NEWS: FG pays Super Eagles, Falcons N471.8m salaries, allowances

Super Falcons protest non payment of allowances at NASS

The Federal Government has, Friday, released a total sum of N471.8m for the payment of the salaries and allowances of Super Eagles and Super Falcons.
The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation released the mandate to Central Bank of Nigeria for payment of naira equivalent of US$1,173,820.00 at N305/$ to Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, for the payment of the outstanding winning bonuses for Super Eagles in the 2018 World Cup Qualifying Matches and for the Super Falcons’ participation in the 10th Women’s Africa nations Cup.

This is in furtherance of the approval from Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, for the said amount to be paid.
The mandate, which is a sum of N358 million, was paid by Central bank of Nigeria on Thursday, a statement signed by Kenechukwu N, on behalf of the Accountant General, said. Similarly, another mandate for N113.8 million has also been released by Office of Accountant General of the Federation for the payment of wining bonus for Super Eagles in the 2018 World Cup Qualifying matches; and for the Super Falcon’s participation in the 10th Women’s Africa Nation’s Cup.

 This amount has also been paid to Nigeria Football Federation and is equally sequel to the approval of the minister of finance. The payment came after members of Super Falcons demonstrated in Abuja demanding payment of their outstanding bonuses.
 Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari, on hearing about the issue had authorized the payment within 24 hours.

SPORTS: Europa League: Pogba brothers at war

Manchester United’s Europa League adventure will continue with a last-32 tie against St Etienne, a match-up that Paul Pogba will relish as it sees him taking on his brother Florentin. Tottenham will travel to face Belgium club Gent having entered the competition following their third-place finish in the Champions League group stage.
 United will be away for their second leg on Wednesday February 22 in accordance with the principles set by the Club Competitions Committee, as local rivals Lyon are at home to AZ Alkmaar on the Thursday.
The level of intrigue in United’s tie with St Etienne is heightened by the prospect of former Juventus midfielder Pogba facing his brother over two legs. pogba-brothers Florentin, a Guinea international defender, is not to be confused with his twin Matthias, who plays for Sparta Rotterdam.
The 26-year-old was linked with a move to the Premier League in the summer with both Sunderland and Hull expressing interest.
 With the January transfer window opening in three weeks’ time, there is the possibility he may not be at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard for much longer.
The Ligue 1 outfit are eighth in their domestic league but were unbeaten in their six Europa League group games, winning three and drawing three in matches against Anderlecht, Mainz and Qabala.

SPORTS: Iwobi: I will reclaim my place in Arsenal

Arsenal midfielder Alex Iwobi is determined to “kick on” and reclaim his place in Arsene Wenger’s starting line up. Iwobi started seven consecutive Premier League games for the Gunners between September and November, appearing to cement his place in Wenger’s plans.
 But the 20-year-old has slipped down the pecking order of late due to fierce competition for places, particularly given Theo Walcott’s outstanding form.

Iwobi came off the bench to score Arsenal’s third goal in Saturday’s 3-1 victory over Stoke City and the Nigeria international is hopeful he has done enough to receive more game time. “I just need to kick on now and show what I can do to get into the starting team again,” he told the club’s official website. “It was much needed win [against Stoke City] – even though we started off a bit shaky, we were able to get through in the end and it was a great performance from the team.

 “We’d like to clean a sheet but we were able to get three points, we defended well and it will boost our confidence,” he added. Iwobi will not have to wait long to discover whether he has secured another starting berth with Arsenal in action against Everton on Tuesday night.

SPORTS: Ndidi, Leicester City discuss personal terms

Genk star Wilfred Ndidi is now discussing personal terms with Premier League club Leicester City after his Belgian club agreed a fee for his transfer in January.
 Leicester have reportedly agreed to splash out over 18 million pounds including add-ons for the Nigeria international midfielder. The former Nath Boys of Lagos star is seen as a direct replacement for N’Golo Kante, who quit the Premier League champions for Chelsea in the summer.

