Football

The Nigerian Football Federation, NFF has confirmed that the Super Eagles will play 3 friendlies between January and May 2018 as part of preparations for next year’s World Cup in Russia. NFF Secretary General, Mohammed Sanusi stated that one of the countries being lined up for the Eagles is Egypt. But no final decision has been reached, but the friendlies would be played in Abuja before the World Cup in June. Earlier this week, the NFF announced that Nigeria will play Poland in a friendly match In March with the 3rd country yet to be named.

Nigeria Football Federation First Vice-President, Seyi Akinwunmi, a lawyer, has been named the head of a four-man panel to investigate the error that led to Nigeria forfeiting the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Algeria in Constantine on November 10, the NFF announced in a press release on Wednesday.

The final African qualifying Group B fixture for the Russia 2018 World Cup ended in a 1-1 draw, but FIFA on Tuesday awarded all three points to Algeria following Nigeria’s use of ineligible defender Abdullahi Shehu in the encounter.

The NFF were also fine 6,000 Swiss francs for their negligence.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has sent birthday greetings to Super Eagles and Chelsea star, Victor Moses, who turned 27 on Tuesday.

CAF sent their greetings via their verified Twitter handle on Tuesday morning.

David Luiz has threatened to quit Chelsea after he held a meeting with the Blues’ manager Antonio Conte demanding his place back in the starting XI, according to Express Sport. Luiz was axed by Conte after a disagreement over tactics issue in the Champions League against AS Roma in Italy back in October which led to the defender being dropped in the game against Manchester United in the Premier League.

President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, has tendered an apology to Nigerians explaining how the “error” which led to the sanctioning by the world football body, FIFA.

Mr Pinick using his official Twitter handle @PinnickAnaju on Wednesday admitted the mistake by the NFF leading to the use of Shehu Abdullahi and taking responsibility for the error as head of NFF.

“Good morning. I’ll start by tendering my wholehearted apology to Nigeria and Nigerians for the Shehu Abdullahi error. It is unforgivable and could have undone months of hard work. As head of the Federation, I take responsibility for this. It happened on my watch.

The BCC has announced Egyptian and Liverpool star Mohamed Salah as BBC's African Footballer of the Year 2017. Salah pipped Liverpool’s team-mate Sadio Mane, Chelsea's Victor Moses, Borussia Dortmund's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and RB Leipzig’s midfielder Naby Keita for the award.