African Football Discussion Thread Current Topic: 👉 AFCON 2025/2026

[CryptSafe]

The roars about the NFF misconduct and miss management of funds allocated by FIFA and CAF for support in building of sports facilities finally gets to the national house as the House of Representatives deliberated on it in the lower chambers. The motion was moved by Hon. Adedayo Samuel Adesola and co-sponsored by Hon. Nwaeke Felix Uche. They both raised issues concerning the transparency and governance in the NFF to be very poor and are yet to see the dividends of the support from FIFA and CAF over the years.

After reading the news I was wondering if it was today they felt that the inputs and grants from the two organisations are not reflecting as required or they are just doing their normal routine meeting just to divert the attention of Nigerians making them feel they really care about the affairs of the NFF.


Source

[Nightwatchmare]

Finally, Alex Iwobi might not be my best player when he plays for Nigeria but I will support him nevertheless. This is a great one to celebrate, I had to come celebrate it here.

Congratulations to Alex Iwobi, he’s been impressive at his clubs since leaving Arsenal, he’s become a regular starter at Fulham cementing his place as one of the best midfielders at the club, I’m sure he has played more than 90% of all Fulham’s games, this feat is expected Just that it’s unfortunate there’s no title to celebrate it. The three Clubs he’s been at none has won any title in the past years, Fulham always inconsistent with their performance.

Nevertheless he’s a good footballer and Fulham appreciates that, he should just enjoy his game and stay competitive.

It is surprising that throughout the reign of players like Yakubu Anyigbeni, Obafomi Martins, Kanu Nwankwo and others, they were unable to reach 300 appears and Iwobi is there already. This got to show how consistent Iwobi has been in the English Premier League.
Congratulations to him. Everyone writes their own history in different ways. He has made a history for himself.

I'm surprised Alex Iwobi is the first Nigerian player with 300 appearances for a club in the Premier League because i thought Kanu Nwankwo had smashed that record with his appearance for Arsenal and Portsmouth in the Premier League. Congratulations to Alex Iwobi for being the first Nigerian player to play for a club 300 times in the Premier League, and he can still make it to 400 appearances in the Premier League before he stops playing football. Alex Iwobi has made history for himself because he will be known as the only Nigerian player with 300 appearances for a club in the Premier League, and upcoming Nigerian footballers will want to equal the record and also break it.

[Futurexxx]

The roars about the NFF misconduct and miss management of funds allocated by FIFA and CAF for support in building of sports facilities finally gets to the national house as the House of Representatives deliberated on it in the lower chambers. The motion was moved by Hon. Adedayo Samuel Adesola and co-sponsored by Hon. Nwaeke Felix Uche. They both raised issues concerning the transparency and governance in the NFF to be very poor and are yet to see the dividends of the support from FIFA and CAF over the years.

After reading the news I was wondering if it was today they felt that the inputs and grants from the two organisations are not reflecting as required or they are just doing their normal routine meeting just to divert the attention of Nigerians making them feel they really care about the affairs of the NFF.


Source

While watching from afar how this has been playing out, it's very obvious that this is not a case of mismanagement of funds or a case of incompetence, but a case of corruption and embezzlement of funds.
Do you know what $1.2M can do in Nigeria?
That is approximately 1.2 billion Nigerian naira, and by looking at what they did with the money, it's very clear that like seven hundred million naira will still be remaining if they want to be truthful with everyone, so it's not a case of mismanagement of funds or a case of incompetence, but a case of embezzlement and corruption, their is no two ways about it.

[Oluwa-btc]

I don't understand why all African players especially Nigerians are killing themselves in the premier League when they can find success with other leagues. Not every player will excel in the premier league so players should look for success somewhere else and still be making the money that they're mostly playing for

I have always had this particular thoughts in mind and the playerused as example whenever I have these conversations lately has got to be Kudus. I see he always prefers underdog clubs where he can have more game time and also continuously being able in the spotlight. I wouldn't say the same when he was with Ajax though but he seemed that way with West  ham United and Tottenham Hotspur. Finally to come into the corruption of the NFF, we all need to come together to fight them. The sports and football in Nigeria is crumbling or also in shambles.

[Adbitco]

Finally, Alex Iwobi might not be my best player when he plays for Nigeria but I will support him nevertheless. This is a great one to celebrate, I had to come celebrate it here.

