Deputy Speaker debunks report on Southeast leaders not happy

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August 8, 2023

The Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu has debunked a report displayed on social media, stating that the leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Southeast are not at home with the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s choice of ministerial nominees from the zone. According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the deputy speaker, Levinus Nwabughiogu in Abuja, the report published by an online platform however did not name the so-called leaders.

“Ordinarily, such a report should not be dignified with a rebuttal as it is not worth anyone’s time. But for purposes of clarity and emphasis, Moreso, to protect the sanity of the reading public, the office of the deputy speaker is hereby emphatically stating the report is not only a deluge of garbage, unfounded narratives and falsehood at its apogee but also the figment of the overheated imagination of the people and the medium that published it.

“For starters, masking the so-called leaders puts paid to the fickleness of the report. It’s also unfathomable that the discredited online medium could not live up to the simple journalistic ethos of lending credence to their own report by crediting such a serious publication to identifiable names and faces. Taking to such uncanny fabrication so unabashedly made can only be seen and regarded as a hatchet job which runs at variance with the professional ethics of journalism.

“We hold the profession in high esteem and would therefore appeal that those who intend to cast aspersions on its nobler intentions be held accountable by the relevant authorities and hierarchies.

“We pontificate here that the APC leaders in the southeast are all well-known and are not in the record of possessing any infantile dispositions as to mask their faces when baring their mind on weighty issues of national significance.

President Tinubu Inaugurates Committee on Fiscal Policy, Tax Reforms

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Mana Balagbogbo

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August 8, 2023

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President Bola Tinubu has inaugurated the presidential committee on fiscal policy and tax reforms with a charge to transform the tax system to support sustainable development and achieve a minimum of 18% tax to GDP ratio within the next three years.

The committee which has one year span is established to address the broad fiscal challenges facing the Nigerian economy through fiscal governance, tax reforms and growth facilitation.

President Tinubu said the committee has as its objective the advancement of viable and cost-effective solutions to issues such as multiplicity of tax collection agencies, the high cost of revenue administration, and the lack of effective coordination between fiscal and other economic policies across all levels of government.

The chairman of the committee, Taiwo Oyedele said if the country is to achieve the needed growth, aside from other necessities, there is the need to create a conducive environment to attract private and foreign investment through a comprehensive approach and coordinated strategy.

He further hinted the committee will evolve ways of mobilizing more tax revenue without necessarily increasing tax burdens. Speaking after the inauguration, the representative of the World Bank said the agenda of the committee is key to helping Nigeria achieve inclusive growth with more economic opportunities and better services for Nigerians. Members of the committee were drawn from the private and public sectors and ministries; departments and relevant agencies are further charged to cooperate fully with the committee towards achieving their mandates.

NFF Constitutes Standing And Ad Hoc Committees

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Emenike Agu

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August 8, 2023

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Nigeria Football Federation has constituted its standing and ad hoc committees. Please find attached the names of chairmen, vice chairmen and members of the 17 standing committees and three ad hoc committees.

The judicial committees had been constituted earlier.

NFF STANDING AND AD-HOC COMMITTEES

1. Finance Committee:
i. Mr Timothy Heman – Chairman
ii. Hon Margaret Icheen – Vice Chairman
iii. Alh A C Ladan
iv. Ado Garba
v. Auwalu Musa
vi. Mr. Greg Abang
vii. Gandi Bala Bodinga

2. Internal Audit Committee:
i. Alh Garba Mohammed – Chairman
ii. Alh Yahuza Maihaja – Vice Chairman
iii. Hon. Ifanawopo Sola
iv. Chairman Akwa Ibom F.A
v. Haliru Alhassan Samaila
vi. Hashimu Yusuf
vii. Amadu Malami

3. Organising Committee:
i. Chief Felix Anyansi Agwu – Chairman
ii. Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye – Vice Chairman
iii. Sir Emmanuel Ochiagha
iv. Calistus Ebare
v. Hon. Geofrey Gaya Vi. Mrs Dilichukwu Vii. Abba Muktar
4. Technical Committee:
i. Alh Sharif Rabiu Inuwa- Chairman
ii. Chief Felix Anyansi – Vice Chairman
iii. Hon Aminu Balele Kurfi
iv. Zanna Mohammed Mala
v. Victor Ikpeba
vi. Felix Awolabi
vii. Yinka Olagbemiro

5. Legal Committee: –
i. Barr Tony Ogwu – Chairman
Ii. Barr.Isaac Danladi – Vice Chairman
iii. Barr Paul Edeh
iv. Barr Abayomi Omoyinmi
v. Labaran M. Gusau

