Sports

NFF: Aspirants Stormed Election With Dollars, Contestant Alleges

Published

3 years ago

September 30, 2022

Former Super Eagles goalkeeper and contestant in Friday’s Nigeria Football Federation presidential election, Idah Peterside, has alleged that some aspirants stormed the venue of the poll in Benin City, the Edo State capital, with bags of dollars in a bid to buy votes.

The dollar rain at the NFF elections held at the Edo Heritage Hotel in Benin City was not unexpected.

The stakes were already high and tension was fever-pitched as Ibrahim Gusau emerged as the new NFF president after he won the election in a landslide victory.

He polled 21 votes to defeat his closest rival, Seyi Akinwunmi, who got 12. The second runner-up, Shehu Dikko, garnered six votes while Abba Yola and Peterside had one vote each.

Peterside stated that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission must get involved in Nigerian football if the ills were to be corrected.

“The problem we have here is that we need to bring in the EFCC if football must be right in our country,” Peterside said in a radio interview with Sports Salsa before the election on Friday.

“They must arrest people because it’s an economic crime when people are carrying bags of dollars without shame. The Central Bank of Nigeria will be proud on what they will find in these rooms.

“We did not sleep till 3am (Friday morning) because we were trying to convince people. Some told us they were offered $15,000; $10,000. What gain do I have to lie about this?

“A young man told me that he had $5,000 shared into six places to offer zones who would vote.”

Peterside also labelled the election venue a crime scene, saying, “the EFCC should come here and search rooms of this hotel. This is a crime scene. I have integrity to spend and love for the game. Hoodlums will continue to run our football and how can it improve?

“I will make noise to the roof; how do we hold people responsible with all these issues?”

After the election, he congratulated Gusau, following his victory and promised to offer his support to him if needed.
He added that he would contest the NFF presidency again in 2026.

“Congratulations to Ibrahim Gusau. The truth is that I understand the politics. People make promises with hope,” Peterside, a football pundit based in South Africa, said after the election.

“I came from outside to prove a point. I will be back next four years. The election cost me N15m to N20m. We won’t stop until the Congress is expanded. Then it will be a level playing ground.

“The process today (Friday) wasn’t bad. My life goes on, I have work to do at SuperSport, and I am also a pastor. I will be the NFF president. I will also be ready to offer my support to Gusau if he deems me worthy of such.”

Sports

AFCON 2025: Lookman Scores Winner As Super Eagles Start Campaign With 2–1 Victory Over Tanzania

Published

13 hours ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

Ademola Lookman scored what proved to be the decisive goal as Nigeria beat Tanzania 2-1 in their opening game at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Super Eagles came into the match as heavy favourites to win and dominated the opening exchanges.

After coming close a few times, the three-time champions took the lead through Semi Ajayi.

The ball was recycled following a corner-kick, before Alex Iwobi crossed it into the area for Ajayi to head home.

Tanzania equalized after Charles M’Mombwa found himself unmarked inside the area.

But two minutes later, Nigeria struck the winner through Lookman, who took a few touches and finished with his left foot.

Sports

JUST IN: Dembélé Named FIFA Best Men’s Player, Bonmatí Wins Women’s Award

Published

1 week ago

December 16, 2025

Editor

Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembélé has been awarded the FIFA Best Men’s Player for 2025, following a season in which he contributed significantly to both his club and the France national team.

Dembélé, known for his pace, creativity, and goal-scoring ability, played a central role in Paris Saint-Germain’s campaigns across domestic and European competitions. His performances for the national team also helped France secure notable results in international fixtures.

Speaking on the recognition, Dembélé said, “It is a great honour to receive this award. I could not have achieved this without my teammates at PSG and in the national team, whose support has been invaluable.”

In the women’s category, Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmatí was named FIFA Best Women’s Player for 2025. Bonmatí was influential in Barcelona’s domestic and European campaigns, providing leadership, vision, and creativity in midfield. She also played a key role in Spain’s international successes.

“This award reflects the hard work of my teammates and coaches,” Bonmatí said. “I am grateful for their guidance and support throughout the season.”

The announcements reaffirm FIFA’s recognition of individual excellence in football while highlighting the contributions of players to both club and country.

Sports

Court Fixes Date To Hear Sala Compensation Dispute

Published

2 weeks ago

December 9, 2025

Editor

A commercial court examining the long-running dispute between Cardiff City and French club Nantes over compensation for the death of Emiliano Sala in a plane crash said Monday it would give its decision on March 30 next year.

Sala, a 28-year-old Argentine striker, died when the light aircraft taking him to the Welsh capital came down in the English Channel on January 21, 2019, two days after he had signed for the then-Premier League side. He and pilot David Ibbotson were killed.

The Welsh club took the case to the Nantes commercial court in 2023 to claim compensation for loss of income and other damages suffered by the club as a result of the player’s death.

Following an analysis conducted by an expert appointed by Cardiff City, the club estimated their losses at over 120 million euros ($139.5 million). Lawyers for both clubs made their cases at Monday’s hearing.

The Welsh club argue that Nantes, through their intermediary, agent Willie McKay, were the organisers of the private flight on which the footballer was travelling and that, if the transfer was effective at the time of the accident according to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), it is the organisation of this flight that is at issue.

Cardiff City’s lawyer, Olivier Loizon, told the court Monday, Willie McKay “could not have been unaware of the illegality of the flight”, and argued that the agent had acted with “negligence”.

“Whatever the ultimate cause of the accident, (Sala) should not have been on the flight,” he added.

Nantes’ lawyer, Jerome Marsaudon, insisted Monday the only agent authorised by the club in connection with the transfer was Mark McKay, the son of Willie McKay.

The elder McKay “was simply helping his son, given his extensive experience”, the lawyer said.

“It is sad to see that Cardiff have exploited this tragedy and turned it into a genuine legal farce,” he added. “Nothing in this case justifies holding FC Nantes liable.”

Prior to the start of the hearing, a Nantes representative said the club “have no doubt that Cardiff’s claims will be rejected outright, just like all the others”.

In another case related to the dispute between the two clubs, CAS ruled in 2022 that Sala’s transfer had definitely been finalised at the time of his death.

In 2023, world football’s governing body FIFA ordered Cardiff to pay Nantes the balance of Sala’s transfer fee, which at the time amounted to just over 11 million euros out of a total of 17 million euros.