Super Eagles bow to Junior eagles in friendly

The Sam John Obuh tutored U-20 national team, Flying Eagles on Thursday morning defeated the Super Eagles 2-1 in a high-profile practice match at the National Stadium, Abuja. Gomo Ndukwu scored with a left –footed shot just outside the box after only five minutes and Bright Ejike added a second with five minutes remaining in the first half. Stanley Okoronkwo pulled one back for the senior boys 10 minutes after the re-start but the Sam John Obuh boys kept their advantage despite a series of raids on their goalmouth by Siasia’s charges. The senior boys are preparing for an 8-nation invitational tournament in the United States of America, the Green Bowl Soccer Tournament, while the junior boys are getting set for the 17th African Youth Championship happening in Libya in March. In two earlier practice games, both teams drew 2-2 while the Super Eagles won the other 2-1. However, Obuh threw in his established players including Fortune Chukwudi, Kenneth Omeruo, Omo Ojabu, Terry Envoh, AbdulJelil Ajagun, Edafe Egbedi, Aigbe Oliha and goalkeeper Paul Danjuma. Chibuzor Okonkwo was leading light for the Eagles alongside Bartholomew Ibenegbu, Osas Okoro, Yinka Adedeji, Gege Soriola, Julius Ubido, Akombo Ukeyima and Cletus Itodo.

NFF dismisses suspicion about Guatemala match

The Nigeria Football Federation strongly condemned a report in a section of the media on Wednesday suggesting that there is uncertainty over the planned Nigeria-Guatemala friendly international billed for the United States of America on February 9, 2011.

NFF’s Acting General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu stated that the purveyors of cynicism about the ability of the Nigeria Football Federation to arrange friendly internationals and invitational tournaments for the national teams should stop their campaign forthwith.

“It is sad that a section of the media is hell-bent on constantly engineering negative reports that are capable of jeopardizing the efforts of the Nigeria Football Federation to organize matches for our national teams. I wish to state here that should the international friendly match between Nigeria and Guatemala fail to take place on February 9, the whole nation should hold responsible a section of the media that has been vigorously involved in this campaign, as well as those characters who are going about with frivolous law suits.

“To start with, the man whom the national sports paper that published the story claimed to have spoken to, is NOT the Secretary General of the Guatemala Football Federation, otherwise known as Federacion Nacional de Futbol de Guatemala. The Secretary General is Mr. Hector Efran Trujillo Aldana, and the President is Mr. Bryan Jimenez.

“The way international friendly matches work in the modern day, we do not have to sign a contract with the Guatemala Football Federation to play Guatemala. All it needs is a match agent, otherwise known as the organizer, who is the go-between for both countries. The organizer will have an investor. In the case of the planned match between Nigeria and Guatemala, the match agent is Mr. Babatunde Epoyun, a Nigerian based in the USA, and the investors are the Africa Soccer Investment Group.

“We have done a lot of paperwork, and we have a letter dated January 5, 2011, signed by the Sports Director of the Guatemala Football Federation, Mr. Sergio Torrado, accepting to play this match in Miami on February 9, 2011. The investor is ready and the two teams are ready.

“However, I must say with every sense of responsibility that a section of the media appears bent on making things very difficult for the NFF. The story that Guatemala does not know about the match has come at a time that our team has secured date to appear at the USA Embassy for issuance of visa. It has also come just after we issued a letter of comfort to the organizer and the investor when they developed cold feet following reports from Nigeria that top officials of the NFF would appear in court on February 3, and that Nigeria could be banned from international football.

“The investor became reluctant after those reports, but we have re-assured him. This new story is bound to generate more uncertainty.

“The other day, they also tried to discredit the Green Bowl Soccer Tournament in the USA, until we came out wth all the documents that had been signed on the tournament. Nigerians should ask these people why they are sustaining this campaign.