6. Women’s Football Committee:
i. Madam Aisha Falode – Chairperson
ii. Madam Nkechi Obi – Vice Chairperson
iii. Thelma Agara
iv. Hauwa Lawan
v. Mrs Margaret Aku
vi. Mrs Sabina Amemonophena
vii. Mr Harry Awurumbe

7. Youth Football Committee:
i. Alh Ganiyu Majekodunmi – Chairman
ii. Hon Silas Agara – Vice Chairman
iii. Victor Okechukwu Apago
iv. Hon Dele Ologun
v. Mr Aku Thompson Oladimeji
vi. Hon. Bala Usman Chamo Vii. Sen. Moses Cleopas
8. Futsal / Beach Soccer Committee:
i. Hon Nse Essien – Chairman
ii. Ahmed Yusuf – Vice Chairman
iii. Aminu Mohammed Inuwa
iv. Chairman Plateau FA
v. Hon Fuad Oki
vi. Richard Jideaka Vii. Yabagi A Baba

9. Medical Committee:
i. Dr Abdulkadir Muazu – Chairman
ii. Director Sports Medicine – Vice Chairman
iii. Dr. Rotimi Ogungbe
iv. Dr. Sa’adu Dan Isah
v. Dr. Peter Singabele
vi. Dr. Suleman Ohida
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10. Players Status Committee:
i. Mr Otumba Dele Ajayi – Chairman
ii. Mr Timothy Heman – Vice Chairman
iii. Mr Patrick Pascal MON
iv. Chikuelu Ileonsi
v. Mal Audu Sabo
vi. Austin Popo
Vii. Mr. Jude Odera Anyadufu
11. Committee for Ethics and Fair Play:
i. Alh Mainasara Illo – Chairman
ii. Chief Fanny Amu – Vice Chairman
iii. Dr Tijjani Yusuf
iv. Maccido Garba
v. ACG Bello Jibo
vi. Ibrahim Danbatta
vii. Harrison Ocular

12. Media Committee:
i. Madam Aisha Falode – Chairperson
ii. George Aluo – Vice Chairman
iii. Gabriel Aborowa
iv. Lirwanu Malikawa Garu
v. Mr Godwin Enakhena
vi. Alh Shu’aibu Mungadi Vii. Frank Ilaboya
13. Football Committee:
i. Chief Felix Anyansi Agwu – Chairman
ii. Alh Babagana Kalli – Vice Chairman
iii. NPFL
iv. NNL
v. NLO
vi. NWL
vii. Technical Dept
14. Strategic Studies Committee:
i. Alh Ahmed Yusuf – Chairman
ii. Alh Ganiyu Majekodunmi – Vice Chairman
iii. Mal Ahmed Magaji
iv. Barr. Christopher Green
v. Sen. Obinna Ogba
vi. Akegun Yomi Seriki
vii. Mohammed Salisu Rabiu

15. Marketing, Sponsorship Committee:
i. Sharif Rabiu Inuwa – Chairman
ii. Hon Nse Essien – Vice Chairman
iii. Edafe Eseoghene
iv. Alh Bature Musa
v. Chief Olapade
vi. Chika Ikenga
Vii. High Chief Emeka Iyama

16. Protocol and Ceremonial Committee:
i. Hon Margaret Icheen – Chairperson
ii. Alh Ganiyu Majekodunmi – Vice Chairman
iii. Mal Bakura Abubakar
iv. Obioma Onyeghala
v. Habibu Abdu Fagge
vi. Alhaji Usman Ibrahim Pate
vii. Mojeed Adegbindi

17. Security Committee:
i. Alh Babagana Kalli – Chairman
ii. Hon Nse Essien – Vice Chairman
iii. Emma Nunu
iv. Adebayo Anthony Adeyinka
v. Datti Umar Yusuf
Vi. AIG Wilson Inalegwu (Rtd)
vii. Brig. Gen. Stanley N. Eze

AD-HOC COMMITTEES.
1. Technical Study Group Committee:
i. Coach Ladan Bosso – Chairman
ii. Coach James Adesina – Vice Chairman
iii. Coach Manu Garba
iv. Ibrahim Gwadabe
v. Tijjani Babangida
vi. Mutiu Adepoju
vii. Edema Fuludu
viii. Abdul Sule
Ix. Hamisu Mohammed

2. Facilities Committee:
I. Otunba Dele Ajayi – Chairman
ii. Babagana Kalli – Vice Chairman
iii. Chairman Nasarawa FA
iv. Oluwole Oloworemo
v. Garba Musa Zuru
vi. Mr Amanze Uchegbulam
vii. Mr Tony Rafua
viii. Mr Joe Amend
ix. Mr. Eddy Ukim
x. Hon Joseph Joshua Xi. Dotun Cocker
Xii. Mr. Amah M. Mbah

