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NFF On The Global Map Again As Nigerian Players Dominate Major Honours At The 2023 CAF Awards
By Micheal Obasi
If there is Perfect momentum the current board of the Nigeria Football Federation will want to have to go to next month’s Africa Cup Nations is the dominant outing of the country at the 2023 CAF Awards held in Morocco.
The NFF under the leadership of Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau has never hidden the Country’s determination to win the 2024 AFCON, especially with the launching of the Let’s Do It Campaign and the signs are only looking better for that to happen.
This was on Monday buttressed with Nigeria breaking a 24-year-old jinx when Victor Osimhen claimed the highest individual prize in African football, the Best African Male Player of the Year.
This means the Super Eagles will be going to the Nations Cup with having the best player on the continent in her fold, something that has not happened in more than two decades.
The present NFF might not look too flamboyant on the surface because it does not believe in too much media hype but the aura around it is very positive and achievement-oriented.
This was displayed when the Super Falcons shocked the world with their performance at the World Cup this year and now Nigeria can boast of producing the best male and female players on the continent once again after a very long time.
Speaking after the awards in Morocco, NFF President Ibrahim Gusau said this is what Nigeria football is all about, with the quality of talents that are scattered all over the country from the North to the South.
He said, ” I am particularly elated because our football is on the global stage again with these displays by Our players at the awards”.
” You can see that all over the World of football, the name Nigeria is on everybody’s lips for all the right reasons and this is the kind of image this Present board is committed to always giving to the country “.
” We are so happy for the likes of Osimhen, Asisat, and Chiamaka Nnadozie for these wonderful feats and this will further motivate the NFF to strive towards more achievements next year and beyond”, Gusau said.
Chiamaka” ‘s feat was particularly special because it is the first time CAF is introducing the Best Goalkeeper Award for Women.
Osimhen’s feat has now made Nigeria a joint record holder with Ivory Coast, producing six winners, the highest number in the history of the Men CAF Awards.
As a Country, the Nigerian Government can build on this latest feat by maintaining maximum support for the Nigeria Football Federation towards next month’s AFCON.
At a time like this where the current Government is trying to fix back the country, not too many things excite the citizens but an AFCON glory in Ivory Coast can change the entire mood of the Nation.
The NFF is however very optimistic that the Federal Government will continue to give It all the support towards both the AFCON in January and the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.
Written by Micheal Obasi
Sports Affairs Analyst
Featured
Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support
Joel Ajayi
Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.
More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.
The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.
Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.
The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.
Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.
Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.
Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.
Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.
The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.
Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.
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