The world football ban placed on Nigeria had put the nation’s football affairs at a standstill, but recent reports say that Nigeria has met FIFA’s conditions to lift its ban on the country after a regional high court squashed an order restraining the board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) from office.
Troubled Nigeria Football Federation [NFF] president, Aminu Maigari has been reinstated in office after a court order was vacated on Wednesday. FIFA punished Nigeria for government interference after the NFF board was replaced by a sole administrator.
A deadline of July 17
th was given to reverse the decision, despite the government’s claim that it was a matter for the courts.
On Wednesday a private legal action was withdrawn, allowing the NFF to return. Nigeria was also temporarily banned by FIFA after the 2010 World Cup when the country’s president Goodluck Jonathan tried to withdraw the team from international competition.
FIFA, who extended the original deadline from 15 July because of a judiciary workers’ strike in Nigeria, has yet to announce whether it will now end the country’s suspension from all international football.
This means Nigeria’s participation in the Under-20 Women’s World Cup that starts in August in Canada remains under threat – as well as the men’s under-17 side’s participation in an African Championship qualifier this weekend.
BBC Sport understands reinstated NFF general secretary Musa Amadu has subsequently communicated to FIFA the latest developments in the hope that the governing body will ease its stance.
Meanwhile, The Super Eagles’ performance and eventual qualification for the Round of 16 at the just-concluded World Cup in Brazil has impacted on the July FIFA ranking as Nigeria now occupies the 34
th position.
In the rankings table released by the world football governing body on Thursday, Nigeria garnered 660 points and moved up 10 spots as against June’s 631 points at 44th position.
Although Nigeria may not have been too convincing at the 2014 World Cup, their performance is still good enough to earn them a lift.
The African champions now place third in Africa behind Algeria and Cote d’Ivoire. Algeria who is now ranked Africa’s best team has 874 points to occupy the 24th position in the world, while Cote d’Ivoire has 850 points for 25th place in the world.
However, another African representative at the World Cup, Ghana, slipped down by one spot to 38
th in the world and fifth in Africa, behind Egypt who remained static with 645 points.
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This article was first published on 18th July 2014
obimartins
Martins Okafor is a Sports Writer for Connect Nigeria. He has been a sport buff for years, following stories and development in leagues and international competitions. His interest led him to writing stories – reporting on sporting events. He has superior interest in soccer, but knows much about other sports. He plans to have a blog and to advance in sport journalism. You can email him at: obimartins85 [at] gmail.com
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The world football ban placed on Nigeria had put the nation’s football affairs at a standstill, but recent reports say that Nigeria has met FIFA’s conditions to lift its ban on the country after a regional high court squashed an order restraining the board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) from office.
Troubled Nigeria Football Federation [NFF] president, Aminu Maigari has been reinstated in office after a court order was vacated on Wednesday. FIFA punished Nigeria for government interference after the NFF board was replaced by a sole administrator.
A deadline of July 17th was given to reverse the decision, despite the government’s claim that it was a matter for the courts.
On Wednesday a private legal action was withdrawn, allowing the NFF to return. Nigeria was also temporarily banned by FIFA after the 2010 World Cup when the country’s president Goodluck Jonathan tried to withdraw the team from international competition.
FIFA, who extended the original deadline from 15 July because of a judiciary workers’ strike in Nigeria, has yet to announce whether it will now end the country’s suspension from all international football.
This means Nigeria’s participation in the Under-20 Women’s World Cup that starts in August in Canada remains under threat – as well as the men’s under-17 side’s participation in an African Championship qualifier this weekend.
BBC Sport understands reinstated NFF general secretary Musa Amadu has subsequently communicated to FIFA the latest developments in the hope that the governing body will ease its stance.
Meanwhile, The Super Eagles’ performance and eventual qualification for the Round of 16 at the just-concluded World Cup in Brazil has impacted on the July FIFA ranking as Nigeria now occupies the 34th position.
In the rankings table released by the world football governing body on Thursday, Nigeria garnered 660 points and moved up 10 spots as against June’s 631 points at 44th position.
Although Nigeria may not have been too convincing at the 2014 World Cup, their performance is still good enough to earn them a lift.
The African champions now place third in Africa behind Algeria and Cote d’Ivoire. Algeria who is now ranked Africa’s best team has 874 points to occupy the 24th position in the world, while Cote d’Ivoire has 850 points for 25th place in the world.
However, another African representative at the World Cup, Ghana, slipped down by one spot to 38th in the world and fifth in Africa, behind Egypt who remained static with 645 points.
