Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Tag: NFF

  • Amaju Pinnick Insists Nigeria Would Not Have Missed 2026 World Cup Under His Lead

    Amaju Pinnick Insists Nigeria Would Not Have Missed 2026 World Cup Under His Lead

    The Punch reports that former NFF President Amaju Pinnick said the Super Eagles would have qualified for the 2026 World Cup if he had remained in charge of Nigerian football.

    Pinnick referenced his administration’s experience with difficult qualification campaigns, pointing to Nigeria’s qualification for the 2018 World Cup as evidence of administrative competence.

    Channels TV and Vanguard also covered reactions, noting divided public opinion and skepticism from analysts about counterfactual claims of future success.

    Echotitbits take: Pinnick’s remarks read like positioning for influence ahead of future football politics. While he can point to sponsorship and administrative wins, Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup complicates the legacy narrative. Expect the debate to intensify as NFF elections and team performance pressures converge.

    Source: Premium Times – https://www.premiumtimesng.com/sports/football/852490-2026-world-cup-pinnick-claims-super-eagles-would-have-qualified-under-his-watch.html 2026-01-30

    Photo Credit: Premium Times

  • Super Eagles Bonus Row Sparks Boycott Threat Ahead of Key AFCON Fixture

    Super Eagles Bonus Row Sparks Boycott Threat Ahead of Key AFCON Fixture

    Information provided by Daily Post suggests tension in the Super Eagles camp in Morocco after reports that players and officials threatened to boycott movement and training over unpaid bonuses and allowances.

    The dispute reportedly relates to win bonuses from earlier stages, with sources saying the team would not proceed until commitments are met.

    The standoff puts the Nigeria Football Federation and sports authorities under pressure, given the timing around a crucial match.

    **Echotitbits take:** Nigeria’s football brand takes a hit every time bonus disputes overshadow the pitch. Watch for last-minute intervention from the sports ministry or top government officials to avoid forfeiture and reputational damage.
    Source : The Punch — https://www.google.com/amp/s/punchng.com/afcon-2025-reactions-trail-super-eagles-threat-over-unpaid-bonuses/ 2026-01-08

    Photo Credit: The Punch

  • 2021 AFCON Qualifier Moved from Asaba to Benin on Technical Grounds – NFF

    2021 AFCON Qualifier Moved from Asaba to Benin on Technical Grounds – NFF

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) says it moved the 2021 AFCON qualifier between the Super Eagles and Leone Stars of Sierra Leone from its original venue, Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, Delta State, to Benin City, Edo State capital on technical grounds.

    NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, had ìn February this year stated in a statement announcing that the 15,400 – capacity Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, would host the Super Eagles versus Leone Stars in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match earlier scheduled for Friday, March 27, 2020. The match was however postponed due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, which crippled sports and business activities around the world.

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    The NFF made a u-turn last week by moving the match to the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, Edo State.

    According to the Guardian, an official of Delta Sports Commission on Thursday said that the choice of Benin City for the 2021 AFCON qualifier between Nigeria and Sierra Leone was on ‘technical ground.’

    “We actually prepared to host the match, but our government has since converted the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba to a COVID-19 isolation centre. To move the equipment from the stadium will take some time. Apart from that, it will be difficult to get the pitch ready for such a big match within a few days. The NFF must have put all these into consideration.

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    “We are not angry about the sudden change of venue. The choice of Benin City for the match is okay. Maybe, before the next game, the government would have moved the COVID-19 isolation centre from Stephen Keshi Stadium”, he said.

    Named after former Super Eagles captain and coach, late Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, the Asaba stadium, was famous for hosting several international events, including Asaba 2018 African Senior Athletics Championship, as well as matches involving the Super Eagles and the Nigeria U23 squad since it was opened two years ago.