The Fédération Internationale de Football Association, FIFA, has given Nigeria until Friday, October 31, 2014 to resolve the crisis in Nigeria  Football Federation (NFF) or face a lengthy ban from all football related activities.

This was contained in a letter sent to the federation on Tuesday, 28 October, 2014, by Secretary General of FIFA, Jerome Valcke. He said that the court order which nullified the September 30 election into the NFF board be withdrawn before midday on Friday or face sanctions from Fifa Emergency Committee.

Ambassador Chris Giwa had last week obtained a court order that nullified the Amaju Pinnick-led board and pronounced him (Giwa) the President of the NFF.

The letter signed by Valcke read, “Dear President we acknowledge your correspondence dated October 27, 2014 with regards of the developments in the situation of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

“We take note of the order granted by the Federal High Court nullifying the NFF elections of 30 September 2014 and the fact that some persons claiming to have been legitimately elected previously went to occupy the offices of the NFF causing great confusion among the administrative staff…

“As stated in our previous letters dated 9 September 2014 and 2 October 2014, FIFA stressed that should the electoral process and instalment of the newly elected board be affected by any interference, the case would be brought to the attention of the appropriate FIFA bodies for a suspension of the NFF.

“Under these circumstances and in order to give Nigeria a last opportunity to avoid a lengthy suspension, we inform you that if by Friday, 31 October 2014 at midday Nigerian time we have not received proof, we would refer the case to the FIFA Emergency Committee for implementation of the suspension.”

As it stands, should the world football governing body suspend NFF, the case will not be revisited until May 2015 during the FIFA congress which means that Nigeria will be unable to participate in next year’s Africa Cup of Nations and other youth football events.

Super Falcons Stella Mbachu Retires from Football

Rivers Angels and Nigeria Super Falcons forward Stella Mbachu has announced her retirement from club and country football.

Mbachu, who was a member of the Falcons team that won the just concluded 2014 African Women Championship in Namibia, said she is calling time on her career so as to give younger players more playing opportunity.

The 36-year-old veteran made her national team debut against Ghana in the maiden edition of the AWC hosted in Abekouta. She scored in the Super Falcons 2-0 victory over Ghana in the 1998 competition.

Mbachu, who was voted the Most Valuable Player at South Africa 2010 African Women Championship, scored 20 goals in 89 appearances for Nigeria.

The former Rivers Angels forward said she is fulfilled after winning lot of laurels for her country and club in her football career.

The seven time winner of the AWC is the only remaining member of the Super Falcons that played at the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup in the United States.

The Imo state-born forward also announced plans to venture into coaching as she felt the time is right to take a bow.

“This is complete, I’ve completed everything about football both for national team and club football. I’m not playing anymore,” Mbachu told Radio Nigeria.

“If I’m selected today, I don’t even think I will be selected because I have already made it open that I’m not going to be playing anymore,” she confirmed.

“I just want to rest and give the younger ones the chance. I know they will do it because they are already doing it,” she explained.

“I will embark on a coaching course. I hope to go into coaching now that I have retired from the game,” she concluded.