Tunde Folawiyo | History of the Nigerian Football Federation
With a rich team history spanning over 70 years, Nigeria’s football team holds a vibrant, loyal fan base of millions, including Nigerian Tunde Folawiyo. Controlled by the Nigeria Football Federation, the Nigerian national football team (NFF) – nicknamed the Super Eagles – has won many distinctions in their history as a franchise. The Super Eagles won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, a title they’ve won 3 times in their history, demonstrating the team’s immense talent on the field.
In order to gain a better understanding of the Super Eagles, it’s important to understand the history of the Nigeria Football Federation. Football was first introduced in Nigeria by a group of British colonists in 1914. Baron Mulford, a Briton, began organising weekly football matches between the youths of his country and those of Nigeria in an area now known as Lagos. Nearly three decades later, Dr. Nnammdi Azikiwe – who later became one of the founding fathers of independent Nigeria and the first President of the Republic – suggested a governing body to regulate football in Nigeria. An active sportsman and noted sports enthusiast, Azikiwe’s idea came to fruition in 1945 with the help of many others including Mr. R. G. Marshal, Chief Etun Bassey, Dr. Isaac Ladipo, Baron Mulford and Mr. D. H. Holley.
Founded in 1949, Nigeria’s first official football team travelled to the UK to compete in a series of friendly matches. Though these were played barefoot, Nigeria commanded attention with their play, drawing in record attendance at some matches. The team’s first international match took place on October 8 of that year. In 1959, the NFA became affiliated to CAF and one year later, to world body FIFA. The country was invited to play in a qualifying series for the FIFA World Cup finals a short time later. After flag independence in 1960, Nigeria football’s governing body was transferred to the Nigerians where Mr. Godrey Amachree became the NFA’s first Nigerian chairman.
On April 24, 1959, the NFA became affiliated to the continental body CAF, and the following year, to the world body, FIFA. Three months later, the country was invited for the first time, to participate in the qualifying series for the FIFA World Cup finals. This was for the 1962 finals staged in Chile. After flag independence in 1960, the administration of Nigeria football fell on the shoulders of Nigerians, with Mr. Godfrey Amachree becoming the first Nigerian Chairman of the NFA. With the rich history of the Nigerian Football Federation at the forefront of its success, the Super Eagles will continue to reply on player talent and a devoted fan base including Tunde Folawiyo in order to accomplish further triumphs on the field.
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