President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday in Abuja declared that football remains the number one sport in Nigeria and a national asset, therefore his administration will resist any attempt to undermine its development.

The President made the pledge while receiving the 10-year Football Development Masterplan submitted by the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Chief Sunday Dare.

Describing football as ”our passion and a major tool for unity,” the President affirmed that it is the responsibility of government to safeguard the sport, which has brought Nigeria many laurels, and ”treat it as a national asset.”

”Indeed, just as I expect and demand a higher standard of patriotism, responsibility and commitment from those charged with the administration of our football, I also urge all stakeholders to work together constructively and patriotically.

”We have seen attempts to disrespect and undermine the institutions supervising our sports. We have seen attempts to subjugate national interest for narrow interest or disrespect the laws of Nigeria. Nigeria will not take lightly any attempt to inflict injury on its football fortunes,’’ he said.

President Buhari, who used the occasion to spell out his expectations from the two-volume report, directed the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to commence its implementation in phases, within the fine lines of relevant sections of the Nigerian laws on sports development and the statutes of the world soccer governing body, FIFA.

”This government is interested in developing a football culture that will accommodate global best practices that will also help the nation to lay a solid foundation for her domestic football, put in place professionally and efficiently run leagues, entrench a consistent and stable football calendar and create a value chain which will boost the sports ecosystem.

”Achieving this will guarantee desired progress in continental and international competitions.

”I know that a lot of work went into putting this 10-Year Masterplan  together. I received regular briefings on the work being done and I am happy that our goal has been achieved. I am happy that the Masterplan enjoyed the inputs of a wide range of stakeholders in football.

”I am equally happy that the Nigeria Football 10-Year Masterplan (2022-2032) identified Fifteen (15) Key Areas of challenge and provided practical recommendations to address these fundamental problems that have bedeviled football development in the country.

”The implementation of the short term and medium term plans should commence.

”I believe this will signal a positive turning point for our football and a major step forward in our bid to create a conducive environment for its sustainability, viability and profitability.

”The Nigeria Football Federation, the body charged with the development of our football is directed to own and commence the implementation of this master plan under the supervision of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.”

Reviewing the state of the round leather game in the country, President Buhari expressed concern that in the past years, football development has gradually stunted due to the neglect of the core orientation of football administration.

He described the governance structure around Nigeria’s domestic league as weak, adding that standards are conveniently compromised.

He, however, expressed delight that these issues and many more have been addressed in the Document.

The President therefore, urged the NFF to salvage the domestic league at all levels, saying:

”Nigeria’s football development must return to the path of focus on grassroots and youth development and an overall good governance structure around every level of its development. Nigeria now expects results.”

On the forthcoming NFF executive election, President Buhari reiterated his earlier communication to the body on the need for a more equitable and democratic representation in the Congress of the NFF.

According to him, this will ensure that critical stakeholders are not shut out and the most capable and competent men and women are elected to run the affairs of the Federation.

”This government has demonstrated political will. It will match it up with making the right laws and investments and work with critical stakeholders.

”I thank FIFA for its support and commitment to the development of Nigerian football which has been longstanding. I trust it will partner with Nigeria in its effort to improve the fundamentals of its football development.”

In his remarks, the Sports Minister announced that the Buhari administration has disbursed over N15 billion to NFF through budgetary appropriations and Presidential interventions in the last seven years.

Commending the President for the attention to football development in the country and laying a solid foundation for the growth of the game, the Minister described the 10-year Masterplan, which took the Ibrahim Galadima led 16-member Committee six months to prepare, as ”a world class document.”

The Minister said the prescriptions set forth in the Football Masterplan, if followed through with the needed will and determination, would set Nigeria’s football on a very sure footing and position it amongst the best in the world.

He added that the implementation of the Plan will resolve most issues around the status of the domestication of Nigerian laws, NFF Statutes in line with FIFA Statutes and create room for harmonious relationships in the football value chain of this country.