3. ESTABLISHMENT COMMITTEE
I. Ahmed Yusuf Fresh – Chairman
II. Timothy Heman – Vice Chairman
III. Abdulganiyu Majekodunmi
IV. Babagana Kalli
V. Madam Margaret Icheen

Niger coup leaders vow to resist external pressure

By

Mana Balagbogbo

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August 8, 2023

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The Niger coup leaders on Tuesday, vowed to resist external pressure to reinstate ousted President Mohamed Bazoum after ECOWAS imposed sanctions and Western allies suspended aid.

The seventh power grab in West and Central Africa in three years has attracted global attention, partly due to Niger’s pivotal role in a war with Islamist militants. It is also because of its uranium and oil reserves that gives it economic and strategic importance for the United States, Europe, China and Russia.

West African countries and global powers hope for a window of opportunity for mediation with Niger’s coup leaders, before a Thursday summit that could agree on military intervention to restore democracy.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has scheduled the summit to discuss its standoff with the Niger junta, which seized power on July 26 and ignored an Aug. 6 deadline to stand down.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told French radio station RFI that “there’s no doubt that diplomacy is the best way to resolve this situation.”

The United States is backing the regional bloc’s efforts to restore constitutional order, he said. He declined to comment on the future of some 1,100 U.S. troops in Niger.

In a sign of the United States’ interest in the country, U.S. acting deputy secretary of state Victoria Nuland flew to Niamey on Monday.

She held “frank and difficult” talks with senior junta officials but said they did not take up U.S. suggestions for restoring democratic order.

The 15-nation ECOWAS bloc has taken a harder stance on the Niger coup than it did on other recent government overthrows. Its credibility is at stake because it had said that coups would no longer be tolerated.

Any use of force by ECOWAS would risk further destabilizing one of the world’s poorest regions, making such an intervention unlikely, according to risk intelligence company Verisk Maplecroft.

“The bloc understands that a military intervention would be very costly, with no guarantee of success over the long term, and with a significant risk of escalation into a regional war,” its Africa analyst, Ben Hunter, said in a note.

“It is fundamentally not in the interests of regional states.”

The bloc also sent a delegation to Niger last week to try to negotiate with the junta, but a source in the entourage said their efforts were rebuffed.

Africans Salute Brave Falcons After W’Cup Exit

By

Emenike Agu

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August 8, 2023

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In a display of unwavering support and admiration, Africans across the continent took to social media to hail the Super Falcons, despite their disappointing exit from the 2023 Women’s World Cup on Monday.

Nigeria beat co-hosts Australia 3-2 and held Canada and Ireland 0-0 respectively to reach the last 16 courtesy of a well-deserved second-place finish in Group B that was tagged ‘Group of Death’.

However, their remarkable journey hit a roadblock on Monday in a gripping last-16 encounter against England.

The Falcons were the much better side on the night in Brisbane, but England maintained their composure to go through on penalties, winning 4-2 to seal their spot in the last eight after 120 minutes of explosive box-to-box football which produced no goals.

oining hands in admiration, Africans commended the bravery of the Nigerian girls.

“I must commend the effort by our Super Falcons at the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Your brilliant performance did not go unnoticed despite the final outcome. You made Nigeria proud on the global stage!”, President Bola Tinubu stated in a tweet.

Former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso, acknowledged the dedication and fighting spirit of the Falcons, urging them to hold their heads high. “Regardless of today’s result, your dedication and fighting spirit were never in doubt. Hold your heads up, and keep making the country proud, our Super Falcons!” he wrote.

Ghanaian journalist Gary Al-Smith said he was deeply hurt by the Falcon’s exit from the tournament.

“This Nigeria loss is hurting far more than it should and I don’t know why,” he said.

Former Super Eagles captain and coach Sunday Oliseh added, “I am totally heartbroken but at the same time so proud of our “Extra Super” Falcons today. In spite of all the hardship & at times inhuman mistreatment, they have put Nigeria back up in world Football. God bless them all!!”

Collins Okinyo, a Kenyan football journalist, stated, “Very unfortunate for Super Falcons losing on penalties. They have been awesome in the tournament. The Super Falcons loss has hurt they were fantastic they were almost there.”

Nigerian singer and songwriter Charley Boy also hailed Randy Waldrum’s side.

