COVID-19: Sports Minister Engages NFF On Impact on Nigerian Football, Demands Protection Of Players, Domestic League

*Season to end in 6-8 weeks

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare on Thursday, April 16, 2020 engaged the leadership of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), via video conference, to discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on football in Nigeria and to firm up strategies to mitigate the effect of the disruptions and protect the domestic football industry.

The Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr. Gabriel Aduda was also part of the meeting, while the NFF team was represented by the President, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick, 1st Vice President Seyi Akinwunmi, 2nd Vice President/LMC Chairman Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the NWFL Aisha Falode and NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi.

The Minister informed the NFF team that in view of the Coronavirus pandemic that has practically paralysed the sports industry, it is imperative to assess its impact on the domestic sports industry including football and consider strategies for charting a new course for football in the post-COVID-19 era.

He reiterated the need for NFF to keep the stakeholders, including the Government and private sector, duly informed on the steps being taken so they can consider interventions to protect the industry.

Amaju Melvin Pinnick President NFF

The meeting discussed several issues around:

. General impact of the disruption caused the domestic football industry by the Covid-19 pandemic

. Plans to conclude the current football season across all levels

. Time to start the new football season

. New formats to adopt when re-opening the leagues especially the NPFL and possible options to crown the champions

. Funding for the domestic league

. Plans by the NFF to win back the confidence of partners/sponsors to Nigeria football in view of the dark clouds that have truncated the efforts to get more private sector involvement into the game

. NFF’s international commitments and plans post COVID-19

. Possible options to source and/or create support/intervention for the domestic football industry due to the the current circumstances and post COVID-19.

Seyi Akinwunmi 1st Vice-President NFF

Further to the meeting with the Minister, the Nigeria Football Federation resolved as follows:

1. The current football season will be concluded within 6-8 weeks of the re-opening of the country and a clear go-ahead by the relevant authorities is obtained to commence football activities.

2.The format to be adopted upon the resumption of football activities regarding the completion of the various Leagues and Cup competition will be determined by the time available, health and security guidelines, as well as decisions by global football authorities on football calendar and international competitions (CAF and FIFA).

3. NFF will constantly review the football calendar as the issues develop and periodically keep stakeholders informed on proposals and plans. The Honourable Minister is working on many channels including but not limited to the setting-up of an Athletes Protection Fund (driven by the private sector) and sourcing for intervention/support funding that could be utilised to support athletes and sports, including the football industry affected by this pandemic.

4. The NFF recognises the need to win back the confidence of partners/sponsors to football and intends to arrange private visits and special programs, and will continue to solicit the support of the Honourable Minister in this regard.

5. The NFF has mandated the Leagues to work to ensure players, coaches and other employees’ salaries are protected and should liaise with club owners to ensure players are paid accordingly.

6. That the domestic league must be protected to ensure its commercial viability is sustained and the competition integrity upheld both in the current circumstances and post COVID-19 pandemic.

7. The NFF would further submit a detailed brief to the Sports and Youth Development Ministry on the issues and the likely support needed to ensure the protection of the football industry as envisaged.

Amaju Pinnick, Mohammed Sanusi Win In Court Again…

…As Court Frees NFF Chieftains

Honourable Justice Peter O. Affen, presiding at the FCT High Court, on Thursday finally declined to add the names of President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick and the General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi to a case of financial misappropriation brought before it by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

In his judgment, Justice Affen refused the amendment sought by the EFCC to include Pinnick and Sanusi to a trial involving three members of staff of the NFF (two of whom are no longer with the federation) with regards to the utilisation of $8.4million grant from world football–governing body, FIFA, and which began in 2018.

NFF President Amaju Pinnick

It is the second time in few months that a court of law would trash allegations of financial misappropriation against the leadership of Nigeria Football Federation, vindicating their claims that such charges were as a result of envy, malice, victimisation and vendetta.