“Ndidi told me that both Leicester and Genk have agreed a transfer fee and he is now discussing his personal terms,” a source close to the player revealed. “The discussions have been going well and the contract with the English club will change Ndidi’s life forever.”
 It’s a big jump for the former Nigeria U17 and U20 star, who has been staying with foster parents since he moved to Belgium two years ago.
The 19-year-old central defender-turned-defensive midfielder has made 17 appearances in the league this season for Genk. Last season, he played 38 league games and scored four goals.

SPORTS: 2018 FIFA W/Cup: Don’t get carried away —Kanu warns Eagles

By Jacob Ajom
Former Super Eagles captain, Nwankwo Kanu has warned both the technical crew and players of the national team not to be carried away by the two victories recorded so far in the Russia 2018 World Cup qualifying series, saying that there was still so much to play for. Nigeria, pitched alongside former African champions Cameroon, Algeria and Zambia has recorded victories over Zambia and Algeria, amassing six points in the process.
Cameroon with two points is next to Nigeria while Algeria and Zambia take the rear with a point each. Despite the foregoing, Kanu is still not comfortable as he said the team must avoid becoming complacent. super-eagles00 Speaking at Arochukwu, Abia State over the weekend where he went to bury his late mother, the Atlanta ’96 gold medallist said Eagles, with six points already in the kitty and in pole position to qualify for the next World Cup, need not throw away what they have achieved so far.

“We need to work even harder to ensure we don’t slip along the line. We should not be carried away because Cameroon, Zambia and Algeria would not go down without a fight. Every team in the group still have a potential chance of qualifying for the tournament.” He believes with the gains made so far, the Eagles only have themselves to beat.
 “We have got a lot of talent and it will be odd to see the team fail in their quest for the 2018 World Cup ticket.” Kanu advised the technical crew to always carry the home based players along as they continue their search for players that can make the team unbeatable.
“You have to give everybody a chance to prove himself,” adding, “we have very good players in the domestic league who can also help the team progress.”
SOURCE: VANGAURD NEWS

SPORTS: Supporters Club shuns Minister, NFF, insists on Lagos for election

SUPPORTERSHIP… Members of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club doing what they know best to do.

By Patrick Omorodion 

The Nigeria Football Supporters Club, NFSC has insisted that its election fixed for December 10, 2016 will go ahead in Lagos as scheduled in defiance to a directive by the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF which wrote to ask that it be moved to Abuja as ordered by the Youth and Sports minister, Solomon Dalung. 

Deputy President General of the Club and a member of the Electoral Committee, Alhaji Waheed Aderenle Yusuf told the media at the Club’s secretariat in Lagos yesterday that “the request by the minister to shift the election to Abuja is uncalled for because Abuja is not suitable for us and more over, Lagos is our headquarters.” 

Alhaji Yusuf stressed that “we(the NFSC) have always done our election in Lagos. We have 250 delegates coming for the election and have made adequate arrangement for the election”, adding that the election was postponed earlier on the request of the NFF to allow it mediate between the factions of the Club.

 

He added that “we (the NFSC) are registered with the CAC (Corporate Affairs Commission) and just partners with the NFF and not under them.” Meanwhile, the key figure in the crisis that threatened to tear the NFSC apart, Vincent Okumagba may have ruled himself out of the election as he failed to pick a form for the election for the post of National Chairman at the close of the deadline set by the electoral committee even after the deadline was shifted three times to allow him do so. 

Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Elder Ademola Bankole who disclosed this yesterday, said that only two candidates namely, Alhaji Oladunjoye Aromire and Rev. Samuel Ikpea submitted forms for the position of National Chairman. 

Alhaji Bankole disclosed that “Accreditation of delegates and election will commence from 10am and end by 2pm on Saturday, December 10 at the Media Centre of the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos and only financial members who have stayed up to three years can vote and be voted for.” 

A total of 29 aspirants were cleared for the 20 positions to be contested for with Kunle Adeniyi and Victor Olowu contesting for the position of secretary.

The Forbes 2015 Top 20 Richest Football Clubs In The World

Real Madrid have retained their place as the most valuable football team in the world for a third straight year, while the Premier League boasts eight teams in Forbes’ top 20.

