Falconets star forward Asisat Oshoala had quite a nice time in Zurich last night at the 2014 FIFA Ballon d’Or awards.
She got a chance to meet her heroes, week after grabbing two awards at the just concluded Glo CAF awards.
 Yaya Toure Named Africa’s Best Player While Super Falcons Secure Place For Nigeria
Asisat had won the Youth Player of the Year and Women African Footballer of the Year.
Here she is with some of her idols.
Asisat at Ballon 1
Asisat With Fifa President Sepp Blatter

Asisat at Ballon 2
Asisat With German Keeper, Manuel Neuer
Asisat at Ballon 3
With German Coach Joachim Loew
Asisat at Ballon 4
With German Midfield Hero Toni Kroos
Asisat at Ballon 5
With Female World Player Of The Year, Nadine Kessler
Asisat at Ballon 6
With Dutch Legend Clarence Seedorf
Asisat Lamina Oshoala MON is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays for Rivers Angels. She was the best player and highest goal scorer at the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
Reports coming from the commercial town of Mubi, Adamawa state, indicate that there is jubilation all over the town following the return of the exiled Emir.
ThisDay reports that the Emir of the town, Dr. Abubakar Isa Ahmadu, returned on Friday to his palace after spending two months in exile due to repeated attacks from the Boko Haram terrorists group.
 Obasanjo: Niger-Delta Amnesty Influenced Boko Haram
It would be recalled that the insurgents stormed Mubi town and destroyed its economic life wire and burnt down the Mubi International Market along with several churches.
The Boko Haram extremist reportedly invaded the palace of the Emir and hoisted their flag in the palace.
According to some of the jubilating residents, they were overwhelmed with joy and happiness following the return of their Emir, after the military recaptured the town.
 Photos Reveal Aftermath Of Boko Haram Attack In Adamawa
The Emir, who was in Saudi Arabia as the state Amirul Hajj when the insurgents stormed the town on October 12, 2014 and took over his palace, making him to go into temporary exile from his kingdom.
It would be recalled that Mubi, the hometown of Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Alex Badeh, fell into the hands of the Boko Haram sect in October 20, and was recaptured by Nigerian military and local vigilantes in November 13.
Meanwhile, recent reports coming from Hong and Michika in Adamawa State indicate that the Nigerian military are now hunting some Boko Haram militants, in an effort to flush out the terrorists. 
A terrorism court will hear the case of two Saudi women drivers who were arrested after challenging a ban on female drivers in the Kingdom.
Twenty-five-year-old Loujan al-Hathloul was jailed on December 1 after attempting to drive to Saudi Arabia from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
A Saudi journalist, 33-year-old Maysa al-Amoudi, who lives in the UAE, was also detained as she arrived border.
Two women have been in detention for nearly a month.
 Discussing Women’s Rights, Treatment In Islam
Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world that bans women from driving.
Details On BBC News.



Sammie Howe5Sammie Howe is making her debut here at Your Daily Girl, and after reviewing this shoot, I hope it’s the start of many appearances.
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Erin Heatherton for L’Officiel Hommes Magazine France
Erin Heatherton5Erin Heatherton has only appeared on Your Daily Girl 3 times now, however it’s now been twice in 2 weeks, and I am incredibly hopeful this is a sign of great things to come.
Erin Heatherton1 Erin Heatherton2 Erin Heatherton3 Erin Heatherton4 Erin Heatherton5 Erin Heatherton6 Erin Heatherton7 Erin Heatherton8 Erin Heatherton9 Erin Heatherton10 Erin Heatherton11 Erin Heatherton12
Courtnie Quinlan with a dolphin for Page 3

Courtnie Quinlan1Courtnie Quinlan enjoys her inflatable dolphin with Page 3, and our imaginations run wild.
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Nigeria’s effort to overcome Boko Haram faces another problem with refusal by the Saudi Arabia to grant over-flight permits to cargo planes conveying military equipment and armoured tanks procured by the Nigerian government from Pakistan, ThisDay informs.