On 5th November 2019, Justice Ifeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court, Abuja dismissed in its entirety a 16 –count charge of financial misdeeds (misappropriation of FIFA grant of $84.m in 2014; moving the sum of N4billion from NFF account in November 2018), conflict of interest and non-declaration of assets brought against Pinnick, Sanusi, Seyi Akinwunmi (NFF First Vice President), Shehu Dikko (NFF Second Vice President) and NFF Executive Committee member Yusuf Ahmed Fresh by the now-defunct Special Presidential Investigation Panel, saying the case should not have been brought before her in the first place. It was made clear that the proof of evidence exculpated the NFF officials, and in addition, the certified true copies of NFF accounts supplied by the Central Bank of Nigeria showed that on the said date (3rd November 2018), no transaction whatsoever took place on the account. It was also established that inflow into the NFF account for the entire year 2018 was less than N700million.

Prior to Thursday’s judgment, precisely on 26th September 2019, the Federal High Court declared that the trial of the NFF officials was political and that the court had no time for politics.

Also in September 2019, the same case at the FCT High Court was put on hold as the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation submitted that it was taking over the case with a view to ascertaining its validity, seeing that same persons were being charged spuriously in different courts and/or investigated by several agencies over the same allegations hewed out of petitions by the same individuals.

At the court sitting of 20th January 2020, the Office of the Attorney General declared that it had no further interest in the case at the FCT High Court, as the one brought before the Federal High Court by the SPIP had been thrown out, and the substance of both cases are similar.

General Secretary Nigeria Football Federation Mohammed Sanusi

On Thursday, the NFF lawyers argued and prayed through a motion duly served on the Office of the AGF that based on law and constitutional provisions, the NFF officials could not be joined in the matter, having been discharged and acquitted by the Federal High Court on practically the same charges, with the same witnesses and proof of evidence for both cases. Furthermore, the NFF lawyers argued that the entire charges bordered on use of FIFA funds and on which by relevant laws, only FIFA Ethics Committee has the exclusive right to investigate and adjudicate. In this case, they said, FIFA has not complained to any third party that their funds were missing and/or misappropriated. Rather, FIFA has continued to relate very well with the NFF and even NFF’s account audited by PwC is published on the FIFA website.

Justice Affen, after listening to the arguments, ruled the trial would continue with the three persons initially charged, and he could not allow the motion to join the NFF chieftains in the matter having been discharged and acquitted on similar charges by a court of concurrent jurisdiction.

This means that chieftains of Nigeria Football Federation are not on trial for corruption anywhere and in any court in the world.

NFF President Amaju Pinnick (middle), 1st VP Seyi Akinwunmi (right) and General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi (left) at the 67th FIFA Congress

NFF’s counsel, Festus Okpe, gave a summary of the judgment: “This case has been going on since 2018. Initially the EFCC filed corruption charges against some staff of the NFF, which we challenged. Midway into the trial, they tried to join the leadership of the NFF, namely Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick and Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, but we opposed that because Mr. Pinnick and Dr. Sanusi were by that time standing trial at the Federal High Court on similar charges.

“This morning, the court delivered ruling and refused the amendment, so as we speak, there is no charge pending against both of them. The trial will continue with the three persons initially charged and we hope to in due course prove the innocence of these persons.”

Seyi Akinwunmi, Others Storm Ekiti For Gov. Fayemi

Football fans in Ekiti State are set for exciting moments, as stakeholders and other big wigs of the beautiful game in the South Western Nigeria, are set to converge on Ado-Ekiti, Saturday, 8th February, for a novelty football match to commemorate and celebrate the 55th birthday of Ekiti State governor, Dr. John Kayode Fayemi.

In a press release signed by the Chairman of Ekiti State Football Association, Bayo Olanlege, arrangements have been concluded to stage a top class football match between Ekiti State U16 and South West Nigeria U16 teams, as well as a novelty football match between Ekiti State Association of Okada Riders and Ekiti State Artisans, which will be the curtain raiser, to the events lined up to celebrate the state governor fondly called JKF.

He said; “We are set to celebrate our amiable and indefatigable Ekiti State governor, Dr. John Kayode Fayemi on his birthday. This is a man, worthy of celebration. Ekiti state football is presently enjoying new found fervour and growth, which I would say, is attributable to the enabling environment provided by this government,” the ever resourceful football administrator stated.

