***Gusau, Sanusi, board members resign

***Pinnick, Musa Amadu, Soname split NSC, as Congress meets ahead of normalisation committee

*** September 27 elective Congress uncertain

By Ezeocha Nzeh

The week long controversy over the fate of the Ibrahim Musa Gusau-led board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has temporarily come to an end with the eventual resignation of the Zamfara state-born football administrator and the entire board of the federation

The call for Gusau’s exit was highthened after the Super Falcon disgraceful defeat by first timers, Malawi and their final elimination by Cameroon at the last Woman African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

The defeat, which also denied the Nigerian women football team a ticket for the next FIFA Women World Cup, was greeted with criticisms from several quarter, thereby escalating the call for the board’s resignation

Inspired by the leadership of the National Sports Commission (NSC), the first stage of the push for the board’s resignation was the dragging of the board members to the presidency, by the NSC to force their resignation.

As if that did not yield the NSC desired result, the NFF leadership was immediately dragged before the Economic and Financial Crimes (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt and other Financial Crimes Practices Commission (ICPC), who immediately commenced investigations over the spending of N17 billion released by the federal government to the NFF in 2024 for the payment of the allowances of the various national teams.

As the alleged forceful impeachment moves were followed by threats of a possible FIFA ban on Nigeria, and growing concerns that such development could affect the participation of other cadres of the nation’s national teams from international tournaments, the anti NFF actors, in their determination to ensure the board’s resignation, drafted the nation’s security agencies, with the Directorate of State Security (DSS) and National Intelligence Agency (NIA) alleging the involvement of some NFF officials with foreign interests to undermine national security.

The Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) immediately commenced investigation into the allegations that some top officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) are working with foreign interests to undermine Nigeria’s national security.

Sources said the two intelligence agencies had intercepted what was described as “highly disturbing” communications between some NFF officials and foreign nationals, which were considered capable of creating security challenges for the country.

The whole drama, which had dragged for over one week, however, came to halt, as Gusau and the NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi announced their resignation from the football house on Thursday. This was immediately followed by other board members.

Gusau announced his decision during a World Press Conference at the NFF Secretariat in Abuja, bringing an end to days of speculation over his future.

He said the decision followed extensive consultations with his family, friends and stakeholders in Nigerian football, adding that he had communicated his decision to members of the Executive Committee and advised them to also consider their positions.

However, he stressed that each member would independently decide whether to remain in office or follow his decision to step aside.

Reflecting on his tenure, Gusau said he was leaving with satisfaction over what he described as measurable progress in several areas of Nigerian football.

“These three years and eleven months did not just come like that. At least we have something that we can tell Nigerians and the world that we have achieved for the little opportunity we had during this period.

“My resignation is intended to give way to a comprehensive and orderly reform process aimed at addressing the longstanding institutional, governance and developmental challenges confronting Nigerian football,” he said

The resignations have further thrown the NFF into more confusion as the board had already inaugurated an electoral committee to conduct elections into the next board as the Gusau-led board would have completed its first four years term on September 27, 2026. The fate of the proposed elective congress is now uncertainty, even as the committee had commenced screening of aspirants.

Further more, the resignation of the President of Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Ibrahim Gusau, Mohammad Sanusi and other board members, has left a vacuum in the administration of the NFF, even as stakeholders have intensified lobbying ahead of the announcement of a Normalisation Committee as contained in FIFA statutes governing football across the globe.

It was gathered that intense lobbying has ensued with the National Sports Commission (NSC) henchmen divided or for the choice of the chairman of the committee, which would be expected to oversee the affairs of the NFF for the next three months before a fresh election would be conducted to fill the vacuum created by the exit of Gusau and the other board members.

DISCLOSURE News gathered at the NFF that two names have been pencilled down for the job, with the NSC chairman, Shehu Dikko backing one, while the Director General is behind the other.

National Sports Commission, NSC, chieftains are at loggerheads over who to name Normalisation Committee Chairman.

Sources disclosed yesterday that former NFF chairman, Amanu Pinnick and former General Secretary, Musa Amadu, as well as the proprietor of Remo Stars and Beyond Limits FC, Kunle Soname are tipped for the job.

Amaju, Pinnick, a former FIFA executive committee member was a two-term president of the NFF from 2014 to 2022, when he handed over to Gusau, while Musa Amadu served as General Secretary during the administration of former president, Aminu Maigari. He is currently an aide to the NSC chairman, Shehu Dikko

It was gathered that while the NSC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, is unrepentantly pushing for Musa Amadu to be considered as the chairman of the normalisation committee, the Director-General, Bukola Olopade prefers Pinnick to return to the NFF to chair the committee

Another powerful group, it was further gathered, prefers a fresh person among the private and independent football club owners to bring in the desired reforms in Nigerian football.

