Sports

NFF: Aspirants Stormed Election With Dollars, Contestant Alleges

Published

2 years 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: Haaland Finishes Top Goal Scorer [See list]

Published

2 days ago

May 19, 2024

Editor

Erling Haaland has finished as the English Premier League (EPL) top goal scorer for a second consecutive season as Manchester City beat West Ham 3-1 to win a fourth consecutive title.

The Norwegian striker was absent for two months of the season through injury and struggled to match the heights of his debut campaign at City when he struck 52 times in all competitions, including a Premier League record 36.

The 23-year-old failed to add to his 27 Premier League goals on the final day but still proved decisive in the run-in to help City secure an unprecedented fourth consecutive English top-flight crown.

Haaland scored nine times in his final seven Premier League appearances of the season to help City edge Arsenal to the title by two points.

Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, who himself started the season at City, was second in the top scorer standings with 22 goals, one ahead of Newcastle striker Alexander Isak.

EPL Top Goal Scorer Chart
27: Haaland (Man City)

22: Palmer (Chelsea)

21: Isak (Newcastle)

19: Foden (Man City), Solanke (Bournemouth), Watkins (Aston Villa)

18: Salah (Liverpool)

17: Son Heung-min (Tottenham)

READ ALSO: Guardiola Makes Decision On Man City Future After ‘Insane’ Six EPL Titles
16: Bowen (West Ham), Mateta (Crystal Palace), Saka (Arsenal)

14: Jackson (Chelsea), Wood (Nottm Forest)

13: Havertz (Arsenal)

12: Cunha (Wolves), Hwang (Wolves), Trossard (Arsenal), Wissa (Brentford)

11: Alvarez (Man City), Eze (Crystal Palace), Gordon (Newcastle), Morris (Luton), Nunez (Liverpool), Richarlison (Tottenham)

10: Adebayo (Luton), Bailey (Aston Villa), Fernandes (Man Utd), Hojlund (Man Utd), Jota (Liverpool), Olise (Crystal Palace)

Sports

PHOTOS: Man City Fans, Players Celebrate Record Fourth EPL Title In Style

Published

2 days ago

May 19, 2024

Editor

Man City on Sunday made history after clinching their fourth consecutive English Premier League (EPL) crown.

At the blast of the final whistle, the Etihad was occupied with fans and players in jubilant mood as the lush green pitch turned white and blue.

Sports

Guardiola Makes Decision On Man City Future After ‘Insane’ Six EPL Titles

Published

2 days ago

May 19, 2024

Editor

Pep Guardiola has said he has intention to leave Man City after winning a fourth consecutive Premier League title, and sixth in seven years, on Sunday.

Phil Foden scored twice as City beat West Ham 3-1 at the Etihad to edge out Arsenal by two points and deny the Gunners a first league title in 20 years.

“When I moved here if someone had said I would win six leagues in seven seasons I would say you’re insane – no way,” said Guardiola.

“All these players for Manchester United and Liverpool and Chelsea, all these teams. Now is our period. We are part of that,” added the 53-year-old.

Guardiola has now won 15 major trophies in eight seasons as Man City manager and could add another in the FA Cup final next weekend.

The Catalan has a contract at the Etihad until 2025 and said he intends to see out at least one more year in Man City.

“The reality is I am closer to leaving than staying after eight years. We have talked with the club — my feeling is that I want to stay now. I will stay next season and during the season we will talk.”