John Kayode Fayemi
Ekiti State Governor
photo credit: kfayemi.com

The friendly match which is expected to be exciting and competitive and slated for the Oluyemi Kayode stadium, Ado-Ekiti is expected to be witnessed by A-list of football administrators and stakeholders led by the 1st Vice-President of NFF and Chairman of Lagos State Football Association, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi, Otunba Tade Azeez, President Nigeria Referees Association, Oba James Adeniran (Oyo State).

Other expected guests include Alhaji Ganiyu Majekodunmi ( Ogun), Chief Mustapha Rasak ( Osun), Chief Taiwo Odebunmi, Hon. Akin Akinbobola, Chief Ayo Agbebi,Dotun Coker, Siji Lagunju, as well as, all South West FA secretaries.

Akeem Busari

NFF President Pinnick, 4 Others Discharged, Acquitted on Alleged $8.4million, N4billion Corruption Charges

Chieftains of the Nigeria Football Federation, including its President, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick, have been discharged and acquitted on all counts of alleged corruption charges in a case brought by the defunct Special Presidential Investigation Panel, SPIP.

The panel, headed by Okon Obono-Obla who is now on the run to avoid prosecution by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission, ICPC had filed a 16–count charge against Pinnick, Seyi Akinwunmi (1st Vice President), Shehu Dikko (2nd Vice President), Mohammed Sanusi (General Secretary) and Ahmed Yusuf (Executive Committee member) with wild claims of alleged corruption against the men, and even subjected them to extensive media trial at home and abroad. Among the charges were misappropriation of the sums of $8.4million and N4billion, conflict of interest and non-declaration of assets.

NFF President Amaju Pinnick

At a point, now–fleeing Obono-Obla wrote to the Confederation of African Football, CAF twisting all the facts with regards to Nigeria’s participation in the CAF Congress of 2015.

On Tuesday, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu dismissed the entire case with all 16 charges, and acquitted the NFF chieftains in consideration of the submission of the defence and the prosecution and in line with the rules of administration of criminal justice.

The clean bill is a confirmation of the position of the NFF on all swirling allegations of corruption against its officials. Nigeria’s supreme football –governing body has always insisted that its leaders were being victimised by persons who lost elections through the ballot and were seeking other means to upturn things at Glass House, or disgruntled individuals simply on a mission of vendetta.

Only last month, a motion by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC to remove the names of Pinnick and Sanusi from the witnesses’ category and add them to the list of accused persons in a case at the FCT High Court over the same $8.4million FIFA Grant was put on hold after the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation submitted that it was taking over the case with a view to ascertaining its validity, seeing that same persons were being charged spuriously in different courts and/or investigated by several agencies over the same allegations hewed out of petitions by the same individuals.

Seyi Akinwunmi 1st Vice-President NFF

At the court on Tuesday, a counsel from the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, which had taken over the case, said it could not proceed with the matter as the proof of evidence could not sustain the charges. NFF’s counsel adduced reasons why the charges could not be sustained:

1.The SPIP Investigation Report dated April 30, 2019 filed in the Honourable Court as Exhibit 7 in the Proof of Evidence and its Findings as contained in page 13 to 21 cleared the NFF officials of all allegations, based on the petition investigated by the Panel.

2. A review of the certified true copy of the NFF Bank account with the Central Bank of Nigeria found that there was no transaction of N4Billion or any amount whatsoever on November 3, 2018 as alleged in the charges filed by SPIP. It was also found that the total inflow into the said NFF account for the whole of 2018 is far less than N1billion, confirming that the alleged N4billion never existed anywhere in the first instance.

In the circumstances, the Defence Counsel applied to the court to dismiss the charges and also discharge and acquit the NFF chieftains, since the proof of evidence could not sustain the charges. The AGF office counsel did not have any objection to this submission by the defence.

Chairman of the LMC, and NFF 2nd Vice President Shehu Dikko

The judge then ruled that in view of these facts, she had no option than to discharge and acquit the defendants on all counts, wondering why the case was brought to the court in the first place.