”The Masterplan is envisioned to encapsulate functional strategies that would outlast the current administration and firmly place Nigerian football on the path to sustainable growth and development.

”Mr.  President, with your approval, this document will be presented to the Federal Executive Council for approval and future funding, so that the implementation of the short, medium and long term plans can commence as part of the legacies of this administration.

”Thereafter, this document will be handed over to our football administrators, that is the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, who shall be expected to implement key elements of these reports in stages.”

Dare pledged that the Ministry will monitor the faithful implementation of the Masterplan to ensure that attention is paid to the business opportunities along the value chain, governance structure, standardisation, and prioritisation of the welfare of footballers,  education and awareness.

”Focus will be on building capacity for sustainable, strategic youth development programmes, efficient club administration, positive stakeholder engagement which would include Referees, Players Union, Coaches Associations,  supporters, investors, local and international partnerships and collaborations,” he said.

Dare also told the President that one of the most important aspects of the Committee’s work is the legal regime around football in Nigeria; and the Masterplan made some far reaching recommendations on laws and statutes governing the administration of football.

He added that subject to the final decision of the NFF Congress, the Masterplan made recommendations for the expansion of the constituents for the NFF Elective Congress and Executive Board to 111 and 16 respectively, in order to meet new realities and needs.

Galadima, a former Chairman of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA), noted that re-engineering the legal framework will put to rest the legality of NFF.

He said the Masterplan also recommended improving the tactical depth of coaches through utilising the core mandate of National Institute of Sports, pragmatic sports programmes as well as regulating the operations of academies and grassroots based programmes.

When established players sing praises of a young player it means that player is doing something that deserve praises. It is particularly captivating when it comes from established players in same position.

The name Toby Alderweireld doesn’t sound new to anybody who is in the football world. He is well known for his exploit at English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur. The club he joined after making his mark at Dutch side Ajax Amsterdam.

Now at Belgium side Antwerp, the 33 year old is now teammates with little known Nigerian midfielder Alhassan Yusuf, who was once called up to the senior national team of Nigeria for the friendly games in the United States of America against Ecuador and Mexico respectively.

“Alhassan reads the game well and continues to run. He is doing a fantastic job, especially with the right coaching and tactical guidelines. He has started the season very well”, he said while speaking on the rise of the 22 year old.

Reacting, he credited his fine start to the season to the burgeoning partnership he has with legendary Belgium midfielder Radja Nainggolan and Pieter Gerkens as well.

“I’m in great shape and the midfield is working very well at the moment. The relationship with Nainggolan and Gerkens is good,” Yusuf said . As a defensive midfielder, I try to keep control of the game,” the Nigerian stressed.

“The coach makes everything easier for me. He gives me a lot of advice on tactical discipline and choice of positions,” concluded Yusuf.

Spanish second division side Ponferradina continued their fine start to the season by picking up another win following a 2-1 win over Ibiza yesterday in their second game of the season.

Following a hard fought 3-2 away win over FC Cartagena, they returned home to play in front of their fans for the first time and game them a reason to smile with 40 year old Brazilian forward Yuri scoring a brace.

Although he took all of the praises for his match winning brace. Nigerian midfielder Kelechi Nwakali stole the show as he ran the game acting as a link between defence and attack to devastating effect.

Nwakali showed his performance in the opening game against Cartagena wasn’t a fluke and after the game he earned high level praise from fans on the club. Spanish journalist Alberto Rivas went as far as labelling the best thing to have happened to the modest second division team in a while.

“Nwakali is the best thing that has happened to the SD Ponferradina in a very long time. Vision of the game, help with coverage and an exquisite touch on the ball. Top of the category”, he posted on Twitter.

Nwakali es lo mejor que le ha pasado a la @SDP_1922 en muchísimo tiempo. Visión de juego, ayuda en las coberturas y un toque de balón exquisito. Top de la categoría.

