Sports

NFF: Aspirants Stormed Election With Dollars, Contestant Alleges

Published

2 months ago

September 30, 2022

Editor

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

EPL: Mikel Obi Reacts To Ronaldo’s Exit From Man Utd

Published

6 days ago

November 26, 2022

Editor

Chelsea hero, John Obi Mikel, has branded forward Cristiano Ronaldo’s exit from Manchester United as ‘horrible’.

Ronaldo’s contract with Man United was recently terminated.

Man United took the decision to part ways with Ronaldo after the player’s explosive interview with broadcaster Piers Morgan.

However, Mikel believes Ronaldo should not have done the interview, insisting that the timing was wrong.

“He is Cristiano Ronaldo, he is one of the greatest players ever to have played the game. I think he is going to get another club in January and continue his football career,” Mikel told Dubai Eye.

Sports

Winners Emerge At Warri, Effurun Peace Marathon In Delta

Published

6 days ago

November 26, 2022

Editor

There was wild jubilation at the Warri Township Stadium after Deborah Pam and Emmanuel Gyang emerged winners of the female and male categories of the Warri/Effurun Peace Marathon.

The winners took part in a ten(10) kilometre race.

In a chat with newsmen, Deborah Pam expressed happiness about winning the race.

She said her major challenges as an athlete is lack of funding and training facilities. Pam appealed to the Federal Government to support athletes by providing them with the relevant training facilities.

Pam also commended the organizers of the Warri/Peace Marathon for the support she received.

Also in a chat with newsmen, Emmanuel Gyang, an official of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC who emerged winner of the male category thanked God for his victory at the peace Marathon.

He said injuries have been his major challenges as an athlete in the country.

He expressed happiness that despite the injuries he was able to partake and win this year’s contest.

He thanked the organizers of the Warri/Effurun Peace Marathon saying they had always been kind to him. He prayed God Almighty to bless and uplift her.

Gyang also thanked the Delta State Government for the support, saying, “Delta is my home” just as he appealed that such support should be accorded to other athletes of the federation.

Sports

Ronaldo Banned, Fined £50k Over Phone Incident

Published

1 week ago

November 24, 2022

Editor

Former Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo has been banned for two domestic matches for knocking a phone out of an Everton fan’s hand.

The 37-year-old appeared to hit the phone as he went down to the tunnel after defeat at Goodison Park in April.

Ronaldo, who left United by mutual consent on Tuesday after criticising manager Erik ten Hag, was also fined £50,000 by the Football Association.

He is set to captain Portugal in their opening Group H game against Ghana on Thursday.

Ronaldo will serve the ban at domestic level with any new club – in England or abroad – although it does not apply at continental club level, such as the Champions League.

Ronaldo out of Nigeria friendly
An independent FA hearing found him guilty of improper and violent conduct.

He was cautioned by police in August and apologised to the young fan immediately after the incident.

The FA said Ronaldo admitted the improper conduct charge but not violent conduct.

The end of his second spell at Old Trafford followed a controversial interview in which he criticised United and said he had “no respect” for Ten Hag.