Yakubu Aiyegbeni: Nigeria have a bright future

The recent CAF Africa Cup of Nations saw Nigeria, under Stephen Keshi, began the year with a bang, going all the way through to claim their third continental title and thus seal a place at this June's FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013. The feat plunged the entire nation into raptures, and former captain Yakubu Aiyegbeni was quick to pay tribute to the Super Eagles despite not featuring during the African finals.

Nigeria Football Federation bars Journalist Nze, Ugwu from its activities

The Nigeria Football Federation has barred two sports journalists,
Messrs Ezeocha Nze and Romanus Ugwu from its programmes, activities
and events until further notice.

Speaking at the NFF Secretariat on Tuesday evening, NFF General
Secretary, Barr. Musa Amadu said the two journalists were no longer
welcome at NFF’s events as they have persevered with campaign of
calumny against the Executive Committee and Management of the
Federation, for no stated reason.

“The NFF considers all journalists to be stakeholders of the game and
we love and respect them as professionals, and even go to some length
to ensure they do their job without any hindrance or molestation.

“However, we have found out over the course of time that Messrs Nze
and Ugwu are committed to hate campaign against the NFF Board and
Management, and we find no reason to continue to accommodate them at
our events and programmes,” Barr. Amadu said.

While Mr. Ezeocha Nze is a correspondent of The Guardian Newspapers,
Mr. Romanus Ugwu represents all-sport daily publication, Soccerstar,
which is in the stable of THE SUN newspapers.

FA Chairmen blast report on ‘drilling’ of Maigari

The chairmen of Football Associations of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory have lambasted a report in a section of the media on Monday, which claimed that the forum ‘drilled’ NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari during its meeting in Abuja on Saturday, 23 February.

Chairman of the Zamfara State Football Association, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, who spoke on behalf of the forum, dismissed the report as pure fiction, having no semblance to what transpired at the meeting and completely in the imagination of the reporters.

Blatter, and Angel Maria Villar Llona congratulate Maigari on Afcon success

President of world football-governing body, FIFA, Mr. Joseph Blatter has congratulated the NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari on the success of the Super Eagles at the 29th Africa Cup of Nations finals in South Africa.

In a letter dated 14th February and addressed directly to Maigari, Mr. Blatter eulogized the NFF President and wrote, inter alia: “Allow me to offer you my warmest congratulations on Nigeria’s triumph in the Africa Cup of Nations last Sunday – your third title overall and your first for nearly 20 years. It is great to see the Super Eagles back as one of Africa’s strongest footballing nations.

Sepp Blatter

Nigeria: Golden Eaglets’ star striker loses ‘adorable mum’

 The death of Mrs. Mercy Iheanacho, mother of Golden Eaglets’ star striker, Kelechi Iheanacho, has been announced.

 The 43-year-old Mrs. Iheanacho reportedly passed away in the early hours of Thursday, February 21 at the Enukuku General Hospital in Owerri, Imo State after a brief illness. But the grim news flittered into the camp on Sunday’s morning when husband of the deceased, Mr.  James Iheanacho informed team’s officials who subsequently broke the sad news to the Golden Eaglets’ striker.

 Described as the epitome of a dutiful houseful and caring mother, a crest-fallen Kelechi said her adorable mum will  be sorely missed by all and sundry, adding that her death was painful since she was unable to reap the fruits of her hard labour.