Defence Counsel, Barrister Sani Katu, put the issues in perspective: “The matter was adjourned till today to allow time for investigation as to whether the defendants should be arraigned or not by the Office of the Attorney General which had taken over the matter. The Office of the Attorney General went and investigated the matter and discovered that the proof of evidence could not sustain the charges. On that basis, the Office of the AGF applied to withdraw the charges and the consequence is that the defendants should be discharged and acquitted from all 16 charges, to which the court agreed.”

The NFF Executive Committee members are joined by NFF Deputy GS, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme (left)

Gombe Rocks For Seyi Akinwunmi Charity Tournament

The city of Gombe, capital of the State known as Jewel In The Savannah, is bubbling as the annual Seyi Akinwunmi Charity Mini-Tournament moves up north for the very first time. The tournament comes up 18th – 22nd September.

Barr. Seyi Akinwunmi, who is the 1st Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation and Chairman of the Lagos State Football Association, has been sponsoring a charity mini-tournament for some years now in Lagos State, which has attracted immense media and public attention, as well as infectious ecstasy.

Akinwunmi with star discoveries Musa Alli (left) and Elvis Onyenze (right) Beneficiaries of the Courage Education Foundation, as they graduated from Greensprings International School.

The competition’s main objective is provision of scholarships for smart but indigent children and support for ailing ex-international players. Over 200 children have been supported through the Courage Education Foundation, which has chosen the game of football to bring people together and raise funds for the Foundation’s goals.

A thorough and deliberate debonair lawyer of over 30 years at the bar who has disdain for doing things in half measures, Akinwunmi has driven the mini-tournament and the Foundation with a touch of class, charisma and consistency.

“Our goal is to provide the perfect platform for the gifted but indigent child to fulfil his dream, through combining good education with a career in sport. The truth is that talents abound in the nooks and crannies of our country. They are waiting to be discovered and nurtured. Most are from poor homes and need support to climb that ladder to get close to their dreams,” said Akinwunmi.

Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi NFF 1st Vice President and Chairman LSFA

Best–practice conditions for the tournament in Gombe include that all players must be 13 years or below at its commencement; players must come from the same school as scholarship grant will be paid directly to the relevant schools; evidence of attending school and birth certificate/authenticated document compulsory and; letter from school and State FA verifying child is in school and medically fit to partake.

The winning team will get the sum of N100,000 while the two best players from host Gombe State will get scholarship grant of N150,000 each and the best player from each of the other five States in the North East will go home with scholarship grant of N150,000 each.

Federal Govt Welcomes, Praises Super Eagles for AFCON Outing

The Federal Government on Friday lauded the bronze medal–winning effort of the Super Eagles, as a team led by the Secretary to the Federal Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha received the Nigeria delegation to the finals in Egypt, on arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

A chartered Air Peace aircraft that flew the delegation from Egypt landed in Abuja at about 10.40am, led by the NFF First Vice President, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi, and also including the 2nd Vice President Shehu Dikko, General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, Members of the Executive Committee, and players and officials of the Eagles.

Nigeria pipped Tunisia 1-0 at the Al Salam Stadium, Cairo on Wednesday to win her eighth bronze medal title at the Africa Cup of Nations. Scorer Odion Jude Ighalo, who finished as top scorer in the entire qualifying series for the championship, is primed to be tournament top scorer with five goals.

The SGF, Mr. Boss Mustapha led a delegation that included the President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee and Nigeria’s IOC Member, Engineer Habu Ahmed Gumel; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Mr. Olusade Adesola; directors in the Ministry led by Mrs Hauwa Kulu-Akinyemi and; Management Staff of the NFF that included Deputy General Secretary, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme and the Director of Competitions, Mr. Bola Oyeyode who coordinated the reception arrangement.

In his remarks while receiving the team on arrival, Mustapha said the Government of Nigeria was appreciative of their efforts in finishing third in a 24 –team Africa Cup of Nations, the biggest in the history of the championship.

“We commend you for finishing third best in the whole of the African continent. We all wanted the first position but this is football where things sometimes do not go as you plan. The Government of Nigeria is quite happy with your level of discipline and professionalism and how you comported yourselves creditably as Nigerian ambassadors.

