Emmanuel Amunike To Become Genort Rohr’s Super Eagles Assistant??

By Akin Bolarinwa

Nigerians globally have called on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to appoint Emmanuel Amuneke as the assistant to Super Eagles chief Coach, Gernot Rohr.

According to a recent survey by the Nigeria sports mouthpiece official website, 90 percent of football lovers across the country made Amuneke their first choice and pleaded with the NFF to support him to ensure that he succeeds as Rohr’s assistant.

Available facts from the survey which was conducted by Canada based Adewale Ajayi who is the bureau chief of NSM in diaspora, shows that the common agreement by all, was that Amuneke deserves another chance to prove himself at this level.

The former African footballer of the year, is gradually improving his profile as one of Nigeria’s best football coaches after a glorious career that saw him win the Nations Cup in 1994 before going on to score the all important goal that secured Nigeria a first Olympic gold medal after that 3-2 victory over Argentina at Atlanta 96.

Since then, Amunike has gone on to lead the Golden Eaglets to gold at the Under 17 World cup in Chile 2015 and was head coach of the best assembled Flying Eagles team that failed to make it to the 2017 Under 20 World cup.

His successes with the youth team earned him a brief stinct as Super Eagles assistant coach but himself and head coach Samson Siasia buggled that opportunity after Nigeria failed to beat Egypt over two legs as the Super Eagles missed another opportunity at the Continental football Fiesta.

He however shook off these disappoints to lead the Taifa stars of Tanzania to their first Nations cup outing in over 3 decades a feet that caught the attention of clubs in Egypt. He is presently part of the coaches at Misr Lel Makkasa football club of Egypt

“We all have to give back to Nigeria, so let’s support Amuneke with his ambition to coach the Super of Nigeria”, one of the fans stated.

Amuneke has indicated his interest in coaching the National team any level during a recent interview with the award winning whatsapp platform NSM and was only recently interviewed for the vacant job of NFF technical director, a position he politely turned down because of his present commitments with his Egyptian club.

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I’m ready to play for Super Eagles, says Leke James

By Akin Bolarinwa

Nigeria born footballer, Leke James currently playing for Molde FC in Norway has declared his readiness play for the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

According to him, it would be a great honour to play for Nigeria at this stage of his career.

Speaking with NSM media, Leke James stated that his active performance on the field is enough to get him on board the Super Eagles list.

He is currently the best Nigerian player in Norway and he is ready to prove his worth to all Nigerians.

“I look forward to playing for my country if invited, I am a center forward and only Victor Osihmen is ahead of me in the Super Eagles set up at the moment”.

Leke James is 27 years old and has been in Norway since 2012.

Seven Things NFF Must Focus On, Other Than An Egoistic Influence On Anambra FA Election

The saga as regards the Anambra FA Election continues to form major fulcrum of football stakeholders discussion, but the real question remains that; Can the NFF use the same energy for this Anambra Saga on other pressing issues in our football, which includes;

The final league table
How football will return
How the women’s league will be sustained
How the COVID-19 FIFA Grants were managed
How the men’s league across division can growth & be self sufficient
How pending wages/bonus can be paid
How other National Teams can get their axes together with new coaches or continue with former ones

These are the very key issues affecting Nigerian football that the NFF must focus on and not an FA election, that was conducted through the right process.

All of these will only stay as a misplaced priorities from the NFF.

POOJA, Commercial Journalist.

Destiny Delayed Not Denied As Sen. Ifeanyi Ubah Returns As ASFA Chairman, Chris Green Congratulates

Former Chairman technical committee in the Nigeria football federation NFF, Chris Green, has congratulated the Jude Anyadofu led electoral committee for the Anambra state Elective congress, for doing a very good job at conducting the first virtual election ever recorded in the history of Nigeria football.

Green who is presently the special adviser to Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike on the Real Madrid football academy, described the electoral committee as a group of very intelligent, very committed and highly patriotic Nigerians who have shown by their actions that men of integrity and class still exist within the corridors of Nigeria football.

“I have always trusted Jude Anyadofu for his sincerity and uprightness even in the face of intimidation. I followed proceedings from Monday last week when the first election took place and i knew from the word go that Jude will not approve of that as he is not known for controversies. We kept talking and i told him to do what was right to please his conscience. The electoral committee did lots of consultations before agreeing to the option of virtual election after the congress had met to amend that part of the statutes”.