“I congratulate the Super Falcons today on their wonderful performance at the World Cup. England may have won by penalty shootouts, but our ladies were no push over. Over try worry una, una do well. Much love from here. My people let’s show dem Love.”, he wrote.

Another Ghanaian journalist Juliet Bawuah added, ”A very good tournament for the Super Falcons. Didn’t end how we all wanted, but they proudly exit with too many positives. This is a very dedicated and committed group of players, and they made the continent proud by how much of themselves they gave. An inspiration for the women’s game in Africa. Keep your heads up, Ladies,” she wrote.

Cameroonian sports journalist Giovanni Wanneh praised the Falcons, saying, ”They were impressive.”

Guinean journalist Tanou Diallo lamented the Falcons missed chances. “Touching the crossbar three times was a misfortune for the ladies. They deserved to go through,” he said.

Senegalese Maryama Cisse stated, “Hail to Nigeria’s Super Falcons for making Africa proud.”

A South African on Twitter with the username, @msemosa stated that Africa was proud of the Nigerians.
“Great football by the Super Falcons of Nigeria. They were denied thrice by the goalposts to defeat England. Africa is proud of you.”

A Ghanaian football fan Thomas Mensah also expressed his pride in the girls, “Heads up, Super Falcons. Africa is proud of you.”

Tanzania Encourages Coffee Production In New Curriculum

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Nzubechukwu Anodo

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August 8, 2023

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Tanzania has included coffee production in school curriculum following the introduction and launching of a coffee production curriculum for training agricultural extension officers.

Café Africa Operations Manager, Samora Mnyaonga said the curriculum will be used to train extension officers who will be responsible for providing education on coffee production to farmers.

He said the curriculum was prepared by Café Africa in collaboration with other coffee stakeholders including the Tanzania Coffee Board (TCB) and the Tanzania Coffee Association (TCA).

The curriculum was launched by the Minister for Agriculture, Hussein Bashe during a stakeholders meeting held in Dodoma, recently.

He said the curriculum will target public and private sector extension officers involved mostly in coffee production sector in all districts and regions in the country.

According to Mnyaonga, curriculum is expected to strengthen the delivery of extension services to coffee farmers by supporting the national institutions in setting and maintaining minimum standards for delivering extension services to coffee farmers resulting in higher productivity, increased coffee quality and better livelihood for farmers.

He further disclosed that the curriculum features views of coffee stakeholders regarding changes and needs in the production and trade of coffee in the country and the world in general.

He noted that it includes existence and balance of understanding among farmers as far as coffee production in the country is concerned.

TCB Director General, Primus Kimaryo described the curriculum as a guide that will enable the country to produce coffee in abundance.

He said the introduction of the curriculum is important, especially when putting into consideration the country’s projection of producing 300,000 tons of coffee by the year 2025.

Rolling out of the curriculum is an ongoing process that is supported by the Global Coffee Platform, which works in partnership with the Tanzanian stakeholders to support a more sustainable coffee sector.

Resident doctors meet FG amid looming nationwide protest

By

Mana Balagbogbo

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August 8, 2023

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The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) is set to meet with the federal government today amid the ongoing strike action and looming nationwide protest. The NARD president, Emeka Orji, while speaking to newsmen on Tuesday, said the outcome of the meeting would determine if the doctors would embark on the planned protest.

Recall that the association had embarked on an indefinite strike on July 26 over the failure of the government to implement the demands of members. Some of the demands of the resident doctors include payment of the 2023 medical residency training fund (MRTF); immediate release of the circular on one-for-one replacement and upward review of the consolidated medical salary structure (CONMESS).

Others are payment of outstanding arrears of consequential adjustment, hazard and skipping allowance. The NARD had announced that its members will embark on peaceful nationwide protests from Wednesday, August 9. The association said the protests will involve picketing of the federal ministry of health, the office of the head of the civil service of the federation, and the federal and state tertiary health institutions across the country.

The NARD president, while speaking on Channels Television on Sunday, had said it fixed its protest on Wednesday to allow some time for the federal government to intervene. “We had options of starting these protests on Monday, but we shifted it to give the federal government enough time to intervene,” he said.

FUTO Crisis: NANS Tackles ASUU Over VC’s Resignation Call

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Nzubechukwu Anodo

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August 8, 2023

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The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), has warned the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), over its call for the Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), Nnenna Oti to resign, urging the union to rescind from such ugly move or face the wrath of the students.

Vice President, National Association of Nigerian Students, Comrade Victor Ezenagu, gave the warning while addressing journalists in Abuja on the crisis allegedly orchestrated by ASUU, which the students observed could plunge the peaceful University into a prolonged impasse.

