Sports

NFF Congratulates Egbo On Historic Feat with European Club

Published

5 years ago

July 21, 2020

Joel Ajayi

The Nigeria Football Federation has sent congratulatory messages to former Nigeria international, Emmanuel Ndubuisi Egbo, who has become the first Nigerian and African to lead a European club to a top tier domestic title.

With three matches left in the Albanian top flight, KF Tirana coached by former Nigeria goalkeeper Egbo has an unassailable lead and thus guaranteed the diadem. In the event, he has also led the team to the UEFA Champions League.

On Monday, President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick sent a message to Egbo: “I congratulate you and wish you only the best. This is also to say that we are very proud of your wonderful achievements.”

In his response, the former goalkeeper wrote: “Thank you Sir, I appreciate it so much. We thank God for his Grace and goodness. It is not my achievements; it’s our achievements as Nigerians, Africans and the Black race. Glory be to God Almighty. Na God win Sir. Thank you again for the best wishes.”

In a letter dated 20^th July 2020, NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi praised Egbo for the feat and expressed the view that the coach has laid down a marker for fellow Nigerian coaches to go out and accomplish brilliantly.

“It was with a huge sense of pride that the NFF and the entire Nigerian Football family learnt of your exemplary achievement as the first-ever Nigerian, Black and African Coach to win a major European League, as you have steered KF Tirana to the Albanian top tier championship with few matches left in the on-going season. In the process, you also became the first African to qualify a team for the UEFA Champions League competition.

“The fact that KF Tirana was unable to win any silverware since the year 2018 until your arrival in December 2019 puts your accomplishment in proper perspective.

“Certainly, your rare character traits of sobriety, quiet confidence, seamless application and effortless brilliance, so evident in your days with the Senior National Football Team, Super Eagles, steered you and your team to glory. This achievement is no doubt a marker for other Nigerian Coaches, including your fellow ex-internationals, that by working assiduously and diligently in a noble way, they can indeed go out there and break the proverbial glass ceiling.

“On our part, we wish you and KF Tirana an enriching and fulfilling experience in the UEFA Champions League, where you are bound to come across much tougher encounters, but you have already demonstrated that you have the capacity to be unflappable when the going gets tough.”

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Sports

NSF 2024: AFN Organizes Anti-Doping Seminar for Junior Athletes Ahead of Gateway Games

Published

12 hours ago

May 14, 2025

The Gleamer

With the 22nd National Sports Festival just days away in Abeokuta, Ogun State, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has taken proactive steps to educate junior athletes on the dangers of doping.

On Wednesday in Abuja, the federation held a one-day anti-doping sensitization seminar aimed at enlightening the young athletes on global anti-doping rules and the long-term consequences of using banned substances.

Speaking at the seminar, former Director of Sports Medicine at the National Sports Commission, Dr. Paul Onyeudo (Rtd), urged the athletes to embrace clean sports practices.

He warned that taking performance-enhancing drugs could jeopardize their careers and reputations.

“We are telling you all this at an early stage so you get used to it and won’t be misled into taking substances that could damage your future,” Dr. Onyeudo said.

“Always seek guidance from coaches and medical professionals before taking any medication.”

AFN Technical Director, Samuel Onikeku, also addressed the participants, emphasizing discipline and consistent training as the only paths to success in athletics.

“There is no shortcut to the top. Anyone who tells you to take substances for an edge is only trying to destroy your future,” Onikeku stated.

“Use the knowledge gained here to guide your choices as you work toward becoming champions.”

In his remarks, junior team captain Gift Brown thanked the AFN for the initiative, noting that the seminar had provided valuable insights the athletes would apply as they prepare for the games.

The junior athletes are expected to compete as a symbolic “37th state” at the National Sports Festival — a concept introduced by the National Sports Commission to expose emerging talents to the rigors of elite competition.

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