“On our part, we have done everything possible to ensure this match stays on the cards and we are doing everything possible to get more matches. But signals are important in the sports world and we only hope and pray the media will fully complement our efforts in this regard”, said Amadu

NPL Communique on Title Sponsorship

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE SPECIAL CONGRESS OF THE NIGERIA PREMIER LEAGUE HELD ON 26^TH JANUARY, 2011 AT NICON LUXURY HOTEL, AREA 11 - ABUJA

The congress of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) upon exhaustively reviewing and considering the entire Bid process held on 15^th and 16^th December, 2010 for the selection of a Title Sponsor for the League, it was observedinter-alia, that though the Board of the NPL did its utmost best to ensure the selection of a credible Title Sponsor for the League, it frowned at the third party involvement in the whole exercise. Consequently, Congress resolved as follows:

1. That the bid exercise held on 15^th and 16^th December, 2010 for the selection of a Title Sponsor for the League be invalidated

2. That in the interest of justice, equity and fair play, machinery should be put in place for the conduct of a fresh bidding process for the selection within two (2) weeks

3. The Congress hereby directs the League Board to reconstitute the Bid Committee and ensure that all major stakeholders are carried along

4. The Congress commended the two (2) bidding companies for the keen interest shown to sponsor the League in particular and the development of football in the country generally.

Signed:

Sir Chief Okey Kpalukwu (JP), Chairman, Communiqué Committee

Mike Idoko Okpe, Member, Communiqué Committee

Bitrus Bewarang, Member, Communiqué Committee

Kwame Arthur, Secretary, Communiqué Committee

Golf News

Patrick, Ajiboye Show Spark in a Tight PGA Q-School

Except for the brilliant level par carding by returning Tour card seeker, Paul Patrick of Shagamu Golf Club, in Ogun State, the 2011 of Qualifying School session in Asaba is a tough nut for the filed of 64 players vying for the twelve spots available.

Patrick, who has had an unforgiving 78, on the first round of the four-day schedule calmly strode the bunker littered Ibori Golf and Country Club on the second day fr the level par (72), that has now become the talking point and has set him as the hottest favorite to pick the one of the spots.

Tournament Director of the PGA, Dominic Andrew said that he understands why Patrick’s score is rated high, “Asaba (course) recent setting has easily made it one of the most challenging course in the country, even when the Tour players are here a level par score places you comfortably in the top ten, and coming from him shows he can do better:” The “Qualifying School” is the PGA of Nigeria entry tournament for top amateur into the professional rank and it is organized biennially.

This years edition taking place in Asaba has 64 players from across the country in attendance who have relinquished their amateur status and are hoping to pick one of the twelve spots that the PGA has pegged will be admitted this year. Another player that has shown some measure of promise is Ajiboye Taju from Ilorin Golf Club.

Taju led the first round with 76, four over par, but his trainer Friday Adache believes he is a good material that can add quality, character and skill to the Tour field if he scales the four day test.

He said, “In Ilorin, we have great respect for him and there is no denying that he would bring a lot of quality, character and skill to our profession” Meanwhile as the returns for most the players become highly uncertain on the field of play, they are now banking on the score that the garner from other aspects other than playing ability. The players are also tested in practical sessions that include knowledge of the rules, presentation and club repairs, the association explains that an all rounded member will be more relevant for the development of the game in the country now.

Dayo Oderinde, one of the Tour card seeker in Asaba has, however been expelled from the trials in Asaba after he was penalized for misconduct at one of the sessions, the assessors, said, “there was no point leaving him to go ahead, he lacked character and the test was over for him as soon as we saw that in him” The “Qualifying School” would be rounded up with the successful players paired in a Pro-Am billed with host club members.

WGCG: South Africa Golfers for Nigeria’s Final

Nigerian amateur golfers exploit at the World Corporate Golf Challenge is yielding some business interest for the country, as franchise holders for the event announced that there has been call form South Africa top businessmen to be part of Nigeria’s March 25th national finals in Ibom.

According to Obinna Duru, “This I think is where golf has now brought its influence on bear on the Nigerian economy and we are proud to be gateway to this development” He added that there has been continual enquiry about the schedule of the WCGC in Nigeria and many business organization in South Africa are now seeking to partner since the date was unveiled to use the event to meet some key golf businessmen in the country.

“The list of the business group wanting to meet Nigerian businessmen at the national final is growing and they have been asking us to enter them for our national final. We are working out details now with a lot of South African groups in Nigeria and the embassy here.

