Victor Osimhen indeed has been the arrowhead for Napoli and a nightmare for most defenders this season.

His performance against Udinese in the Serie A caused headache for Slovenian defender Jaka Bijol as the midfielder turned defender recalled what he went through in he hand of the Super Eagles striker when he came up against him while speaking ‘on the Call Yourself Bomber’ page.

When Jaka was asked the toughest center forward he ever met, Jaka revealed Osimhen was.

“I had a difficult life in the last match against Napoli. Oshimen is a really strong striker. He is fast and knows how to move.” The Udinese defender said.

Osimhen in the encounter went ahead to score first goal after just fifteen minutes to lead Napoli to a 3-2 win over Udinese at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.

Dare Ogun

Giwa FC have lost another of their gems as left-back El-Shittu Lawal has joined Wikki Tourists for the rest of the season.

Following the departure of Chris Madaki and Amos Gyang to Kano Pillars, Lawal has followed the footsteps of his captain Charles Henlong by signing the dotted lines for the Bauchi-based side.

Lawal told supersport.com that he rejected a couple of offers to sign for Wikki Tourists because he wants to win the league and also wants to be near Jos where he considers home.

“No one was happy when Giwa FC was suspended from the league but life has to move on. The sporting life of a footballer is very short so one has to make decisions to better the future,” Lawal said.

“I had a few offers from clubs in the Nigeria Professional Football League but Wikki was always going to be my first choice. I was in the stands to watch their last game against Plateau United in Jos.

“Rivers United wanted me but I had to consider a few factors before deciding what to do.”

When prompted to reveal why he chose the league leaders, Lawal said his love for coach Abdu Maikaba was one of the reasons he decided to pitch tent with Wikki Tourists.

“I love coach Abdu Maikaba, he is like a mentor and father to me and when I was contacted I couldn’t say no to him,” the youngster revealed.

“Besides that I wanted to be near home (Jos) and I was also motivated to join Wikki because they are doing quite well and my plan is to contribute my own quota to make sure we will the league or at least grab a continental ticket.”

Wikki Tourists are top of the NPFL log with 41 points from 23 games.

Giwa FC skipper Charles Henlong agreed a pay cut of 100,000 Naira to join Nigeria league leaders Wikki Tourists ahead of Kano Pillars.  

Henlong sensationally agreed to join W1kki even after he had earlier agreed to join Pillars on a monthly salary of 450,000 Naira.

An official told AfricanFootball.com: “Pillars agreed to pay 450,000 Naira a month, but he eventually pted for Wikki, where he will earn 350,000 Naira, which is 100,000 Naira less.”

Hard working midfielder Henlong is highly rated and has been called up to the Super Eagles recently.

He moved to W1kki as a free agent after Giwa were expelled from the league.

Credit: AfricanFootball.com

The Nigeria Football Federation has issued a provisional clearance to all players of Giwa FC, who have been expelled from the Nigerian league. The clearance though is temporary as the players are to return to the Jos club at the end of the season.

A letter to the Chairman of the League Management Company signed by the NFF General Secretary,  Mohammed Sanusi, on Monday, stated, “Based on the LMC’s expulsion of the club from the Premier League and the NFF ratification of the same measure and with special reference to article 14 & 23 of the FIFA regulations on the status and transfer of players, all players of Giwa FC as pronounced by the LMC and the NFF Disciplinary Committee are free to provisionally register for any club of their choice till the end of the 2015/2016 football season.

“Note also that, all the players are to return to the management of Giwa FC after the last match of the 2015/2016 league season.”

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have issued a provisional clearance to all players of Giwa FC, who have been expelled from the Nigeria league, but they are to return to the Jos club at the end of the season.

In a letter to the chairman of League Management Company, signed by NFF general secretary,  Mohammed Sanusi, on Monday, the NFF wrote: “Based on the LMC’s expulsion of the club from the Premier League and the NFF ratification of the same measure and with special reference to article 14 & 23 of the FIFA regulations on the status and transfer of players, all players of Giwa FC as pronounced by the LMC and the NFF Disciplinary Committee are free to provisionally register for any club of their choice till the end of the 2015/2016 football season.

“Note also that, all the players are to return to the management of Giwa FC after the last match of the 2015/2016 league season.”