This group, our correspondent gathered, has sent a “Save our Football” message to authorities, dropping the name Kunle Soname for appointment as chairman of the normalisation committee .

Meanwhile, the NFF Congress was summoned to an emergency meeting in Abuja on Thursday, amid concerns over the current developments within the football governing body.

The meeting, which was contained in an invitation signed by the Chairman of Gombe state Football Association, Yakubu Sarma and addressed to all NFF Congress members, is expected to focus on issues surrounding the functioning of the NFF Executive Committee and its secretariat.

According to the invitation, the proposed agenda includes discussions on the “current developments” within the NFF, the status and functioning of the federation’s Executive Committee and secretariat, as well as the implications of recent developments for the governance, stability and independence of the federation.

The Congress will also consider “appropriate measures” under the statutes of the NFF, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA, before deliberating on the way forward.

Those invited include State Football Association chairmen, club representatives, members of the Referees Association, Coaches Association, Players Union and the Nigeria Referees Association (NRA).

“Your presence is mandatory,” the invitation stated, urging members to confirm their attendance.

***Gusau, Sanusi, board members resign

***Pinnick, Musa Amadu, Soname split NSC, as Congress meets ahead of normalisation committee

*** September 27 elective Congress uncertain

By Ezeocha Nzeh

The week long controversy over the fate of the Ibrahim Musa Gusau-led board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has temporarily come to an end with the eventual resignation of the Zamfara state-born football administrator and the entire board of the federation

The call for Gusau’s exit was highthened after the Super Falcon disgraceful defeat by first timers, Malawi and their final elimination by Cameroon at the last Woman African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

The defeat, which also denied the Nigerian women football team a ticket for the next FIFA Women World Cup, was greeted with criticisms from several quarter, thereby escalating the call for the board’s resignation

Inspired by the leadership of the National Sports Commission (NSC), the first stage of the push for the board’s resignation was the dragging of the board members to the presidency, by the NSC to force their resignation.

As if that did not yield the NSC desired result, the NFF leadership was immediately dragged before the Economic and Financial Crimes (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt and other Financial Crimes Practices Commission (ICPC), who immediately commenced investigations over the spending of N17 billion released by the federal government to the NFF in 2024 for the payment of the allowances of the various national teams.

As the alleged forceful impeachment moves were followed by threats of a possible FIFA ban on Nigeria, and growing concerns that such development could affect the participation of other cadres of the nation’s national teams from international tournaments, the anti NFF actors, in their determination to ensure the board’s resignation, drafted the nation’s security agencies, with the Directorate of State Security (DSS) and National Intelligence Agency (NIA) alleging the involvement of some NFF officials with foreign interests to undermine national security.

The Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) immediately commenced investigation into the allegations that some top officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) are working with foreign interests to undermine Nigeria’s national security.

Sources said the two intelligence agencies had intercepted what was described as “highly disturbing” communications between some NFF officials and foreign nationals, which were considered capable of creating security challenges for the country.

The whole drama, which had dragged for over one week, however, came to halt, as Gusau and the NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi announced their resignation from the football house on Thursday. This was immediately followed by other board members.

Gusau announced his decision during a World Press Conference at the NFF Secretariat in Abuja, bringing an end to days of speculation over his future.

He said the decision followed extensive consultations with his family, friends and stakeholders in Nigerian football, adding that he had communicated his decision to members of the Executive Committee and advised them to also consider their positions.

However, he stressed that each member would independently decide whether to remain in office or follow his decision to step aside.

Reflecting on his tenure, Gusau said he was leaving with satisfaction over what he described as measurable progress in several areas of Nigerian football.

“These three years and eleven months did not just come like that. At least we have something that we can tell Nigerians and the world that we have achieved for the little opportunity we had during this period.

“My resignation is intended to give way to a comprehensive and orderly reform process aimed at addressing the longstanding institutional, governance and developmental challenges confronting Nigerian football,” he said

The resignations have further thrown the NFF into more confusion as the board had already inaugurated an electoral committee to conduct elections into the next board as the Gusau-led board would have completed its first four years term on September 27, 2026. The fate of the proposed elective congress is now uncertainty, even as the committee had commenced screening of aspirants.