“In all sincerity, this was a very matured job, devoid of fraud or malpractices. Once again i will like to commend all those involved, for a job well done”.

“Senator Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah must also be commended for remaining calm despite all the frustrations. He has shown that he is a leader and a very good politician and deserves to be applauded too for his maturity”. He concluded.

Elections were first conducted in the local football councils before the state football association election that saw Senator Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah return as chairman of Anambra state football association for a second term.

SENATOR IFEANYI UBAH: THE BIGGEST PATRONIZER OF INNOSON VEHICLES IN THE SOUTHEAST

SENATOR IFEANYI UBAH: THE BIGGEST PATRONIZER OF INNOSON VEHICLES IN THE SOUTHEAST.

My attention has been unavoidably drawn to a grossly misleading and fictitious narrative credited to certain faceless, pseudo media elements who in the figment of their imaginations claim that I rejected patronage of Innoson vehicles in a Senate committee meeting. Ordinarily, a lot of people believe that there is no good reason to personally respond to such a laughable and poorly concocted lie. But the truth is that allowing such a narrative to thrive unaddressed will be a big disservice to my supporters and the reading public. In this regard, to put issues in clearer perspective for the benefit of all well intended Individuals that abhor deliberate distortion of facts, I would like to categorically state that;

1. Presently, I am the biggest private patronizer of Innoson vehicles in the South east today. The very first car that I gave my only beloved daughter when she clocked 18years is an Innoson(IVM) vehicle which she still drives till date; the car is still parked in my Lagos residence currently. It is therefore ridiculous and laughable to insinuate that a man who bought his only daughter an Innoson vehicle would kick against procuring the same brand of vehicle for Senators.

2. In my political engagements, I have purchased over 30 trailers of Innoson plastic products worth over 400million. I have also given out Innoson Vehicles to organizations such as; National Union of Journalists(NUJ) Southeast, Sports Writers Association Nigeria(SWAN), Catholic Boys Organization Nnewi Diocese, Association of People Living with Sickle Cell Disorder (APLSCD), Nnewi Youths Forum and a host of friends and ardent supporters too numerous to mention.

3. In line with my ”think home” philosophy, I also purchased FC Ifeanyi Ubah’s official vehicles; 3 Coaster Buses, Trucks and SUV’s from Innoson. In total, I have spent over N700million in purchasing both vehicles and other products from Innoson from my personal pocket.

4. Let me say without mincing words that in the entire Southeast, I am the only individual with the largest units of Innoson vehicles in his fleet. From the onset till date, I have maintained a very brotherly and cordial relationship with Chief (Dr.) Innocent Chukwuma; Chairman of Innoson Group whom I have always patronized and been at the forefront of promoting his brand. Therefore, I advise those trying to fan the embers of discord between two brothers to desist from such as it is a failed ploy that is obviously dead on arrival.

5. Another glaring fact that further exposes the hollowness of this poorly scripted propaganda is the fact that the Nigerian Senate already gave out official cars to Senators since last year. It is imperative to also note that I am not a member of the Senate Appropriation committee, neither am I a member of the Senate Services Committee; therefore, I have never been in any committee meeting to discuss the official cars to be procured and distributed to Senators.

Ordinarily, it is not in my character to bring my investments and patronage dealings with brands to the public domain, but for the purpose of clarity; I have decided to set the records straight with these barefaced facts and figures.

To this end, I wish to appeal to the general public to kindly disregard this misleading report and always endeavor to reach out to my media office to ascertain the authenticity of such stories in future instances. I also wish to reaffirm my utmost commitment to promoting the Igbo economy and our “think home” philosophy.

Initially, when I read this spurious story yesterday morning, I called my mentor; Chief (Dr.) Cletus M.Ibeto (CON) and Chief (Dr.) Innocent Chukwuma; Chairman of Innoson Group who promised to officially refute this fallacious story. I am fully aware that a lot of people are jittery about my rising political profile ahead of the 2021 Anambra Gubernatorial elections, hence the deployment of malicious pseudo writers to peddle falsehoods and twisted conjectures about me in a bid to deplete the love and goodwill my people have for me. However, these malicious stories have turned out to become a step tool that consistently promotes my brand.

Conclusively, I wish to urge social media users to eschew narratives and lies that promote discord and public unrest as there is need to use our platforms to promote issue based engagements that will move our dear state Anambra, Southeast and Nigeria at large forward.

Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Ubah

Anambra South Senatorial District.

Bukola Olopade Strikes Gold In People’s Heart

Meet one of Nigeria’s finest sports administrator, sports marketer and philanthropist; Bukola Olopade a man of the people.

He made the promise in Wednesday Night and by friday afternoon he has fulfilled his 200,000 naira pledge to Nigeria journalists.

There is no denying the fact that Bukola Olopade remains the best commissioner of sports that ever lived in Nigeria. This may not be far from the truth because his legacies are there and they will always speak for him.

Ozogula as he is fundly called by his admirers has broken all records that exists in sports and is looking good for the Guinness book of records.

A few years ago, a certain Mr Suleiman Baba Ali emerged from the blues to raise over 500m naira for team Nigeria’s participation at the Olympics. He did that successfully with fellow marketer, Nkechi Obi. That feet was celebrated and many still discuss it till date.

Those two, set a precedent for others to follow and one man has since dwarfed their records as Nigeria best sports marketer of all time. His name is Bukola Olopade.

Tipped as one of the best brains to come out of Egbaland, described by associates as the shinning light of Ogun state politics, this man has all the potentials of a good governor but he is bidding his time, knowing that there comes that moment, when the people will say, come and rule us.

Bukola Olopade has won races, he has fought battles and won in flying colours, he has weathered the storm of uncertainty and has come out unscathed. He has achieved where others failed

An icon, a colossal achiever, a brilliant administrator, a house builder and a man of many parts. Ozo has survived the most difficult situations and has emerged from the storm smiling and dancing

Hit by the corona virus, Bukola Olopade was gallant all through, he fought like a warrior and emerged from the hospital stronger than he went. As a patient, he showed other love on their hospital bed and left after three weeks with a promise to always offer his support.

He has returned several times to donate his little to help the sick and has set up a foundation to assist doctors and nurses who are the frontliners in this battle against the deadly corona virus pandemic ravaging the entire world.

Out of hospital, Ozo has not stopped giving, he has helped the sick, he has encouraged the weak, donated to charities and blessed the poor.

On Friday, Bukola Olopade decided to bless the Nigeria media as he donated the sum of 200,000 naira to Nigerian journalists on the popular Nigerha sports mouthpiece rebranded, a WhatsApp platform that has raised close to 5million naira in helping Nigerian journalists survive the harsh realities of the Corona virus pandemic.

Those who call him the king of marathon in Africa may not be wrong. This man who raised over 500m naira to help wheelchair basketball in Nigeria has thrived where others failed.

The Obudu Mountain race was the biggest marathon attraction in Nigeria at some point, but the present governor of the state, Ben Ayade has failed woefully in sustaining the legacies of his predecessor, bringing an end to the pride of Cross Rivers state.

Their loss, is Ozogula’s gain. He has single handedly revived the long distance races with over four international marathon events that have the stamp of the IAAF.

He has gone about his little achievements with humility. He hardly blows his trumpet, rather he sits to watch others shout. He is a trojan, a fighter and an achiever. He has won battles and he is poised for greater achievements.

Ozo was the first Nigerian sport administrator to resign when the ovation was loudest. He dumped the Nigeria National League over irreconcilable differences with the NFF. This was after he predicted that the league will never survive the tide that will come. Today the NNL is dead, waiting to be buried.

He is Bukola Olopade, the hope of South West and the friend of the depressed. He is the man we hope, will take our sport to the promised land.

Another Day, Another Joy As NSM Gets 200k Palliative From Top Administrator

By Akin Bolarinwa. 

One of the most respected sports administrator in the country has donated two hundred thousand Naira worth of pallatives to the Nigeria foremost WhatsApp sports group called Nigeria Sports Mouthpiece (NSM) Rebranded.

According to the administrator who chose to remain anonymous,  this is to alleviate the hardship occasioned by the COVID-19 lock-down on sports journalists that serves as essential workers.

The Philanthropist fondly addressed by his kinsmen as ” Mr Talk and Do”, delivered the palliatives to the leaders of the NSM noble platform for onward distribution to journalists.

He said, “Journalists across the world are one of the worse hit during the COVID-19 pandemic because the sports sector has been shut down for 3 months. Here in Nigeria, sports may not resume until the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 gives us the go ahead. 