This decision made by the Saudi government can cause a big diplomatic scandal because it is well known that Jonathan’s administration aims at ending the insurgency in the North-east before the 2015 election.
 FG Breaks Silence On $15M Arms Deal  
Goodluck Jonathan has given the permission to military authorities to procure arms from alternative sources such as Pakistan and Russia other than Nigeria’s traditional allies led by the United States of America, United Kingdom and France.
According to ThisDay’s source, the decision  was premised on Nigeria’s displeasure with the US after the country blocked the sale of American-manufactured Cobra attack helicopters from Israel.
 BREAKING: Nigerian Army Seizes Chad Bound Russian Plane Full With Arms
Because of the West’s position, Nigeria decided to turn to the East, mainly Pakistan, from which the federal government was able to procure a huge cache of military hardware.
 FG Stops US From Training Nigerian Soldiers
The source says: “Getting the equipment into Nigeria immediately has run into a hitch owing to Saudi Arabia’s refusal to grant the cargo planes that will convey the arms over-flight permits through its airspace. We got permission to fly through Sudan and other countries but have been blocked by Saudi Arabia, which has impeded the urgency of the operation.”
He also adds that the only alternative for Nigeria after refusal is  to ship the armament by sea, but using this as an option would take much longer.
The source explained further: “If we resort to shipping the arms via the high seas, they would reach us well after the elections which may be too late for the desired impact, especially now that we have the insurgents on the run”.
It should be noted that all countries have their own regulations regarding the issuance of flight permits. And the source says that religious undertones in Saudi Arabia might be the reason.
“Nigeria has always had close ties to Saudi Arabia, but with a war that has a religious slant, we may not be able to rule it out. But what I can say for certain is that this would lead to diplomatic tensions between both countries,” he said.
Authorities in Saudi Arabia have publicly beheaded a woman in Islam’s holy city of Mecca. Independent.co.uk Reports raif-badawi-protest-1
Laila Bint Abdul Muttalib Basim, a Burmese woman who resided in Saudi Arabia, was executed by sword on Monday after being dragged through the streets and held down by four police officers.
She was convicted of the sexual abuse and murder of her seven-year-old step-daughter.
A video showed how it took three blows to complete the execution, while the woman screamed “I did not kill. I did not kill.” It has now been removed by YouTube as part of its policy on “shocking and disgusting content”.
There are two ways to behead people according to Mohammed al-Saeedi, a human rights activist: “One way is to inject the prisoner with painkillers to numb the pain and the other is without the painkiller,” he told the Middle East Eye.
“This woman was beheaded without painkillers – they wanted to make the pain more powerful for her.”
Saudi Arabia traces its roots back to the earliest civilizations of the Arabian Peninsula. Over the centuries, the peninsula has played an important role in history as an ancient trade center and as the birthplace of Islam, one of the world’s major monotheistic religions.
Beheading is considered one of the more humane punishments the authorities can mete out: a firing squad and stoning are other methods open to judges.
Senator Dino Melaye from Kogi district on Sunday accused the chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, of support for Senator Smart Adeyemi who is currently challenging Melaye’s electoral victory at the Court of Appeal.
Melaye states that Tinubu had contacted the immediate-past attorney general of the federation and minister of justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke, to take over the legal battle on behalf of Adeyemi.
He alleged that Adeyemi, at the request of Tinubu, had forwarded details of the suit to Adoke, asking him to look for a judge in the Court of Appeal that would offer assistance.
However, in his reaction Tinubu had asked Melaye to look elsewhere for people to blackmail.
 APC Crisis: Tinubu Blasts Fayemi  
Sunday Dare who is a media adviser of the APC chieftain, reports Tinubu’s words: “This is another lie from their kitchen of malicious lies. They are all over the social and traditional media, spewing lies and planting stories. We are not about that. Nigerians are not as gullible as they think. He is aligned with people who want to kill the party, and we wish him luck, but they will not succeed because the party belongs to the Nigerian people.This blackmail, like other ones, will not work. It cannot stick. Adoke? Who is he? Tinubu cannot recall when last he saw him or even spoke with him. Dino should look elsewhere for people to blackmail.”