Federal Govt Welcomes, Praises Super Eagles for AFCON Outing

“The fighting spirit and resilience you demonstrated in Egypt is a reflection of the never-say-die spirit of the Nigerian. We want you to keep it up. I congratulate the technical crew led by Coach Gernot Rohr, the players and the staff of the team. I also wish to congratulate the captain of the team, Mikel Obi that we heard has now retired from international football. We wish him well and thank him immensely for his many years of excellent, patriotic service to the nation.”

On behalf of the team, Ahmed Musa thanked President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) and the Federal Government for the support given to the team before, during and after the AFCON 2019, promising that the Super Eagles will endeavour to do better at the next championship.

SGF, Boss Mustapha and other representatives of the Federal Government with NFF chieftains and Super Eagles’ players and officials at the Abuja Airport on Wednesday.

State FA Elections: Supporters Club Congratulates Akinwunmi, Olanlege, Others On Election Victories

The Nigeria Football Supporters Club have congratulated Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi on his reelection as the chairman of Lagos State Football Association for another four year tenure.

Bayo Olanlege

In a statement by the National Chairman of the NFSC, Rev. Samuel Ikpea, he expressed the heartfelt happiness of the foremost football supporters club over the smooth and rancour free elections that was held in several states of the country, during the week.

Ikpea also congratulated other elected FA boss, including Bayo Kehinde- Olanlege, who was unanimously elected as the new chairman of Ekiti State Football Association.

Seyi Akinwunmi 1st Vice-President NFF

“I am happy with the re-election of Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi. And we believe this is another opportunity for him to consolidate and improve upon the good works his board are doing with football in the state.

“On behalf of the Supporters club, I also rejoice and thank God for the ultimate victory of my brother, Bayo Olanlege as the new EKSFA boss. It has been a long journey to the seat. And we believe his tenure, would take football in Ekiti to greater heights,” Ikpea enthused.

Akeem Busari

Akinwunmi, Fresh, Okenwa, Alkali Re-elected

The First Vice President of Nigeria Football Federation, Barr. Seyi Akinwunmi has been re-elected as Chairman of the Lagos State Football Association.

The amiable legal practitioner with over 30 years in the bar, who is also a Member of the CAF Youth Competitions Committee, defeated his only challenger, Alhaji Gafaar Liameed at the elections held on Monday.

On Sunday, Member of the NFF Executive Committee and Member of the CAF Technical and Development Committee, Alhaji Yusuf Ahmed Fresh retained his seat as Chairman of Niger State Football Association.

Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi NFF 1st Vice President and Chairman LSFA

On Monday, two other Members of the NFF Executive Committee were overwhelming choices of their State congresses for a further term in office.

Hon. Chidi Ofo Okenwa, Chairman of the Nigeria National League, was runaway choice of the congress of Enugu State Football Association, just as Alhaji Mohammed Alkali, Chairman of the Nigeria Nationwide League One, was overwhelmingly endorsed by the congress of the Nasarawa State Football Association.

Super Falcons Winning Mentality Key To Better Performance in France – Akinwunmi

The 1st Vice-President of the Nigeria Football Federation and Chairman, Lagos State Football Association, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi has expressed confidence in the abilities of the Super Falcons to do the nation proud during the FIFA Women’s World Cup in France.

He hinged his confidence on the recent victories of the team at both the female AFCON and WAFU cup championships.

“The feel good factor that comes with winning a tournament will certainly rub off on the aura of the team and its officials. Winning is a habit. And you know, it would be key for the team going into the world cup,” he enthused.

The renowned and highly resourceful football administrator, went ahead to dismiss rumours that the federation have placed a specific target for the team at the world cup.

Seyi Akinwunmi 1st Vice-President NFF

“There is no specific target but we aim to win the cup. As long as everyone is satisfied that they have done their very best then they should return to Nigeria with their heads held up high.

“We hope that they can do that with the cup or at least having gone quite far in the tournament. And on our parts, we are doing everything possible to encourage and motivate the team to do the nation proud at the world cup,” he added.