“The palliative is to ensure that sports journalists who are also essential workers have funds to buy face masks and hand sanitizers to keep themselves free from COVID-19 

The elders of the platform (NSM) received the palliatives on behalf of the group, commending the respected sports administrator for his kind gesture. 

‘I Am Ready To Serve My Country’ – Says Gymnastic Coach Idiado

I AM READY TO SERVE MY COUNTRY.

By Akin Bolarinwa

Beauty Mohammed Idiado is a well known name in Nigerian Gymnastics and currently rave of the
moment in far away Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a national Gymnastics coach.

Blessed with excellent gymnastics career that spanned over 35 years in Nigeria and across Africa, the ex international and super Gymnastics administrator is now the beautiful bride of Gymnastics in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The elegant stallion conquered in the domestic scene for over three decades before moving abroad to contribute her quota to the development of sport worldwide.

The Bachelor’s Degree holder in Theater Arts and a certified coach with the Nigeria Institute of sports is a medalist at the All African games and holder of the National records in Gymnastics as champion for over 30 years and still counting.

Adorable Beauty Idiado stated her readiness to take up the plump job of the head coach of the Nigeria national team and stakeholders believe she has the best track records in Gymnastics as a Coach to earn her the most coveted job in Nigeria.

After a glorious career in Gymnastics, the veteran gymnast and FIG certified coach with intimidating profile says she is the perfect person for the job of the Nigeria Gymnastics national team coach because she has garnered experience competing around the world both as an athlete and as a coach.

Worried about the dearth of talents in gymnastics in Nigeria, the much travelled coach with a national certificate in Physical Education (NCE), opined that a lot need to be done to reclaim the nation’s lost glory in gymnastics.

Coach Beauty Idiado Mohammed who has tremendous experience training young gymnasts and preparing them for the future ahead of international tournaments has nurtured and groomed many young talented gymnasts both home and abroad to become world champions at various international competitions.

Even though she has been described as a super talented coach with the magic wand, the Edo born tactician says she is not putting her gauntlet down until she sees Nigeria gymnasts win medals at the Olympics.

Her opinion about leading a Nigerian team someday hasn’t changed at all, the award winning coach who is on the employment of the Edo State sports council says she is ready to offer her self in service if called upon to serve her father land.

Coach Beauty, popularly called Star Coach is on a two (2) years sponsorship for Gymnastics coaching course courtesy of the Gymanastics sports club in Saudi Arabia and she has already hit the ground running learning and teaching.

The soft spoken coach declared, “ I have been in circulation for more 30 years now and I am one of the best Gymnastics coach from the continent of Africa but Nigeria is my country and I will never turn my back on my country even with the opportunity to serve in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia present itself” .

Sports Minister’s Aide Kola Daniel Endorses Aigbogun’s Return, Says he deserves another chance

Renowned Sports journalist, commentator and critic, Kola Daniel has joined the growing list of reputable Nigerians clamoring for the return of Paul Aigbogun as Flying Eagles Chief Coach.

A journalist of repute, a class act in his chosen profession, Kola Daniel rose from a freelance journalist to one of the most feared and most respected names in journalism, a credential that has catapulted him to the summit as one of Nigeria’s best.

So it was not a surprise to his colleagues when he emerged from the blues as Media Aide to the honourable minister of youth and sports, Sunday Dare.

In a brief chat with NSM MEDIA, Kola who spoke in his capacity as a Nigerian and a die hard football fan, said, if merit is a yardstick for continuity, Paul Aigbogun has done enough to merit a second chance as Flying Eagles chief Coach.

“Paul Aigbogun is not a failure and must not be pushed aside by anyone. I have followed his achievements in the NPFL and i am saying here without any fear of contradiction that he deserves a second chance as chief coach of the Flying Eagles. He is unaguably Nigerias’s best coach of 2019, he won Silver at the All Africa Games while Gernot Rohr struggled to Bronze at the Nations Cup in Egypt. Aigbogun made it to the round of 16 at the Under 20 World Cup in Poland but Rohr failed to go beyond the first round in Russia.

“Therefore, If the NFF deems Rohr good for a second chance, then Paul Aigbogun should be reconsidered”

“We all know that the NFF has given the job of picking the best candidates for all three positions to Price Water Company PWC, they are the agency saddled with the responsiblility of identifying the best candidates for the job, but if you ask me again, i will go for Nigeria’s best coach of 2019, Paul Aigbogun”. He concluded.

