Author: Nouman Ali

Grassrunners FC and Abakaliki FC will meet in the final of the 14th Ogunjobi Gold Cup after both teams won their respective semi-final matches yesterday.

Grassrunners defeated Sunshine Stars 3-1, while Abakaliki FC edged Ikorodu City 2-1 to secure their places in Saturday’s final.

The final will take place at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta, at 10am on Saturday.

Grassrunners, making their debut in the competition and yet to taste defeat, will be seeking to crown their impressive campaign with the trophy. They will, however, face an Abakaliki FC side that has also shown its strength throughout the tournament.

Sunshine Stars took an early lead in the first semi-final when Onoja Mathew scored in the 15th minute.

Grassrunners responded in the second half, with Agbejoye Papi equalising in the 58th minute from a difficult angle.

Papi struck again in the 86th minute to put Grassrunners ahead before Adeola Fadel added a third goal in the 89th minute to complete the comeback.

The second semi-final also produced an entertaining contest.

Ikorodu City took the lead in the 11th minute through Ayanda Tolulope. Abakaliki FC, however, responded through Moses Amanekwu, who scored his second goal of the tournament.

Amarachukwu Uche then put Abakaliki FC ahead in the 48th minute with a fine finish from a corner to secure the 2-1 victory.

The two teams will now meet in a winner-takes-all final for the 14th Ogunjobi Gold Cup.

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has directed the management of the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) to engage fellows of the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy (LJLA) on their recommendations for improving waste management in the state.

Sanwo-Olu gave the directive during a mentorship session with the Class of Catalysts, the academy’s third cohort, where the fellows presented policy recommendations on waste and risk management.

The governor urged the fellows to meet with LAWMA officials to present their findings, defend their recommendations and engage with those responsible for managing waste in Lagos.

He said the interaction would provide an opportunity for the young leaders to ask questions, receive feedback and explore practical ways of addressing challenges in the sector.

According to him, the engagement reflects the vision behind the leadership academy – creating a platform where young people can use research and fresh ideas to interrogate government policies, while also giving the government the opportunity to listen and respond.

Sanwo-Olu also commended the fellows for their capstone projects, including proposals for a library and ICT centre, describing them as initiatives capable of delivering measurable impact and extending beyond the current cohort.

He urged the fellows to sustain the relationships built during the programme, stressing that a strong alumni network could become a valuable source of ideas, knowledge and support for future initiatives.

Reflecting on the fellows’ recent policy trip to Rwanda, the governor challenged them to study successful models in other countries and consider how such approaches could be adapted to improve governance in Lagos.

Sanwo-Olu also stressed the importance of consistency in government policies, saying investors require certainty and predictability before committing resources.

‘People want clarity. People want definitive pronouncements. No matter how tough that pronouncement, they want you to be consistent with it so that they can plan,’ he said.

He urged the fellows to remain open to learning, listen before responding and learn from their mistakes, describing the ability to turn failure into lessons as an important leadership quality.

The governor also challenged them to consider how their contributions would be judged by future generations.

‘How will history judge you? What will people say to you?’ he asked.

The Executive Secretary of LJLA, Ayisat Agbaje-Okunade, said the Class of Catalysts was the academy’s third cohort, bringing the number of young people who have passed through the programme to about 90.

She said graduation should not be regarded as the end of the fellows’ leadership journey but as the beginning of a new phase of greater responsibility.

Agbaje-Okunade said the fellows had been exposed to both theoretical and practical leadership through readings, mentorship sessions, fireside chats and shadowing opportunities with commissioners and heads of ministries, departments and agencies.

She said the academy was established not merely to impart leadership knowledge but to raise young people capable of making meaningful contributions to society.

‘When they enter the fellowship, they don’t know the sort of leader they want to be. But they know the sort of leader they do not want to be,’ she said.

Agbaje-Okunade urged the fellows to continue to demonstrate patriotism, responsibility and respect for the law after completing the fellowship.

‘Our vision has always been to build a society transformed by the leadership of young people. So our transformation is very much dependent on them, even after they leave the fellowship,’ she added.

She said the academy had also broadened the fellows’ exposure through international engagements, including a recent policy trip to Kigali, Rwanda, where they interacted with government officials, mayors, district heads and communities.

