SPORTS PANORAMA

Liverpool/Chelsea play 1-1 in first leg semi final

Liverpool and Chelsea both of England last night played out a one-one draw in the First Leg Semi Final of this season’s UEFA champion league decided at Amfield.

Dirk Kuyt scored the first goal while Liverpool’s John Riise scored an own goal to give Chelsea a vital away point.

Tonight, FC Barcelona of Spain host Manchester United of England in the first leg, second semi final at the Camp Nou stadium.

# v# #

UEFA:  Manchester United to clash with FC Barcelona in semi-final

Manchester United are to clash with FC Barcelona in the semi-final of this year’s UEFA champion’s league on the 21st of this month.

In the remaining quarter final matches played on Wednesday night Manchester United defeated A S Roma One – Nil and on a three-nil aggregate win.

Barcelona saw off Shalke 04 one-nil to advance on a two-nil aggregate win.
Chelsea and Liverpool will also meet in the other semi-final on the 22nd of this month.

# # #

Eagles drop to sixth on FIFA ranking

Ghana has replaced Nigeria in the number one position in Africa, in the monthly World Football Governing body, FIFA, ranking.

The Super Eagles dropped to sixth in Africa and slided twenty six places down to become forty five in the world.

Cameroon is rated second best in Africa, while Nations Cup winners Egypt, moved up to six places in the world ranking but retained its fourth spot on the continent.

# # #

FIFA lifts ban on Bosso

FIFA Lifts its four months ban on Ladan Bosso Coach of the Nation’a Under-20 team to the World Cup in Canada.

As Nigeria 2009 Under-17 World Championship Local Organising Committee commences Stadia inspection in Warri on Thursday.

# # #

Abia State lifts Esuene Cup

The 3rd Edition of the U.J Esuene Cup has ended  in Uyo Akwa Ibom State, with Abia State lifting the under fifteen Boys Trophy, by beating the host state 8-7 penalties after the match had ended 0-0.

Benue girls also defeated their Akwa-Ibom State Counterparts by one goal to nil to lift the Trophy.

# # # #

I can change Nigeria’s sports landmark says Orji Uzor Kalu

On Tuesday, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, Former Governor of Abia State and Pillar of Sports, re-appeared from his sabbatical in politics and re-ignited the hopes of the Super Eagles of Nigeria winning the 2010 World Cup to be held in South Africa if he is made a Special Envoy in Sports.
 
He said that he can change Nigeria’s sports landmark if President Musa Yar’Adua gives him the green light to turn things around.
The former governor also asked President Yar’Adua to honour the players and officials of Enyimba FC for their historic feat of winning the Champions League back to back thereby becoming the first Nigerian club to win the Champions Cup in 40 years.

“President Yar’Adua should extend his largesse to the players and officials of Enyimba because what they did was historic”, he said. He expressed delight with the performance of the Yar’Adua government in sports.

The former governor who is also the President of Nigerian Judo Federation spoke on the lingering crisis between the NFA and NFL and urged the Sports Minister to take a decisive role to settle the discord. “NFA should apply the rule as specified by FIFA and carry it out to the letter. The Minister should not sit on the fence because the face-off is dragging Nigerian football backwards. Some clubs are being penalised because of their loyalty to either NFA or NFL. It should not be so”.

He also frowned at the performance of Nigeria at the All Africa Games in Algiers noting that with a stronger Nigeria Olympic Committee, NOC, Nigeria should sweep medals at major international events.

He noted that he would move Judo to greater heights promising to help Nigerian Sports since he is the Pillar of Sports and not Pillar of Football.

# # # #

Samuel Peters is an inspiration to Niger Delta youths

World Heavy Weight Champion, Samuel Peter has been described as an inspiration to youths in the Niger Delta especially Akwa Ibom State.

A House of Representatives member for Eket Constitency in Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Eseme Eyiboh said in Abuja that the exploits of the world champion was an indication that youths in the region can excel.

