The Algerian Football Federation (FAF) has confirmed that Rabah Madjer has been appointed as their new national team manager.
Madjer, 58, is the fifth coach to take charge of the Fennec Foxes in the past three years and succeeds Spaniard Lucas Alcaraz, who was sacked earlier this month after Algeria’s elimination from the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.
Madjer is a legendary former Algerian national team player and has had multiple spells in charge of the North African side, the most recent of which ended in 2002 with an early exit from the Africa Cup of Nations.
Madjer has been tasked with securing qualification for the 2019 AFCON in Cameroon, though his first game in charge will be the dead-rubber World Cup qualifier against Group B winners and Russia-bound Nigeria next month.
That cost Spaniard Alcaraz his position as he was sacked earlier this month after just six months in the role.
Madjer, one of the greatest Algerian players of all time, is best remembered for his nonchalant back-heeled finish for Porto in their 1987 European Cup final win over Bayern Munich.
He first took charge of his country in 1994, with his most recent spell ending in 2002 after an early exit from that year’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Madjer’s aim on his return to the helm will be to take the team to the 2019 Cup of Nations in Cameroon, with their next qualifier due to be against Gambia in March. Before that, they must complete their failed World Cup campaign with a fixture against Nigeria next month.
The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has announced that its total budget for 2018 activities is N6.4 billion (N6,382,500,310).
This was part of the decision reached by the General Assembly of the NFF in Jos on Thursday.
“The General Assembly approved the NFF Financial Statement for the year 2016 and the 2018 Budget as proposed.
“The Federation’s total budget for the year 2018 activities is the sum of N6,382,500,310.00. The guaranteed revenues from sponsors and government subvention are the sum of N3,062,500,310.00, leaving a shortfall of the sum of N3,320,000,000.00, which the Federation has to work to augment through sponsorships and special interventions,” the communique from the meeting stated.
The body will be getting a minimum of $12 million from FIFA as participation fee for the Russia 2018 World Cup.
Meanwhile, the Congress composed new NFF Electoral and Electoral Appeal Committees thus: Electoral Committee: Barr. Mohammed Sani Katu; Mr. Sani Salawu; Barr. S.C.A. Umeha; Barr. Olusola Oke; Mr. Mohammed Manzo; Dr. Mohammed Sanusi (Secretary). Standby: Hon. Isong Isang; Barr. Mohammed Aliyu Sambo.
Electoral Appeal Committee: Barr. A. U. Mustapha; Mr. Mojeed Adegbindin; Barr. Gbwen Alex Gbejule; Secretary to be provided by Secretariat. Standby: Sir Emma Ochiagha; Barr. Mohammed Zanna Mala.
Hence, In consideration and appreciation of the numerous on-field (including Nigeria’s qualification for the 2018 World Cup finals with a match to spare) and off-field (including but not limited to numerous sponsorship agreements secured and high reckoning for Nigeria in global football administration) achievements, the General Assembly passed a vote of confidence on the NFF Executive Committee led by Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick.
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All the players that featured for Super Eagles on their way to qualifying for the 2018 World Cup will share from the N4.5 billion largesse due Nigeria for being among the 32 teams to vie for honours in Russia.
FIFA will pay the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) $12.5 million (about N4.5 billion), which is $10 million (N3.6 billion) for qualifying for the 2018 World Cup tournament and $2.5 million to prepare for the competition in Russia.
Such bonuses are usually paid by FIFA to federations of countries that play in any of their tournaments as qualification bonus and to enhance the country’s adequate preparation for the actual tournament.
According to Breaking Times, so far, 37 players participated in Nigeria’s march to the 2018 World Cup and each of these players will receive a share of the qualification bonus.
Should the Super Eagles make it to the knock out stages of the tournament, they will be eligible to receive more money from FIFA.
Money issues hampered Nigeria’s participation at the Brazil 2014 edition of the competition leading to players refusing to train on the eve of their second-round game against France. Nigeria promptly lost the game.
Super Eagles’ technical adviser, Gernot Rohr recently pleaded with Nigerians to support the team by ensuring that monetary issues do not derail the campaign in Russia.
“If we want to do something at the World Cup, we have to prepare well.
“We want everybody who wants to be part of the team to show the same solidarity we currently have in the team. “More importantly, we don’t want the issue of money to be a problem,” he said.
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