Rita Moshindi. However, some individuals, including athletes and coaches, have picked holes in the panel’s report, particularly its objection to the refund of N40 million, which AFN President, Chief Tonobok Okowa, lent the federation to organise some competitions, including the Golden League, pending when it received money from their lead sponsor, Premium Trust Bank.

Speaking with journalist, yesterday, Porbeni, who is AFN’s head coach, said: “When two elephants fight, they say it is the grass that suffers. All these are serious distractions because AFN’s programme’s funding for the 2024 season has not been discussed by the board for approval and release for effective training of both athletes and coaches.”

Porbeni, a former Director of Sports in Delta State, hinted that in about 130 days from now, the African Games will commence in Ghana, adding that the Paris 2024 Olympic Games is barely three months away.

“Since NCAA finals would be in progress within the same period, we are depending almost 90 per cent on our home-based ‘AFN panel report a distraction to Olympic Games’ preparation’ that should be camped soonest.

“All I want to say is that the AFN president should expect this sort of distraction, but like President Bola Tinubu, he should ignore and forge ahead. Success silences your distractors. Okowa should focus on the huge challenges ahead of the AFN in 2024, as finger pointing at one another at this point will help no one.”
You will recalls that AFN scribe, Mrs. Rita Mosindi, had said that some members of the Audit Panel are merely witch-hunting, adding that she did nothing wrong to warrant their allegation of misappropriating AFN’s money.

She explained: “At the beginning of the 2023 season, there was no money for AFN to execute its programmes. It was becoming an embarrassment, and the first Vice President, Gadzama, Technical Director, Onikeku and myself drove to our president’s house in Abuja. At that brief meeting, we begged him (Tonobok Okowa) to rescue AFN from the impending embarrassment by giving us some money to enable us hold our programmes, promising that he would be reimbursed when money comes from our sponsors. It was never a donation.”

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Super Eagles Captain Ahmed Musa Signs Endorsement Deal With Top Bank

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Super Eagles Captain Ahmed Musa Signs Endorsement Deal With Top Bank

In a groundbreaking development, Nigerian football sensation Ahmed Musa has formally joined forces with Jaiz Bank, a pioneering non-interest financial institution.

This momentous partnership was sealed during Musa’s visit to Jaiz Bank’s headquarters in Abuja, where he was warmly welcomed as the bank’s newest ambassador.

In a Facebook post by By Abdul A Kaugama, Musa’s affiliation with Jaiz Bank is a testament to his astute financial acumen and commitment to promoting ethical finance. As a long-standing customer of the bank, he has experienced firsthand the benefits of Jaiz Bank’s innovative, non-interest-based financial solutions.

By partnering with Jaiz Bank, Musa aims to inspire his multitude of fans to adopt a more prudent and Shariah-compliant approach to financial management.

“I am ecstatic to announce my ambassadorship with Jaiz Bank,” Musa exclaimed. “This esteemed institution shares my passion for empowering individuals and communities through financial inclusion and education. I am honored to be part of this remarkable journey and look forward to collaborating with Jaiz Bank to make a positive impact on the lives of Nigerians.”

The synergy between Ahmed Musa and Jaiz Bank heralds a new era of financial empowerment and growth. As Musa embarks on this exciting partnership, his fans and well-wishers eagerly anticipate the innovative initiatives and projects that will emerge from this collaboration.

 

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AFCON: More Controversy As Libya Accused Super Eagles Of Deliberate Lost To Rwanda

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AFCON: More Controversy As Libya Accused Super Eagles Of Deliberate Lost To Rwanda

Libya have accused the Super Eagles of throwing their final home game against Rwanda in a 2025 AFCON qualifier so that they will not qualify for the continental tournament next year.

Libya have stoked more fire in the growing enmity between them and Nigeria after CAF last month awarded a botched AFCON qualifier to the Super Eagles.

Libya Akhbar newspaper reported that the Super Eagles 2-1 loss to Rwanda in Uyo left a lot of questions.

“On the other side of the group, Nigeria’s 2-1 defeat to Rwanda on home ground added more controversy, especially since the result raised doubts about Nigeria’s intentions in this encounter,” the Libyan newspaper reported.

“The match between Nigeria and Rwanda was a shock to the Libyan fans.

“The fans expected a comfortable win for Nigeria, which would have kept Libya’s hopes alive if they defeated Benin. However, the scenario was contrary to expectations.

“Nigeria’s one-goal lead turned into a two-goal loss, as if the Green Eagles had abandoned their competitive spirit.

“The scene raised many questions in sports circles: Did Nigeria deliberately lose to eliminate Libya?”

However, Libya also failed to beat Benin at home to end any hopes to qualifying for the 2025 AFCON.

They face more sanctions after Benin complained that they were attacked after the scoreless draw in Tripoli Tuesday night.

 

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‘We’ll Crush Super Eagles To 2026 World Cup Ticket’ – South Africa Coach Vows

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South African Coach Confident Of Beating Nigeria to 2026 World Cup ticket

South Africa’s head coach, Hugo Broos, is optimistic about his side’s chances of securing the 2026 World Cup ticket ahead of Nigeria and other contenders in Group C, as reported by Soccernet.

The Bafana Bafana currently sit second in Group C with seven points, trailing leaders Rwanda only on goal difference.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Super Eagles sit in a disappointing fifth place with three points, four behind South Africa, with six games left in the qualifying series.

Broos, whose side topped Group K in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers for Morocco 2025, believes South Africa’s recent form gives them the edge.

Reflecting on their progress, he remarked: “It doesn’t mean that we have to now think that we are where we have to be. No. But little by little we are becoming a very good team.”

He continued: “That will give us the confidence that we need for the next thing we have to do, which is qualify for the World Cup.Nigerian football souvenirs

“But I’m confident that we can do it. I think, if SA can qualify for the World Cup it is now because we have quality; we have a good team. We can do it. But we still have to do it.”

South Africa’s Bafana have not lost a match since their semifinal exit against Nigeria at the Cote d’Ivoire 2023 AFCON.

In their last World Cup qualifier, they drew 1-1 with Nigeria in Uyo, a game where they nearly claimed all three points.

Broos plans to capitalise on South Africa’s AFCON momentum to navigate the World Cup qualifiers.

The coach expects to collect maximum points in their next matches against Lesotho and Zimbabwe, believing this will secure their ticket.

For Nigeria, the road ahead is challenging. The Super Eagles must win all their remaining fixtures while relying on other teams in the group to disrupt South Africa’s campaign.

The qualifiers resume in March 2025, with South Africa hosting Lesotho and Nigeria traveling to Rwanda.

 

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