Mr. Eyiboh who also commended the boxer for brining honour to Akwa Ibom State and the country, promised to champion legislation that would empower youths in his constituency to recreate the exploits of the likes of Samuel Peter.

# # # #

U-23 arrives Ghana for training session

Nigerian’s Under – 23 national team will have its maiden training session on Thursday in Accra after arriving the Ghanaian Capital  on Wednesday for the crunch Beijing 2008 Olympic qualifier against the Black Meteors on Friday.

The Dream Team, which played a 1-1 draw against Tesco United of Lagos in their last tune up match at home, departed the Murtala Mohammed Airport with a 30- man team led by Coach Samson Siasia.
 
Nigeria which has four points from two games with another two games left to go, needs at least appoint against the Meteors on Friday to keep alive their hopes of picking the group’s sole ticket to the Olympics.

Deputy Scribe of the Nigeria Football Association, Mr. Mohammed Sanusi has assured fans of a good build up to the encounter.
The make or mar qualifier is billed for the newly- constructed Ohene Djan stadium in Accra.

# # # #

FCT: host National Sports Festival for challenged people

The FCT Special Sports Association has won the bid to host the first National Sports Festival for the physically challenged scheduled for November next year.

The Director General of the National Sports Commission, Dr. Amos Adamu conveyed the Commission’s approval of the FCT bid to host the festival.

A statement from the FCT Special Sports Association, says the Host rights award will take place this month.
 
Nigerians continue to react to Glasgow’s defeat of Abuja as host of the 2014 Commonwealth Games and Brazil retains the FIFA Beach soccer world cup.

# # #

Latest FIFA rankings

Nigeria has moved four places from twenty- third in world to nineteenth in the latest world rankings released on Wednesday. The Super Eagles thus retained her position as the number one ranked team in Africa ahead of Cameroon which gained two places and are now twenty three in the world.

Guinea is Africa’s third best side and thirty first in the world despite sliding by one spot, but Mali soared from forty-ninth to fortieth in the world (seventh in the Continent), while the Teranga Lions climbed six places from to thirty fourth in the world and are now fifth in Africa.

  Last nations Cup losing finalist, cote d’Ivorie dropped from thirty seventh to thirty-second in the world-forth in Africa, while reigning African Champions Egypt are the continents sixth best squad moving for places from forth- thirty to thirty- ninth in the world rankings.

Morocco are forty-second in the world and eighth in Africa, Tunisia is ninth in the African log and forty- third in the globe and Ghana host of next year’s Nations Cup is ranked tenth in Africa and forty- seventh in the world.

Argentina however head the rankings, Brazil are second and world champions Italy are third.

# # # #

South Africa wins Rugby World Cup     

South Africa’s Rugby Coach Jake White has hailed the World Cup wins by his side as a massive boost for the Rainbow Nation.

The Springboks edged England 15-6 with four penalties from Percy Montgomery and one from Francois Steyn to two from England’s Johnny Wilkinson.

South Africa also won the World Cup on their soil in 1995, when the then President Nelson Mandela wore the number six shirt of Captain Francois Pienaar, and White said he hoped Saturday’s victory would play similar part in uniting his country.

# # # #

Super Eagles/ Golden Eaglets tie Eguavoen to harmonise list

Austin Eguavoen Assistant Coach of the Super Eagles is expected to return to the country from Mexico to fine-tune the list of home-based Super Eagles.
The Eagles will file out against reigning FIFA Under-17 World Champions, the Golden Eaglets, next Wednesday inside the Teslim Balogun stadium in Lagos.

Eguavoen, who was part of the Eagles Technical crew that saw the team to a 2-2 draw with their Mexican counterparts, will however meet with the Technical Department of the NFA in Abuja to harmonise the final list for the tie, which has been aptly dubbed 'David against Goliath".

