Sports

Unveiling Gusau’s Track Record: Why Nigeria’s Football Deserves Continuity

Published

8 months ago

February 7, 2026

By Mohammed Saliu

The administration of Ibrahim Musa Gusau has accomplished substantial milestones, positioning him as a potential candidate for a second term as President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). Notably, the Super Eagles’ revitalised style of play under his leadership during the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) held in Morocco exemplifies his impactful tenure.

This commendable performance reflects the team’s development and promising future under Gusau’s stewardship. The success of the Super Eagles at the previous AFCON has mitigated many rumours of dissent against the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as the youth now perceive a positive future in the national team. This has fostered a sense of calm among the populace, reinforcing the necessity for Gusau to complete his initiatives without undue interference or opposition.

Any opposition to the current NFF leadership inherently opposes the administration of President Tinubu, as such dissent could precipitate long-term crises within Nigerian football. These crises have the potential to impact national stability, given football’s significance as a source of joy and unity for millions of Nigerian youth who use the sport to find solace despite ongoing national challenges. A crisis within the football sector could shift national focus and leadership attention, potentially leading to broader societal disruptions.

The NFF has also made notable advances in infrastructure, exemplified by the FIFA 3.0 project, which includes the construction of two training pitches. This initiative underscores Gusau’s commitment to elevating football standards in Nigeria, aligning with international benchmarks.

Furthermore, Gusau’s administration has emphasised grassroots football development. As the President of WAFU B, he has actively promoted regional initiatives such as the CAF Secondary School Football Tournament, aimed at identifying and nurturing young talent to establish a robust foundation for Nigerian football. International relations have also been strengthened under Gusau’s leadership.

His election as President of WAFU Zone B has enhanced Nigeria’s influence in regional football politics, facilitating collaboration with CAF programs and benefiting Nigerian referees, clubs, and national teams. Gusau’s commitment to transparency and fiscal responsibility has yielded improved financial management within the NFF, attracting sponsorships from corporations as well as funding from FIFA and CAF.

These resources have supported the implementation of ambitious projects, contributing to the growth and development of Nigerian football. Collectively, the accomplishments of Gusau’s administration attest to his dedication to the advancement of Nigerian football, making a compelling case for his re-election. With ongoing initiatives and a clear strategic vision, Gusau remains well-positioned to sustain and enhance the momentum in Nigerian football development.

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Sports

Plateau Vipers, Benue Queens Crowned Champions at HFN North Central Division One Tourney

Published

4 hours ago

October 3, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The President of the Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN), Jibril Seidu, has said the federation will continue to intensify its grassroots talent development drive through zonal competitions across the country.

Seidu stated this on Saturday in Abuja at the finals of the 2026 North Central Division One Handball Championship, where Plateau Vipers defeated Suleja Shooters 29-24 to emerge champions in the men’s category.

In the women’s final, Benue Queens of Makurdi defeated City Queens of Suleja to claim the title.

The eight-day tournament featured teams from across the North Central Zone, with Plateau Vipers of Jos, Confluence Stars of Lokoja, Unity Boys of Abuja, Suleja Shooters and Nasarawa Ambassadors of Lafia competing in the men’s category.

In the women’s category, Nuela Handball Academy of Ilorin, Inikpi Babes of Idah, Benue Queens of Makurdi and City Queens of Suleja competed for honours.

At the end of the competition, four teams — two male and two female — emerged as the North Central Zone’s representatives for the national Division One league.

According to Seidu, the tournament was organised as part of the federation’s deliberate strategy to take handball development back to the regions and discover talents that might otherwise remain unnoticed.

He said the HFN board, inaugurated on October 25, 2025, resolved that grassroots development was essential to creating a sustainable pipeline of players for national and international competitions.

“All the teams you have seen here are from the North Central Zone of the country, and every state is represented with an academy or state team,” he said.

Seidu explained that the new approach marked a departure from the previous system, where talent identification was largely centred on the federation’s major league competitions.

He said taking competitions to the regions would provide young players with greater opportunities to showcase their abilities while strengthening the foundation of handball across the country.

The HFN president also linked the grassroots initiative to Nigeria’s recent achievements in international handball, stressing the need to develop younger players who can eventually replace members of the current national teams.

He noted that Nigeria had qualified for the 2027 Men’s Junior Handball World Championship in North Macedonia, describing the achievement as evidence of the potential within the country’s handball system.

“How do we replace these players with upcoming players? This is the avenue for us to get players,” he said.

Seidu added that the federation was determined to make handball more visible and accessible, describing it as one of Nigeria’s major sporting disciplines with significant potential for growth.

The North Central tournament is part of a wider zonal programme designed to decentralise handball development across Nigeria.

According to the federation, similar competitions are being organised across other zones, including the South East, North East, North West and South South, with qualifiers from each zone expected to converge at a designated venue for the next stage of the competition.

The federation also appealed for greater support from sponsors, stakeholders and state associations to sustain its grassroots development programme.

It expressed appreciation to the participating states, academies, team sponsors and other stakeholders for their support and commitment to the growth of handball in Nigeria.

The federation said the initiative would provide a platform for discovering the next generation of Nigerian handball stars while expanding the sport’s reach beyond its traditional centres.
While Speaking the elated coach of Benue Queen Godwin Tondo has promised a stronger and more tactical performance after guiding the team to victory at the 2026 North Central Division One Handball Championship in Abuja.
He attributed the success to the team’s long-term youth development programme, noting that the squad was built through a deliberate process of identifying and nurturing young talents.
According to him, the programme began with the selection of 92 girls from secondary schools, who were subsequently trained and developed over a four-year period.

He said the team’s success was a product of sustained hard work and commitment despite the challenges encountered during preparations for the tournament.

“I feel very pleased being a champion today. The road to this stage was very, very hard, but I am very happy that we have got the result from all the toughness of the game,” he said.

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