The Nigeria football federation say they are not in a hurry to appoint a new coach for the team but when they eventually get the list as recommended by the PWC, they will surely take it to the honourable sports minister who may contact his special adviser on football matters, Kola Daniel for his opinion. Now you know that Paul definately has a chance.

Meet Aminu Kurfi Balele, the game changer, who is leaving his footprints in the sand of time

The story of Nigeria football cannot be complete without a mention of Alhaji Aminu kurfi Balele, the fast rising football administrator whose records on and off the pitch is gradually dwarfing the achievements of many who have spent over two decades in the corridors of football with virtually nothing to show for it.

As senior special adviser to the former executive governor of Katsina state Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari, Balele who was also a former chairman of Katsina united, is the brain behind the rising profile of Katsina United as one of the emerging super powers of Nigeria football

His deep administrative manoeuvrings around the football circle helped to lift the Changi boys from their comfort zone in the NNL to the Nigeria professional football league, NPFL, after they finished as league leaders in the 2016 season before going on to win the NNL Super 4 competition, a result that catapulted them to the Apex league in the country.

Known for his forthrightness, admired for his doggedness and respected for his resilience, Dan Arewa as he is fondly called by his admirers is gradually winning souls from all sectors of the sporting fraternity. Many remember with excitement, the role he played in turning Katsina United into a brand that is now talked about, not only in Nigeria but in the whole of Africa.

He was the brain behind the quick completion of the Muhammadu Dikko stadium in Katsina state and used his influence to get the Golden Eaglets camped in Katsina on their way to winning the 2015 FIFA Under 17 World Cup in Chile.

That in itself, was a landmark achievement that will remain indelible in the hearts of the good people of Katsina state for years to come.

This easy going and very unassuming administrator, guided the Under-15 team of Katsina United to back to back finals of the LMC/NPFL Under-15 features and was also on hand to guide Katsina feeders to the quarter final of the AITEO Cup. All these achievements came without anyone blowing his trumpet.

In 2018, Aminu Kurfi once again applied his administrative ingenuity by single handedly convincing the executive governor of Katsina state, his excellency, Aminu Bello Masari to host the NFF Extraordinary congress.

This happened at a time when Nigeria football was groaning in the mud of crisis and uncertainty.

Katsina state government hosted over five hundred football stakeholders, among them, 44 delegates, in what turned out the best organised NFF Election ever held in the history of Association football in Nigeria.

This was the first time in the history of NFF elections that the winners and losers shook hands in agreement that the process was indeed very free and fair.

Despite his goodwill, this man has his few regrets as the NFF have failed to fulfil two key promises made to the Katsina state government on the eve of the 2018 election.

Firstly, they promised to build the first FA secretariate in the Katsina state capital and secondly, they made a special promise to the emir of Daura, Faruk Umar Faruk, that they will bring one of the FIFA Goal projects assigned to Nigeria, to the home of president Mohammadu Buhari.

Both promises have not been met till date as there are no assurances of any sort from the eggheads in the football house.

Balele is not deterred by these setbacks, as he has continued to contribute his quota to the development of football in the state and Nigeria in general.

Voted Katsina state FA chairman in 2019, this erodite and immensely intelligent politician who is well respected by the government and people of Katsina state for his rising profile as a key stakeholder in Nigeria football, was at the forefront of Nigeria’s participation at the 2018 World Cup in Russia where he helped Nigeria football federation officials and fans to sort out important logistics before and during the competition.

He also singlehandedly secured Max Airline for the NFF to help airlift the Super Eagles of Nigeria to Sfax for a crucial world cup qualifier with Libya in October 2018, and later Maseru for the return leg of a double header with Lesotho just last year.

He is the peace maker, a man who has continued to preach peace among football stakeholders. His philanthropic hand has touched the young and old in all the villages and towns of Katsina state and environs. He has touched lives and has not stopped doing his best in helping humanity.

Loved by the media, appreciated by the footballers, respected by club owners and other stakeholders and adored by the fans, Aminu Kurfi will always be remembered as the man who discovered the jewel or Katsina United, the pride of the Changi boys and a player that all football lovers in the state will love to call their beloved, he is Destiny Ashadi or better still, the Katsina Diamond.