In his turn Melaye states: “I have no regret supporting Senator Saraki and my electoral victory was ordained by God and not by man. Therefore, no mortal can reverse it. In God I trust, no matter how desperate they might be. I am privy to an electronic mail sent to Adoke by an Abuja-based senior editor who is close to Tinubu in which he forwarded the court papers filed by Smart Adeyemi at the tribunal to Adoke. In the said e-mail, Adoke was told to look for a trusted justice in the Court of Appeal who would be useful for Smart Adeyemi.”
Ministers: Buhari Snubs Tinubu, APC, Consults Jonathan 
The Punch reported that the Election Petition Tribunal in Lokoja had upheld the election of Melaye who was elected on the platform of the APC. The source also recalls that tribunal had dismissed the petition filed by a former chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists and former chairman of the Senate Committee on FCT, Adeyemi, because his lawyers filed their defence too late.
Saudi Arabia’s King is dead, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al Saud died early today January 23, 2015, Friday ,as announced by the Saudi Authorities, his death comes several weeks after the state-run Saudi Press Agency said he was suffering from pneumonia and had been admitted to the hospital. He was 90.
Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz,  Saudi's new King/ Photo : Google
Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz, Saudi’s new King/ Photo : Google
 Saudi Arabia Publicly Beheads Woman In Mecca
Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz has been appointed as the new king according to state television reports.​
Throngs of mourners according to CNN gathered in Mecca early on Friday just hours after the king’s death was announced.
King Abdullah, has been a powerful U.S. ally who fought against al-Qaida and sought to modernize the Muslim kingdom, by opening greater opportunities for women.
Abdullah was born in Riyadh in 1924, one of the many sons of Saudi Arabia’s founder, King Abdul-Aziz Al Saud. Like all Abdul-Aziz’s sons, Abdullah had only rudimentary education. Tall and heavyset, he felt more at home in the Nejd, the kingdom’s desert heartland, riding stallions and hunting with falcons.
Abdullah was selected as crown prince in 1982 on the day his half-brother Fahd ascended to the throne. The decision was challenged by a full brother of Fahd, Prince Sultan, who wanted the title for himself. But the family eventually closed ranks behind Abdullah to prevent splits.
King Abdullah became king of the oil-rich nation, a key U.S. ally in the Middle East, in August 2005. But he had been running Saudi Arabia since 1996, after his half-brother King Fahd’s stroke.
Other world rulers as well as President Barack Obama have expressed condolences and offered sympathy to the people of Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia  is a strict Muslim Kingdom which traces its roots back to the earliest civilizations of the Arabian Peninsula. Over the centuries, the peninsula has played an important role in history as an ancient trade center and as the birthplace of Islam, one of the world’s major monotheistic religions.

The Super Falcons are getting restless as the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) hasn’t yet given them the green light to start their preparations for the FIFA Women World Cup in Canada.
super-falcons-celebrating-after-a-victory-at-the-2011-african-women_s-championship-in-south-africa-360x252.jpg
The national women team, Super Falcons.
Meanwile, their major opponents in Group D of the tournament have stepped up their training. The USA have been in camp, working out strategy and playing friendly games, Vanguard reports.
According to Falcons captain, Evelyn Nwanbuoko, it is worrisome that their preparation is yet to commences. She also added that her teammates were getting restless as they were determined to make an impressive outing at the World Cup.
 Super Falcons Need More Motivation From The Government
The chairperson of the NFF women committee, Dilichukwu Onyedinma, explained the delay by the upcoming general elections.
“ We [NFF] are waiting for the General elections and want them [Falcons] to exercise their civic rights.
The NFF considered these factors, not wanting any distractions when they resume camping,” the NFF board member later disclosed.
It should be reminded that Super Falcons were crowned as the Women’s National Team of the Year. The festive ceremony was held  8 January, 2015, Thursday, in Lagos.
 The Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan’s promises to the 2014 Africa Women Champions,  The Super Falcons have not yet been fulfiled.
The Namibian conquest was the seventh time the Falcons have won the AWC. but rather than be celebrated and enjoy their fruits of their hardwork, they were hosted by the President with unfulfilled promises.