The chairman of the Board of Directors of Geregu Power Plc, Senator Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari, has moved to personally fund the immediate settlement of the company’s outstanding bond obligation to protect bondholders and restore investor confidence.

Yari, in a statement from his media office on Friday, said the bond was issued and the underlying arrangements entered into under Geregu Power’s former ownership and management, before the current ownership and board assumed control.

He decided to intervene personally because the unresolved obligation could unsettle bondholders, undermine confidence in the company, and affect the interests of shareholders and other stakeholders.

‘Notwithstanding that the day-to-day management of this obligation is not mine to carry, I have decided, in my capacity as Chairman, to personally step in and provide the funds required to address the immediate outstanding bond obligation,’ Yari said.

He stressed, however, that his intervention should not be construed as an admission of personal liability for the obligation or an indication that the current board and management were responsible for its emergence.

‘This is not an admission that the obligation is personally mine, nor is it a judgement that the current Board or management created this problem. It is a decision made in the interest of the institution I am privileged to chair,’ he said.

Yari said the company was already in discussions with its former owners and management about the circumstances surrounding the bond obligation and how it should ultimately be resolved.

According to him, the former owners and management have indicated their willingness to continue discussions towards a lasting and amicable settlement.

His intervention will address the immediate obligation to bondholders while discussions continue on the underlying dispute.

‘Our objective, ultimately, is a final, mutually acceptable resolution: fair treatment or reimbursement of the funds I am advancing now to protect the company, and clear, dependable arrangements for the company’s future obligations to bondholders,’ he said.

The Geregu chairman said he had remained closely involved with the board, management, financial and legal advisers, and other relevant parties since the matter emerged, to establish how the situation arose and determine the appropriate steps for its resolution.

He maintained that protecting investor confidence remained his overriding priority, warning that a dispute of this nature should not disrupt the company’s operations or undermine the confidence of bondholders, shareholders, and business partners.

‘Confidence, once shaken, is expensive to rebuild. I would rather act early than watch that happen,’ he said.

Yari assured bondholders, shareholders, employees, partners and other stakeholders that Geregu Power’s obligations would be honoured and that the company would maintain sound corporate governance as efforts to resolve the underlying matter continue.

‘To our bondholders, our shareholders, and everyone who has built something lasting with Geregu Power: this company’s obligations will be honoured, its governance will remain sound, and its future is not in question,’ he said.

He also pledged to keep stakeholders informed as discussions progress towards a final resolution.

FirstBank has announced the inaugural public lecture of the FirstBank Samuel Asabia Professorial Chair in Business Ethics and Governance scheduled to hold at the University of Lagos on September 3, 2026.

The lecture, themed: ‘Business Ethics and the Future of Nigeria’s Economy,’ will bring together academics, students, business leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and other stakeholders to examine the critical role of ethics, integrity, accountability, and sustainability in shaping Nigeria’s economic future and fostering long-term national development.

The Samuel Asabia Professorial Chair in Business Ethics and Governance was created in honour of Samuel Asabia, the Bank’s first indigenous Managing Director. The Chair has served as a platform for promoting scholarly research, teaching, and thought leadership in business ethics, corporate governance, responsible leadership, and sustainable business practices.

In recognition of his exemplary leadership and contributions to Nigeria’s financial services sector, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of FirstBank, Olusegun Alebiosu, will serve as Chairman of the Lecture.

Speaking on the significance of the lecture, Olusegun Alebiosu stated: At FirstBank, we believe that sustainable economic progress is anchored on ethical leadership, strong governance, and responsible enterprise. The Samuel Asabia Professorial Chair represents our enduring commitment to advancing thought leadership and fostering meaningful dialogue on issues that shape the future of business and society. Through this inaugural public lecture, we are bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, academics, and other stakeholders to explore how integrity-driven leadership can strengthen institutions, enhance economic resilience, and accelerate Nigeria’s journey toward a more inclusive and prosperous future. We are proud to support this important platform for knowledge exchange and nation-building.’

The initiative further reflects FirstBank’s belief that sustainable development extends beyond financial performance to encompass ethical decision-making, responsible corporate citizenship, strong governance, and the development of future leaders capable of driving positive societal change.

