Africans pledge support to Blatter
September 22 – Any hopes rivals to Sepp Blatter might have in swaying the African vote away from the present incumbent at next year’s Fifa presidential election look like finding it tough going.
Africa
Nigeria: CAS rejects Giwa faction’s attempt to restrain FIFA
By Mark Baber
September 11 – An attempt by the Chris Giwa-faction in Nigeria’s Football Federation (NFF) to hang on to power by appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for a restraint order against FIFA fell at the first hurdle this week.
Nigerians find an uneasy peace as Giwa steps back and NFF avoids suspension
By Mark Baber
September 10 – With Chris Giwa, who firmly believed he was the legitimate President of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), having seemingly disappeared from the scene, the governance crisis at the top of Nigerian football may be entering a period of calm, prior to new elections, as FIFA has confirmed the NFF is not suspended from international football.
Nigeria: FIFA deadline passes as Giwa says appeal to CAS has been made
By Mark Baber
September 8 – As the deadline for Chris Giwa (pictured) to give up his claim to have been elected President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) passed this morning, all eyes are on FIFA as to whether they implement their ultimatum to suspend Nigeria from world football.
Nigeria collision course as Giwa refuses to budge saying there will be no FIFA ban
By Mark Baber
September 5 – Whilst a faction of the Nigeria’s football hierarchy has acted immediately to implement FIFA’s directive to restore Aminu Maigari to presidency of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Chris Giwa remains adamant he is the legitimate President and that, mindless of what they may say, FIFA will not ban the country.
SAFA call on FIFA to speed up match-fixing probe
September 5 – South African officials say they are becoming increasingly frustrated by a match-fixing saga that has been dragging on for four years and has still not been resolved.
FIFA steps in with new deadline for Nigeria to restore order or be suspended
By Mark Baber
September 4 – FIFA has again stepped into the Nigerian football morass in a further attempt to bring sanity to the troubled federation which has seen rival factions emerge, both claiming leadership. The Giwa faction claims Chris Giwa was fairly elected whilst Aminu Maigari was under arrest by security forces. The Maigari faction was planning to hold elections today and regards Giwa as an interloper.
Nigerian candidates battle for legitimacy ahead of new poll tomorrow
By Mark Baber
September 3 – Nigerian football remains in chaos as two rival factions within the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) battle for legitimacy. The Giwa-led faction claims he was elected President last week whilst the Maigari-led faction have organised new elections for tomorrow (Thursday).
Nigerian football stares into the abyss of no matches and further suspension
By Mark Baber
September 1 – Following the farcical events of last week, FIFA have rejected the controversial ‘election’ of Chris Giwa (pictured) as the new president of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) and warned that Nigeria could be banned by Tuesday if he does not vacate the post by midnight tonight.
Bidding for African Cup of Nations 2017 hots up
By Mark Baber
August 29 – Following last week’s admission by Libya that is would be impossible for them to host the Africa Cup of Nations in 2017, a surprising number of countries have expressed interest in hosting the tournament, with bids due to be submitted by the end of September.
Day of turmoil and chaos as Nigerian football descends into political anarchy
By Mark Baber
August 27 – Just days after the burning down of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) headquarters in Abuja in suspicious circumstances, August 26 will be remembered as the day when Nigerian football definitively failed to put aside its infighting for the common cause of Nigerian football.
Sierra Leone struggles to fulfill AFCON fixtures as Ebola virus crisis deepens
August 27 – Another African Cup of Nations qualifier is in doubt because of the deadly Ebola virus after Ivory Coast’s football federation said it had been instructed by its government to cancel or move next month’s home game against Sierra Leone.
Algerian FA suspends all football following Ebosse death
By Andrew Warshaw
August 26 – The Algerian Football Federation (FAF) has postponed next weekend’s league fixtures following the death of Albert Ebosse, the 24-year-old Cameroon striker who was hit by a missile thrown from the crowd during a recent league game.
Algerian fans pelt team with rocks, killing Cameroonian Ebosse
By Andrew Warshaw
August 25 – World football has been shocked by the death of a 24-year-old Cameroon footballer struck by a missile thrown from the terraces at a league match in Algeria. Albert Ebosse Bodjongo (pictured), the Algerian league’s top scorer last season with 17 goals, was hit on the head by what appeared to be a piece of concrete.
Libya pull out of AFCON 2017 leaving CAF looking for new host
By Andrew Warshaw
August 25 – Libya has been forced to pull out of hosting the 2017 African Cup of Nations in the latest blow to strike at the heart of African football.