Sports
How NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi blocked Falcons from presidential reception -Source
Following reactions from fans online slamming the Nigeria Football Federation after just three members out of the 23-woman Super Falcons were received by the wife of the President, Remi Tinubu, on Monday in Abuja, a top official of the NFF told The PUNCH that the body’s General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi told players and officials that the Presidency asked that the team list be “trimmed down.”
The Falcons crashed out of the ongoing Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand with heads held high after losing to England on penalties following a thrilling 120 minutes in the round of 16.
The 11-time Africa champions were the better sides of the two teams but were unlucky not to get to the quarter-finals of the tournament after Desire Oparanozie and Michelle Alozie missed from the spot.
Despite crashing out of the World Cup President Bola Tinubu and his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, commended the Falcons, with the First Lady adding that she would host the team on their arrival in the country.
She kept to her promise, but surprisingly only three members of the team were received by the Presidency, raising eyebrows among fans who watched the Falcons put up one of the finest performances at the women’s football showpiece tournament.
Our correspondent learnt Mrs Tinubu gifted each player $10,000, while officials got $2,500 each.
A photo posted on the NFF Twitter handle on Monday had the wife of the President, wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima, wife of the Senate President, Ekaette Akpabio, NFF president Ibrahim Gusau; NFF 1st VP, Felix Anyansi-Agwu and the NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi, with Falcons captain Onome Ebi, Christy Ucheibe and Tochukwu Oluehi.
Reacting to the post, Nnaji Obed Asiegbu wrote, “You are very unfair. Hosted only three players. Where are the other players and technical crew? This is ridiculous and I feel embarrassed to see Mr Felix joining to perpetuate this act of wickedness. It shows no organisation. The team is supposed to be arranged by the NFF to return to Nigeria officially then their return to their bases also to be sponsored. It’s a national assignment.”
Frank Obisike rhetorically asked, “Are these the full squad? Or it’s only three girls that went to the competition?”
“Shame won’t allow you people to post this rubbish, go and see how the Ireland team was welcomed. You are welcoming three players that already have their tickets paid for by FIFA? Why didn’t you pay for all the players to touch down in Abuja first?” Ezechukwuka wrote.”
Also wondering why only three players were received Akpati Nshiegbe equally asked, “@thenff why do we have only three players in attendance?”
Another fan with the username Shezzy wrote, “Why does it look like the players selected by the NFF are the ones loyal to them?”
However, it was learnt that an original list that had 21 names — four players, nine backroom staff and eight sports ministry and NFF officials — for the visit to the Villa was trimmed down to just six players and officials on the order of Sanusi.
An aggrieved senior official of the NFF told The PUNCH he was among those listed, but later omitted for the reception, adding that the federation left out some players for fear that they would “leak out some secrets.”
“I was surprisingly left out too,” our source, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of being victimised, told The PUNCH.
“The First Lady said she would host the team, but suddenly we heard stories that the Presidency said the team that will attend the reception should be trimmed down. They (NFF) know that the players are aggrieved and will talk and leak out some secrets. The original list had most of the backroom staff but after some days, the GS (General Secretary) sent a message to Amina Daura (Head of Women’s Football, NFF) that they want only him, Anyansi and Gusau with just five players.
“Then after the First Lady received them, they were told to write down the names of the remaining members of the team who were not at the event, and their account details, but Sanusi told them to write down the names of only the players, leaving out other backroom staff members who were not at the ceremony. When the names of the other players shortlisted for the reception Glory Ogbonna and Nnadozie, who were absent, were announced, Sanusi went to collect their money but he was told they won’t deal with him or any other person except the team captain Onome Ebi.”
The PUNCH contacted two backroom staff members who were absent at the ceremony, but both said they’ve not been asked to submit their account details, while a player, who flew back to her base from Australia, said she had been told to send her details.
A senior Falcons player said the exclusion of some players from the reception was a reflection of how Sanusi handled the team’s matters.
“Some of the players are around. Why didn’t they go to Abuja? Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State received Rasheedat Ajibade and Rofiat Imuran, why were they not in Abuja? Asisat Oshoala, Gift Monday and Ajibade were also hosted by the Lagos Governor. Were they in Abuja? The Imo State Governor also held a reception for Desire Oparanozie, Chiamaka Nnadozie, Osinachi Ohale and Tochi Oluehi, who went for the reception in Abuja. Why was Desire, Nnadozie and Ohale not in Abuja?”
She added that the players had lost confidence in how the General Secretary managed issues concerning them.
