NFF seeks closer collaboration with Chinese Football Association

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has taken steps to forge a closer relationship and meaningful ties with the Chinese Football Association. This initiative followed a meeting between NFF leadership and the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Yu Dunhai, in Abuja on Thursday.

Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, MON, President of the NFF, reiterated that football serves as an immensely powerful tool to solidify relationships among nations and entities. He assured the ambassador that the NFF is eager for closer cooperation with Chinese football, particularly in the women’s category, where China is a global powerhouse.

“We have received an offer from certain parties close to the Chinese FA, who want our U17 boys to participate in a mini-tournament in China in July. We believe that this will mark the beginning of a great working relationship with Chinese football,” Gusau stated.

He expressed that the NFF is looking into more regular games among the teams, indicating that matches could be organized in both China and Nigeria for mutual participation. Gusau assured that the NFF would keep the Chinese Embassy informed and would seek its guidance and advice throughout these engagements.

His Excellency Yu Dunhai, now in his second year of tenure in Nigeria, praised Gusau for his interest in Chinese football, highlighting that significant collaboration and exchange programs are already underway between the two nations in various sectors.

“As you mentioned, football is a strong instrument for fostering unity because it is beloved by the youth, who represent the future,” Yu remarked. He also pointed out the presence of many Nigerian players and coaches in the Chinese League, noting a shared cultural connection:

"I am always thrilled to realize that Nigeria and China share the same Independence Day – October 1. My first knowledge of Nigeria came through football when your boys won the Olympic gold in Atlanta in 1996. Twelve years later, they won the silver medal right in China. Your U17 boys are also very strong, possessing the greatest collection of titles in the FIFA World Cup, with their first title won in China in 1985.

"Football needs no language. Although our men’s team is not particularly strong, we excel in the women’s game, and our people enjoy watching it.”

Among those present at the meeting were NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi; NFF Director of Media & Communications, Dr. Ademola Olajire; First Secretary of the Chinese Embassy, Ni Zhichen; and NFF Director of Protocol, Barnabas Joro.