Peacemaker in Nigerian chaos says NFF is operating illegally
August 9 – The former chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation, Col. Abdulmumini Aminu, says the association is being run “illegally” and has called for an end to the crisis.
Africa
Corruption riddled Ghana FA battles to stay alive as government seeks its dissolution
August 8 – Ghanaian football leaders are reported to be challenging attempts by the authorities to dissolve the association. Football activities have halted in the West African nation on the instructions of the Attorney General after Ghana FA boss and FIFA Council member Kwesi Nyantakyi was embroiled in a bribery scandal and pictured taking $65,000 from an undercover reporter pretending to be a businessman.
CAF continues its crack down on Ghana’s match-fixing refs with 7 more bans
August 8 – In yet another crackdown on corruption, seven referees and linesmen from Ghana have been handed lengthy bans by the Confederation of African Football after being caught up in a bribery sting.
Cameroon go Dutch with Seedorf and Kluivert
August 6 – Dutch legend Clarence Seedorf has been appointed the new coach of Cameroon with his compatriot and former international teammate Patrick Kluivert named his assistant. The Dutch duo will lead Cameroon as the defending African champions battle to retain the right to host the 2019 African Cup of Nations.
Nigerian courts keep Giwa in presidential pole position, FIFA’s move next?
August 3 – The never ending crisis enveloping Nigerian football has taken another twist with the Federal High Court refusing to grant a request to stop Chris Giwa from taking over as the President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
Cameroon hosting of 2019 African Cup of Nations on brink after poor inspection report
August 1 – Six months after being given a provisional green light to stage the region’s flagship event, the African Cup of Nations, in 2019, reports suggest Cameroon may be stripped of hosting rights by the Confederation of African Football.
Corruption cases haunt CAF, but Ahmad says fight is ongoing and change is happening
August 1 – Confederation of African Football president Ahmad Ahmad says African football is making improvements in its fight against corruption despite a string of recent cases including the suspension of his former vice-president Kwesi Nyantekyi who ran the Ghanaian federation.
Nigerian coach trapped in ‘bribery’ scam after accepting cash gift for player selection
By Andrew Warshaw
July 30 – No sooner has the festering dispute over the leadership of Nigerian football been resolved with Amaju Pinnick restored as its president than the federation has been rocked by bribery allegations involving a prominent member of the Super Eagles’ coaching team, Salisu Yusuf.
South Africa’s PSL cleared for kick-off as Ajax Cape Town drop court case
By Samindra Kunti
July 27 – The Premier Soccer League in South Africa will now get underway as scheduled next weekend after Ajax Cape Town dropped their bid to suspend the big kick-off in the South Gauteng High Court.
Pinnick’s return saves football jobs, says NFF boss, but Dalung says he isn’t back yet
July 26 – The return of Amaju Pinnick as head of the Nigerian Football Federation will help save hundreds of jobs, according to his number two, General Secretary Muhammed Sanusi.
South African Ajax’s relegation appeal puts PSL kick-off in doubt
July 26 – The South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) remains in a limbo after a decision on Ajax’s bid to prevent the start of the new domestic season was postponed to today. The Cape Town-based club is seeking to clarify if they are a topflight or second-tier club.
Ghanaian court passes FA assets and control to government, and bars GFA old guard
July 25 – A High Court in Accra has granted an application filed by the government seeking to allow the Registrar General to take over the assets of the Ghanaian FA, pending liquidation.
Pinnick back in control in Nigeria after government backs down and removes Giwa
July 24 – After months of political in-fighting and with the threat of a FIFA ban hanging over the country, Nigeria has spectacularly restored Amaju Pinnick as its federation president.
Ethiopia and Eritrea agree friendly match after years of war and boycotts
July 24 – Ethiopia and Eritrea, at war for 20 years until a recent peace accord and rapprochement, have agreed to stage an historic friendly in August.
CAF back Pinnick in Nigerian row as government calls for emergency talks
July 23 – The political in-fighting plaguing Nigerian football has taken another twist with the man ousted as head of the national federation (NFF) being personally endorsed by his confederation.