Further more, the resignation of the President of Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Ibrahim Gusau, Mohammad Sanusi and other board members, has left a vacuum in the administration of the NFF, even as stakeholders have intensified lobbying ahead of the announcement of a Normalisation Committee as contained in FIFA statutes governing football across the globe.

It was gathered that intense lobbying has ensued with the National Sports Commission (NSC) henchmen divided or for the choice of the chairman of the committee, which would be expected to oversee the affairs of the NFF for the next three months before a fresh election would be conducted to fill the vacuum created by the exit of Gusau and the other board members.

DISCLOSURE News gathered at the NFF that two names have been pencilled down for the job, with the NSC chairman, Shehu Dikko backing one, while the Director General is behind the other.

National Sports Commission, NSC, chieftains are at loggerheads over who to name Normalisation Committee Chairman.

Sources disclosed yesterday that former NFF chairman, Amanu Pinnick and former General Secretary, Musa Amadu, as well as the proprietor of Remo Stars and Beyond Limits FC, Kunle Soname are tipped for the job.

Amaju, Pinnick, a former FIFA executive committee member was a two-term president of the NFF from 2014 to 2022, when he handed over to Gusau, while Musa Amadu served as General Secretary during the administration of former president, Aminu Maigari. He is currently an aide to the NSC chairman, Shehu Dikko

It was gathered that while the NSC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, is unrepentantly pushing for Musa Amadu to be considered as the chairman of the normalisation committee, the Director-General, Bukola Olopade prefers Pinnick to return to the NFF to chair the committee

Another powerful group, it was further gathered, prefers a fresh person among the private and independent football club owners to bring in the desired reforms in Nigerian football.

This group, our correspondent gathered, has sent a “Save our Football” message to authorities, dropping the name Kunle Soname for appointment as chairman of the normalisation committee .

Meanwhile, the NFF Congress was summoned to an emergency meeting in Abuja on Thursday, amid concerns over the current developments within the football governing body.

The meeting, which was contained in an invitation signed by the Chairman of Gombe state Football Association, Yakubu Sarma and addressed to all NFF Congress members, is expected to focus on issues surrounding the functioning of the NFF Executive Committee and its secretariat.

According to the invitation, the proposed agenda includes discussions on the “current developments” within the NFF, the status and functioning of the federation’s Executive Committee and secretariat, as well as the implications of recent developments for the governance, stability and independence of the federation.

The Congress will also consider “appropriate measures” under the statutes of the NFF, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA, before deliberating on the way forward.

Those invited include State Football Association chairmen, club representatives, members of the Referees Association, Coaches Association, Players Union and the Nigeria Referees Association (NRA).

“Your presence is mandatory,” the invitation stated, urging members to confirm their attendance.

New Netherlands coach Xavi Hernandez vowed on Tuesday to bring back the attacking footballing philosophy that the Oranje are famous for, believing that this will bring the team out of the doldrums in terms of results.

“If we play good football… taking the initiative, dominating the game, playing in an offensive way… we will be closer to winning and to getting results,” the 46-year-old former midfielder told reporters at his first news conference since being appointed.

The Netherlands were disappointing at the most recent World Cup, topping their group without really convincing and then crashing out to Morocco on penalties in the last-32.

“I remember when I was a kid watching the Netherlands; you could watch good football. And this is my target — to play good football in order to be proud,” said Xavi.

Asked which was more important, attractive football or results, Xavi replied, “Both.”

“We are here to compete, we are here to enjoy, and we are here to win. I insist, we are here to win.”

In replacing Ronald Koeman on a four-year deal, Xavi becomes the first foreign boss of the Oranje in 48 years.

The Barcelona great, who won the 2010 World Cup with Spain as a player, beating the Netherlands in the final, had not held a head coaching job since leaving the Camp Nou in 2024.

Xavi, whose first coaching role was with Qatari club Al-Sadd, won the 2023 La Liga title with Barca but was sacked at the end of the following season and replaced by Hansi Flick.

Dutch Director of Football Nigel de Jong, who was on the losing side during the 2010 World Cup final, revealed that they had approached former Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola and ex-Liverpool manager Arne Slot before settling on Xavi.

“Well, it’s not a bad position after Guardiola and after Slot, no?” joked Xavi.

“I don’t care if I’m the third or I’m the 10th one.”

Xavi’s first match at the helm will be a home Nations League clash with Germany on September 24.

Facing him on the sidelines will be another national management rookie, Liverpool legend Jurgen Klopp.

“I feel excited; I feel motivated because we are playing against Germany, one of the best teams in Europe and one of the best coaches in recent years, Jurgen Klopp,” he said.