Africa Cup of Nations champions Nigeria have escaped a football ban imposed by FIFA. The ban was set to be put in place because Aminu Maigari, who is the president of Nigeria’s NFF (Nigerian Football Federation), was allowed to continue his in role, despite mounting pressure from FIFA to step down.
Before being put back into power in August this year, Maigari had been arrested and dismissed after Nigeria’s 2014 World Cup second round exit, due to accusations of financial wrongdoing. Following FIFA’s initial investigation of the NFF elections, however, they have concluded that the proposed football ban on Nigeria has been averted. Along with this decision, FIFA has warned that any further difficulties at future elections will lead to a ban.
Problems within the Nigerian Football Federation have been blamed for Nigeria’s failure to win either of their first two African Nations Cup qualification matches, following a defeat by Congo and a goalless draw against South Africa.
The managerial position has also been a cause for concern. Stephen Keshi, who was sacked after Nigeria’s World Cup exit in June, has been brought back to temporarily fill in the vacant post while the board continues to sort out its internal issues.