 Read Why Super Falcons Can’t Start Their Training For Women’s World Cup
The team has been treated badly despite their achievements for the nation.
Falcons have been made to stay in a one star hotel and move without security unlike their male counterparts, who lodge in posh hotels and move with escorts and siren.
The Falcons, nevertheless continually make Nigeria proud with the highest record of successes in the history of Nigerian football.
Failed Promises
When the boys won the AFCON tourney, they were praised and paid by the government, corporate bodies and individuals.
They flew into the country in a private jet amidst pomp and pageantry. On the contrary, the women were quietly dispersed without an acknowledgement or celebration of any form.
People have alleged that all these is cause the Falcons brand doesn’t have the same appeal as their male counterparts but they both represent the nation’s pride.
READ ALSO: Super Falcons May Lose 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup Because Of Jonathan
Last saturday during his presentation, Jonathan included sports as part of his reforms and also proudly identified with the many successes of the Falcons during his jogging campaign rally. But to date, neither the president, nor the first lady, Patience Jonathan, has acknowledged the girls for their gallant performance in Namibia.
The president had promised to host the girls but its been over four months and the girls have been left on stand by.
The firm goal keeper, Precious Dede told reporters: “We are still waiting and we are believing strongly for as long as the president is concerned, he will host us, he will never forget us” .
Super Falcons with their trophy in Namibia.
Super Falcons with their trophy in Namibia.

The Falcons are scheduled to play in this years edition of the women’s world cup in Canada and are currently preparing towards this. They have to qualify for the All-African Games and Olympics to represent the Nation once again, but winning and not being recognized can be depressing for the women.
Falcons player, Francisca Ordega said:  “I have a feeling the President still has us in mind, he can’t forget us. The team has done their best, we won for the nation, you see all of us here, we are happy.
We are more focused on the qualifiers, we want to win Mali, and also shine by bringing home the world cup to the country, that is it,” she said.
 Photos: Asisat Oshoala Shares Experience At FIFA Player Of The Year Gala
The Coordinator of Save Our Women football advocacy group, Moses Bako, said : “I think it’s long overdue, the President should have hosted them by now. He should also compliment their efforts and now that nothing has been done and they are going to World Cup, appreciating these women will definitely boost their morale” .
One official in the NFF told Premium times that the NFF has been waiting for the FG to act on their promises for some time now.
“We have done our bit as a federation, what else do they want, everything is left to the President and if he likes he can host the girls. It is not in our power to make him do so and he can whatever he deem fit,” the source said.
The Falcons have been dominating African football unlike their male counterparts but they rarely get 10% of the praise the boys get.
With just 18 days to the FIFA Women World cup, the Super Falcons are in good shape ahead of their June 8 opener with Sweden.
This was revealed by the team’s headcoach, Edwin Okon who named a preliminary 26-woman squad ahead of the tournament which begins on June 6.
Africa’s Best player, Asisat Oshoala tops the list of the players set to feature in Nigeria’s fourth outing at the tournament since its maiden edition in 1991.
However, a notable absence in the list is legendary striker Perpetua Nkwocha. The 39-year-old four-time African Women Footballer of the Year was dropped after participating in three straight World Cup outings in 2003, 2007 and 2011.
 Asisat Oshoala Reveals Her Plans For The Season
It is believed that Nkwocha’s omission is as a result of Coach Okon’s desire to opt for younger players in keeping with his philosophy of building team for the future.
perpetua-nkwocha-360x320.jpg
Perpetua Nkwocha
The team to be captained by Evelyn Nwabuoku, is largely filled with members of the 2014 African Women Championship winning team.
Nigeria has been drawn in the group of death alongside two-time winners USA, Sweden and Australia in Group D.
The tournament will run from 6 June and 5 July.
Oshoala Nominated For Women’s Footballer Of The Year
According to reports, the team departed for Canada on Tuesday night from the Abuja airport via Paris to connect to Toronto.
Before its first game at the tournament, the African champions will play a friendly match against the senior women’s national team of Canada on 25 May.