The event would be taking a new dimension this year and we are getting signals that more countries may follow suit in coming editions” The organizers are now working at having a business to business exhibition and meeting along with the national finals of the World Corporate Golf Challenge. He said enquiries has been from real estate professionals to oil and gas and “the list keep growing” Nigeria’s Treko Oil and Gas placed 5th at the World finals of the Championship last year and was represented by Tim Ayomike, Olaitam Muyideen, Remi Olukoya and Chris Obije and the organizers say that the representatives not only show golfing prowess but also have high tendencies for forming business ties with corporate representatives from close to thirty other nations including Europe, America, Asia apart from South Africa (the only African country outside of Nigeria at the event) “We believe that golf hold more than recreational benefits, it has a great business value too and it is an edge that business community in Nigeria has not tapped. We are working to get the best of it for all competitors”.

The 2011 national finals is scheduled for Le Meridien Golf Hotel and Resort in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom from March 25 to 28

BRFCC remain unbeaten

BRFCC CLAIMS 5^TH WIN OF THE SEASON OVER ILCC 2

Sean Phillips hit his first century of 2011 as BRFCC beat sister club Ibeju Lekki Cricket Club 2 by 145 runs to win their fifth straight game as well as remain unbeaten in Division one. Phillips struck 100 runs off 97 balls, which included 7 fours and 4 sixes followed by Bejide Jide 77 runs off 72 balls with Vice-Captain Endurance Ofem adding 27 runs at the prestigious Tafawa Balewa Cricket Oval .

ILCC 2 bowler Lumus Idris finished with 3 wickets for 42 runs in 9 overs to emerge his side’s best performer in the first innings.

Olympio Olugbon was 9 runs short of half century as he struck 41 runs off 86 balls to give ILCC 2 some glimmer of hope while stand-in Captain Joshua Ayannaike scored a meagre 29 runs despite playing out his 50 overs as his side scored 150 runs for 3 wickets lost in 50 overs.

Endurance Ofem and Awolowo Lekan took one wicket each for BRFCC to hand them their 5^thwin of the season as well as remain unbeaten in Division one.

GCIOBCC MAKES IT TWO WINS OUT OF TWO MATCHES

Ricky Sharma hit an unbeaten 74 runs as Lagos Asians Cricket Club lost by 5 wickets to Government College Ibadan Old Boys Cricket Club. The newly promoted side reached 197-10 with 2 balls to spare after another below-par batting effort by the Asians cost them that match.

Obed Harvey took 5-17 and although Navin who plays for LACC had 32 runs but the duo of Captain Odeku Seun and Ramit Gill of GCIOBCC had 2 wickets apiece as they ensured their opponents did not reach double centuries.

Vice- Captain of GCIOBCC Atoloye Tayo who has suffered criticism in times past for not coming to the party re-enacted the old form that made him a top batsman for Club and Country by posting 44 runs not out off 34 balls, Obed Harvey Ghanian left arm all rounder felt sad about his performance when he scored 49 runs off 48 balls and then went on to miss 5,000 naira from Cricket Enthusiasts Mr Goke Idris who gives half century (50 runs) 5,000 naira and century (100 runs) 10,000 naira.

Former U-19 player Adeniran Olumide was not also left out as he added 23 runs to the total runs amassed by the Champions of three trophies last season.

LACC’s Vishwanath claimed 2 wickets for 27 runs in 3 overs but was not enough to stop GCIOBCC from picking their 2^nd win in succession which made them leapfrog Federal Government College Warri Old Boys Cricket Club.

BRFCC remain unbeaten

BRFCC CLAIMS 5^TH WIN OF THE SEASON OVER ILCC 2

Sean Phillips hit his first century of 2011 as BRFCC beat sister club Ibeju Lekki Cricket Club 2 by 145 runs to win their fifth straight game as well as remain unbeaten in Division one. Phillips struck 100 runs off 97 balls, which included 7 fours and 4 sixes followed by Bejide Jide 77 runs off 72 balls with Vice-Captain Endurance Ofem adding 27 runs at the prestigious Tafawa Balewa Cricket Oval .

ILCC 2 bowler Lumus Idris finished with 3 wickets for 42 runs in 9 overs to emerge his side’s best performer in the first innings.

Olympio Olugbon was 9 runs short of half century as he struck 41 runs off 86 balls to give ILCC 2 some glimmer of hope while stand-in Captain Joshua Ayannaike scored a meagre 29 runs despite playing out his 50 overs as his side scored 150 runs for 3 wickets lost in 50 overs.

Endurance Ofem and Awolowo Lekan took one wicket each for BRFCC to hand them their 5^th win of the season as well as remain unbeaten in Division one.