The Chair is currently occupied by Professor Kenneth Amaeshi, an internationally recognised scholar whose work spans Sustainable Finance, Corporate Governance, Business Ethics, and Economic Development.

Through enduring investments in education, research, and thought leadership initiatives such as the Samuel Asabia Professorial Chair, FirstBank continues to contribute to the development of ideas, institutions, and leadership principles that support a more prosperous, ethical, and sustainable Nigeria.

The Premier League season begins this weekend as defending champions Arsenal begin their title defence, while City, Liverpool, United and Chelsea also start their campaigns. All the action will be live on SuperSport on DStv and GOtv.

Arsenal open proceedings tonight at 9:00 pm when they host newly promoted Coventry City. The Gunners begin their pursuit of consecutive league titles against a Coventry side making its return to the top flight and eager to start with a statement result.

Manchester United are in action on Saturday at 12:30 pm with a trip to Hull City. Both teams will look to make a strong start.

At 3:00 pm, Ipswich Town host Sunderland, while Everton welcome Crystal Palace in the other afternoon fixture at the same time. The Everton-Palace clash will be live on SuperSport Action (GOtv Ch. 66, DStv Ch. 206). Tottenham Hotspur then visit Brentford at 5:30 pm in an all-London contest.

Sunday begins with Manchester City travelling to Bournemouth at 2:00 pm. The fixture marks City’s first Premier League game under new manager Enzo Maresca, following Pep Guardiola’s departure, giving the visitors an early opportunity to show what the new era could bring.

At 4:30 pm, Newcastle United host Liverpool in one of the weekend’s standout fixtures. Liverpool also begin a new chapter under head coach Andoni Iraola, while Newcastle will look to make home advantage count against the reigning Premier League challengers.

All the action will be live on SuperSport on DStv and GOtv. All Premier League matches air live on SuperSport Premier League (GOtv Ch. 65, DStv Ch. 203). The opening round concludes on Monday at 8:00 pm with Chelsea visiting Fulham in a West London derby.

All too often, girls who have their normal education disrupted as a result of pervasive poverty that forces them to drop out of school, early marriages and unanticipated pregnancies, communal displacements due to crises or violent attacks on schools, particularly in the North, have their educational pathways blocked for life and their potentials irreversibly trapped and aborted.

The commissioning of the rehabilitated Alternative High School for Girls, Agboju, Lagos State, by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) is a commendable demonstration of a commitment to giving this category of girls who had dropped out of school another opportunity to resume learning, be equipped with new skills and have brighter chances of achieving success.

According to the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr Aisha Garba, the institution was rehabilitated through the UBEC Direct Intervention Programme and, apart from the provision of physical infrastructure, is designed to restore hope and create opportunities for girls and young women desirous of re-connecting with education.

The rehabilitated school is equipped with two blocks accommodating over 26 classrooms, laboratories for agriculture, physics and biology, a library and information and communication centre.To fulfill its unique purpose of enabling students to complete their secondary school education while also learning vocational skills to prepare them for careers and make them self-reliant, the school also has vocational workshops for cosmetology, garment-making, hair dressing, catering, and home economics.

UBEC is also to provide the school with a school bus and digital smart boards before the end of 2026.This is surely the right way to ensure Dr Garba’s affirmation that ‘A girl whose circumstances prevented her from completing her education should be given another opportunity. Every child deserves an alternative pathway to acquire the education needed to succeed in life’.

Girls with better education will certainly be able to more effectively utilise whatever intervention funds are made available to them to set up small businesses.

We join the UBEC executive secretary in commending the consistent support of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for the education of young women, even long before she attained her present status.Apart from providing these facilities, it is equally important that no effort be spared to reach girls in this category and rekindling their hopes in the possibility of continuing their education so that they can utilise the opportunity.

UBEC has announced that work on another such alternative high school is ongoing in Ikorodu, also in Lagos.Earlier, a similar institution for girls with disrupted education had been established in Bauchi State.

These efforts only scratch the surface of what is a very serious challenge and need to be considerably expanded and the rate of implementation accelerated across the country through closer collaboration between UBEC and state governments.It is estimated that there are approximately 7.6 million out-of- school girls in Nigeria.

