December 11, (THEWILL) — The Nigeria Football Federation executive committee met at its Abuja headquarters on Wednesday to finalise preparations for the men’s senior team ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. President Ibrahim Musa Gusau led the session alongside 10 committee members and Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, directing administrators to ensure smooth arrangements for the tournament, which will run from December 21 through January 18, 2026.
Officials also turned their attention to the women’s senior team, ordering federation staff to arrange high-quality friendly matches during the February 2026 FIFA window. This preparation targets the 14th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations scheduled for Morocco from March 17 to April 3, 2026, where Nigeria will pursue a record-extending 11th continental title and a place at the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
Beyond senior team matters, the committee confronted persistent struggles among youth teams in international competitions. Technical and legal departments received orders to draft new academy establishment guidelines and development frameworks compliant with FIFA regulations. Meanwhile, officials approved the process for appointing a new independent auditor following PricewaterhouseCoopers’ completion of its maximum two-term tenure.
The committee received positive updates on the FIFA Forward 3.0 project construction opposite the secretariat at MKO Abiola National Stadium’s Package B area. Contractors remain on track to deliver the players’ hostel and training pitches within the 24-month deadline.
However, officials delivered sharp criticism of match officials operating across all domestic leagues. After assessing referee performance, members voiced strong dissatisfaction with numerous officials and warned that stricter sanctions will target poor officiating, incompetence, collusion with club administrators and deliberate match manipulation favouring certain teams.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