Just as Nigerians were trying to put behind them the rude shock of the death of former Super Eagles Coach Stephen Keshi, the football world woke up last Saturday morning to the news that four-time national team coach Shuaibu Amodu was dead, three days after the death of Keshi. But must the Nigeria Football Federation wait until their death to honour them?

When the immediate past Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh announced his resignation, citing contract violations, lack of support and unpaid wages, as reason for leaving many were quick to discard his claims, saying that even while he was a player, his coaches were owed and "why does he think things would change in his time."

But the death of Shuaibu Amodu has lent credence to the fact that NFF is not living up to its responsibilities. Probably, if his salaries were paid as and when due, he might be alive today.

As the federation's technical director, Amodu was reportedly on N800, 000 per month but without an office and official accommodation.

According to his brother, Akuri Afegbua, the former Eagles coach died after complaints of chest pain and his inability to get the money NFF owed him, adding that his financial status had made it difficult for him to take care of himself and his immediate family.

"I think he died of frustration due to his financial status. He was not paid. He was complaining of not being paid and had no money to maintain himself and his immediate family," the cousin said.

NFF general secretary Muhammed Sanusi said the football authority would forever be grateful to Amodu for his amazing service to Nigerian and African football.

"He lived for his family and football, Amodu gave his heart and soul to Nigerian football and we can never thank him enough," Sanusi told BBC Sport.

The late NFF technical director first took charge of Nigeria at the age of 36, coached the Super Eagles on four different occasions.

He helped the country to qualify for the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea and led them to a third-place finish in the 2002 Nations Cup.

Under his stewardship, Nigeria qualified for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa but Amodu was sacked despite the team's third-place finish at the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola.

The disciplinary committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has upheld the decision of the League Management Company (LMC) to expel Giwa FC from the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) after the Jos soccer lords failed to honour three matches this season.

The committee finds Giwa FC in breach of Rule B13.28 of the NPFL Frame Work and Rules which states that " If a club fails to honour three matches cumulatively within the League season without an acceptable reason to the LMC such a club shall be expelled from the League and its matches played and unplayed shall be cancelled".

However, Giwa FC, who failed to appear before the committee to state their own side of the matter, have 48 hours to appeal this decision.

Besides, Giwa have been fined N10m Naira for staying away from the league match against Enyimba without an acceptable reason.

They will pay Enyimba a N1 million to offset their expenses and another N650,000 for the match officials.

Meanwhile, four players of the Jos-based club have been cleared to play for Kano Pillars in the second round of the Nigeria league, according to officials.

The players are Charles Henlong, Amos Gyang, Chris Madaki and goalkeeper Olorunleke Ojo.

First Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi has stated that the NFF executive committee are awaiting the Technical Committee’s official recommendation on what steps to take with the interim Super Eagles Technical crew.

Interim head Coach, Salisu Yusuf led the Super Eagles to wins against Mali and Luxembourg in international friendlies last month. The results equally propelled the country up in the recent FIFA rankings, prompting calls for the coaches to be given leave to stay on.

Akinwunmi hailed the coaches for a job well done and assured that the decision on the appointment of the next Eagles Coach will be made public.

The NFF President, Amaju Melvin Pinnick has equally agreed to give peace a chance while also saluting the courage and wisdom of the Chairman and members ?of the House Committee on Sports.

Pinnick was part of the closed door meeting held in the lower Chamber , Thursday with Chris Giwa and Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Gino Boukar.

And looking ahead of next week Tuesday’s meeting , where it is hoped a final resolution will be taking on the imbroglio, Amaju noted that he expects a peaceful session with all the contentious issues clearly ironed out .

Five clubs including champions Enyimba and Kano Pillars have lined up to snap Giwa FC shot stopper Olorunleke Ojo.

The other clubs chasing the former Flying Eagles goalkeeper are Shooting Stars, Sunshine Stars and Wikki Tourists.

Last season, Ojo agreed personal terms with Kano Pillars, but Giwa refused to sanction the deal and he had to beat a retreat to the Jos club.

The tall goalkeeper was on the squad when the Flying Eagles won a seventh African Youth Championship in Senegal last year march.