The list will receive the stamp of approval from German Head Coach Berti Vogts who will be in Nigeria on Monday to take charge of the team.
Some known names expected in the team include Enyimba's quartet of defender Uche Ugochi, Ajibade Omolade and Uga Okpara.
There's also Ahmed Yaro Yaro from Kano Pillars, Kabiru Alausa from Sunshine of Akure, Ifeanyi Onuigbo of Heartland among others.

Already, members of the all-conquering Golden Eaglets will enter camp at the Union Bank Sport Complex at Eric Moore, Lagos beginning from tomorrow while the Eagles will report after their league games on Sunday. The NFA is also expected to name the match officials.

# # # # #

FG decides to fund Tella’s Hospital Bills

In the wake of outpouring of public sympathy and prayers for ailing Golden Eaglets' coach Yemi Tella, the Federal Government on Wednesday joined the 'save Tella campaign' with its decision to take over the hospital bills of the World Cup winning coach.

The coach is presently on a life support machine at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) after under going an operation last Tuesday. 
However, his family is still insisting the best option to keep the coach alive will be treatment abroad sources told newsmen that Tella was in no condition to make an overseas trip.

But some soothing balm came, when Abdurrahman Hassan Gimba, the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), who visited the sick coach on behalf of the Federal Government, said that President Umaru Yar'Adua was very concerned over Tella's health and had instructed that government would write off the bills.

On the NSC boss entourage are 'suspended' chairman of the Nigeria Professional League board (NFL), Chief Oyuki Obaseki and the President General, Nigeria Football Supporters' Club, Rafiu Ladipo along with some other NSC staff.

At the hospital, only the NSC boss and two others were allowed access to the ailing coach and after delivering his message to the NSC boss made several attempts to put a call though to Aso Rock so that President Yar'Adua could speak directly with the coach.

Meanwhile, while Tella's family would want the coach to be flown abroad immediately, medical personnel at the hospital insisted that the coach will have to wait for sometime because his body is not strong enough to cope with the rigours of a long air travel.
And in a related development, the Lagos State Government approved the immediate release of funds for the procurement by the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) of an additional life support machine.

Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), State governor, was moved into taking this action after learning that the only life support machine was being used for Tella, which meant that LUTH could not offer the service to any other critically ill patient.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, made this known to newsmen after his visit to the sick coach along with a team of Lagos State Government officials.

The Lagos State Governor also assured Tella's wife and family that no stone would be left unturned to give their loved one all the necessary support at this critical period. He called on all Nigerians to pray earnestly for Tella's recovery.

# ## #

Organisers of Nigeria/Mexico match to pay victims of burglary

After the 2-2   draw against Mexico, the Super Eagles players returned to their hotel to discover that two of their rooms at the three star Fiesta Inn, Ciudad Juarez had been looted and four players robbed.
The victims involved were, Ike Uche, Paul Obiefule, Manasseh Ishiaku and Dickson Etuhu. In the first, Uche lost the USD5000 he was paid as bonus for the win over Lesotho last month as well as his wristwatch. His room mate Obiefule lost around 3000 euros.

In the other room Manasseh Ishiaku was relieved of his laptop, wristwatch and wallet containing credit cards and cash. Etuhu also lost his wallet containing cash, credit cards and drivers’ license. Meanwhile, the organizers of Sunday’s international friendly match between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and the senior team of Mexico, which ended 2-2 in Juarez, have agreed to pay for all stolen items in the Super Eagles’ hotel rooms in that city, following discovery of burglary.

 Players and officials returned to the FIESTA INN after the game to discover that striker Ikechukwu Uche’s $5,000, Paul Obiefule’s wrist-watch, Ishiaku Mannaseh’s laptop, wrist-watch and some money and some money belonging to midfielder Dickson Etuhu had vamoosed.  But Team Secretary Dayo Enebi called to say the organizers are paying for the burglary.

 We went to the police station and the organizers of the match have been really concerned. They have, in fact, taken the bank details of the players who lost valuables and said they will pay back whatever was lost in the burglary. “The credit cards that were thought to have been stolen were later found in the bag. They saw the burglar’s face through the security camera and are hunting seriously for him”, said Enebi.