— Alberto Rivas (@ertiii) August 22, 2022

Portuguese top division side Boavista moved quickly to replace Chidozie Awaziem in their squad after sending him on another loan deal to Croatian side Hadjuk Split.

Awaziem returned from a loan spell with Turkish side Alanyaspor, a loan which happened immediately after signing permanently from FC Porto in a deal that made him their most expensive signing. It was made possible after an impressive loan spell in first season at the club.

His departure on another loan left a vacuum in the team of Boavista and they plugged it by signing 23 year old Nigerian defender Sopuruchukwu Onyemaechi from 4th division Portuguese side Vila Real.

It is believed that he is the replacement for the departed Nigerian Awaziem but in a chat with OwnGoalNigeria.com he was quick to play down the idea, as he is at the club to fight and make a name for himself.

” I have come a long way to where I am today. Replacing Awaziem isn’t why I was signed and it is not in my head at all. My aim is to fight for a spot in the team and make a name for myself”, he told OwnGoalNigeria.com.

He described himself as someone with a different profile to that of Awaziem even though he admitted that he will like to follow in the footsteps of the defender by playing for the senior national team of Nigeria.

“I consider myself a fast player, with good reading of the moves, who understands the various moments of the game, and I am also an aggressive player who gives everything on the field. If there’s one thing I don’t like is losing, but right now, my focus is on training as much as possible to help the team win as many times as possible.

” If I achieve that maybe I can now dream of emulating Awaziem by pushing for a spot in the senior national team of Nigeria”, he concluded.

Nigeria international forward Sadiq Umar scored his first goal in the Spanish La Liga for Almeria as they picked up their first point of the season after a 1-1 draw against Elche.

Almeria started the season by losing 1-2 to champions Real Madrid and needed a win to get up and running. It didn’t take long before Sadiq Umar put them on the path to glory with a well placed header in the 23rd minute.

The lead however lasted for just seven minutes as Alex Collado levelled for the home side. Almeria’s task to reclaim the lead was made difficult when Alex Centelles was sent off in the 32nd minute.

They hanged on to claim a 1-1 draw largely due to the goal scored by Sadiq, who is the subject to several reports linking him with a move to fellow La Liga side Villarreal. It is believe that despite denial by Villarreal, they are still keen on signing the 25 year old.

President of Almeria Turki Alalshikh however insist that no amount of pressure will make them sell the lanky forward below the €30m valuation communicated to interested parties. “We will not sell any player for a lower price than we deem reasonable!! 🦁, he posted on his twitter handle two days ago.

AS Roma continue their 100 percent start of the season by beating hard fighting Cremonese 1-0 in their second game in the two game old Italian Serie A.

The game was decided by a Chris Smalling goal in the 65th minute but prior to the goal that decided the game, Roma could easily have fallen behind when Nigeria international forward Cyriel Dessers crashed the bar with a thunderous left foot effort.

Signed from Belgium side Genk, the forward showed great awareness to evade his marker before volleying a superb effort which came off the bar with scores at 0-0.

That effort wasn’t the only time Dessers stretched the defence of Roma as his constant run through the channels troubled not just the defenders but also coach Jose Mourinho, who admitted the Nigerian could have settled the game with his early effort.

” We didn’t start well and Cremonese could have been ahead had that effort (Desser’s chance) gone in. They had moment and Dessers threatened us. We needed to win and we got what I think we deserve at the end”.

The Spanish La Liga is one league that players of the senior national team of Nigeria haven’t excelled in lately. Particularly the forwards of the team.

All that is about to change if the words of coach of Almeria Rubi comes to pass ahead of Almeria’s second game of the new La Liga season after losing their first game 1-2 to league champions Real Madrid.

In the build up to the start of their season x all talks have been centered around the future of their Nigerian striker Sadiq Umar, who has finished as top scorer for the team in two consecutive seasons since his move to the team.