The student body also called on the Federal Government to proscribe ASUU for being responsible for instability in the University system in Nigeria.

NANS leadership revealed that its female student members in FUTO are already mobilising their colleagues in other universities all over the country for a mother of all protest against the intimidation of the female Vice-Chancellor just because of her gender.

Ezenagu said it has become expedient, albeit with dismay, to address the unbecoming attitude of the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of University.

The latest of which is the derogatory headline of the dailies wherein the union zonal Leaders allegedly demanded the resignation of the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology Owerri for alleged corruption.

NANS posited that the attack on her person has been so vehement basically because of her gender, emerging as the Vice Chancellor of the University, as well as her transparency during the national assignment and in the discharge of her duties as Vice-Chancellor.

Falcons Among World’s Best Teams – Waldrum

By

Emenike Agu

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August 8, 2023

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coach Randy Waldrum believes the 11-time African champions should rank among the best countries in women’s football, following their performance at the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Nigeria were knocked out of the competition 4-2 on penalties by England in the round of 16 on Monday after regulation and extra time ended goalless.

The Falcons were also the least ranked team in their group and qualified at the expense of Olympic champions Canada, who are currently ranked seventh in the world. They beat co-hosts Australia, who are 10th 3-2, before being forced to a goalless draw by No. 22 placed Ireland in their last group game. England, who beat the Falcons in the last 16, are the fourth ranked team in the world.

Despite being eliminated, Waldrum, who has constantly hailed his players character, was left impressed by his team, who are currently ranked 40th in the world, for defying the odds at the tournament.

We can be and should be probably one of the top teams in the world by going from 40 on the FIFA rankings to a better number. I think we have also shown we are capable of playing against anybody. What you saw was England having a little more experience in playing these kinds of matches, being able to play with a man down and managing the game. Maybe that’s where we fell short,” Waldrum said after the game.

The American coach also saluted his England counterpart, Sarina Wiegman, noting that the Falcons only needed luck to advance to the quarter-final.

“Hats off to Sarina and her team, I don’t know what they thought we would do but we anticipated that they thought we would sit back like we did in the first two or three matches, and we really pressed them well, Halimatu (Ayinde) was fantastic against (Lauren) James. I don’t think we allowed them to get into the rhythm.

“The tactics was spot on, the performance was good, with a little bit of luck, we would have walked away with the result in our advantage,” he
added.

Women’s World Cup: Retain Waldrum, Fans Urge NFF

By

Emenike Agu

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August 8, 2023

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Nigerian football fans have asked the Nigeria Football Federation to retain Super Falcons coach Randy Waldrum regardless of the American’s reported soured relationship with the federation, after he led the team to the round of 16 of the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

The Falcons bowed out of the tournament on Monday, losing 4-2 on penalties against 10-woman England after playing out a goalless draw in 120 minutes in Brisbane. He also expressed his interest to stay with the Falcons after the game.

“I am proud of my team. I want to stay with this team and continue working towards the Olympics. But that is not a matter for me to decide,” Waldrum said during his post-match interview.

Waldrum was appointed as Falcons coach in 2020 and led the team to the 2022 Women’s African Cup of Nations and the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

After three years in charge, his relationship with his employers became frosty during preparations for the Women’s World Cup, with the coach reportedly denied his preferred assistant to the Mundial.

The American, who was only paid just seven months of his 14 months unpaid salary on the eve of the trip to Australia, questioned the federation over the $960,000 World Cup handed the federation by FIFA.

NFF spokesperson, Ademola Olajire, lashed out at the coach over the selection of players for the World Cup, labelling him an “incompetent loudmouth.”

But Waldrum have silenced critics and the NFF at the World Cup, qualifying from a tough group which has co-hosts Australia, Olympic champions Canada and Ireland.

After their ouster against England, the team received plaudits for their heroics at the tournament, with many fans backing Waldrum to keep his job.

“They should be humble and renew his contract, (he) defeated the hosts, held the Olympic and European champions to a draw, never lost a match over 90 minutes. The coach is tactically aware, sentiments apart,” a fan, Gbenga Olukunle, wrote on Twitter.

Journalist, Amos Joseph, also said, “NFF should be humble and renew if he wants to stay.”

Another fan, Yusuf Atolagbe, backed the American coach to keep his job with the NFF.

“We all want him gone before the tournament but after this tournament, we should not throwaway what he has done with the team. NFF should settle their differences with him and give him two years contract please.”

After leading the team to a fourth-place finish at the 2022 WAFCON in Morocco, Waldrum was criticised by many fans but has now won their hearts again with the team’s performance at the World Cup.