NFF sacks Tijjani Babangida as Oliseh’s PA

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has sacked Tijjani Babangida, personal assistant to Sunday Oliseh, head coach of the Super Eagles.

The executive committee of the federation has also endorsed the recommendation of the technical and development committee for the appointment of Emmanuel Amuneke as head coach of the Flying Eagles.

This was revealed in a communiqué of meeting of the NFF executive committee issued in Abuja on Wednesday by Ademola Olajire, NFF’s assistant director of communications.

It said the disengagement of Babangida followed recommendation of the NFF technical and development committee, which was unanimously approved.

The board mandated Mohammed Sanusi, general-secretary, to follow due process in effecting the disengagement.

The communiqué said Kabiru Baleria and Emeka Amadi had been appointed as assistant coach and goalkeeper trainer respectively.

NFF also approved the recommendation of the technical and development committee that the backroom staff of the various national teams be reconstituted immediately, with the exception of the Super Eagles.

“With its determination to find a holistic solution to the dwindling fortunes of the senior women national team, Falcons, committee approved the recommendation of the technical committee for the appointment of expatriate coach,” the communiqué read.

“The expatriate coach will be assisted by former Super Falcons’ Captains, Florence Omagbemi, Perpetua Nkwocha and Ann Chiejine, with Bala Mohammed as Goalkeeper Trainer.

“Omagbemi will head the crew in acting capacity in the meantime.”

The executive committee also approved a recommendation by the Technical Committee for processes to be put in place for the training, grading and certification of all categories of football coaches in Nigeria.

“The programme, which would be run in conjunction with a consultant to be approved by the Executive Committee, will commence once approval is secured from the Confederation of African Football.”

It further stated that henceforth, Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh must report to the NFF General Secretary and the Technical and Development Committee.

The communiqué also said that Oliseh should be ready to defend his entire programme before the committee, including invitation of players and training programmes at all times.

The committee rebuked Oliseh for his unwarranted statements unbecoming of a national team coach.

“His outburst in both regular and social media was unnecessary, However, we acknowledge his apology but the executive committee will not tolerate similar infractions in future,” the communiqué read.

“The committee approved a recommendation by the NFF Referees Committee for the introduction of Referee Assessor for matches of the Nigeria National League from 2016 season.

“The executive committee constituted ad-hoc committees to study and compose governance structures for Nigeria National League, Nigeria Women Football League, Nationwide League One, and report back to the committee within four weeks.”

It listed the committees as composed to include Nigeria National League to be chaired by Seyi Akinwunmi, while the Nigeria Women Football League would be chaired by Babagana Kalli.

Nationwide league one ad-hoc committee would have Ibrahim Musa Gusau as its chairman.