Congratulations to Alex Iwobi, he’s been impressive at his clubs since leaving Arsenal, he’s become a regular starter at Fulham cementing his place as one of the best midfielders at the club, I’m sure he has played more than 90% of all Fulham’s games, this feat is expected Just that it’s unfortunate there’s no title to celebrate it. The three Clubs he’s been at none has won any title in the past years, Fulham always inconsistent with their performance.

Nevertheless he’s a good footballer and Fulham appreciates that, he should just enjoy his game and stay competitive.

It is surprising that throughout the reign of players like Yakubu Anyigbeni, Obafomi Martins, Kanu Nwankwo and others, they were unable to reach 300 appears and Iwobi is there already. This got to show how consistent Iwobi has been in the English Premier League.
Congratulations to him. Everyone writes their own history in different ways. He has made a history for himself.

I'm surprised Alex Iwobi is the first Nigerian player with 300 appearances for a club in the Premier League because i thought Kanu Nwankwo had smashed that record with his appearance for Arsenal and Portsmouth in the Premier League. Congratulations to Alex Iwobi for being the first Nigerian player to play for a club 300 times in the Premier League, and he can still make it to 400 appearances in the Premier League before he stops playing football. Alex Iwobi has made history for himself because he will be known as the only Nigerian player with 300 appearances for a club in the Premier League, and upcoming Nigerian footballers will want to equal the record and also break it.

I'm surprised as well that the Premier league posted this when they are fully aware that Kanu Nwankwo is a Nigerian who also played for the premier league and at the same time surpassed this 300 league appearances. Kanu played for 3 different clubs unless they want to tell us that it was the championship he played for, lol. Iwobi still needs a couple of games this season to be able to surpass Kanu on appearances.

[Marykeller]

The roars about the NFF misconduct and miss management of funds allocated by FIFA and CAF for support in building of sports facilities finally gets to the national house as the House of Representatives deliberated on it in the lower chambers. The motion was moved by Hon. Adedayo Samuel Adesola and co-sponsored by Hon. Nwaeke Felix Uche. They both raised issues concerning the transparency and governance in the NFF to be very poor and are yet to see the dividends of the support from FIFA and CAF over the years.

After reading the news I was wondering if it was today they felt that the inputs and grants from the two organisations are not reflecting as required or they are just doing their normal routine meeting just to divert the attention of Nigerians making them feel they really care about the affairs of the NFF.


Source

While watching from afar how this has been playing out, it's very obvious that this is not a case of mismanagement of funds or a case of incompetence, but a case of corruption and embezzlement of funds.
Do you know what $1.2M can do in Nigeria?
That is approximately 1.2 billion Nigerian naira, and by looking at what they did with the money, it's very clear that like seven hundred million naira will still be remaining if they want to be truthful with everyone, so it's not a case of mismanagement of funds or a case of incompetence, but a case of embezzlement and corruption, their is no two ways about it.

Don't be surprised that this embezzlement of funds you mention, the NFF is not the only one that is involved in embezzling the amount mapped out for the support of building sports facilities in Nigeria; some top government officials will be involved in the embezzlement. That's the reason why, when issues like this are being raised, it is swept under the carpet by the authorities because of those involved.

Watch, this matter won't go as far as this. The House of Representatives members who raised these issues will be settled financially, which ends the case.

[SatoPrincess]

The corruption runs deep. I find it hard to believe that FIFA is entirely innocent in this case, someone in the federation must have been bribed to turn a blind eye.

Let's assume you're right, have you asked yourself why they choose to do that in Nigeria and not other African countries? Tell more about us as a country.

They probably repeat the same thing in other African countries. How many West African countries have a standard stadium that’s approved by FIFA? These countries have probably received money from FIFA and embezzled the money.

[Salahmu]

He is already abroad, there is no success he will see going to lower division clubs, is just not anybody who goes to those kind of clubs and become well known so actually he might go and witness favour while he could also not not perform, another disadvantage of lower division are the viewers because the poorer the league that's the lower the urge of people watching them. His performance is usually derive from others so if he is the only one then you are going to see a poor version of him. Harry Kane was different because by now he was in the eyes of a lot of clubs so it gives him an advantages.