The FIFA Women’s World Cup current title holder is Japan after their famous victory against USA in 2011
The Nigerian political atmosphere is always charged. Long before the electioneering period, politicians are always preparing for the next elections.
In four years time, Nigerians will be returning to the polls. Many will queue to vote their representatives at various levels of government.
 NASS Crisis: It Is Normal In Every Democracy – Senators
Political analysts are already projecting the politicians that will contest in various positions at different levels of governance.
One occurrence that is prominent in Nigeria’s political firmament is a situation where senators elected in the upper chamber of the Nigerian legislature, use their position as an opportunity to contest for the governorship position in their various states.
Unlike in the United States of America where it is the other way round. A senator is seen to be higher and more important politically than a governor. In Nigeria, the scenario is totally different.
Infact, governors in Nigeria, after 8 years in power, see the senate as a retirement plan for themselves. The battle for states is more intense because of the control of resources. To put it more succinctly, governors here are demi-gods that even senators bow at their feet.
Naij.com bring to you 5 senators who have not hidden their desire to govern their various states and will most likely contest for the position when the opportunity presents itself.
 Ekweremadu: PDP’s Springboard For 2019 Success?
Read below:
1. Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi state): Kogi state will actually hold its own gubernatorial polls early next year. The handover date from the current administration in Kogi State is scheduled for 27th January, 2016. Senator Melaye has formally declared to be part of the contest, which came as a surprise to political watchers in the state as his god-father and former governor of the state, Prince Abubakar Audu is also in the race. It remains to be seen whether Melaye is a pretender or contender for the race to Kogi government house.
Senator Dino Melaye
Senator Dino Melaye
2. Senator Ajayi Borrofice (Ondo state): 66 -year Senator Borrofice is a renowned professor of zoology. Currently, in his second stint as a senator, Borrofice fell out with Ondo state governor, Olusegun Mimiko, while they were both in the Labour Party, and moved to the All Progressives Congress (PDP). The senator representing Ondo North in the Nigeria senate, stepped down for Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu in the 2012 governorship election in the state. He has reportedly not shelved his ambition to succeed Mimiko. Rumours abound in Ondo state that he is already oiling his political machinery for the election in the state which is meant to hold next year.
Senator Ajayi Boroffice
Senator Ajayi Borrofice
3. Senator Hope Uzodinma (Imo state): A grounded politician in Imo state, Uzodinma decamped from the PDP in the 2003 to contest for the governorship election in the state then. He was the governorship candidate of the Alliance for Democracy after he fell out with the then governor, Achike Udenwa. He was re-elected this year to the upper chamber and there are rumours in the south eastern state that Uzodinma will throw himself into the race again to succeed Governor Rochas Okorocha in the year 2019.
Senator Hope Uzodinma
Senator Hope Uzodinma
4. Senator Lanre Tejuosho (Ogun state): Call him a political disciple of Governor Ibikunle Amosun and you won’t be wrong. Senator Tejuosho has been with the governor through thick and thin. He served under Amosun twice as a commissioner before his elevation to the National Assembly. Political analysts in Ogun state are tipping him as one of those the governor will favour to succeed him in 2019.
Senator Lanre Tejuosho
Senator Lanre Tejuosho
5. Senator Usman Bayero Nafada (Gombe state): A former deputy speaker of the Nigerian House of Representatives under Honourable Dimeji Bankole, Nafada lost out in the governorship primaries of the PDP in the 2011 elections to incumbent governor, Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo. Afterwards, Nafada joined his political god-father and former governor, Danjuma Goje in the APC. Now a senator, Nafada still has an interest in the governorship seat and will most likely give it a shot again in the year 2019.
Senator Usman Bayero Nafada
Senator Usman Bayero Nafada
Meanwhile, a book about to be launched on the activities of the National Assembly in the fourth republic have traced the introduction of money to arm twist federal lawmakers to former president Olusegun Obasanjo.
Former Kogi State House of Reps member, Senator Dino Melaye is one lucky man, who has been blessed by precious kids.
He has however released pictures of his kids with ex-wife Tokunbo Fabiyi.