 Meanwhile, the players have departed Mexico on Monday afternoon, on their way back to Europe, while the officials who left for Nigeria will return on Thursday.

# # # #

Sports Commissioners to meet in Abuja over NFA/NFL crisis

As the Nigeria Football Association, NFA, and the Nigeria Football League, NFL, continue with their ghoulish dance over control of the League and sundry matters, Sports Commissioners may have finally woken up from their sleep to rescue Nigerian League from their strong hold.

Spokesman of Sports Commissioners in Nigeria and Edo State Sports Commissioner, Brown that time had come for them to rescue Nigerian Football from the grip of NFA and NFL.
All Sports Commissioners in Nigeria are to meet at Chida International Hotel in Abuja tomorrow.

Most of the clubs in the country are fully owned or controlled by the government. And we cannot fold our arms and allow ‘strangers’ control our clubs. You can see that those who are fighting over the League don’t have interest more than the real owners of the League.

 But apparently aware of the meeting, Chairman of the Nigeria Football League, Chief Oyuiki Obaseki laughed over it saying that ‘all plans by NFA and their agents to bring the league to ridicule will not work. Are they not the ones who said that FIFA frowns at the interference of government in football? What are they doing by inviting Sports Commissioners and calling government to rise up to their rescue? You can see that the people are confused.

Their actions amount to speaking from all sides of the mouth. In one breadth, FIFA frowns at government interference and another breadth, they invite government to come and discredit NFL. It is becoming interesting. But, the whole fight is getting to its logical end.

Sports reporter gathered that League matches that were played last week in utter disrespect to the boycott order given by club owners would be cancelled by the NFL. However, a source from the NFA said that all matches played would be recorded while clubs that did not honour their matches because of the threat would be dealt with.

# # # #

Amuneke Tasks NFA on Eagles’ Euro Camp

As the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) concludes plans to camp the Super Eagles in Europe ahead of next January’s Nations Cup finals in Ghana, former international, Emmanuel Amuneke, has advised the football house to take into consideration the weather condition of the camp site in order not to jeopardise the odds of the team at the tournament.

Amuneke, who was part of the Super Eagles that were camped in Malaga, southern Spain before Ghana/Nigeria 2000 where they placed second behind Cameroon, noted that they were unable to train properly for almost two weeks because of bad weather.

He warned that the FA must ensure that the weather of the camp site chosen conforms to the weather conditions in Ghana where the Eagles hope to better the bronze medal feat of the Christian Chukwu-led squad when the West African nation hosted in 1978.

Although the NFA is yet to confirm where exactly the team will camp in Europe, the idea behind camping abroad according the scribe, Bolaji Ojo-Oba: Is to allow the players to come together after their respective weekend domestic club matches before the mandatory two week FIFA release period comes into effect.

However, newsmen learnt that the NFA is tilting towards settling on Faro in Portugal, which was where the Eagles camped before their last two Nations Cup campaigns in Tunisia (2004) and Egypt (2006).

# # #

CAF confirms date for 2008 Nations Cup group draws

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will know on the 19th of October their Nations Cup group opponents following the confirmation of the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) that the draw for “Ghana 2008” which will  take place in Accra.

According to a statement released by CAF from its Cairo’s headquarters, the 16 qualifiers will be drawn into four groups of four for the tournament, which runs from 20th January to 10th February.

A CAF inspection team will look at the facilities at the four venues— Accra, Kumassi, Sekondi and Tamale two days before the draw.
There are still three Nations Cup places to be decided, with the remaining four games to be played on October 12th and 14th.

Egypt, Burundi, Botswana, Mali, Togo, Benin and Uganda all have chances of qualifying.
The 12 teams that have booked their place already: Along with hosts Ghana, are Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Sudan, Tunisia, Cameroon, Angola, Senegal, Guinea, Namibia, Zambia, South Africa and Morocco.

