NFF Begins Sale Of Nomination Forms For Elections August 1

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced that the sale of nomination forms for its 2026 Executive Committee elections will begin on Saturday, August 1, with the submission deadline fixed for August 12, as preparations intensify for the September 27 polls in Lafia, Nasarawa State.

The timetable, released by the NFF electoral committee, outlines a comprehensive schedule leading to the elections.

Candidates will be notified of any irregularities in their documents between August 13 and 19, while the regularisation of submissions will take place from August 20 to 27. Screening of candidates is scheduled for August 27 to 30.

According to the roadmap, the list of cleared candidates will be published on August 31. Appeals by disqualified candidates will be accepted between September 1 and 3, with decisions on appeals expected from September 4 to 10.

The final list of eligible candidates will be released between September 11 and 12, while the delegates’ list will be published on September 13.

Campaign activities for cleared candidates will run from September 14 to 24, with the deadline for filing election petitions set for September 30.

Meanwhile, a five-member delegation from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has arrived in Abuja, to begin an inspection of facilities proposed by Nigeria to host the 48th CAF Ordinary General Assembly and the annual CAF Awards ceremony.

The inspection follows President Bola Tinubu’s approval, granted at the request of CAF President, Patrice Motsepe during the Africa Summit in Nairobi two months ago, for Nigeria to stage the two major continental football events.

The CAF delegation is led by the organisation’s Head of Safety and Security, Christian Emeruwa, and includes Mohammed Bakeer (Technology), Inas Ahmed (Travel and Accommodation), Salah Mostafa (Transport) and Hervé Dassoundo (Branding).

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The team inspected facilities at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Friday and is scheduled to assess the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, the proposed venue for the congress, alongside the Transcorp Hilton Hotel.

On Sunday, the delegation will continue its inspection in Lagos, visiting the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, earmarked for the CAF Awards, as well as the Murtala Muhammed International Airport and EKO Hotel & Suites.

The CAF officials are being guided by an NFF delegation comprising Director of Media and Communications, Ademola Olajire, Director of Marketing, Alizor Chuks, Head of Security, Barnabas Joro, Chief Protocol Officer, Emmanuel Ayanbunmi and Head of ICT, Tasiu Riskuwa Shehu.

Nigeria has previously hosted the CAF congress only twice, in 1980 and 2009.

Elsewhere, defending champions Nigeria will look to revive their campaign at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations when they face Zambia in a crucial Group C clash on Saturday in Morocco.

The Super Falcons suffered a shock 3-2 defeat to tournament debutants Malawi in their opening match, a result that stunned the African football community and placed pressure on the nine-time African champions to respond.

Zambia head into the encounter on the back of a commanding 6-0 victory over Egypt and currently top the group on goal difference.

The Copper Queens boast one of the continent’s most dangerous attacking line-ups, led by star striker Barbara Banda, alongside Rachael Kundananji and Grace Chanda.

The fixture also carries added significance following recent meetings between both sides.

Zambia defeated Nigeria in the third-place match at the 2022 WAFCON, denying the Falcons a medal, before the Nigerians exacted revenge with a convincing quarter-final victory last year.

Super Falcons head coach Justine Madugu expressed confidence ahead of the encounter, insisting the team remains focused on securing qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup while defending their continental title.

“Our objective remains picking the FIFA World Cup ticket and going ahead to retain our trophy,” Madugu said.