This is the first time we are seeing his lovely kids in a long time and they are all grown up now.
Dino Melaye 1
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Dino Melaye has many times been criticized for his outlandish spending by his political critics due to his exuberant lifestyle.
The  2017 African Cup Of Nations, AFCON 2017, group qualifiers have been drawn  and Nigeria is set to play seven time winners Egypt in Group G.
Super Eagles as winners in 2013
Super Eagles as winners in 2013
Gabon has been confirmed as the host country for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations. Libya had been initially selected to stage the competition, but its hosting rights were withdrawn in August last year due to the unstable security situation in the country.
2015 winners Ivory Coast will play Sudan in Group I. The draws were made in Cairo, Egypt on Wednesday. Nigeria failed to qualify for AFCON 2015 but won the previous edition in 2013.
The groups in full:
Group A: Liberia, Djibouti, Tunisia, Togo
Group B: CAR,  Madagascar, DRC, Angola
Group C: Benin, Mali, Equatorial Guinea, South Sudan
Group D: Botswana, , Burkina Faso, Uganda, Comoros Island , Comoros
Group E: Guinea Bissau, Kenya, Congo Brazzaville, Zambia
Group F: Sao Tome, Cape Verde, Morocco, Libya
Group G: Tanzania , Chad, Nigeria, Egypt
Group H: Rwanda, Mauritius, Mozambique, Ghana
Group I: Sierra Leone , Ivory Coast, Sudan, Gabon
Group J : Seychelles, Lesotho, Algeria, Ethiopia
Group K: Burundi, Namibia, Senegal, Namibia
Group L: Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Guinea, Malawi
Group M: Gambia, Mauritania, Cameroon, South Africa
Nigeria’s first match will be against Chad in Nigeria on 12th of June 2015.
Nigerians on social media have also reacted to Nigeria’s chances of qualitication. The general tone shows that the populace hope Nigeria can qualify from a relatively easy group with Egypt thought to be the only NAtion with a serious threat.
Meanwhile UEFA has announced the quarter-final draws of the 2014/2015 UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League.
Some might call it one stint but this writer will argue that Stephen Keshi has managed the Super Eagles for two stints; his contract signing announcement on Monday makes it the 3rd stint.
His 1st stint from 2011 and ending after the 2014 world cup. His second stint came between July 2014 and March 2015 and now signing on the dotted line in April of 2015 signals his third stint.
Keshi Signs new contract
Keshi Signs new contract
That Keshi has matched up to the Success of his predecessors will be an understatement. Keshi gave Nigeria her first African title in 19 years and he matched the success of Nigeria at the world cup (reaching the last 16).
Keshi was seen as proud and out of his depth tactically. He never had a fruitful relationship with the general public and the press which has made many to label his stints as boss a failure. To have a successful 3rd tenure here are the things Keshi must do
Promote Players From The Youth Teams
Due to the fact that ages of players from the youth groups cannot be ascertained it is therefore important for Keshi to quickly promote youth team players who show promise. The team that won the African Youth Championship (AYC) in March 2015 should be promoted as soon as possible.
In a previous article, this writer alleged that use of over-aged players at junior levels of U-17, 18,19 and 20 levels slows down the progress of the senior team. Kudos to the flying eagles for winning the African Youth Championship in Senegal but how many of those boys are sure to have a 10 year career with the national team.
During his previous spells, Keshi was not the manager to promote younger players. Remember he said Kelechi Iheanacho was too young to be promoted despite Nigeria lacking strikers full of confidence. Keshi must be as proactive as Germany coah, Joachim Low who is always keen to test the next German star.
READ ALSO: U-20 Flying Eagles Make Nigerians Proud Again
Give the Team an Identity
Nigeria does not have a football identity. Spain is famed for its passing game, Chile came to the world’s knowledge after mastering their high pressing game, Germany are known for playing an attacking game that stems from wing-play while Nigeria has…no identity.
Sometimes it seemed baseless to watch the Eagles who were always all over the place like the recent friendly matches against South Africa and Uganda had shown. Keshi must give the team an identity by working to the strength of the players available to him. He has to decide what formation to play, what passing range to use, how to transition and to make the team flexible.
