Sports

Nigeria U17 team coach follows in Eddie Howe’s footsteps.

Published

2 years ago

January 5, 2023

70 years old former Manchester United’s Chief Scout David Hobson, has taken keen interest in Nigerian U17 team Scout/ Assistant coach, Bunmi Haruna.

Hudson, who scouted for Man Utd for 13 years, met Haruna during his first and only visit to Africa late 2022. After sharing ideas with the young coach, he promised to help him improve his coaching skills by sponsoring him for the PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL SCOUTS ASSOCIATION,PFSA, scouting courses.

Three months on, Haruna, a journalist turn coach, has completed the PFSA Introduction Into Football Scouting (2022) and PFSA Level 1 Talent Identification In Football courses which were sponsored by Hudson.

“I’m extremely grateful to David and his team for the opportunity given to me.

“It has improved me as a coach/scout and I intend to take more of the courses online.

“When you look at big name managers and coaches like Eddie Howe (Newcastle FC) Ryan Giggs, Timons Paul (Bayern Munich) they all went through these classes.

“I wish to continue to take as many as possible courses on offer by the PFSA, though it is going to be financially demanding,” Haruna said.

Haruna, a CAF B licensed coach, already has two WAFU-B U17 championship gold medals(2022 & 2018), one AFCON U17 Bronze medal(2019) and FIFA U17 World Cup experience.

He is also admired for understudying some of the best Nigeria youth team coaches like, Manu Garba, Emmanuel Amunike, Nduka Ugbade, Ahmed Dankoli and Haruna Ilerika.

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Sports

Speaker House Reps, Abbas, Others Thumbs NFF President Over NFF-FIFA Players’ Hostel and New Training Pitches

Published

3 hours ago

March 19, 2025

The Gleamer

…Says It Will Boost Nigeria’s Economy

By Joel Ajayi

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has commended the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, for initiating the NFF-FIFA Players’ Hostel and new training pitches, describing it as a transformational project that will boost Nigeria’s economy.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, Speaker Abbas praised the initiative and pledged the National Assembly’s full support.

“This is a noble project, and the National Assembly will give it full support. I congratulate the National Sports Commission and the Nigeria Football Federation, and I thank FIFA for agreeing to fund this project,” he stated while cutting the ceremonial tape.

He also assured the House of Representatives’ support for the visionary leadership of Engineer Ibrahim Musa Gusau and the NFF in other key areas where assistance is required.

Leading the FIFA delegation, Gelson Fernandes (Deputy Chief Member Associations Officer/Regional Director, Africa) reiterated FIFA’s commitment to funding the project, emphasizing that infrastructure development has been a priority since the tenure of President Gianni Infantino began.

Expressing his excitement, NFF President Ibrahim Gusau stated that the hostel and training pitches will serve all Nigerian national teams, leagues, and academies.

“Indeed, my joy knows no bounds. From the day my Executive Committee and I were sworn into office in Benin City on Friday, 30th September 2022, I was determined to push this project forward as a legacy for Nigerian football.
“For sustained success, we must provide a conducive environment, infrastructure, equipment, and support systems that enable players and officials to perform at their best.

“Building a players’ hostel and having new training pitches will not only enhance team management but also reduce costs, allowing us to invest more in grassroots development programs.”
Several dignitaries present at the event applauded Gusau’s leadership, determination, and commitment to football development in Nigeria.

The event was well attended by local and international stakeholders, including sports enthusiasts, who witnessed the groundbreaking ceremony of the NFF-FIFA Players’ Hostel and Training Pitches.

In addition to the hostel, the project includes:Two new training pitches (one synthetic and one natural grass). Reconstruction of the existing synthetic pitch.

Also, Spectators’ sitting terraces with 1,838 seats.Two dressing rooms for players, each accommodating 27 players.Two dressing rooms for officials.

The construction is expected to last 24 months and is fully funded by FIFA under its FIFA Forward 3.0 programme.

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