As 2017 comes to an end, Chinedu Laurel Okorodike of 90MinutesGOAL outlines the good, the viral and the biggest moments in Nigerian football in the year 2017.


1. Victorious Plateau United in the NPFL

The Nigeria professional football league, NPFL witnessed another end to end finish as Plateau United claimed their first title since the club was formed.

The Jos based club amassed 66 points from 38 matches played.

2. Super Eagles qualification for 2018 World Cup.

The Super Eagles had a sweet run during the qualification campaign for the Russia 2018 World Cup.

Initially placed in a group many christened "the group of death ", this Super Eagles defiled all odds and tore the form books into shreds as they ended the campaign without defeat finishing off Zambia to pick the sole ticket.

It was Nigeria's sixth World Cup ticket. However Nigeria defeated Argentina 4-2 in an international friendly to add more spice to the year.

3. Amanju Pinnick CAF executive seat victory.

2017 was the year Pinnick broke the back of the cabals that had in the past scuttled every attempt of a Nigerian getting into the confederation of Africa football executive seat.

It is worthy to note that since CAF was formed 60 years ago, only two Nigerians have been elected into CAF. They are late Etubom Oyo Orok Oyo and Amos adamu.

Previous attempt by Alhaji Aminu Maigari, Alhaji Ibrahim Gincumbent Alhaji Sani Lulu, to get into the CAF executive committee was blocked by some high ranking cabals.

Pinnick defeated Anjorin Moucharafou of Benin Republic 32-17 to win a seat into the CAF executive committee.

4. HOME-BASED SUPER EAGLES’ QUALIFICATION FOR 2018 CHAN

Prior to the Super Eagles’ qualification for the 2018 World Cup, the home-based Eagles secured their ticket for next year’s Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) in Morocco.

The home-based Eagles were drawn against Benin Republic in the play-off round from the West B zone.

In the first leg played in Cotonou, Benin Republic won 1-0 thanks to an 89th minute penalty by Mama Seibou.

But in the return leg at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano, a goal in each half by Rabiu Ali and Kingsley Eduwo, sealed a third CHAN appearance for the home-based Eagles.

5. Nigeria lose World Cup points to Algeria

BUT for the unassailable fourteen-point dominant lead Nigeria stamped on the earlier touted “zone of death”, in Group B of Africa’s World Cup qualification efforts, the nation could have been thrown into deep mourning after it was sanctioned by the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) on Tuesday, December 12, 2017.

FIFA announced the deduction of three points from Nigeria’s fourteen points and awarded them to Algeria over the fielding of an ineligible player, Shehu Abdullahi, in the final leg of the qualification for the tournament which will hold in Russia in 2018.

Abdullahi was given a one-match ban which he had not served when he was drafted to play in the second leg of Nigeria’s away tie against Algeria.

FIFA ruled as follows: “The Nigeria Football Federation is liable for having breached Article.55 paragraph.1 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code and article 8 of the 2018 Regulations of the FIFA World Cup Russia.

“The match played within the frame of the preliminary competition of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia between Algeria and Nigeria on 10 November 2017 is declared to be lost by forfeit by Nigeria (3-0).” Nigeria was also fined 6,000 Swiss Francs or N2.2 million. Luckily and happily, the deduction did not affect Super Eagles’ standing at the top of the log as Nigeria had already qualified for the tournament before the Algeria match.

6. 2017 CAF Award shortlists

Despite Victor Moses not making the cut in the African Player of the Year category, the country still remained in the spotlight. Gernot Rohr was nominated in the Coach of the Year category while his Super Eagles will also do battle for the Team of the Year.

In the women’s category, Asisat Oshoala look good to make it a hat-trick of wins as her heroics for her Chinese side, Dalian Quanjian earned a nomination alongside the Nigeria U20 women side.⚽

Full Post: https://www.90minutesgoal.com/2017/12/Nigeria-football-in-2017.html?m=1