Rubi reckons he will have a bigger impact this season than previous seasons as he now shows better concentration and also has a more approach to his game as a whole.

“Of course it would be great news if he stays. Also, I think he has a much higher level of concentration than last year in training and that will bear fruit,” Rubi told the media as quoted by Futbol Fantasy.

“I’m sure he will reap its rewards because of how he is working day to day. He is a player who, every season I see him more and more polishing details that were difficult for him to improve.”

There is so much a goal can do for the confidence of a player who hasn’t been at the expected level following what was considered a massive coup by a modest team.

That happens to be the story for Nigeria international defender Chidozie Awaziem who joined Croatian side Hadjuk Split on a loan deal, viewed by many as a coup owing to the teams he has played for in the past few years.

Joining on loan from Boavista, the former FC Porto defender was widely expected to be the main man at the back for the modest Croatian side but his career at the club didn’t start on a sound note.

He was culpable for one of the goals they conceded in a four goal mauling in the hands of Dinamo Zagreb in his first game. With his back heel attempt going horribly wrong which handed the home side the chance to extend their lead.

Expected to redeem himself in the Europa Conference League qualifiers he once again was part of the defence line that conceded four times with his error leading to two goals for the Spanish side.

Yesterday he showed the club what he is all about with a brilliant goal in their 2-1 win over NK Lokomotiva in the Croatian League. He brilliantly control a ball with his head in a crowded area in the box. He allows the ball to drop before using his strength and smart movement to finish the move.

The goal has dominated every media space in Croatia, announcing the defender as one to be watched in the league after three rounds of games.

One of the stars of the Nigeria U17 team at the recently concluded WAFU U17 Championship Michael Emmanuel has credited Nigeria international winger Moses Simon for his career.

Michael who won three official man of the match award in the four games Nigeria played at the tournament, he scored three goals and had two assists from his position as a left full back. His goals were all from freekicks.

His performance caught the eyes of several Nigerians and he has been tipped to be a senior national team player for Nigeria in the nearest future if he continues to develop at this pace.

Speaking to OwnGoalNigeria.com, he said he never thought he was good at football until he met Simon when he came to Simoiben Football Academy funded by the wife of the winger.

Prior to that time, he said he has been at the U17 camp of Nigeria but wasn’t picked. Something he narrowed down to the fact that he wasn’t at his best mentally hence didn’t do enough to be picked.

” My mentality changed when I came to Simoiben Academy and trained with Moses Simon. The things he told me and for the fact that he has faith in me took my confidence level to a new height. I remember we were around 150 who came for screening at the academy. At the end I was among the seven picked”, he told OwnGoalNigeria.com.

” I was at the U17 camp two years ago. I wasn’t picked but before going to the camp this time around, I have grown a lot in terms of confidence. So it was like a stroll for me. My coaches too were very supportive and converted me to a full back.

” My abilities at freekicks started at a very early age and I developed it while training with Simon at Simoiben. When I went to the camp, coach Nduka Ugbade noticed it and worked extensively with me on it. The result is what we saw at the WAFU Championship”, he concluded.

The senior national team of Nigeria will take on the Algeria national team in an international friendly game on the 27th of September in the newly built stadium in Oran.

Algeria were initially billed to play against the Black Stars of Ghana but after failing to find an agreement, the Algeria FA were left with either playing against Nigeria or Mali but an agreement has been reached with Nigeria.

An announcement is said to be imminent from both federations after both bodies agreed to the game. It will be the third time both countries will be up against each other in three years with Algeria winning two of the last games including the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations semi final game.

Overall they will be facing each other for the 21st time with both nations looking to rebuild after missing out on qualification for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Algeria still have head coach Djamal Belmadi at the helm despite the disappointment.

For Nigeria, the team now have a new coach in Jose Peseiro who has so far won the first two competitive games as coach after losing his first two friendly games.