No, he was born and brought up in England and he's playing in England, that's not abroad. Moving away from him is abroad, same way Harry Kane moved to abroad from England.

If he was any better, bigger clubs would have come for him or Arsenal would have retained him. At the same time he's not bad, he's just average. Moving to Celtic or Rangers where he could win some silverware would boast his career. Or better still focus on his music career.

I forgot were he was born, although I was thinking from playing in Nigeria to another country but since he is already there then his abroad I presume we should see him is Germany, Turkyie, France, Spain, Portugal and so on. There are players whom there success is just on the England and he might be that kind of player because going to Germany to join top club like Bayern Munich there nothing he can make them achieve and they might not also prioritize him on the pitch to play long. If we also think about France to be in PSG the same thing awaits him so if possible to get a permanent deal from his club he should take it.

[SatoPrincess]

I just saw the news that the Super Falcons have qualified for WAFCON 2026. I’m so proud of these girls and what they are doing for women’s football in Nigeria. It’s comforting to know that you can always rely on the Super Falcons to make us proud. If it were possible I’d have transferred some of the players to the men’s squad lol.

[Franctoshi]

I'm surprised Alex Iwobi is the first Nigerian player with 300 appearances for a club in the Premier League because i thought Kanu Nwankwo had smashed that record with his appearance for Arsenal and Portsmouth in the Premier League. Congratulations to Alex Iwobi for being the first Nigerian player to play for a club 300 times in the Premier League, and he can still make it to 400 appearances in the Premier League before he stops playing football. Alex Iwobi has made history for himself because he will be known as the only Nigerian player with 300 appearances for a club in the Premier League, and upcoming Nigerian footballers will want to equal the record and also break it.

Does this mean that all that Mikel Obi played for Chelsea football club from 2006 or 2007 to 2017, he wasn't able to make 300 appearances for Chelsea until he was sold? I  doubt that Iwobi is the player, and the source should be verified, because from a source I read online, John Mikel Obi had about 372 appearances for Chelsea football club.
Shocked though that Iwobi had to be the guy that broke this very record. congratulations to him if that happens to be him.

From other sources, Mikel is 249, Nwankwo Kanu 273, Yakubu Ayegbeni 253, and Shola Ameobi 298 with Newcastle United.

[Mayor of ogba]

Well I celebrant his milestone but still we need much more from him to create a legacy for himself.

The only way that happens is if he moves abroad to maybe a top team in one of the lower divisions to accumulate enough success with little efforts.

He's still very young; Vardy and Harry Kane were older than him when they started winning trophies so there's still time for him to keep working hard and maybe get a good move away from Fulham cause there's nothing for him there.

The chance of Iwobi joining a big club right now is slim because he's already 29 years old, and he has little to offer in football, which even makes it more difficult for big clubs to go for his signature. Iwobi should remain at Fulham because if he decides to leave, there's a big chance the club that's below Fulham might sign him.

[SatoPrincess]

Well I celebrant his milestone but still we need much more from him to create a legacy for himself.

Let’s not get too ahead, at best Iwobi is only a little bit above average. I have watched Iwobi play over the years both in Fulham and Super Eagles and tbh I don’t expect much from him. He better remain at Fulham because he doesn’t have the resume nor work rate to attract big clubs that win trophies.

[Callido]

They probably repeat the same thing in other African countries. How many West African countries have a standard stadium that’s approved by FIFA? These countries have probably received money from FIFA and embezzled the money.

It's a big problem for Nigeria, the whole world sees how corrupt we are even after receiving help, how do we explain what the Nigerian federation did with the amount allocated to them for the construction of the stadium, the difference between what was built here and what Kenya did with theirs is quite obvious.

This will be the last we can get, me as a Nigerian will not support receiving any aid from FIFA for whatever purpose, this embezzlement can affect us in length more than just football aspect, it can be generalized into any aspect we would require help.

[Adbitco]

Does this mean that all that Mikel Obi played for Chelsea football club from 2006 or 2007 to 2017, he wasn't able to make 300 appearances for Chelsea until he was sold? I  doubt that Iwobi is the player, and the source should be verified, because from a source I read online, John Mikel Obi had about 372 appearances for Chelsea football club.
Shocked though that Iwobi had to be the guy that broke this very record. congratulations to him if that happens to be him.