The last time, Nigeria touted to be the giant of African football, won the title was in Tunisia in 1994, when Dutch technical adviser, Clemens Westerhof, led the likes of Stephen Keshi, Uche Okechukwu, Ben Iroha and Rashidi Yekini, to claim Africa’s top soccer prize.

After that feat, the Super Eagles have always struggled to re-enact the magic in subsequent editions, most times, finishing third best team in the 16-nation tournament. The Nigerians are being managed by German World Cup winner, Berti Vogts, who has promised to deliver the Nations Cup crown as a befitting New Year’s package to long suffering Nigerians, in dire need of triumph at the big stage.
                                                                              

# # # # #

NFA: Chairman NFL two-years ban clamped still remains

Nigeria Football Association NFA rose from their emergency Board meeting to announce that the two-year ban clamped on the chairman of Nigeria Football League, Chief Oyuki Obaseki still remains until October 23 when the Executive Committee of NFA would meet in Lagos to decide his fate. Also, Alhaji Shehu Garba Gussau, the NFL vice chairman and Arthur Kwame, the secretary of Club owners would know their fate on the ban slammed on them on October 23.

But the ban on two other officers of the NFL, Mallam Abubakar Salisu and Isaac Ibhafidon were reviewed.
Abubakar, the scribe of the board will now serve only two months suspension, Isaac Ibhafidon will now serve only one month suspension with effect from September 16, 2007.

Alhaji Aminu Maigari, who read the NFA Board decision after the meeting, said Davidson Owumi’s ban was reduced to six months with effect from October 2, 2007 following his failure to apologise within 72 hours after he was directed to do so.

Alhaji Maigari ,Speaking on Obaseki, said, “The Executive committee of the Nigeria Football Association will convene on Tuesday,  23rd October, 2007 in Lagos to listen to presentations from three other suspended members, viz Chief Oyuki Obaseki, Alhaji Shehu Garba Gussau and Mr Arthur Kwame who were unable to attend Monday  meeting.

In the meantime, these three (3) members remain suspended as earlier announced”.
Maigari expressed that the letters of invitation to Chief Obaseki and other officers of the NFL still banned were discovered not served them.

But we believe they must have been properly served with the letters inviting them to appear before the Executive committee of the NFA before the next hearing that has been fixed for Tuesday October 23 in Lagos. We cannot pass judgment in their absence that was why their matter has been deferred till October 23.

# # ##

Team Nigeria: We are relevant to sports development

As the crisis between the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) and Nigeria Football League (NFL) are yet to abate, another one is about to start in Nigerian sports.

Some stakeholders in sports are saying the Team Nigeria Trust Fund (TNTF) has no relevance under the current dispensation and sports development.
But the organisation has debunked the claim that it is deviating from its mandate and therefore serves no purpose in the current dispensation.

Gbenga Giwa, TNTF's spokesman, said if anything, his organisation is not only pertinent, but also key to the success of taking Nigerian sports to greater height. "First of all", Giwa stated, "what is the mandate of TNTF? It is to complement government's effort by partnering with the private sector to achieve global best for Nigerian sports". And, according to him, TNTF continues to discharge this mandate creditably well.

Giwa said when government funding was late in coming to prosecute the July All Africa Games in Algiers, due to the change in administration in April, it was TNTF that gave the National Sports Commission (NSC) N20 million to counterbalance pressing matters in the camps of our athletes training for the Games. And for the first time in the history of public/private sports partnership, all the sponsors were taken to Algiers to witness how their monies were spent, at no extra cost to them.

This is aside carrying their adverts and commercial jingles in the 16-week radio and 12-week television network programmes prior to the Games that showcased Nigeria's preparations, again at no extra cost to them. All these were done with less than N100 million generated from the market.

He revealed that even though government established TNTF, the company is currently operating without any subvention and the N95 million approved by Obasanjo administration as take-off grant when TNTF was established in June 2006 is yet to be received by us in September 2007.

