National Chairman of Nigeria Football Supporters Club (NFSC) Rev Sam Ikpea has faulted the decision of Presidential Task Force (PTF) on Covid-19 not to allow fans into the stadium for the Nigeria versus Sierra Leone AFCON qualifier this week in Benin. Ikpea in a chat with Catholic Herald Sports wondered why fans won’t be allowed into the Sam Ogbemudia Stadium when that has not been the case in other spheres of our national life, especially in politics. In his words:”Edo state just finished an election in which there was a huge turn out of voters, most of whom did not respect Covid-19 protocols. We also saw huge crowd during the #EndSars protests…all these didn’t lead to any spike in Covid-19, so why won’t fans be allowed into the stadium to cheer our national team. Why won’t my members be allowed to cheer the Eagles…I don’t think the decision is proper,” Ikpea said. Ikpea stressed that worst case scenario the PTF should allow members of the Supporters Club into the stadium to cheer the Eagles. “We are always the 12th player for all our national teams. If they don’t want fans, they should at least allow my members to go in there and do our patriotic duty of cheering the Eagles to victory.” It would be noted that the Edo State government had on its part resolved to throw the gates open to fans before the PTF decision which the state may eventually respect. Gov Obaseki had said they wanted to allow fans into the brand new stadium as a way of saying “thank you “ to them for voting him for a second term in office. The encounter takes place on the 13th a day after the governor’s inauguration on November 12th.

Media Officers: SWAN boss, Sirawo lauds NFF over Raji, TobeChukwu
The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) hails the appointment of its Deputy Secretary General, Babafemi Raji and a dedicated member, Oluchi Tobe-Chukwu as the Media Officers of the Super Eagles and Super Falcons respectively. SWAN in a statement signed by its President, Honor Sirawo equally commends the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for once again appointing well experienced sports journalists who are certified members of the Association into such sensitive positions. “The appointments are indeed reward for industry, experience, firm believe in professionalism and capacity to deliver on critical national assignments. We particularly commend the NFF for recognizing the role of SWAN in sharpening Sports Journalists as critical stakeholders in Sports development and the recent awaited financial palliative extended to the association from the FIFA’s reach out to national football bodies across the world. We have no doubt that the duo of Raji and Tobe-Chukwu will bring their wealth of experience to bear in the discharge of their new assignments,” Sirawo stated. Sirawo charged Babafemi Raji and Oluchi Tobe-Chukwu to discharge their duties with vigour, sense of responsibility, professionalism and tact required of such positions of trust.

Ahead 2020/21 NPFL season: Rangers set to challenge LMC over banishment
F ootball authorities in Enugu state may go to war with the League Management Company (LMC) over the decision to banish Rangers after Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu was listed as one of the venues that is not good enough to host league matches. It would be noted that the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu and Kano Pillars Sanni Abacha Stadium home top the list of stadia across the country that have failed LMC’s test ahead of the new soccer season. The LMC last week okayed only 13 stadia for the NPFL 2020/21 season. The 13 approved grounds include Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos, Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin, Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba and Okigwe Township Stadium. Others that met the requirements are Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi, Gombe Township Stadium, Pantami, Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi, Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna, Enyimba International Stadium, Aba, Muhammad Dikko Stadium, Katsina and Ilorin Township Stadium. A top Enugu FA official who said they were taken aback by the decision of LMC wondered how the league body arrived at the decision. “No body from LMC came to Enugu for stadium inspection. So, how did they arrive at the decision to say the Cathedral (Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium) is not good enough. We are going to challenge that decision,” he said. The LMC while ruling out Enugu for matches listed the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium as one of the venues that must be upgraded. Other venues on the list are Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano, Agege Stadium, Akure Township Stadium, Warri Township Stadium, New Jos Township Stadium. The rest are Lafia Township Stadium, IfeanyiUbah Stadium, Nnewi and Fufure Stadium, Yola which will be inspected for certification after construction work has been completed.