From other sources, Mikel is 249, Nwankwo Kanu 273, Yakubu Ayegbeni 253, and Shola Ameobi 298 with Newcastle United.

Well I don't know for Mickel's EPL stats over the years his played at Chelsea and I'm not even bothered to check for it but the one I'm sure of is Kanu. His played for Arsenal, West Bromwich and Portsmouth and having a total of 315 appearances for these 3 clubs. 119 for Arsenal, 53 for West Bromwich and 143 for Portsmouth, that's more than 300 appearances for him in the English clubs.

[Antotena]

While watching from afar how this has been playing out, it's very obvious that this is not a case of mismanagement of funds or a case of incompetence, but a case of corruption and embezzlement of funds.
Do you know what $1.2M can do in Nigeria?
That is approximately 1.2 billion Nigerian naira, and by looking at what they did with the money, it's very clear that like seven hundred million naira will still be remaining if they want to be truthful with everyone, so it's not a case of mismanagement of funds or a case of incompetence, but a case of embezzlement and corruption, their is no two ways about it.

I saw someone was supporting this corrupt NFF that EFCC can't investigate into NFF spending I was just shaking my head over some comments he had made before supporting NFF spending. If EFCC isn't allow to check how the money are spent, I believe they can check how the officials has been spending money over the years, there is big corruption going on under the NFF for very long time now but we have not been paying attention to it until now.

I'm not surprised when the say $1.2M was used to build that substandard stadium, it's the way of Nigerian to steal money, you know what's funny about this thing they build as stadium, labour is cheap in Kebbi state and land is cheap in that state, so I'm trying to see where this people spent that huge amount of money and couldn't do something very unique. If they had build a stadium and couldn't complete it would be more understandable than this thing they called stadium.

[Mayor of ogba]

Does this mean that all that Mikel Obi played for Chelsea football club from 2006 or 2007 to 2017, he wasn't able to make 300 appearances for Chelsea until he was sold? I  doubt that Iwobi is the player, and the source should be verified, because from a source I read online, John Mikel Obi had about 372 appearances for Chelsea football club.
Shocked though that Iwobi had to be the guy that broke this very record. congratulations to him if that happens to be him.

From other sources, Mikel is 249, Nwankwo Kanu 273, Yakubu Ayegbeni 253, and Shola Ameobi 298 with Newcastle United.

Nigeria had a lot of players who played in the Premier League, but it is so surprising that the likes of Jay-Jay Okocha, Kanu Nwankwo, Joseph Yobo, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Peter Odemwingie, Obafemi Martins and Shola Ameobi couldn't achieve 300 appearances for the clubs they have played for in the Premier League. Congratulations to Iwobi for his new milestone as the first Nigerian player to reach 300 appearances in the Premier League.

[Mate2237]

Snip

Nigeria had a lot of players who played in the Premier League, but it is so surprising that the likes of Jay-Jay Okocha, Kanu Nwankwo, Joseph Yobo, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Peter Odemwingie, Obafemi Martins and Shola Ameobi couldn't achieve 300 appearances for the clubs they have played for in the Premier League. Congratulations to Iwobi for his new milestone as the first Nigerian player to reach 300 appearances in the Premier League.

What you have to know is that iwobi is a very young player which started early in the premier League, all these players you mentioned came to the premier League late in their career except Mikel obi. So the probability of attaining such fit was unlikely. Iwobi should be commended for the way that he has been able to develop over the years, I can remember him while at arsenal he was one of the best players right then but have to leave because of lack of playing time and leaving arsenal at that point in time were the best thing that happened to his career.



Iwobi has become one of the best players in the premier League scoring goals too, playing three hundred games in the premier League is not a small achievement he has really set a record for Nigerian player's because it will be difficult to attain this record.

[CryptSafe]

The roars about the NFF misconduct and miss management of funds allocated by FIFA and CAF for support in building of sports facilities finally gets to the national house as the House of Representatives deliberated on it in the lower chambers. The motion was moved by Hon. Adedayo Samuel Adesola and co-sponsored by Hon. Nwaeke Felix Uche. They both raised issues concerning the transparency and governance in the NFF to be very poor and are yet to see the dividends of the support from FIFA and CAF over the years.