Leave out boardroom politics and footballing politics
Problems that are restricting the growth of the national team are politics in selecting players at the national set-up, differences at the board-room level of the Nigerian Football Federation, NFF,  and the to a lesser extent the political crises that affects the nation which makes some players refuse to come play for Nigeria. Thank goodness the elections are over and they were peaceful.
How can these problems be solved? First the NFF must come to the realization that there is a problem that is affecting Nigerian football. Then help the local league produce young players by creating an identity for them and asking each local league club to compulsorily have a youth set-up but this may be difficult as the funds are not there. But ask Germany how they revamped their youth set-up without the largest funds to make it become the best in the world.
Another way to solve the issues Nigeria is facing to clear the NFF of all the wahala of leadership. Let Amaju Pinnick show his face as a leader that can lead. Let him call his friends and enemies at the glass house and tell them to put differences apart so ideas can develop for the progress of the national team under Keshi.
Keshi must also select players with sustained form. He is in the habit of picking players who show temporary form (no names will be mentioned) but the big boss has to understand that form is temporary, class is permanent.
Respect His contract
Unlike his previous stints were details of his contract were unclear and controversial, Keshi must let the nation know details of the contract. In his previous stint Keshi, after the 2014 world cup ended in July, said he was going to continue working with the team despite raising alarms that he had not yet been paid for a while.
Keshi must know when his contract says go and when it says you can be given a further year if you meet this target.
 NFF Are Liars, They Owe Me Two Months Salary And I Never Wanted Super Eagles Job – Keshi
Continue to follow the local league
Keshi followed the local league during his first stint as Super Eagle’s boss, kudos to him. The Big boss brought Nigerians to the knowledge of huge talents in the local leagues. One name that springs to mind is AFCON 2013 final hero, Sunday Mba. The former Warri Wolves and Enugu ranger’s midfielder lit up the 2013 AFCON with his all action display in midfield. One could argue he won us the title following his goals against Ivory Coast in the quarter-finals and Burkina Faso in the final.
Keshi was praised for his decision to follow the local league back then and he must not stop doing it. Keep giving players in the league a chance to prove themselves.
Be friendlier to players and reporters
As a sport journalist this writer can categorically tell you that Keshi was not the friendliest with reporters who wanted exclusive interviews. Keshi was funny and bright during a press conference but not during a personal interview. This could be linked to his alleged proud persona. But to establish himself as a joy to the people Keshi must be friendlier because the media can make or mar him.
Keshi must also be nicer to players. Who would forget his standoff with Ikechukwu Uche and Osaze. The big boss does not like players standing up to him. Call his the “African Louis Van Gaal”. Keshi must use the open arm embrace approach of a coach like Carlo Ancelotti but he should draw a line.
Play more competitive friendlies
No disrespect intended but the Super Eagles should be aiming higher than Uganda and South Africa to play international matches. The Eagles should aim to play teams above them on the FIFA rankings not teams below them. Sure losses will come but there should be a balance. Nigeria cannot keep on playing mediorce teams and claim it aims to progress. Playing with tougher teams is important.
But in playing tougher teams, the NFF should be also remember that a sustained number of losses can zap confidence from the players and the nation watching them. Keshi should aim to play teams on both sides of the FIFA rankings. that trick works. Just ask Greece how they manage to be top European seeds ahead of the likes of Belgium.
If Keshi can fulfil these tasks then it is sure that the Big Boss will be considered a success. Nigeria has given Keshi another chance to lead its national team. Hopefully he would not disappoint.
Editor’s note: Year 1994 was a special one for Nigerian football. In a World Cup match against Bulgaria, Rashidi Yekini, top Nigerian player, holder of African Footballer of the Year title, scored Nigeria’s first ever goal in the world’s most significant football competition. With no doubts, at that moment 31-year-old Yekini dubbed “The Goalfather” by fans and sports journalists was on top of the world.  It came as no surprise that Nigerian team coach, Clemens Westerhof, said everyone was yet to see the real Rashidi Yekini.