GCIOBCC MAKES IT TWO WINS OUT OF TWO MATCHES

Ricky Sharma hit an unbeaten 74 runs as Lagos Asians Cricket Club lost by 5 wickets to Government College Ibadan Old Boys Cricket Club. The newly promoted side reached 197-10 with 2 balls to spare after another below-par batting effort by the Asians cost them that match.

Obed Harvey took 5-17 and although Navin who plays for LACC had 32 runs but the duo of Captain Odeku Seun and Ramit Gill of GCIOBCC had 2 wickets apiece as they ensured their opponents did not reach double centuries.

Vice- Captain of GCIOBCC Atoloye Tayo who has suffered criticism in times past for not coming to the party re-enacted the old form that made him a top batsman for Club and Country by posting 44 runs not out off 34 balls, Obed Harvey Ghanian left arm all rounder felt sad about his performance when he scored 49 runs off 48 balls and then went on to miss 5,000 naira from Cricket Enthusiasts Mr Goke Idris who gives half century (50 runs) 5,000 naira and century (100 runs) 10,000 naira.

Former U-19 player Adeniran Olumide was not also left out as he added 23 runs to the total runs amassed by the Champions of three trophies last season.

LACC’s Vishwanath claimed 2 wickets for 27 runs in 3 overs but was not enough to stop GCIOBCC from picking their 2^nd win in succession which made them leapfrog Federal Government College Warri Old Boys Cricket Club.

2010/2011 Iris Smart Technology Club Cricket Committee League Division One results

RAMIT GILL INSPIRES GCIOBCC TO AN 8 WICKET VICTORY OVER FGCWOBCC

Government College Ibadan Old Boys Cricket Club made Federal Government College Warri Old Boys Cricket Club have a taste of what defeat looks like as they succumbed to an 8 wickets victory.

The Roland Ilube guided team won the toss and elected to bat first scoring 142 runs for 9 wickets lost in 50 overs while Uthe Ogbimi scored the highest runs for the Warri based side with 28 runs and was ably assisted by Olanbiwonnu Kehinde 22 runs and Salako Azeez 18 runs.

Government College Ibadan Old Boys Cricket Club’s duo of Adegbola Kunle and Seyi Animashaun both took two wickets each as they reduced their opponents to a reasonable score for them to chase in the second innings.

Despite spin bowler Oguntoke Femi’s 2 Wickets for 19 runs in 4 overs for FGCWOBCC it did not stop GCIOBCC from having 143 runs for 3 wickets lost in 25.5 overs.

From the encounter Gill Ramit emerged as the best batsman for the Oluwaseun Odeku captained GCIOBCC with his 60 runs off 59 balls while the duo of Obed Harvey and Adegbola Kunle had 27 runs and 14 runs not out respectively.

With that 8 wickets victory achieved by the Champions of the Super Four, they succeeded in getting their pound of flesh on FGCWOBCC that defeated them on the opening day of the 2010/2011 Iris Smart Technology Club Cricket Committee League Division One fixture.

After Six solid weeks of great bowling and batting in Division One BRFCC still top the standings followed by FGCWOBCC, GCIOBCC, ILCC 2 and LACC.

UNBEATEN FCC MAKES IT 8 WINS OUT OF 8 MATCHES

Foundation Cricket Club who had qualified for Division One in their week 7 match against Ibadan Metropolitan Cricket Club carried on their winning mentality by defeating winless Stallions Cricket Club by 7 wickets in their week eight fixture.

Captain Arogundade Niyi top scored for SCC with 27 runs not out off 47 balls while the Quartet of Oshodi Dele 3 wickets, 18 runs, 1 maiden in 7 overs, Olayemi Gbenga 3 wickets, 25 runs in 5 overs, Adegbola Niyi 2 wickets, 24 runs,2 maiden in 7 overs and Sarumi Adedamola 2 wickets,8 runs in 2.2 overs ensured the last team on the Division 2 table ended on 110 runs all out in 28.2 overs.

Second innings saw FCC achieve 113 runs for loss of 3 wickets in 20 overs with the trio of Ajao Olumide 40 runs not out off 34 balls which included 4 four’s, Olayinka Tope 26 runs off 20 balls while Sarumi Adedamola finished the game with 5 runs not out as the Dele Oshodi piloted side won with 7 wickets to remain unbeaten in 8 matches.

