Sports

Falode joins NFF race to freshen women’s football

Published

2 years ago

September 5, 2022

Chairperson of the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Aisha Falode

Chairperson of the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Aisha Falode believed being elected into the board of Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) would further boost the growth of women’s football in the country.

Falode, the only women appointed Executive Committee member of the present NFF as chairperson of the NWFL, reckoned that seeking an elective position at the forthcoming September 30 NFF elections slated for Benin City, Edo State capital, would afford her the chance to breath more life into the women’s game without being cowed by anybody.

“ We have done well at the NWFL and I’m thankful to the Pinnick -led board because without their support, we won’t be able to achieve much at the NWFL and in fact, President Amaju Pinnick was instrumental to the last two sponsorships we secured for the NWPL ,” Falode said in Lagos at the weekend. “Of course, I have been on the NFF board on the basis of being the NWFL’s chairperson but there’s little one can do to assert one’s authority and influence because you are also at the mercy of those that appointed you.”

The former member of CAF’s Media Committee who said she was aspiring for NFF executive seat through from the Edo State Football Association, added she’s ready for the test in the ballot box,

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“ Going forward, I don’t want to be appointed anymore even if I’m given the chance; I’ll rather go and contest elections and if I win fine and if I lose, I’ll know I have given it my best shot,” Falode, brandishing her electoral form, said.“ I’ll be joining the race not as President or Vice-President of the NFF but as an executive committee member.

“I want to have a voice and I want to be heard and I want to be able to take the initiative and run with the ideas without holding back because I’m equal with the people I’m sharing the table with,” she added.

Apart from bigger visibility for women’s football, Falode , said one of the agendas she’ll be pursuing on being elected into the NFF is a result oriented secretariat at the Sunday Dankaro House, adding there are so much yet untapped opportunities for women’s football and Nigerian football in general.

“ Of course, when I return to the board through the ballot as an executive committee member of the NFF , I can also begin to be loud in my ideas and pushing for a football federation that is professionally run,” she said.“ We know a lot of things that can be done better in our football federation and we can build upon what has been done by the last board because this is going to be like a relay race.”

Falode added that she will ensure that the NFF secretariat is up and running in all ramifications including commercial, marketing, legal and compliance levels .

The Nation

Sports

Ronaldo playing in Saudi league for money like me – Ighalo

Published

12 hours ago

April 24, 2024

Trends Admin

Cristiano Ronaldo and Odion Ighalo

Ronaldo playing in Saudi league for money like me – Ighalo

Ex-Super Eagles striker Odion Ighalo has disclosed that the decision of Cristiano Ronaldo and other top footballers to ply their trade in Saudi Arabia was informed by pecuniary motives.

Ronaldo moved to Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr last year in a stunning three-year deal that would see him earn €210.704 million in total.

Other top footballers, who have made names for themselves in Europe, have also moved to Saudi Arabia as the the oil-rich middle east nation injected massive cash into league in order to make it a football powerhouse.

Reacting to the move of Ronaldo to Saudi Arabia and the influx of big players to the Saudi league, Ighalo said the motivation behind these moves was money and not passion.

Ighalo made this known during an interview with sport journalist, Oma Akatugba.

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He said. “See people that are going to Saudi Arabia, big players. Is Ronaldo still playing for passion? He has made more than 100 times what I have in my life, but he still went to Saudi. You want to tell me that is passion? No, it’s for money.

“It’s only when we Africans say it they will say we like money. But these people don’t care, some of them want to be highest paid and all that,”

Ighalo left mainstream Europe for Chang Chung Yatai in 2017 after playing for Lyn, Udinese, Granada, Cesena, and Watford.

At Yatai, he earned a reported €200,000 weekly salary, before moving to Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua where he also commanded a similar wage.

Ighalo spent one year in Shanghai before moving to Manchester United on a six-month loan deal.

After that, the 34-year-old joined Al Shabbab, where he started earning €170,000.

Ronaldo playing in Saudi league for money like me – Ighalo

Sports

MLS: Messi’s double keeps Miami on top of the league table

Published

2 days ago

April 22, 2024

Trends Admin

Lionel Messi

MLS: Messi’s double keeps Miami on top of the league table

Lionel Messi showcased his brilliance with a double and an assist for Sergio Busquets as Inter Miami secured a 3-1 victory over Nashville on Saturday, keeping them at the summit of Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference.

Despite a shaky start that saw Franco Negri inadvertently deflect a corner into Miami’s net within two minutes, Messi swiftly equalized in the 11th minute after Luis Suarez redirected a rebounded shot from the Argentine.

Messi continued to menace Nashville’s defense, narrowly missing another goal before providing an exquisite cross for Diego Gomez, whose header was denied by Nashville keeper Elliot Panicco.

Miami capitalized on their momentum as Busquets, Messi’s former Barcelona teammate, nodded in a corner just before halftime, giving Miami a well-deserved lead.

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However, Miami suffered a setback as Gomez was stretchered off with an ankle injury, adding to their injury woes.

Although Nashville dominated possession in the second half, Miami remained resolute defensively. In the 81st minute, Messi sealed the win by converting a penalty after Leonardo Afonso was fouled in the box.

With this victory, Messi extended his impressive goal-scoring record to nine goals in as many games across all competitions for Miami.

Reflecting on Miami’s performance, manager Gerardo Martino praised his team’s resilience, particularly considering their depleted squad due to injuries.

Despite Miami’s success, Columbus Crew faced a tough battle, twice coming from behind to secure a 2-2 draw against Phil Neville’s Portland Timbers.

Meanwhile, Cincinnati clinched a 2-1 win over Atlanta United, with Luciano Acosta playing a pivotal role in their comeback victory. This highlights an eventful day in Major League Soccer.

MLS: Messi’s double keeps Miami on top of the league table

Sports

Arsenal beat Wolves to return to top spot

Published

3 days ago

April 21, 2024

Trends Admin

Arsenal beat Wolves to return to top spot

Arsenal put their Champions League disappointment firmly in the past by beating Wolves at Molineux and moving back to the top of the Premier League.

Having blown their chance to leapfrog Pep Guardiola’s side six days ago by losing at home to Aston Villa and then being knocked out of the Champions League by Bayern Munich on Wednesday, it was a welcome triumph for Mikel Arteta’s men.

Leandro Trossard’s strike in the last minute of the opening period may not have been the most eye-catching of the Belgian’s career, but it was perfectly timed.

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It came at the end of a half where Arsenal seemed to have gotten stuck after a bright start and nearly fell behind to Gary O’Neil’s injury-ravaged side.

The visitors dominated the second half too, but were unable to carve out the clear chances that would have allowed them to take the game out of reach.

Captain Martin Odegaard added the second deep into stoppage time at the end of the game, turning in from a tight angle after his initial cross had been blocked.

The result means Arsenal are now a point clear of City, with a better goal difference but having played a game more.

They have the chance to apply some significant pressure to the defending champions when they entertain beaten FA Cup semi-finalists Chelsea on Tuesday.