The Bureau of the FIFA Council on Thursday approved the appointment of a Normalisation Committee to manage the affairs of the Nigeria Football Federation, pending fresh elections into the NFF Executive Committee.

According to a letter signed by FIFA Secretary General, Mattias Grafström and addressed to Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme MON, “the normalisation committee shall consist of a suitable number of members, who will be appointed jointly by FIFA and CAF as soon as possible.”

The letter also informed that “the period during which the normalisation committee shall perform its functions shall expire as soon as it has fulfilled all of its tasks, but by no later than 31 May 2027.” None of the members of the normalisation committee will be eligible for the positions to be filled during the upcoming NFF elections under any circumstances.

In the meantime, the Secretariat of the NFF will continue with the day-to-day running of the organisation and administration of the country’s football pending the appointment of the Normalisation Committee.

Nigeria’s U-17 Women National Team, the Flamingos, kept their campaign at the ongoing FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco on track with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Puerto Rico in their Group B encounter on Tuesday night in Rabat.

The 2022 World Cup bronze-medallists started the game with real intent, pressing high and creating early problems for the Puerto Rican defence. It was a lively opening from both sides, but the Flamingos soon took control with their quick movement and direct play going forward.

The breakthrough came in the 25th minute when in-form striker Oluwakemi Adegbuyi finished brilliantly from Queen Joseph’s assist to put Nigeria 1-0 up. That goal settled the Nigerian girls and gave them the confidence to dominate possession for most of the first half.

In the second period, the Flamingos continued to push for another goal. Queen Joseph, Tosin Rafiu and Favour Nkwocha all came close, while Puerto Rico also tried to find a way back into the game with a couple of changes. Coach Hakeem Busari responded by introducing Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku in the 67th minute to add more energy and bite in attack.

The pressure finally paid off in the 90th minute when Nigeria got the second goal as substitute Precious Oscar nodded home a cross from Kemi Adegbuyi to seal the contest at 2-0. The team showed great maturity to see out six minutes of added time and secure all three points. The victory is a big boost for the Flamingos as North Korea defeated Poland 6-1 in the other match of Group B. The high-score deficit against the Poles is an advantage to the Flamingos ahead of Friday’s Group B encounter against the Koreans.

Gombe based Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) side, Doma United has been fined N5.25 million and ordered to play its next three home matches behind closed doors following security breaches and supporters’ misconduct during its 1-1 draw with Kun Khalifat FC.

The sanctions followed the club’s supporters alleged attack on Kun Khalifat of Owerri during the Matchday 9 fixture played at the Pantami Stadium in Gombe on Saturday, October 17.

In a disciplinary notice issued on Monday, the NPFL said Doma United failed to provide adequate and effective security, allowing unauthorised persons to access restricted areas.

The club was also fined 1 million for hostile conduct towards match officials and another 1 million for gross misconduct involving an official of the visiting team.

The club was further tasked to pa additional N250,000 as compensation for the medical treatment of Kun Khalifat head coach, Obinna Uzoho, who sustained an injury during the incident.

The total financial penalty amounts to 5.25 million, alongside the restriction barring spectators from the club’s next three home fixtures.

The disciplinary action also affects the match commissioner, who has been recommended for demotion to a lower league over alleged dereliction of duty, inadequate supervision and insufficient reporting of the match.

The club has 48 hours from the date of the notice to appeal the decision.