Girls are particularly vulnerable to having their education disrupted due to such cultural practices as early marriages and pregnancies in many communities, especially in the North.

There is also the tendency in rural communities to prioritise the education of the male child to the neglect of girls who may be able to have an opportunity later in life only through initiatives like this.

However, boys can also be the victims of debilitating poverty, destabilising conflicts that displace communities or entanglement in vices like drug addiction or cult activities that disrupt their education.

They also deserve to be reached out to, redeemed from hopelessness and offered opportunities to receive an education and empowered to become productive members of society.

The old guard and the new arrivals in England

In West London, stability remains the key objective for Fulham, where Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey continue to serve as core anchors. Both players were integral to the club’s consistency last campaign, and manager Marco Silva is once again relying on the duo to carry regular, heavily taxing roles throughout the grueling Premier League calendar. Bassey’s physicality and tactical versatility at centre-back provide a modern platform for Fulham’s build-up play, while Iwobi’s creative versatility, ability to progress the ball through central zones, and relentless work rate continue to make him an irreplaceable presence in the starting XI.

Further north at Nottingham Forest, Ola Aina enters the new campaign adjusting to life under fresh leadership following the appointment of head coach Oliver Glasner. Known for demanding intense mobility and tactical discipline from his wide players, Glasner’s arrival seems to have sparked fresh ambition in the full-back. Aina has publicly set himself an ambitious personal target of scoring five goals this season. For a player who operates predominantly as a full-back or wing-back, it is a bold statement, yet it reflects the remarkable growth in his attacking confidence over recent campaigns at the City Ground. Aina, who recently committed his future to the club by signing a three-year contract extension through 2028, remains key to Forest’s tactical setups on either flank under Glasner.

The most high-profile intra-league transfer of the summer involving a Nigerian international belongs to Taiwo Awoniyi. The powerhouse striker departed Nottingham Forest to complete a marquee switch to newly promoted Coventry City for a base fee reported around £9 million (pound 19.9m). Awoniyi is on course to make his competitive debut for the Sky Blues in Friday’s high-stakes Premier League opener away at Arsenal, a fixture rich in personal history for the forward. Across six previous encounters against the Gunners during his time with Forest, Awoniyi has netted three times. Crucially, it was his late strike against Arsenal that matched Stan Collymore’s 28-year-old club record for scoring in consecutive Premier League matches.

The transfer represents a vital fresh start for Awoniyi. His previous campaign at Forest was hampered by fitness struggles, limiting him to just three starts and 17 total appearances, though he still managed four goals in that restricted time frame. He completed his first full training sessions this week at Coventry’s Sky Blue Lodge under manager Frank Lampard, where he aligns with fellow countryman Frank Onyeka. Onyeka’s loan extension and continued presence give the Sky Blues two experienced Super Eagles figures to rely upon in their quest for top-flight survival.

Beyond England’s borders, Victor Osimhen continues to dominate headlines despite remaining outside the Premier League for now. Continuing his spell at Galatasaray, where his goal scoring record in Turkey has kept him among the elite strikers in Europe, Osimhen remains the subject of relentless transfer speculation, with Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester United frequently linked with a move for his signature.

The persistent media chatter formed the backdrop for a light-hearted moment during the week when Forest defender Ola Aina put Osimhen on the spot during an Instagram Live broadcast. Aina directly asked his national team colleague which Premier League destination he would choose if given the option. Osimhen jokingly brushed off the public interrogation, telling Aina to inform viewers that he would have to call back privately due to it being a private matter. Aina let his teammate off the hook, steering the conversation back to Osimhen’s sharp goal scoring form in Turkey instead. While Osimhen has previously maintained that he does not hold a single favourite English side, he has admitted to owning both Chelsea and Manchester United shirts growing up due to his older brother’s influence.

A growing contingent in Italian Serie A

While Ademola Lookman opted for a high-profile exit from Serie A earlier in the calendar year by completing a transfer from Atalanta to La Liga contenders Atlético Madrid, the Nigerian presence in Italian football has nevertheless swelled significantly ahead of the new campaign.

