The President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau MON, has assured football fans, stakeholders, and Nigerians that the NFF is committed to preparing all National Teams for success in the coming year.
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Gusau emphasized that the Federation’s goal is to bring pride and glory to the nation through meticulous planning and strong performances on the international stage.
Reflecting on 2024 and looking ahead to 2025, Gusau expressed satisfaction with the Super Eagles’ recent triumph over Ghana’s Black Galaxies, which secured their spot in the 8th African Nations Championship (CHAN).
He reiterated that the NFF’s priority is no longer just participation in major tournaments but ensuring Nigerian teams are serious contenders for top honors.
“The days of Nigerian teams merely showing up at tournaments are over,” Gusau declared. “Our focus is on making our teams competitive and capable of winning.
This begins with thorough preparation ahead of qualifiers and competitions. For instance, I personally ensured the Super Eagles B began their camp early, and their victory against Ghana reflects the benefits of that preparation.”
With only a month until the CHAN tournament, Gusau stressed the urgency of immediate camping for the Super Eagles B, pledging full support for their preparations.
While highlighting the successes of 2024, Gusau acknowledged concerns about the Super Eagles’ inconsistent performance in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
He reassured fans that the NFF remains committed to rebuilding the squad that came within moments of winning the AFCON trophy in Côte d’Ivoire.
“Our immediate target is to secure victories in the remaining six World Cup qualifiers and secure automatic qualification,” he said. “Achieving this will set the stage for an impressive outing at the AFCON in Morocco later in 2025.”
On the women’s side, Gusau praised the Super Falcons, who ended 2024 as Africa’s top-ranked team. He promised robust preparations to help them reclaim the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title in Morocco next summer.
“We are arranging more friendly matches for the Super Falcons to integrate experienced players with emerging talents and build a formidable squad capable of dominating Africa,” he revealed.
Gusau also commended the Falconets and Flamingos for their impressive performances at their respective FIFA World Cup tournaments in 2024. He encouraged them to view 2025 as a year to achieve even greater milestones, particularly with the U17 Women’s World Cup now an annual event.
“The Flamingos have what it takes to conquer the world,” Gusau stated. “I’ve seen their matches and observed incredible talents, some of whom could hold their own in the Super Falcons. Our objective is for them to bring home the U17 Women’s World Cup from Morocco.”
Additionally, he highlighted the Falconets’ focus on securing a spot at the 2026 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup.
Looking ahead, Gusau acknowledged the busy calendar for Nigerian football and the NFF’s commitment to working closely with the National Sports Commission. He emphasized the need for greater corporate sponsorship to support the Federation’s programs and initiatives.
“Our efforts will remain focused on grassroots development to ensure a steady production line of players for the National Teams. This will guarantee the long-term growth and success of Nigerian football,” Gusau concluded.