Akeem Busari

Ahead France 2019: Akinwunmi assures Falcons will get more support, as trophy stops over in Abuja

Acting President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi has assured that the Federation will provide even more support and encouragement for the Super Falcons as they enter the final stages of preparation for this year’s FIFA World Cup finals in France.

Speaking on Thursday when the FIFA Women’s World Cup trophy made a stop-over in Nigeria on its tour of 24 countries qualified to participate at the championship in France, Akinwunmi acknowledged that the women’s game has brought so much honour to Nigeria, and therefore deserves all the encouragement and push necessary to thrive.

NFF Ag. President Akinwunmi (third from left), Falode (left), Ibah (second right), Sarai ((third from right), Peter Odemwingie (second from left) and Ruth David (right) at the Transcorp Hilton on Thursday.

“The Government of Nigeria has been giving so much support to the various National Teams, including the Super Falcons. On our part at the NFF, we will ensure that the girls receive even stronger support before the FIFA World Cup in France,” he said at a ceremony inside the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

Earlier, at the office of the Hon. Minister of Youth and Sports, the Acting Permanent Secretary, Mrs Hauwa Kulu-Akinyemi traced the evolution of women football in Nigeria and stated that “the Government of Nigeria recognizes the pivotal role of football in unifying peoples across various physical and mental divides, and creating joy, love and passion among the youth. Football is a remarkable boundary-eliminator and works wonders in drastically reducing insecurity while fostering peace and tranquility within and across jurisdictions all over the world.”

Sarai Bareman (chief women’s football officer) who led the FIFA team, thanked the Government of Nigeria for its continued support for football, especially the women’s game. Also with her were Nicole Fisch (lead for women’s football project), Vanessa Marques (lead for marketing project) and FIFA legend Osaze Peter Odemwingie – former Nigeria international.

School children pose with the World Cup trophy

The gold –plated trophy, nearly 5 kilograms in weight, was unveiled by Odemwingie, who featured in four Africa Cup of Nations finals for Nigeria and played at two FIFA World Cup finals.

Also at the Minister’s office were NFF Executive Committee members Emmanuel Ibah and Aisha Falode, Brigadier-General Emico Eruwa (President, Paralympics Committee of Nigeria), Mrs Tayo Oreweme (Director FEAD), Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme (NFF deputy secretary-general), Mr. Bola Oyeyode (NFF Director of Competitions), Mr. Bitrus Bewarang (NFF Director of Technical), Mr. Ademola Olajire (Director of Communications), Ms Ruth David (Head of Women’s Football), directors from the Ministry, Alh. Fika Adamu, Dr. Paul Onyeudo, Architect Mohammed Gambo, Mrs Blessing Lere-Adams and Dr. Toyin Aluko, Mr. Emmanuel Nwaeri from the Nigeria Olympic Committee, as well as other directors from the NFF, Rafiu Yusuf, Dr. Robinson Okosun and Sunday Okayi.

At the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, the train was joined by players, technical team and backroom staff of the Super Falcons led by Head Coach Thomas Dennerby, a number of pupils from a secondary school in Abuja and other stakeholders.

The Hilton part of the tour also witnessed two video documentaries.

Super Falcons players and officials pose with the World Cup trophy

In her presentation, Bareman disclosed that six of the group phase matches at the 8th FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in France has been sold out, including that pitching Nigeria’s Super Falcons against France at the Roazhon Park in Rennes on 17th June.

She also revealed that FIFA is targeting one billion television viewers for the showpiece taking place 7th June – 7th July, and that most of the tickets have so far been taken up by nationals of host nation France, the United States, The Netherlands and United Kingdom. The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) will be deployed at a women’s tournament for the first time in France, where five debutants (Jamaica, Chile, Scotland, Thailand and South Africa) will be on show.

Falode, on her part, also traced the evolution of the women’s game in the country, eulogizing the Class of 1999 that reached the quarter finals in the USA, while challenging the present squad to soar even higher in France having received the best preparation afforded any Super Falcons’ team before a World Cup championship.