http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Sport/Football/5635212-146/no_time_to_waste_says_maigari.csp

By Tunde Eludini

October 27, 2010 12:06AM


Aminu Maigari, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President has promised to swing into action swiftly to make up for lost time occasioned by the court case instituted against it by National Association of Nigerian Footballers. The case was withdrawn on Monday.

“I am resuming duty immediately and the board will be meeting on Wednesday (today). There is no more time to waste, there are issues begging for attention”.

According to Maigari, some of the issues seeking prompt attention include the commencement of the Nigeria Premier league, which has suffered series of postponement in recent times.

Many issues to resolve

Other issues requiring the board’s attention include the Super Falcons’ trip to South Africa to feature in the Africa Women Championships where the team hopes to regain the African title it lost two years ago.

The appointment of a substantive coach for the Super Eagles’ is also top on the new board’s agenda.

Former U-20 and U-23 coach, Samson Siasia, has been on the fore front of coaches interested in the Eagles job with others like Stephen Keshi is also showing interest.

“What is left for us now is to move Nigeria football forward, we are carrying everybody along, it will not be Maigari’s board alone but Nigerians too.

“The court verdict has reinstated my confidence in the judiciary; I want to appreciate them, NFF counsel, NANF and other stakeholders who brokered the peace,” Maigari said.

The Maigari-led NFF board had been declared illegal by a Federal High Court in Lagos after the NFF flouted its order by holding the August 26 election, which Maigari won. The court had asked that the election be suspended pending the outcome of a case before it.

The court’s rulling was part of the reasons for the FIFA ban, which was provisionally lifted on October 8, in time for the country to play a 2012 Nations Cup qualifier against Guinea.

In lifting the ban FIFA warned government against interferring in the running of football and asked that all cases in court be withdrawn so the board can resume its duties.