CAF Awards: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Herve Renard Arrives In Abuja

Gabon and Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has arrived Nigeria’s capital city Abuja in time for Thursday’s CAF Awards.

Aubameyang is among the three final nominees for CAF African Player of 2015, along with Manchester City star Yaya Toure and Ghana’s Andre Ayew.

NIGERIA: FIFA Officials Set To Train Refs In Abuja

FIFA Regional Development Officer, Carlos Manuel Neves and Technical Instructor, An Yan Lim Kee Chong arrived Nigeria on Friday for a one-week FIFA Member Association Refereeing Course starting in Abuja on Sunday. NFF consultant on refereeing, Mr. Linus Mba, who is the local coordinator for the programme, told thenff.com that the Nigeria Football Federation had finalized arrangements for the two officials, as well as Malawian Mark Nzengo (physical instructor) who would arrive on Sunday, to be issued visas at the point of entry, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. “I can tell you that all arrangements have been concluded for a very successful programme that will benefit our referees, assistant referees and referee assessors more than ever before. I can also tell you that we have successfully re-designed this year’s programme, with the permission of NFF President Amaju Pinnick, to tally with the vision of the new NFF administration of intensive and rigorous training of our referees to meet with universal best standards. “There will be a total of 61 assessors at the course, as well as eight FIFA referees and 11 FIFA assistant referees.

Stephen Keshi Blasts Boko Haram Over Abuja Bombing

A place in the last 16 of the Brazil World Cup failed to console the Nigeria manager, Stephen Keshi, who was visibly distraught on hearing the news of the latest attack to rock his country.

“What are they doing these guys? They did it the first game, and now they did it again. It is sad!” remarked Keshi after his team went through to the next round, despite losing 3-2 to Argentina.

Before the game, an explosion in a shopping centre in Abuya, the capital of Nigeria, left at least 21 dead. It is not clear whether the attack was directly related to the World Cup. Last week, just hours before Nigeria’s opening game against Iran, a suicide attack in Damaturi killed 14 people who had gathered to watch the game between Brazil and Mexico.