Unfortunately, it was not going to happen. Yekini’s untimely demise under obscure circumstances on May 4, 2012, left a number of questions unanswered. Was it an accident or a deliberately organized murder? Why after three years since Yekini’s death no investigation has been initiated? Writing for Naij.com Hussain Obaro tries to figure out why Nigeria has so soon forgot about its national hero.
Story hghlights:
– Yekini’s role in helping Nigeria in 1994 Africa Cup of Nations where he also topped the goal charts and was named the best player of the competition was truly heroic.
– News media started drawing public attention to Rahidi’s deteriorating health in 2011 when he was said to suffer from a bipolar disorder, depression and some other undisclosed psychiatric conditions.
– It is a shame after three years since Yekini’s death there has not been a deliberate and conscientious effort to unravel the circumstances surrounding his death.
I vividly remember Rashidi Yekini’s iconic celebration in 1994 when he scored Nigeria’s first World Cup goal. It was our first FIFA World Cup match against Bulgaria in Boston, USA. Unlike the other team members, Yekini ran into the posts, gripped the net with an intensity of a man overcome by the ecstasy of victory, and muttered the words nobody could hear.
Rashidi Yekini celebrates Nigeria's first ever World Cup goal in the match against Bulgaria
A picture of Rashidi Yekini celebrating Nigeria’s first ever World Cup goal in the match against Bulgaria became one of the  symbols of 1994 FIFA World Cup
Rashidi Yekini was born in the city of Kaduna on October 23, 1963. The skillful footballer who played as a striker scored 37 goals in 58 appearances for Nigeria. His commitment to both club and country stood out among those of his peers. Yekini’s role in helping Nigeria in 1994 Africa Cup of Nations where he also topped the goal charts and was named the best player of the competition was truly heroic.
The former African Footballer of the Year, who started and ended his career in the Nigerian league, was reported to be ill for an extended period of time. News media started drawing public attention to Rahidi’s deteriorating health in 2011 when he was said to suffer from a bipolar disorder, depression and some other undisclosed psychiatric conditions. His sudden disappearance from football and social life was narrated from different angles, and his mysterious death in Ibadan on May 4, 2012 at the age of 48 acerbated the stories.
One version of Yekini’s death said he was mentally unstable and his family fatally harmed him in a quest for cure from native healers. That version was initially voiced by Yekini’s neighbours and then corroborated in an interview with his lawyer, Muhammad Olarewanju. According to Olarewanju, Yekini was forcefully taken out of his house by the people who claimed to be “healers” and was kept under their watch for about three weeks. Moreover, Yekini was reported to be held in the most dehumanizing conditions.
 Untold story of Rashidi Yekini’s last days
Another version asserted that Yekini was never insane. He merely suffered from  bouts of depression as a result of financial loses. Yekini became antisocial and that fuelled the rumors about his mental state.
In general, neglect of his colleagues, the NFF and the government made matters worse. It makes no matter if Yekini actually had mental problems or he was merely depressed, there is still a lot about his death that doesn’t seem right. It is a shame after three years since Yekini’s death there has not been a deliberate and conscientious effort to unravel the circumstances surrounding his death. Yekini deserves justice, at least in the form of inquiry into his death. His numerous fans and admirers should know what and/or who killed him. Did Rahidi actually die of natural causes or the people trying to cure him made some mistakes led to his death? And what lessons might we all learn from all these?
Nigeria and Nigerians have betrayed Rashidi Yekini by their prolonged inaction. Three years after his demise no deliberate effort has been made either by the NFF, Kwara state government or the federal government to immortalize the national  soccer hero. No one, even his former colleagues, cares about his family well-being. A visit to his grave in Ira, Kwara state, showed that the whole building was not only being deserted, but was taken over by wild animals. Kwara state government betrayed the memory of Yekini. The federal  government betrayed the patriotism of Yekini and the NFF betrayed his commitment and selflessness. Even Yekini’s former colleagues and teammates are all guilty of his death. Rashidi Yekini was betrayed by everyone.

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