Sports

NO NEED FOR ANY AGENDA OF DISTRACTIONS

Published

2 years ago

January 7, 2024

by Micheal Obasi

…As Dubai is the Perfect Camp site for Super Eagles Preparations for AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire_

The Super Eagles of Nigeria are currently preparing for the start of the Africa Cup of Nations in the United Arab Emirates thanks to the Nigeria Football Federation who are bent on ensuring the team gets the best of preparations before the mundial in Ivory Coast.

But surprisingly I have been reading in some quarters commentaries where the NFF was criticised for the choice of Dubai as the Eagles Camp site.

Offcourse everyone is entitled their opinion and their manner of reasoning but we strongly owe ourselves Informed information before ventilating our opinions.

It is also very important for people to understand that the NFF must have done it’s due diligence as regards the best camp site for the team in terms of weather, comfort and serenity.

All the Nigerians players are coming from Europe where they have being playing throughout the season in cold and freezing conditions but they are now going to Ivory coast where it’s going to be a complete direct opposite conditions.

And the Football House decided to choose a place like Dubai with similar weather conditions to what the players will confront in Ivory Coast.

So the big question is why the unnecessary criticism on the NFF?

I know we all owe our football constructive and objective criticisms but we must also burge ourselves from always setting an agenda of distraction and drama where there is none whenever the Country is on a major tournament.

Any regular traveller can easily attest to how serene Dubai is for any kind of hospitality and accommodation and the NFF actually got this very spot on to camp the Super Eagles there.

One can be rest assured of zero level of distraction for both the players and the technical crew which offcourse will afford them maximum concentration on the task ahead.

To further see that the NFF knows exactly what they were doing with the choice of Dubai , many other African Countries also have similar camp sites for their teams.

The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon for example are camped in Saudi Arabia, the Gambia are also currently using Saudi Arabia while DR Congo and Burkina Faso are camped in Abu Dhabi in the UAE.

I think what we all should be concerned about is how coach Jose Peseiro can get the best out of the array top class players in the Eagles Squad and have the likes of Victor Boniface and Victor Osimhen firing in Ivory Coast.

Written by Micheal Obasi
Sports Journalist and Football Affairs Analyst

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Sports

NLO Integrity Under Fire After Match-Fixing Allegations in Bauchi Clash

Published

1 hour ago

May 7, 2026

The Gleamer

..As Wikki Tourists Feeders vs Adamu Jumba FC Draws Concern Over League Credibility

A cloud of controversy now hangs over NLO One following disturbing reports from Bauchi that could undermine the progress and credibility of the Nigerian Nationwide League One under the leadership of Chief Operating Officer Shola Ogunowo.

The league body has consistently maintained a zero-tolerance stance on match manipulation, emphasizing that the integrity and fairness of the competition must be protected at all costs. However, Wednesday’s fixture between Wikki Tourists Feeders and Adamu Jumba FC in Bauchi has raised serious concerns after multiple eyewitnesses came forward with allegations of match-fixing.

According to eyewitness accounts, the match was allegedly fixed to favor Wikki Tourists Feeders, with the aim of helping them leapfrog current table-toppers Warinje FC in the standings. The claims, if proven true, strike at the heart of the league’s reputation as a credible pathway for emerging Nigerian talent.

The most troubling account involves the match officials. Eyewitnesses say the center referee and his assistant refused to return for the second half after noticing what they believed to be irregular conduct during the first half. It reportedly took 30 minutes of intervention and persuasion by the Bauchi State Football Association before the officials agreed to resume the game.

Further allegations point to on-field actions that appeared deliberate. Former Niger Tornadoes player Musa Wakili is said to have intentionally missed a penalty in a manner that raised suspicion among those present. In protest, Adamu Jumba’s head coach is reported to have walked out of the technical area, stating publicly that he would not be associated with anything that could tarnish his professional image.

While these remain allegations and have not been independently verified, the gravity of the claims demands immediate attention. The NLO must launch a thorough investigation to ascertain what transpired during the match and ensure that appropriate disciplinary measures are taken against anyone found culpable. Allowing such conduct to go unchecked would set a dangerous precedent and erode public trust in the league.

Shola Ogunowo has earned respect for his commitment to transparency and professionalism since assuming office as COO. Stakeholders and fans alike now look to the NLO leadership to demonstrate that same resolve by addressing the matter decisively and transparently.

The outcome of this investigation will be closely watched, as it could define how seriously the NLO is prepared to defend the integrity of Nigerian grassroots football.

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