Giwa then wondered how TNTF has deviated from its mandate. He then advised that people should endeavour to make enquiries when they are in the dark about certain things, saying that the management being headed Suleiman Baba Ali, operates an open-door policy. Nobody needs any prior appointment to see any management staff including the head.

# # # #

NFA maintains position on ban of NFL officials

The present crisis in the Nigerian football family may take a long time to come to an end as the Nigeria Football Association (NFA), a primary party in the crisis re-affirmed the three-year ban it has clamped on the Chairman of the Nigeria Football League (NFL) Board, Oyiuki Obaseki. The NFA cited his refusal to permit reasons to prevail in the on-going showdown with the football house.

The NFA has noted the chronic disobedience, reliable ignore for the NFA statutes, disregard for the executive of the NFA and the stanch penchant to bring the game to disrepute by Obaseki and therefore, it is the position of the NFA Executive Committee that he will serve out his ban while other NFL officials remain poised, Chairperson of the NFA Media Committee, Aisha Falode, explained in a statement to newsmen.

The Senate Committee had ordered the two militaristic parties to mend fences for the interest of the game but Falode said at the parley, that the chieftains of the league board rejected all overtures for a negotiation by demanding that they only must have the responsibility of appointing referees which flagrantly ignore the current FIFA circular on referees' appointment.

"The NFA met with the officials of the league board, as directed by Senate, to see to a peaceful resolution of the misunderstanding but the NFL still insisted that they would only have all or nothing on the issue of referees' appointment. This is unacceptable.

There is a global law on every issue concerning the league, especially on the appointment of referees for the leagues of over 200 federations and associations that make up FIFA. It is the sole responsibility of the Federation and member associations. And that is the law that the NFA is trying to effect in Nigeria.

According to Falode, Three years ago, this conflict came to lime-light but a ceasefire was called by the minister in the interest of peace but that was before FIFA gave its current ruling. The then Sports Minister, Samaila Sambawa came up with a compromise formula three years ago where the NFA appointed and NFL placed referees.

It was in the spirit of give and take but in this new regulation from FIFA, it says that the NFA has the responsibility of appointing these referees, including in the leagues organised by the NFL.
The NFA is not going outside its statutory role or responsibilities on this matter. This is the point that Nigerians should know and it is not about ethics or emotional issues.

This issue is also not about money. Obaseki has been doing a good job with the Nigerian League but in the interest of the game, he must learn to respect global laws that govern the game. He must also respect constituted authorities. The NFL must see itself not as a parallel body as they have been carrying on but as subordinate to the NFA. .

Redknapp hails Kanu as a special talent

Harry Redknapp, Portsmouth manager, hailed Kanu as "a special talent" following his match-winning performance to end Portsmouth's depressed day out run.
Kanu struck in the 25th minute to cap a 1-0 win for Pompey at Ewood Park, giving Redknapp's side their first triumph on the road since Boxing Day last year.

Since then, there have been eight defeats and five draws, so this latest achievement was long overdue for a Portsmouth team that has spent significantly in the transfer market since owner Alexandre Gaydamak took control.

Yet it was veteran striker Kanu that settled this encounter with his goal just reward for his work rate as he was asked to play in attack on his own.
Kanu puts himself through the pain barrier as he injured a knee in training, and was not totally at ease during the warm-up ahead of kick-off.

Redknapp added that Kanu got a wallop on the knee in training and he was struggling a little bit. He went out for the kickabout and the physio said that if he played we might lose him for a couple of weeks.

Redknapp is persuaded this away win will now lead to more this season, in particular after the club's vicious start to the campaign.
Pompey have already played Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool this season, yet after seven games find themselves with a decent total of nine points and in a respectable mid-table position.

# # #

Intercontinental Bank rewards Eaglets and its officials

The Golden Eaglets of Nigeria who did the nation proud by winning the FIFA U-17 World Cup in South Korea, the season of harvest continued as the team's official banker.
The bank rewarded the players and officials of the team with 15,000 units of shares each as well as Mastercard to the tune of $1,000.