“He had a meeting with us on one of our trips and told us — support staff, players coaches and Randy were there — that ‘if you think you are in the national team to make money, you better step down.’ But it’s this same man that collects his estacode steadily, he collected $600 per night at the World Cup while the players got $100 and its him saying this to people who left their families for months. Are they there to play? During (Amaju) Pinnick’s time, we were paid $5,000 win bonuses but GS told us we would be paid $3,000 in Australia. How do you think the girls will be happy? And the man feels he is doing the girls some favour.”
The PUNCH reported last month that shortly before the Nigerian contingent departed Abuja for Australia July 2, Sanusi, during a meeting with the players, told them that they would not be paid their $3,000 match bonuses by the federation, since FIFA had already announced that every player would get $30,000 in the group stage of the tournament in Australia and New Zealand.
The PUNCH was told that he also announced that the players would no longer be given 30 per cent from the $1,560,000 FIFA grant to all member associations for the group stage of the competition.
Efforts by our correspondent to reach the NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi to comment on the issue proved abortive.
Sanusi didn’t pick his calls at about 1:57pm and 3:38pm on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively, and he also didn’t respond to messages sent to his WhatsApp at exactly 2pm on Tuesday and 3:45pm on Wednesday.
However, NFF spokesman Ademola Olajire, who The PUNCH learnt was also on the list to the Villa but had his name removed, said only three players were available for the reception.
“Only three players were available. What’s difficult to understand in that, and where’s the negative slant?,” Olajire told The PUNCH.
Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen is facing fresh controversy after a Ghanaian player accused him of faking an injury to minimize his playing time with the Nigerian national team.
Asamoah Gyan, a former Ghanaian striker, made this accusation after Osimhen missed Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against South Africa on Tuesday. Click link to continue reading.
Osimhen had previously returned to Galatasaray following a leg injury sustained during the Super Eagles’ 1-0 victory over Rwanda in a World Cup qualifier last weekend.
Consequently, the 26-year-old did not participate in Nigeria’s 1-1 draw with Bafana Bafana on Tuesday evening at the Free State Stadium.
Galatasaray later issued a statement asserting that Osimhen had suffered an ankle ligament injury.
However, Gyan is skeptical about the legitimacy of the injury.
He said, “I know these tricks. Someone might have said to Osimhen, ‘Look, we invested a lot of money in you. The Champions League is coming up. We’re not keen on you going to Africa, but go there, play a little, then get injured and act like it’s serious. The next day, you’ll be back in Türkiye.’” Gyan was quoted by habersarikirmizias saying.
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has charged the National Sports Commission (NSC) to urgently address the growing problem of age cheating at editions of the National Youth Games (NYG) to safeguard its credibility and ensure fairness.
Oborevwori made the call on Saturday at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, during the closing ceremony of the 9th edition of the Games, which he described as a festival of unity, discipline and excellence.
“What began days ago with great excitement has now come to a glorious conclusion. Today, we celebrate not only the medal winners but also the triumph of sportsmanship and national pride that this festival of youth has demonstrated,” the governor said.
He commended the athletes for their resilience, stressing that whether they won medals or not, they had inspired the nation through their courage and determination.
While praising Team Delta for sustaining its tradition of sporting excellence, he said the Games also provided a platform for discovering new talents from across the country.
The governor, however, lamented that the continued practice of states fielding over-aged athletes undermined the vision of the games.
He urged the NSC to urgently introduce stricter measures to restore integrity and ensure the event remains a true nursery of young talents.
Oborevwori expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, the NSC, the Local Organizing Committee (LOC), coaches, officials, and volunteers for their roles in ensuring a smooth and successful outing.
He also thanked the visitors for making Asaba their home during the period the Games lasted, assuring them of Delta’s readiness to host the 10th edition of the Games in 2026, in line with the agreement that gave the state hosting rights for four consecutive editions.
“On behalf of the Government and people of Delta State, I congratulate every participant and wish you safe travels back to your various destinations,” he concluded.
In his remarks, Chairman of the NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko, represented by Chief Amaka Asiofu, Director of Grassroots Sports and General Coordinator of the Games, described the Asaba edition as “an incredible experience, marked by fair competition, determination, exciting adventures, and inspirational sportsmanship.”
He praised the Delta State Government for its robust sports development system, noting that the Games had once again provided Nigeria with a fresh pool of athletes who would eventually replace aging national players across various sports.
He assured that the Commission would continue to implement policies to nurture the talents while promoting a sports economic ecosystem that will add value to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Dikko also expressed profound gratitude to Governor Oborevwori, the Federal Government, participating states, sponsors, and stakeholders for their contributions to the success of the Games, while lauding President Tinubu for his unwavering support for sports development under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
In his own remarks, Chairman of the Delta State Sports Commission, Mr Onoriode Oborevwori, said the Games had showcased not only the competitive spirit of Nigerian athletes, but also the values of friendship, resilience, and cooperation.
