Sports
Our Target Is To secure 2026 World Cup Ticket, Win AFCON-NFF President
Joel Ajayi
President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusua has revealed that his main target right now is for Nigeria’s Super Eagles to qualify for the 2026 World Cup that will be jointly hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico as well as to win the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote D’Ivoire, come January 13th to February 11th, 2024.
It’s exactly 10 years ago that Nigeria lifted the AFCON title in South Africa, President Gusua who is celebrating his 365 days in office said that is why the board is going the extra mile for the national teams to be in good shape before any competition.
Gusua while highlighting the activities of the NFF and the teams in one year of his Board in office, and also articulating expectations for the next year said that his board will work assiduously and diligently with the secretariat and the Federal Ministry of Sports Development to see the Super Eagles off to a great start in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying series and to win the 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire early next year.
“We also want to see the Super Falcons reclaim their African title and return to the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament.
Our expectations include making good progress in our plan for hostel accommodation and some playing pitches for the National Teams, through the FIFA Forward 3.0 program, and also see that the U17 and U20 Women’s National Teams achieve their best-ever outings at their different World Cups next year.”
The NFF boss said his team will also not allow any FIFA window for friendly matches to go unutilized.
“As you can see, we have arranged two matches for the Super Eagles in this month’s window, against Saudi Arabia and Mozambique. Mozambique is in southern Africa where three of our opponents in the World Cup qualifiers, namely Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and South Africa are.
Also, playing Mozambique is a good opportunity for the team to have a sneak preview of what to expect against these three teams.”
Sports
NSC, NOC Task Journalists on Gender Equality in Sports Reporting
Joel Ajayi
The Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, and the President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Engr. Habu Gumel and Chairperson of the NOC Women’s Commission, Professor Florence Adeyanju, have urged sports journalists to intensify awareness of women’s participation and achievements in sports.
They made the call on Monday in Abuja while speaking at the opening of a two-day seminar organised by the NOC Women’s Commission for sports journalists, aimed at promoting gender equality and improving media coverage of women in sports.
Olopade stressed that women could not be sidelined in Nigeria’s sports development, urging journalists to give greater attention to female athletes and their contributions to the sector.
In his remarks, Eng Gumel said the media had a significant role in shaping public perception of women in sports, noting that balanced and inclusive reporting would encourage more girls to participate and inspire women to take up leadership positions.
He described the seminar as a strategic initiative to change the narrative surrounding women’s participation and achievements in sports, while commending the Women’s Commission for its commitment to promoting gender equality.
According to him, the seminar was designed not merely to improve sports reporting but also to change the narrative surrounding women’s participation and achievements in the sporting sector.
He noted that the programmes had helped build capacity, provide mentorship and inspire women to contribute more effectively to sports development
The president described the journalists’ seminar as a strategic way to conclude the tenure of the current Women Commission, expressing satisfaction that its final programme focused on the media’s influence in advancing women’s participation in sports.
He urged participants to make the most of the seminar by engaging actively, asking questions and acquiring the knowledge needed to become advocates for women in sports journalism.
Earlier in her welcome addressed, the Chairperson of the NOC Women’s Commission, Professor Florence Adeyanju, called on journalists to use their influence to promote fairness, inclusiveness and equal opportunities for women and girls in sports.
Adeyanju observed that although sports had traditionally been perceived as a male-dominated field, many women had overcome barriers to participate and excel.
She noted that sports offered enormous benefits to girls, including improved skills, self-confidence and resilience, while opening doors to lifelong opportunities.
According to her, journalists’ reports, photographs and attitudes significantly influence public perceptions of female athletes, warning against coverage that prioritises physical appearance over sporting skills and achievements.
She urged participants to embrace modern sports reporting techniques that challenge stereotypes and remove barriers that have hindered women’s participation in sports.
Adeyanju also encouraged the journalists to share the knowledge acquired at the seminar and produce reports that would inspire future generations.
She expressed appreciation to Gumel and the NOC board for supporting the commission’s initiative.
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