President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, has assured Nigerians of top-quality performances from the national teams in upcoming tournaments, pledging thorough preparation and a commitment to excellence.
Since assuming office in 2022, the 60-year-old has overseen significant progress in Nigerian football. Highlights of his tenure include the Super Falcons’ return to the Olympics and the Super Eagles’ commendable run to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire.
When the NFF president walks down to celebrate with the team.
You know it is detty period😀
— NPFL Tori Podcast (@NpflTori) December 28, 2024
Looking ahead to a packed 2025 calendar, Gusau emphasized a shift in focus from mere participation to active contention for titles.
“The era of Nigerian teams arriving at major championships just to participate is gone,” Gusau stated in comments reported by Complete Sports. “Our objective is to ensure our teams can contend for honors anywhere. This requires preparing the teams well ahead of qualifiers and competitions.
“I personally insisted on early camping for the Super Eagles B team, and their performance against Ghana speaks for itself. With just a month to the CHAN tournament, the team must go into camp immediately, and we’ll ensure that.”
Gusau also highlighted the importance of sustaining the momentum of the Super Eagles’ AFCON success. “We aim to recreate the squad that came so close to lifting the trophy in Côte d’Ivoire. Achieving automatic qualification for the FIFA World Cup by winning the six remaining qualifiers is our target, and success there will set the tone for a stellar outing at the AFCON in Morocco later in the year.”
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The NFF President further revealed plans to bolster the Super Falcons through additional friendlies, ensuring a seamless blend of experienced players and emerging talents.
“We are organizing more friendly matches for the Falcons to build a formidable team capable of conquering Africa in style. It’s a very busy year for us, and the NFF is committed to working closely with the National Sports Commission and securing greater corporate support for our programs and events.”
Nigeria’s busy schedule kicks off with the CHAN 2024 tournament starting February 1, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting year for Nigerian football.
![Nigeria gets five 2023 CAF Awards top-three entries Nigeria will be in contention for 2023 CAF awards as, Victor Osimhen, Asisat Oshoala, Chiamaka Nnadozie, Deborah Abiodun and the Super Falcons have made the top-three shortlist for award categories. This is according to official announcement by the Confederation of African football [CAF] via its X handle on Thursday, December 7, 2023. CAF trimmed the list of nominees to three for the men and women award categories ahead of the grand-ceremony in Morocco, this weekend. In the men's category, Victor Osimhen will battle, Mohamed Salah [Egypt] and Achraf Hakimi [Morocco] for the Player of the year award. In the women's category, Nigeria is in contention in four categories. Super Falcons and FC Barcelona striker, Asisat Oshoala is up against South Africa’s Thembi Kgatlana and Barbara Banda of Zambia for the Women’s player of the year award. Oshoala who has won the award for a record five times will eye a sixth crown with Thembi Kgatlana expected to mount a serious challenge. Paris FC and Super Falcons star, Chiamaka Nnadozie is favourite to land the CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award. The 22-year old is in the top-three alongside Khadija Er-Rmichi of Morocco and South Africa’s Andile Dlamini. Super Falcons midfielder Deborah Abiodun will face Comfort Yeboah of Ghana and Morocco’s Nesryne El Chad for the Young Player of the Year, award. Also, the Super Falcons of Nigeria , are in the top-three for the National Team of the Year (Women) award. Fast-rising Morocco and current African champions South Africa, complete the shortlist for that category. American coach, Randy Waldrum is not in the top-three for the Coach of the Year award. Reynald Pedro of Morocco, Desiree Ellis of South Africa, and Jerry Tshabalala of Mamelodi Sundowns are preferred to the former Super Falcons coach. The 2023 CAF Awards ceremony will take place in Morocco on December 11, 2023.](https://www.theathletic.com.ng/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/images-4-8-1280x720-1-300x180.jpeg)
![Nigeria gets five 2023 CAF Awards top-three entries Nigeria will be in contention for 2023 CAF awards as, Victor Osimhen, Asisat Oshoala, Chiamaka Nnadozie, Deborah Abiodun and the Super Falcons have made the top-three shortlist for award categories. This is according to official announcement by the Confederation of African football [CAF] via its X handle on Thursday, December 7, 2023. CAF trimmed the list of nominees to three for the men and women award categories ahead of the grand-ceremony in Morocco, this weekend. In the men's category, Victor Osimhen will battle, Mohamed Salah [Egypt] and Achraf Hakimi [Morocco] for the Player of the year award. In the women's category, Nigeria is in contention in four categories. Super Falcons and FC Barcelona striker, Asisat Oshoala is up against South Africa’s Thembi Kgatlana and Barbara Banda of Zambia for the Women’s player of the year award. Oshoala who has won the award for a record five times will eye a sixth crown with Thembi Kgatlana expected to mount a serious challenge. Paris FC and Super Falcons star, Chiamaka Nnadozie is favourite to land the CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award. The 22-year old is in the top-three alongside Khadija Er-Rmichi of Morocco and South Africa’s Andile Dlamini. Super Falcons midfielder Deborah Abiodun will face Comfort Yeboah of Ghana and Morocco’s Nesryne El Chad for the Young Player of the Year, award. Also, the Super Falcons of Nigeria , are in the top-three for the National Team of the Year (Women) award. Fast-rising Morocco and current African champions South Africa, complete the shortlist for that category. American coach, Randy Waldrum is not in the top-three for the Coach of the Year award. Reynald Pedro of Morocco, Desiree Ellis of South Africa, and Jerry Tshabalala of Mamelodi Sundowns are preferred to the former Super Falcons coach. The 2023 CAF Awards ceremony will take place in Morocco on December 11, 2023.](https://www.theathletic.com.ng/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/images-4-8-1280x720-1-80x80.jpeg)