Esekhaigbe Itua for SCC also had something to cheer by picking 2 wickets for 33 runs in 5 overs.

ILCC 2 CLAIMS IST WIN OF THE SEASON IN DIVISION ONE

Ibeju Lekki Cricket Club 2 who got a chance to play in Division 1 by default finally got their first win of the 2010/2011 Iris Smart Technology Club Cricket Committee League against newly promoted Lagos Asians Cricket Club.

ILCC2 batted first and posted 234 runs for loss of 8 wickets in 50 overs with unfancied Idris Lumus surprisingly notching up 57 runs off 43 balls with 5 four’s while Anyia Shola and Anyannaike Joshua both missed half centuries as they scored 40 runs each.

Despite Sankiranti Sudeep and Srimivas having 2 wickets apiece for LACC they could not stop the wounded ILCC 2 from posting their highest total this season.

Ogunbayo David’s 4 wickets for 26 runs, 1 maiden in 10 overs was supported by Idris Lumus’s 2 wickets for 26 runs in 9 overs as they ensured LACC did not get pass 162 runs all out in 43.4 overs.

Mohan Ram for LACC had 27 runs not out followed by Sharma Rohit 19 runs and Sankuranti Sudeep 16 runs.

ILCC 2 claimed their 1^st victory of 2011 and as well avenged the defeat they suffered in the hands of their opponents on the opening day of the season.

That sterling performance displayed by ILCC 2, the team has now moved from bottom of the Division 2 standings to a step ahead.

REDBULL CRICKET CLUB BATTERS IMCC TO RETAIN 2^ND SPOT IN DIVISION 2

According to followers of Iris Smart Technology Club Cricket Committee League in Nigeria the match between Redbull Cricket Club and Ibadan Metropolitan Cricket Club will go down history as one of the most disappointing Cricket matches ever witnessed as the former lost by 9 wickets.

Ibadan Metropolitan Cricket Club did not know what was in stock for them when they won the toss and elected to bat scoring a paltry 66 runs all out in 13.1 overs.

Captain Akinyemi Biyi of IMCC was the only Player who was courageous with his bat by scoring 30 runs while RBCC’S trio of Banjal Sanjeev 5 wickets for 16 runs in 4 overs followed by Khatri 3 wickets, 13 runs in 4.1 overs and Bansal Puneet 2 wickets, 10 runs in 30 overs made life unbearable for the Ibadan based side while batting.

RBCC only lost one wicket after spending 8 overs in the batting crease to score 70 runs with Jaymin Pareb posting a half century off 23 balls which included 4 f our’s and 3 sixes to earn the second placed team in Division two a 9 wickets victory as well as confirming their supremacy over IMCC.

And Congrats to FCC for gaining promotion to Division One and the same wishes is extended to BRFCC for remaining unbeaten after 4 matches in Division One.

COWRIE RUGBY CLUB GEAR UP FOR INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT.

Lagos Rugby Union League back-to-back champions, Cowrie Rugby Football Club are in intensive training towards their 3rd appearance at the Cape Town 10’s Rugby Tournament coming up early next month in South Africa.

According to the President of the club, Mr. Kelechi Mbagwu, “We are at an advanced stage of our preparation for our first event of the 2011 rugby season, being the Cape Town 10-a-side international rugby tournament in Cape Town, South Africa from Friday 04 – Sunday 06 February 2011.

He says “The Coach Mr. Joseph Mbu and his assistances are working very hard to get the players fully prepared for this first event of the year”

According to Kelechi who is also the chairman of the much talked about and highly successful “Friends of Rugby” group, “The players didn’t have a long break like other clubs because we were focused on this very early event on our calendar.”

This will be their 3rd appearance at the event and the players are optimistic that they will surpass last year’s quarter-final achievement.

YOUNG LIONS RUGBY CLUB TO ORGANISE BEGINNER'S TRAINING PROGRAM

Young Lions Rugby Football Club with its base at the National Stadium Surulere, Lagos will start a one month beginner's rugby training program as it resumes its 2011 Rugby Season on Tuesday & Thursday from 5pm – 7pm and on Saturday from 8am – 10am.