He was also in the party to the 2015 FIFA U20 World Cup in New Zealand.

Abuja – Former Minister of Sports Alhaji Bala Ka’Oje says Nigeria has yet to domesticate FIFA laws in spite of the letter of adoption written to FIFA by the Federal Government. Ka’Oje’s comment is coming on the heels of controversy trailing the domestication of the laws in Nigeria by factional groups in the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

Ka’Oje told NAN that he signed a letter on Feb. 23, 2007 when Sani Lulu’s was NFA Chairman in which FIFA was assured of Nigeria’s adoption of its statutes.

He said although the letter was written to FIFA, the move in itself did not make the process complete.

“Domestication means that the National Assembly has to pass it. “You can remember decree 101; there are many issues, interference and so many other things but that particular decree was supposed to be domesticated, meaning that it should pass through the National Assembly so that it can come out as a law but that has not been done. “But the general agreement that we are prepared as a country to abide by the rules of FIFA is true because I signed a letter to Sepp Blatter when I was the minister.

“They responded to it that they have agreed with our stand, pending the domestication of the rules of FIFA in Nigeria; the minister is right, that aspect has not been passed into law.’’

The Minister of Sports Solomon Dalung had on May 19 during a meeting with the House of Representative Committee on Sports said that FIFA laws were yet to be domesticated in Nigeria.

In its reaction, the Nigeria Football Federation led by Amaju Pinnick issued a statement noting that the laws have been domesticated following the then Minister of Sports Bala Ka’Oje letter to FIFA adopt the laws. The laws when domesticated would prevent members of the football family from taking their matters to a civil court.

The laws among other things state that football matters could only be brought to FIFA or the Court of Arbitration for Sports in Lausanne Switzerland. According to Ka’oje, until the National Assembly passes FIFA laws, such laws might not be binding on the country as operational instrument for football administration.

“Unless National Assembly pass it into law, that is when we know that it’s domesticated; it’s like a treaty that a nation enter into. “All these treaties are packaged and sent to the National Assembly for passage into law so that Nigeria now is bounded by such treaty.

“That FIFA something (laws) is just like a treaty that we have agreed to abide by all those rules that are stated out in the FIFA law.’’

The League Management Company’s (LMC) Head of Special projects Harry Iwuala has stated that the league body already acknowledged Giwa FC’s appeal with an official statement on the notice of the club’s decision to appeal but will in due time act on it after which the club will be notified accordingly.

Iwuala said, the procedure to commence the hearing of the Club’s appeal is in motion but may not necessarily be as swift as many may wish it be.

NB – points earned in games played by clubs against Giwa FC have been deducted accordingly.

The House of Representatives Committee on Sports will Today receive the aggrieved Chris Giwa faction as part of continued efforts to douse the tension in Nigeria football, stirred up by the lingering power tussle, but not without some concerns. 

A member of the Chris Giwa group, Rumson Baribote has expressed reservations over the implications of discussing the issues at stake while there is a pending case in a competent court of law.

The former, Nigeria Premier League (NPL) Chairman though stated that key figures in the case will honor the house summon due for Today.

General secretary of embattled side Giwa FC Samson Adamu has stated that the Jos based football club is waiting on the League Management Company on when to be invited for a formal hearing by a commission after the club elected to appeal its expulsion from the Nigerian Professional Football League.

Adamu lamented and described the sanctions as a challenge but maintains that they will not rest in the pursuit of justice and also expressed reservations on why the LMC haven’t taken prompt action on when Giwa FC will be invited.

The LMC issued a statement on Monday, acknowledging the club’s appeal, which follows the League Organizer’s position on the matter of the expulsion of the Jos-based team as all points won or lost against Giwa FC were cancelled and the club effectively dropped to the bottom of the 2015/16 Table.

Giwa FC have appealed its expulsion from the Nigeria Professional Football League by the League Management Company, LMC.

he Jos Elephants were expelled from the NPFL by the LMC as a result of their failure to honour  three league  games.

They were banished to Ilorin following crowd trouble that marred their matchday 12 fixture against Enugu Rangers at Rwang Pam Stadium.

In letter sent to the LMC, Secretary of the Giwa FC, Samson Adamu  acknowledged  the decision but also notified the league management company of the clubs decision to reject the ruling and appeal same.