The gesture was also extended to the officials of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) who were present at the occasion.

At a remarkable ceremony which took place at the bank's corporate headquarters in Victoria Island, the players were also given tutorials on financial management and wealth creation, with emphasis on how to multiply their already earned funds.

Erasmus Akingbola, the Group Chief Executive, Intercontinental Bank Plc, who expressed his happiness in hosting the Eaglets lauded the NFA board for availing us the privilege to see live the young lads whose fancy footworks, mesmerising runs, scintillating passes and spectacular goals not only kept us glued to the television all through the competition but also brought joy to the people and glory to our country, Nigeria".

According to him, the support given to the Golden Eaglets goes beyond the bank's social responsibility of giving back to the society but is more of a social investment.

Akingbola also explained that Intercontinental Bank's decision to partner the sports world is based on the discovery that the bank can leverage on the magic of sports fever in capturing some of the inherent human values which would help improve health standard and economic development of Nigeria.

Alhaji Sani Lulu ,the Chairman of the NFA, who was represented by his first Vice Amanze Uchegbulam said perhaps the Golden Eaglets would not have won the U-17 FIFA World Cup but for Intercontinental Bank support from when they started their campaign in Nigeria and showered encomiums on the bank for their foresight and genuine care.

NFA, NFL meeting with Senate Committee ends in stalemate
The Senate Committee on Sports called a meeting between the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) and the Nigeria Football League (NFL) to find a solution to the stalemate now, rocking the country's football administration failed to reach a compromise in Abuja.

The Senate Committee on Sports summoned the two warring bodies to appear before it with a view to finding solution to the crisis.

Based on the committee's directive, NFL Chairman, Oyuiki Jackson Obaseki and two of his board members, Danbaba Abdullahi and Felix Owolabi, were at the Glass House as early as 10.45 a.m. for the meeting, while the NFA Chairman, Sani Lulu and his board member, Taiwo Ogunjobi and scribe, Bolaji Ojo-Oba stood in for the association.

After several hours of deliberation, both parties failed to reach a compromise, as the NFA insisted that the statutes must be followed by the letter, stressing that those officers announced would not be reversed.
It also directed that from henceforth, the NFL must revert to its original name, the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) as enshrined in its statutes.

The association had dispatched letters to clubs participating in both the Globacom Premier and National League Division competitions, all state football referees' councils that the Premier League must commence on Sunday, while that of the National Division pool starts on October 13, 2007.

The NFA also directed that the most senior officer in the NPFL takes control of the secretariat affairs, adding that any party which failed to honour the directive would only have himself to blame.

But storming out of the meeting, Obaseki declared that anybody who bans him from Nigerian football administration was only out to destroy the game in the country.

# # # #
VOGTS STILL IN CONTROL SUPER EAGLES

Coach Berti Vogts is to arrive Nigeria next Monday, to prepare the Super Eagle for the June 17 qualifier in Niamey against Niger Republic These were the words of Spokesman for the Nigeria Football Association, Demola Olajire while dening rumours that vogts had resigned his appointment.

Olajire said the NFA was in direct contact with the German tactician 48 hours to last Monday when the news of his resignation broke.

According to the rumores which originated froma section of the foreign media, Vogts who was employed last February on a four year deal called if quit over a pay dispute with the NFA.

The German who was in charge of Nigeria 1-2 loss away to Uganda last weekend was also said to have slammed the NFA for poor organization.

The Super four got underway today at the newly inaugurated Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulelre Lagos, with Enyimba of Aba beating Wikki Tourists of Bauduzin the opener.

The people’s Elephant doubled their early lead in the 25th minute when experienced strikers David Tiavkatse pounced on a ball spilled by Wikki Goalkeeper.

Wikki however got their only goal through Ibrahim Babale, who reduced the tally with one minute to the interval.

Today is rest day for all the Teams