At AC Milan, winger Samuel Chukwueze has made an emphatic early statement during pre-season preparations. Entering his second full campaign at the San Siro, Chukwueze delivered a standout performance in a marquee pre-season friendly against Manchester United, scoring a goal and providing two assists to stake a firm claim for a permanent starting role on the right wing.

Meanwhile, in Udine, goalkeeper Maduka Okoye continues his steady growth as Udinese’s trusted number one, looking to build upon a series of commanding defensive displays from last term.

Newly promoted Venezia produced the biggest individual transfer splash among the Nigerian contingent in Italy, shattering their all-time transfer record to secure striker Akor Adams from Sevilla. The Venetian side agreed to a deal worth pound 17 million plus performance-related bonuses, signing the forward to a four-year contract valued at pound 1.5 million per season. Adams built a strong reputation in Europe after moving to Sevilla from French club Montpellier in January 2025. During the 2025/26 La Liga campaign, he finished as Sevilla’s leading league scorer, registering 10 goals and 3 assists across 36 appearances to help the club navigate a tough campaign and preserve its top-flight status.

Venezia head coach Giovanni Stroppa publicly lauded the arrival of his new focal point up front, confirming that Adams is an important profile who will give the squad a big hand, while making clear that defensive stability remains the club’s next market priority alongside sporting director Antonelli.

Fellow promoted outfit Frosinone focused their recruitment on defense, securing versatile centre-back Kevin Akpoguma on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract at TSG Hoffenheim. The 31-year-old signed a deal running through June 2028. Akpoguma leaves Hoffenheim after earning 179 Bundesliga appearances, scoring three goals, and recording five assists. Born in Germany and a former international at various German youth levels, Akpoguma officially switched his allegiance to Nigeria in October 2020 and has earned eight senior caps for the Super Eagles. A move to Serie A presents him with a consistent platform to compete for a spot in head coach Eric Chelle’s national squad ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

Rounding out the Italian movement is young midfielder Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, who has joined Monza on a season-long loan from Inter Milan. The deal includes a purchase option set at pound 7.5 million, which can convert into a mandatory obligation under specific sporting conditions, while Inter have secured a 10 percent sell-on clause for any future transfer.

Having spent the prior campaign building match experience on loan at Pisa, Akinsanmiro now gets his opportunity to test himself regularly in Italy’s top division.

With Nigeria’s Premier League stars establishing their roles and a fresh wave of talent stepping into key positions across Serie A, the Super Eagles’ European contingent enters the season with clear objectives. Whether battling for domestic silverware, fighting for top-flight survival, or securing places in the national setup, both fronts of the legion are set for another huge campaign.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) Branch, has congratulated the university administration on the institution’s improved performance in the July 2026 Webometrics Global Ranking.

In a statement signed by the ASUU-OOU Chairperson, Yinusa Olumuyiwa Ganiyu, the union commended the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ayodeji Johnson Agboola, and his management team for what it described as an impressive achievement, reflecting the university’s growing academic productivity, research output, digital visibility and global recognition.

ASUU-OOU said the latest ranking was a testament to the collective efforts of the university’s management, staff and students over the past four years to reposition the institution.

The union particularly praised Prof. Agboola’s leadership, noting that the progress recorded in recent years demonstrated the capacity of members of the university community to provide purposeful leadership and move OOU to greater heights.

‘Purposeful leadership, commitment, cooperation and a shared vision’ were identified by the union as key drivers of the university’s recent progress.

While celebrating the achievement, ASUU-OOU called on members of the university community and other stakeholders to continue supporting the administration to consolidate and further improve the gains recorded.

The union also cautioned against distractions or actions that could undermine the progress achieved or return the institution to what it described as its ‘difficult past.’

According to ASUU-OOU, the interests of Olabisi Onabanjo University must remain paramount, with management, academic and non-academic staff, students, unions and other stakeholders working collectively to sustain the institution’s development.

The union urged the university community to ‘protect the gains,’ ‘consolidate the progress,’ ‘avoid distractions’ and ‘move OOU forward together.’

ASUU-OOU reiterated its congratulations to Prof. Agboola, the university management and the entire OOU community, expressing optimism that continued cooperation would help build and sustain an institution of which all stakeholders would be proud.

