Football

Nigeria Football Federation First Vice-President, Seyi Akinwunmi, a lawyer, has been named the head of a four-man panel to investigate the error that led to Nigeria forfeiting the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Algeria in Constantine on November 10, the NFF announced in a press release on Wednesday.

The final African qualifying Group B fixture for the Russia 2018 World Cup ended in a 1-1 draw, but FIFA on Tuesday awarded all three points to Algeria following Nigeria’s use of ineligible defender Abdullahi Shehu in the encounter.

The NFF were also fine 6,000 Swiss francs for their negligence.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has sent birthday greetings to Super Eagles and Chelsea star, Victor Moses, who turned 27 on Tuesday.

CAF sent their greetings via their verified Twitter handle on Tuesday morning.

Super Eagles forward Alex Iwobi face fellow Nigerian Alhaji Gero as Arsenal will be guests of Swedish club Ostersund in the round of 32 of the 2017/2018 UEFA Europa League.

The draw took place at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland on Monday.

President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, has tendered an apology to Nigerians explaining how the “error” which led to the sanctioning by the world football body, FIFA.

Mr Pinick using his official Twitter handle @PinnickAnaju on Wednesday admitted the mistake by the NFF leading to the use of Shehu Abdullahi and taking responsibility for the error as head of NFF.

“Good morning. I’ll start by tendering my wholehearted apology to Nigeria and Nigerians for the Shehu Abdullahi error. It is unforgivable and could have undone months of hard work. As head of the Federation, I take responsibility for this. It happened on my watch.

The BCC has announced Egyptian and Liverpool star Mohamed Salah as BBC's African Footballer of the Year 2017. Salah pipped Liverpool’s team-mate Sadio Mane, Chelsea's Victor Moses, Borussia Dortmund's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and RB Leipzig’s midfielder Naby Keita for the award.

José Mourinho all but admitted defeat in the Premier League title race after watching Manchester United fall 11 points behind a Manchester City team he described as being “protected by the luck” and helped on their way to the championship because “the gods of football are behind them”.

Mourinho’s backhanded compliments came after a 2-1 victory for Pep Guardiola’s side at Old Trafford that left the United manager complaining at length that Ander Herrera should have been awarded a penalty in the second-half incident that led to the midfielder being booked for diving.