After reading the news I was wondering if it was today they felt that the inputs and grants from the two organisations are not reflecting as required or they are just doing their normal routine meeting just to divert the attention of Nigerians making them feel they really care about the affairs of the NFF.


Source

While watching from afar how this has been playing out, it's very obvious that this is not a case of mismanagement of funds or a case of incompetence, but a case of corruption and embezzlement of funds.
Do you know what $1.2M can do in Nigeria?
That is approximately 1.2 billion Nigerian naira, and by looking at what they did with the money, it's very clear that like seven hundred million naira will still be remaining if they want to be truthful with everyone, so it's not a case of mismanagement of funds or a case of incompetence, but a case of embezzlement and corruption, their is no two ways about it.

Don't be surprised that this embezzlement of funds you mention, the NFF is not the only one that is involved in embezzling the amount mapped out for the support of building sports facilities in Nigeria; some top government officials will be involved in the embezzlement. That's the reason why, when issues like this are being raised, it is swept under the carpet by the authorities because of those involved.

Watch, this matter won't go as far as this. The House of Representatives members who raised these issues will be settled financially, which ends the case.

It is obviously a case of what has been mentioned because the NFF has no moral rights to engage in such act of embezzlement when in the real sense the sports body of the country needs to get things done appropriately and coordinated.
Possibly your assertion may be correct because such always happens in the country where law makers are being bought over by the powers that be when they seems not to benefit anything from the scheme being initiated. Maybe they are just trying to raise dust to see how they could get their own share or cut from the proceeds since they weren't recognised by the sports body as that has always been the case in our country. Let us watch and see how it goes if they are genuine in this motion they have raised or they are just after their own cut as usual.

Nevertheless, a big congratulations to the Falcons on their qualification. They always make us proud out there with their performance and passion coupled with the entertaining football they play. There has never been a time they don't live to expectations, they are performing and are never short of accolades. I wish the Super Eagles could emulate this and do us proud.

[Mayor of ogba]

Does this mean that all that Mikel Obi played for Chelsea football club from 2006 or 2007 to 2017, he wasn't able to make 300 appearances for Chelsea until he was sold? I  doubt that Iwobi is the player, and the source should be verified, because from a source I read online, John Mikel Obi had about 372 appearances for Chelsea football club.
Shocked though that Iwobi had to be the guy that broke this very record. congratulations to him if that happens to be him.

From other sources, Mikel is 249, Nwankwo Kanu 273, Yakubu Ayegbeni 253, and Shola Ameobi 298 with Newcastle United.

Well I don't know for Mickel's EPL stats over the years his played at Chelsea and I'm not even bothered to check for it but the one I'm sure of is Kanu. His played for Arsenal, West Bromwich and Portsmouth and having a total of 315 appearances for these 3 clubs. 119 for Arsenal, 53 for West Bromwich and 143 for Portsmouth, that's more than 300 appearances for him in the English clubs.

I don't know where you got the information that Kanu Nwankwo's total appearances in the Premier League for the three clubs he played for is 315 appearances, because I carried out a little research immediately after I retd Franctoshi's post, and I found out it was even Shola Ameobi that was close to achieving 300 appearances at Newcastle United.

[Ndabagi01]

Iwobi can't go above the club he's at now in the premier league. Lets not forget he was once playing for Arsenal but has downgraded to where here playing now. Maybe he can find success in other leagues but not the premier league. The other players you're referring to went from small clubs to big ones and not the other way round that the career of iwobi is taking. I don't understand why all African players especially Nigerians are killing themselves in the premier League when they can find success with other leagues. Not every player will excel in the premier league so players should look for success somewhere else and still be making the money that they're mostly playing for

They’re mostly stuck here because they see the premier league as the only league that will give them the exposure they’ll ever want in their career, exposure meaning popularity in football. They get stuck to it and have uptil now have that same mentality. Look at Osimehn, he’s still being at his best even when he’s playing for Galatasaray, he was also the one of the players that lead to Napoli winning the Serie A last two season’s, he may not have gained same achievements if he was playing in the premier league. I am of the opinion that they should also explore and try other leagues instead of sticking to the premier league only. The case of Iwobi is him downgrading his status, but since he’s okay with it and needs the relevance still, it’s all good.