TOP 20 MOST VALUABLE FOOTBALL CLUBS IN THE WORLD

Real Madrid have retained their place as the most valuable football team in the world for a third straight year, while the Premier League boasts eight teams in Forbes’ top 20.
TOP 20 MOST VALUABLE FOOTBALL CLUBS IN THE WORLD
- See more at: http://www.naijaloaded.com.ng/2015/05/07/see-the-forbes-2015-top-20-richest-football-clubs-in-the-world/#sthash.8d8kdS3q.dpuf

Real Madrid have retained their place as the most valuable football team in the world for a third straight year, while the Premier League boasts eight teams in Forbes’ top 20.
TOP 20 MOST VALUABLE FOOTBALL CLUBS IN THE WORLD
- See more at: http://www.naijaloaded.com.ng/2015/05/07/see-the-forbes-2015-top-20-richest-football-clubs-in-the-world/#sthash.8d8kdS3q.dpuf

Real Madrid have retained their place as the most valuable football team in the world for a third straight year, while the Premier League boasts eight teams in Forbes’ top 20.
TOP 20 MOST VALUABLE FOOTBALL CLUBS IN THE WORLD
- See more at: http://www.naijaloaded.com.ng/2015/05/07/see-the-forbes-2015-top-20-richest-football-clubs-in-the-world/#sthash.8d8kdS3q.dpuf

Real Madrid have retained their place as the most valuable football team in the world for a third straight year, while the Premier League boasts eight teams in Forbes’ top 20.
TOP 20 MOST VALUABLE FOOTBALL CLUBS IN THE WORLD
- See more at: http://www.naijaloaded.com.ng/2015/05/07/see-the-forbes-2015-top-20-richest-football-clubs-in-the-world/#sthash.8d8kdS3q.dpuf

Real Madrid have retained their place as the most valuable football team in the world for a third straight year, while the Premier League boasts eight teams in Forbes’ top 20.
TOP 20 MOST VALUABLE FOOTBALL CLUBS IN THE WORLD
- See more at: http://www.naijaloaded.com.ng/2015/05/07/see-the-forbes-2015-top-20-richest-football-clubs-in-the-world/#sthash.8d8kdS3q.dpuf

Super Eagles Coach Keshi To Earn 84 Million Annually

Super Eagles Coach Stephen Keshi just got a pay raise! According to Vanguard, he is set to sign a new deal with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and will begin earning N7 million monthly (84 million annually), which is a significant increase from his previous N5 million monthly (N60 million per year) salary. Keshi will sign a 12-month contract, which will end at the end of 2015.

Dani Alves of Barcelona Signed Agreement With Manchester United

Brazilian professional footballer, Dani Alves, who played for Barcelona, has already agreed terms on a move to Manchester United, according to respected agent Francois Gallardo. Alves, who has been strongly linked with an exit from Barca, had reportedly set his heart on a switch to the Premier League – with Chelsea leading the race for his signature. According to Metro, agent Gallardo has revealed that Manchester United have now stormed in and agreed to sign the Brazilian, with a contract already being thrashed out. “He has signed a preliminary agreement with Manchester United,” said Gallardo. It’s thought that Alves would move to Old Trafford at the end of the season.

Manu braces for MRI results

Abuja - Golden Eaglets coach Manu Garba is confident that he has more than enough numbers to complete his squad if any of his players were to fail an MRI test.

The test was carried out last week on all 30 selected players and while Garba is confident there will be no failures, he remains confident that the team will not be affected in the event that a few players drop out.

"We are still awaiting the official result of the MRI Scan but we have high hopes that all will be well," Manu said. 

Read more at Kick Off Nigeria.

Cricket body hails Team Nigeria's promotion

Lagos- The Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) welcomed the team's promotion to the International Cricket Council World Cricket League Division 5.

Nigeria qualified for the event scheduled for Malaysia in 2014 following an impressive outing in the league division 6 competition in the United Staes this past weekend.

The NCF board, led by Engineer Emeka Onyeama, expressed satisfaction at the promotion.

"The dream of the team is to emerge as one of the top world cricket playing nations in the near future," the board stated.