Sports

Unity Preseason Tournament: NFF’s Chairman of Chairmen, Ahmed Yusuf ‘Fresh’ Praises Organisers

Published

4 years ago

November 1, 2022

…Says, Medical support a ‘Tip of the Iceberg ‘

Olaoluwa Aro

The newly elected Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Chairman of Chairmen, Alhaji Ahmed Yusuf ‘Fresh’ has saluted the efforts of the Unity Preseason Tourney organizers, for putting together a successful preseason event, in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

EFCC of Abuja emerged champions of the tournament, as they walked tightly against Nasarawa United to lift the trophy of the second edition of the annual Preseason Tournament.

The second edition of the Unity Preseason Tournament has been described as one of highly competitive football showpiece in the North Central, owing to the fact that, top clubs in Nigeria Professional Football League ( NPFL) and Nigeria National League ( NNL), within the circuit of this Geopolitical zone, have made it a point of reference, for preparing themselves, ahead of the new season(s) respectively.

In a telephone conversation with Comrade Ahmed Yusuf, who was obviously busy with other grassroots engagement in his state, but distantly monitored almost 75% of all the games at this year’s edition of Unity Preseason event.

Fresh euphorically maintains his commitment toward the Unity Cup project, while hailing the idea behind the event, as he shared his views on the event.

” Unity Preseason Tourney is platform for Nigerian clubs through which opportunities are provided to test the readiness of the new players and equally asses them. I followed all the updates from the beginning and I am confident, the purpose of this preseason tournament is being achieved without hyperbole” he noted but continued by saying;

” The organizers sought for my contributions and I picked up the Medical aspect, because that area is usually neglected in organization of football event.

“It’s noteworthy to make Medical personnel services available at Match venues, even though, no body prays for a mishap but as someone who organizes grassroot events, I don’t pay less regard to the Medical units, so that the entire Football program wouldn’t be stained with an emergency, and to avoid anything that can vitiate it as well” he said, while cogently explaining his unavailability at the finals.

” I was invited to watch one of the Quarter final matches on Thursday but I rain-check it because of the final but painfully, I didn’t grace this year’s final as I had to join other NFF’s executives at Ibadan on national assignment, ” said the Former NFF Technical and Development Committee Chairman.

This year’s edition of Unity Preseason Tourney had four groups with 13 teams and matches were played at two venues, which are Area 10 football pitch and Area 3 as well.

The final of the second edition was between Nasarawa United, one of the Nigeria Professional Football League Sides( NPFL) and EFCC of Abuja, a household name amongst the Nigeria National League ( NNL) Teams in North Central.

The Solid Miners lost 4-3 on penalties to the Anti graft Agency Football team after normal duration ended in a one all draw.

Historically, Nasarawa United lost two consecutive finals of the Unity Preseason Tournament since the birth of the competition. In 2021, Plateau United defeated the Lafia-based team by lone goal.

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Sports

Flamingos’ Historic World Cup Feat Draws Musawa’s Commendation

Published

10 hours ago

November 8, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, has congratulated Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, following their historic triumph at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.

The Flamingos defeated Japan 2-1 in Saturday’s final at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat to claim Nigeria’s first title in the competition and make history as the first African nation to win the tournament.

Awawu Bashiru gave Nigeria the lead in the 39th minute before Oluebube Umejiaku extended the advantage two minutes after the restart. Japan’s Fuki Ito reduced the deficit in the 80th minute, but the Nigerian girls held on to secure a memorable victory.

In a congratulatory message was signed by Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Minister, Nneka Ikem Anibeze on Sunday in Abuja, Musawa described the achievement as a defining moment for Nigeria and a significant milestone for African women’s football, attributing the success to the team’s resilience, talent and determination.

“This is more than a trophy. It is a story of young Nigerian girls who refused to give up, who rose after defeat, and who carried the hopes of a continent to the top of the world,” she said.

The Minister noted that the Flamingos had broken new ground by becoming the first African team to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. Nigeria also became the first African country to win both the men’s and women’s U-17 World Cup titles.

The team further achieved another remarkable feat by becoming the first side in the competition’s history to lose its opening match and eventually emerge champions.

Despite suffering a 2-1 defeat to Poland in their opening group-stage encounter, the Flamingos recovered impressively, recording six consecutive victories to lift the trophy.

Musawa particularly praised Umejiaku, who claimed the tournament’s Golden Ball award as the best player, and Bashiru for their crucial contributions in the final.

She also commended the entire squad for their discipline, teamwork and determination throughout the competition.

According to her, the victory demonstrates the creativity, courage and excellence of Nigerian youths on the global stage.

The Minister reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to celebrating and promoting the achievements and inspiring stories of young Nigerians who continue to bring honour to the country.

“Our girls have shown the world what Nigeria is made of. We celebrate you today, and we will continue to stand with you,” she added.

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