He thanked the NSC, organizers, and stakeholders for their commitment and called for continued collaboration to drive development and excellence in sports.
Meanwhile, in the final medal table, Lagos State emerged overall winners for the first time, with a total of 110 medals comprising 52 gold, 32 silver, and 26 bronze. Delta State finished second with 114 medals (37 gold, 38 silver, and 39 bronze), while Edo State came third with 79 medals (33 gold, 18 silver, and 28 bronze).
Overall, 33 states won medals at the Games, with a combined total of 802 medals, comprising 246 gold, 236 silver, and 320 bronze.
Sports
Why I dumped Nigeria for Turkey – Favour Ofili breaks silence, mentions AFN, NOC in hard decision
Favour Ofili, a talented track and field athlete known for her impressive performances in the 100m, 150m, and 200m sprints, announced on Monday that she has officially changed her nationality from Nigeria to Turkey.
The 22-year-old athlete made her announcement through a thoughtful post on her X handle, expressing the significance of this pivotal moment in her career.
Speculation about Ofili’s switch had been circulating since July when it became clear that she was considering a move to the European country, a decision driven by her ongoing struggles with the Nigerian athletics authorities.
A particularly distressing episode occurred during her attempt to compete at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where she was unable to participate due to Nigerian Olympic authorities failing to inform her about the essential drug-testing requirements needed for eligibility.
Compounding her frustrations, another administrative error from the Athletics Federation of Nigeria thwarted her aspirations of representing her country in the 100m event at the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics; they failed to submit her name by the required deadline.
In her heartfelt series of tweets, Ofili revealed that her journey had been marred by a pattern of negligence and miscommunication, leading her to make the difficult but decisive choice to switch her allegiance in hopes of a brighter and more supportive athletic future in Turkey.
“Wrapping up my 2025 season has been a whirlwind of new experiences and big decisions. Racing back-to-back across amazing cities and learning from the best has been incredible,” she wrote.
“As some of you have heard, I’m also starting a new chapter representing Turkey.
“I am proud to have represented Nigeria for many years in a highly successful way! Having won SIX gold medals, TWO silver medals and TWO bronze medals in championship meets and a 200 meter Olympic finalist while experiencing the biggest disappointment from AFN and NOC towards me. Negligence towards me in Olympic (Tokyo/Paris). I have made this decision.”
The 2022 Commonwealth Games silver medalist also said financial incentive was not behind her decision to switch allegiance to Turkey.
“While that means sitting out this year’s championship in Tokyo, this change comes from the heart, not from financial motives. I’m truly grateful to have discovered a new home in Turkey,” she added.
Ofili joins the list of high-profile former Nigerian athletes Gloria Alozie and Francis Obikwelu who abandoned Nigerian colours for Spain and Portugal respectively in the 2000s.
In a significant turn of events, Victor Boniface, the talented 24-year-old striker for the Super Eagles, has been left in limbo after his highly anticipated transfer to the esteemed Italian club AC Milan fell through at the last moment.
The aspiring forward had returned to training with high hopes, only to face disappointment when the Serie A giants officially withdrew their interest due to unexpected complications that arose during his medical examinations.
The failed deal has left Boniface visibly upset, as many had regarded this transfer as a pivotal moment in his burgeoning career....Click link for details
Liverpool have reached agreement on a British-record deal to sign striker Alexander Isak from Newcastle United, according to ESPN.
Premier League champions say they have had a £125 million ($170m) bid accepted to sign the Sweden international, though Newcastle sources state the deal is worth £130m. Click to continue reading
Erik ten Hag has been dismissed by Bayer Leverkusen after merely two league fixtures.
The German football club has appointed the former manager of Manchester United to succeed Xabi Alonso, the esteemed Liverpool icon who transferred to Real Madrid at the start of the current season.
Nevertheless, following a difficult initiation to his role in Germany, during which he attained only one point from his first two Bundesliga matches, Erik ten Hag has been dismissed from his position.
A statement issued by the club confirmed: “Bayer 04 Leverkusen has mutually agreed to part ways with head coach Erik ten Hag. This decision was reached by the shareholders’ committee, the club’s supervisory board, based on the recommendation of the management of Bayer 04.”
“Training will be overseen by the current backroom staff on an interim basis.”
Meanwhile, the club’s sporting director, Simon Rolfes, commented: “This decision was not an easy one for us. Nobody wanted to take this step.
“However, the past few weeks have shown that building a new and successful team with this setup is not feasible.
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