"We are in receipt of your letter of 20th May 2016. We hereby notify you that we do not accept any of the sanctions imposed on our club and further add that we  elect to be dealt with by a commission," Adamu  wrote in a letter to LMC Chief Operating Officer, Salihu Abubakar.

By this notice of appeal, Giwa FC  will now appear before the relevant authority in the coming days to hear their appeal.

Meanwhile, the LMC has cancelled Giwa FC's results against other teams.

The club is placed on the 20th position in the latest NPFL table released by LMC.

Giwa FC have appealed its expulsion from the Nigeria Professional Football League by the League Management Company.

The Jos Elephants were expelled from the NPFL by the LMC as a result of their failure to honour three league games.

They were banished to Ilorin following crowd trouble that marred their matchday 12 fixture against Enugu Rangers at Rwang Pam Stadium.

In letter sent to the LMC, Secretary of the Giwa FC, Samson Adamu acknowledged the decision but also notified the league management company of the clubs decision to reject the ruling and appeal same.

"We are in receipt of your letter of 20th May 2016. We hereby notify you that we do not accept any of the sanctions imposed on our club and further add that we elect to be dealt with by a commission," Adamu wrote in a letter to LMC Chief Operating Officer, Salihu Abubakar.

By this notice of appeal, Giwa FC will now appear before the relevant authority in the coming days to hear their appeal.

Meanwhile, the LMC has cancelled Giwa FC's results against other teams.

The club is placed on the 20th position in the latest NPFL table released by LMC.

Giwa FC have been thrown out of the current season of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

The League Management Company (LMC), which oversees the Nigerian top-flight, took the decision following the failure of the Jos club to honour three cumulative matches this season, being home matches against Wikki Tourists, Akwa United and most recently Enyimba.

According to the LMC, the Jos club are in breach Rule B13.28 of the NPFL framework.

The rule states: "If a club fails to honour three matches cumulatively within the league season without an acceptable reason to the LMC such a club shall be expelled from the league and its matches played and unplayable shall be cancelled."

All the matches involving Giwa FC, according to the LMC, are suspended until the final determination of the issue as the troubled club have a 48-hour window to appeal or accept the decision of being expelled.

However, failure at appeal by Giwa FC could also attract weightier consequences in the second tier.

The LMC since taking charge of the Nigerian top-flight in 2013 has moved to rein in discipline among the clubs concerning the league calendar which at times has often been hemmed in by intra-political disputes.

New FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, has told the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president, Amaju Pinnick, about his intention to visit the country very soon.

Infantino held talks with Pinnick at the ongoing FIFA congress in Mexico on Friday.

The Chairman of the League Management Company (LMC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, disclosed this during a television programme on Friday.

Dikko said the FIFA supremo is happy with the development of soccer in Nigeria and most especially the partnership with La Liga.

“I want to let Nigerians know that the NFF president had a chat with Infantino during the ongoing FIFA Congress in Mexico and he praised the development of football in Nigeria and also commended the federation for attracting the La Liga to partner with our league,” Goal quoted the LMC chairman as saying during the TV programme.

“The FIFA president immediately told the NFF boss that he would like to come to Nigeria so that he can also see areas in which he could be of assistance to Nigerian football. He said he would come very soon.”

The League Management Company has warned Giwa FC they risk being thrown out of the Nigeria Professional Football League should they fail to honour Sunday's matchday 17 tie against Lobi Stars without a reason acceptable to the body.

The LMC also fined the club N10m for their failure to honour Wednesday's match day 16 fixture against Akwa United.

The league body also awarded three points and three goals to Akwa United following the non-appearance of Giwa FC for the week 16 tie at the Ilorin Township Stadium.

The Jos-based outfit were banished to Ilorin following the unruly and violent conduct of their fans during their week 12 fixture against Rangers at the Rwang Pam Stadium.

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They have however failed to honour ' home' games against Wikki Tourists and Akwa United.

The LMC in a letter to the management of the club warned them that having failed to honour their match day 14 and 16 games, a further failure to honour another fixture will result in their expulsion from the league.

They were given 48 hours to either submit to the decisions in writing or elect to be dealt with by a commission.