Sports

Better Days Ahead Of Nigerian Football, Dare assures

Published

5 years ago

March 31, 2022

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development Sunday Dare has assured Nigerian that the government of the day will do everything within its reach to ensure that the dignity of Nigerian football return

He gave this assurance on Thursday when he inaugurated an investigative committee to unravel the circumstances leading to the vandalization of the Moshood Abiola Stadium and recommend measures to forestall recurrence.

Minister who expressed that, missing Qatar ticket remain a bitter pile that all Nigerian must swallow saying better day ahead of Nigerian football.

According to him, I understand the unhappiness that followed our non-qualification for Qatar 2022.

“I believe better days ahead for Nigerian football but only if we make the necessary changes. The necessary firm and in-depth changes underway.

“We need to rebrand our football and return to the grassroots and youth football culture of the past. Nigeria is a football loving Nation and it deserves the best.

“It’s on record, that, Federal Government gave every support necessary. We got the stadium ready in all its glory.

“We mobilized Nigerians and other football lovers to fill up the stadium. The NFF called up a solid cast of players. 60,000 voices sang the National anthem in what must have been one of the most uplifting moments one could imagine.

“The fans gave their vocal support till the very end. The president of the nation, though saddened by the tragic events in Kaduna was determined to lend his support, and not let terrorists determine and define the activities and schedules of the Nation and its leaders with their opportunistic and wicked acts. – Which would be kowtowing to their agenda. On the day, it wasn’t enough.

“We will move quickly because we still have a lot of work to do to give Nigerians the caliber of senior team it deserves. We will review all that we did leading to the game, take tough steps to redirect the development of our football and restore the DNA of Nigerian football. Whatever is necessary will be done quietly, firmly and determinedly.” He said.

Share on Facebook

Sports

Drogba, Amuneke, Eguavoen Lead African Legends’ Arrival in Lagos

Published

18 hours ago

November 7, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

With just one day to the much-anticipated Legends of Africa Football Game, Ivorian football icon Didier Drogba has arrived in Lagos, joining an impressive assembly of former African internationals already in the city ahead of Sunday’s star-studded encounter.

Drogba’s arrival further heightens anticipation for the game, which will bring together some of the continent’s most celebrated football figures at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos.

Also in Lagos are Nigerian football greats Mobi Oparaku, Emmanuel Amuneke, Emmanuel Babayaro, Garba Lawal, Austin Eguavoen and Mutiu Adepoju, alongside other members of the legendary Super Eagles generations of 1994 and 1996.

The African contingent also features distinguished names including Togo’s Emmanuel Adebayor, Senegal’s El-Hadji Diouf, Ghana’s Stephen Appiah and Cameroon’s Rigobert Song, among other former international stars.

The excitement will extend beyond the legends’ reunion, with popular Nigerian entertainers and celebrities preparing for a special Celebrity Match as part of the event. Yhemolee, Sheggz, Jeriq, Teddy A and Charles Okocha are among the personalities set to feature in the celebrity fixture, scheduled to begin at 1:30pm.

The Celebrity Match will form part of a wider programme of activities designed to give fans a full day of football, entertainment and celebration before the main legends’ fixture, which kicks off at 5pm. Gates open at 1:30pm.

Organized by Toptier Sports Management in collaboration with Afreximbank and CANEX as part of CANEX WKND 2026, the game will feature 15 Nigerian legends taking on 13 African icons in a celebration of the players whose achievements helped shape the history of football on the continent.

Beyond the match, the programme includes a football clinic involving 500 young players, entertainment and special recognition for the heroes of African football.

The Legends of Africa Football Game promises a memorable gathering of football royalty, bringing together generations of fans to celebrate the enduring legacy of the continent’s finest players.

Share on Facebook