Pinnick appeals court ruling

The Nigeria Football Federation has swiftly moved to file an appeal, a motion to vacate the order and a motion for a stay-of-execution against the judgement of the Jos High Court, which on Friday decided to re-list a case brought by Ambassador Chris Giwa against the elected NFF administration of Amaju Melvin Pinnick.

In re-listing the case for hearing on 30th May this year, the court shockingly also restored the order that the election and Congress of 30th September 2014 be nullified.

However, since an appeal, a motion to vacate the order and a stay-of-execution has been filed, on the same day as the judgement, the status quo remains.

“This is a sad one primarily because we have enjoyed a period of peace and have been able to work without the court-today-court-tomorrow situation of the last half of 2014.

“We have filed for stay-of-execution and that means the status quo remains and anything done is done at the actors’ peril. I can assure football –loving Nigerians that there is no reason to panic as we are in full charge and there is no trouble whatsoever. There is no order for the Giwa group to take over the Glass House. In fact many of his so called board members have called to dissociate themselves from the matter,” NFF 1st Vice President Seyi Akinwunmi said on Friday.

It would be recalled that the Ambassador Giwa led group had gone to court and withdrawn the case in October 2014, but then later went to the Court of Arbitration for Sports, which threw out their case.

Court sacks NFF president Pinnick

A Federal High Court sitting in Jos has on Friday sacked the president of the Nigeria Football Federation Amaju Pinnick

Fridays’s ruling also ordered Chris Giwa to resume office as president of the NFF.

The suit against Pinnick was filed by Adama Yahaya and Obinna Ogba.

The new court ruling may incur the wrath of football governing body, FIFA who are firmly opposed to the idea of civil courts interfering in football matters.

Pinnick became the NFF president after an election in September 2014.

Super Eagles striker Samuel says goals will flow against Egypt

Super Eagles striker Aaron Samuel says getting goals would not be a problem for Nigeria when they confront the Pharaohs of Egypt in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match in Kaduna on March 25.

The big striker, who plays for CSKA Moscow FC in Russia’s elite division alongside Captain Ahmed Musa, has been included in the list of 21 overseas –based professionals called by Coach Samson Siasia for the double header against the Pharaohs.

“Goals will not be a problem when we take to the pitch in Kaduna. We have more and bigger stars that the Egyptians.

“There is nothing to fret about. I have heard what the Egyptians are saying, that we would not be able to score in Kaduna. That is mere wishful thinking on their part. They are trying to play a psychological game. The goals will surely flow from our boots into their net,” he said.

Samuel, who previously played in China, scored two brilliant goals for the Super Eagles in the 2015 Cup of Nations qualifying race – against Sudan in Abuja and against Congo in Pointe Noir.

“Our objective would be to be precise, to convert the chances that we create. We will win and win well.”

Nigeria host Egypt at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna on Friday, March 25, and both teams clash again four days later at the Borg el-Arab Stadium, Alexandria.