Borno has secured about pound 61 million in new funding from the United Nations (UN) and development partners to strengthen peacebuilding and recovery efforts.

The funding will support interventions across the state over the next two years, Gov. Babagana Zulum disclosed on Thursday in Maiduguri.

Zulum spoke while briefing journalists after the fourth UN Offer Board and Peacebuilding Fund Steering Committee meeting in Maiduguri.

He said the new phase of the UN Offer Programme followed the successful completion of its first phase, which supported peacebuilding activities across Borno.

‘Another new phase of the UN Offer has also been launched, amounting to about 61 million Euros, which should be spent within the next two years,’ he said.

The governor said Germany had already contributed about pound 10 million to the new basket fund supporting the programme.

‘While the United Kingdom, Switzerland and other development partners are expected to make additional contributions,’ he said.

Zulum added that the Borno Government would also contribute to the basket fund to demonstrate ownership and support effective implementation of the programme.

He commended the UN Resident Coordinator, Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, UN Development Programme (UNDP) and development partners.

The governor appreciated their continued support for peacebuilding, recovery and reconstruction efforts in the state.

Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, described Borno’s multi-partner coordination framework as a model for replication elsewhere.

Bagudu said the framework could be adopted in other parts of Nigeria and countries confronting similar humanitarian and development challenges.

He said it provided a unified funding mechanism and common understanding among government, the UN and development partners.

According to him, the arrangement would help address Borno’s post-insurgency recovery needs in a coordinated and sustainable manner.

Chargé d’Affaires of Germany to Nigeria, Johannes Lehne, revealed that Germany would commit another pound 10 million to the programme.

Lehne expressed optimism that the intervention, under the leadership of the Borno and Federal Governments, would promote peace and prosperity.

UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr Mohammed Fall, said coordinated action and strong leadership remained essential to addressing Borno’s challenges.

Fall said such efforts were also necessary to tackle challenges confronting the wider region.

He commended Zulum and Bagudu for demonstrating commitment to the peacebuilding initiative and its objectives. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

The Authentic Nigeria Football and Allied Sports Supporters Club (ANFASSC) has written to President Bola Tinubu, appealing for a structured dialogue involving the Presidency, the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to address what it describes as a sustained decline in Nigerian football.

In the letter, copied to Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila and NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko, ANFASSC – recognised by the Confederation of African Football and endorsed by FIFA – stressed it was not seeking government interference in the NFF’s statutory independence under FIFA and CAF rules, but a partnership-based engagement to chart ‘a new, progressive course’ for the sport.

The club’s request is threefold: a transparent dialogue between the Presidency, the NSC, the NFF and recognised stakeholders; a shared push to build a ‘modern, well-governed and competitive football ecosystem’; and a timeframe from the President’s office for when such engagement could begin.

ANFASSC’s appeal traces Nigerian football’s slide from the peak of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and FIFA U-17 World Cup double under the Amaju Pinnick-led NFF, which took office in October 2014, through to the current administration of Ibrahim Musa Gusau, in office since October 2022.

The Super Eagles missed the 2015 and 2017 AFCON tournaments, and the decline has deepened since. Nigeria’s U-23 side missed both the 2024 Paris Olympics and the 2023 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations, while the CHAN Eagles missed the 2022 edition of their tournament. The Flying Eagles were eliminated from 2027 U-20 AFCON qualification after a 4-1 defeat to Burkina Faso in August, and Nigeria’s U-17 side failed to qualify for the 2025 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations and, in turn, the FIFA U-17 World Cup.

Most significantly, the Super Eagles were eliminated by DR Congo on penalties in the November 2025 African play-off final, missing the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while the Super Falcons failed to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup after losing their play-off to South Africa.

ANFASSC noted this marks the first time both the Super Eagles and Super Falcons will be absent from their respective World Cups in the same cycle.

‘ANFASSC does not raise these concerns to assign blame but to responsibly highlight a pattern that calls for thoughtful, forward-looking intervention,’ the letter states.

The club said it envisions the requested engagement leading to renewed investment in grassroots and age-grade development, stronger coaching structures, improved player and official welfare, and a more transparent governance framework, and offered itself as a ‘constructive partner’ in the process.