According to the proprietor of the sports city rugby club, who is also an IRB Educator Mr. Ntiense O. Williams, “We will commence a one month free beginner’s training program at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos on Tuesday & Thursday evenings from 5-7pm and Saturday morning from 8– 10am respectively.”

Said he, “This beginners training program is intended to create an awareness & interest in the game and encourage anyone who has an interest in learning how to play the beautiful game of rugby or wants to know more about the game and get involved at any level of playing, coaching, match officiating or even administrating the game.”

According to Mr. Ntiensi Popularly known as “Mr. Rugby” in Nigeria, “Young Lions Rugby Football Club has over its 12 years of existence produced rugby players who have featured for other club-sides in the country, all the Rugby National Teams in Nigeria & even the Ghana national Team, with some now plying their trade in foreign countries.”

He went on to state that the club is gifted in giving rugby enthusiast the basics of the game, by educating them with the proper introduction and understanding of the game’s culture, tradition, terminologies, & spirit of the game!

The training program is free and open to both male & female from the ages of 12 years old, and will run from Tuesday 18 January 2011 through to Saturday 26 February 2011 on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 5 -7 pm and on Saturday 8 – 10 am respectively.

Rugby is one of the cheapest sports to play, as it only requires a rugby ball to play. You can play on different surfaces such as grass, sand, sawdust or snow with safety as its watch word. One only needs a T-Shirt, Shorts and canvas to start, and we will be starting with the fun part called “Touch Rugby” which is very enjoyable and without any contact!

We will also do some theory, watch some rugby educational tapes, and you can have the opportunity of recording your copy of some very important international rugby matches.

Okocha Choosen as Welcome Tour Ambassador

The local organizing committee for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Germany 2011 has appointed former Super Eagles captain Austin Okocha as the Ambassador for the Nigeria leg of the Welcome Tour event that it is presently taking round the world.

Okocha, one of only two persons to play for Nigeria at three FIFA World Cup finals, is a member of the Technical Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation.

Named the Most Valuable Player and Top Scorer of the 2004 African Cup of Nations finals in Tunisia, Okocha started his professional football career with Eintracht Frankfurt of Germany and is a popular figure in that country.

“We are happy to name Mr. Okocha as Ambassador for the Welcome Tour and we believe he will bring a lot of goodwill to the event”, said a statement from the LOC.

The LOC and world football governing body, FIFA are organizing Nigeria’s own leg of the Welcome Tour at the Congress Hall of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja on Wednesday, January 19.

The Nigeria Football Federation has already invited over 150 guests to the event, among them members of the Nigeria cabinet, First Ladies of States that sponsor professional women football teams, parliamentarians, members of the NFF Executive Committee and Management, women club owners, football administrators who have and still contributing to women football development in the country, women coaches, women referees, NFF private sector partners, players of the Super Falcons and representatives of the media.

Wednesday’s event will be in two parts, with FIFA and the NFF taking centrestage in the morning session to talk about women football development and efforts to improve the game, while in the evening, the LOC will avail guests of its preparations for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Germany 2011.

Maigari urges thorough investigation on Uche’s death

Nigeria Football Federation, President Alhaji Aminu Maigari has called for a thorough investigation into the shocking death of former Super Eagles defender Uche Okafor, who was found dead in his home in Dallas, Texas, USA on Friday, January 7.

Recuperating Aminu Maigari said on his return from the Republic of South Africa, where he had gone to complete an operation on his knee, that the death of Uche Okafor calls for several questioning.

“Personally, I am still in shock. Why would such a healthy, ebullient and enterprising young man like Uche Okafor die in such manner? Even though anything cam happen in this life, we are unable to believe that Uche Okafor would have taken his own life.

“He never had reasons to do that. He had a daughter he adored and a wife he cared for, and he was doing a lot of work in the discipline he lived for. He was lively, and he was full of life. I met him a number of times and I always admired his gentle nature.

“Our position as a Football Federation is that Okafor had absolutely no reason to take his own life. In view of this, we urge those concerned with the investigation to be thorough. Of course, we trust the system in the United States of America and we believe they will come out with the whole truth”, said Maigari.

Maigari also lamented that at a point when the Nigeria Football Federation was looking at a number of ways to involve the former international defender as the new NFF Executive Committee sets about its development plan for Nigeria football.

“It is sad that he is no longer with us. But we pray that Almighty Allah will give him eternal rest and be with those he has left behind”, prayed Maigari.