The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has stepped up efforts to build stronger links with the Chinese Football Association after a high-level meeting in Abuja involving NFF leadership and Chinese Ambassador His Excellency Yu Dunhai.<\/p>\n
The discussions took place at a time when the NFF is looking to broaden football cooperation with China. NFF president Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau met with the ambassador and discussed how the sport can serve as a bridge between the two countries.<\/p>\n
Gusau said football is a powerful tool for deepening international relations, adding that the federation is particularly keen on expanding joint work with Chinese football, with a strong focus on the women\u2019s game. He noted that China is among the leading nations globally in that area.<\/p>\n
During the meeting, Gusau indicated that the federation has received an invitation linked to the Chinese FA. He said the proposal would see Nigeria\u2019s U17 girls take part in a mini-tournament in China in July.<\/p>\n
Gusau framed the development as an opening for a long-term partnership, saying the initiative could mark the start of a deeper working relationship between the football communities of Nigeria and China.<\/p>\n
Beyond the U17 event, Gusau said the NFF is exploring more consistent fixtures involving its teams. He added that matches could be staged in either China or Nigeria, depending on scheduling, while ensuring that the Chinese Embassy remains fully informed.<\/p>\n
He also stated that the federation would continue to seek guidance and advice from the embassy as plans progress.<\/p>\n
Ambassador Yu Dunhai, who is in his second year serving in Nigeria, commended Gusau for the strong interest shown in Chinese football. He pointed out that Nigeria and China already cooperate across a range of sectors.<\/p>\n
The ambassador underlined football\u2019s value as a unifying force, stressing that the game is closely tied to young people and that youth represent the future.<\/p>\n
Yu Dunhai also spoke personally about how his understanding of Nigeria was shaped by football. He recalled that Nigeria\u2019s men won Olympic gold in Atlanta in 1996, and later achieved Olympic silver in China 12 years afterward.<\/p>\n
He further referenced Nigeria\u2019s U17 achievements, describing the team as formidable and highlighting that they hold a record collection of FIFA U17 World Cup titles. He added that the first of those titles was won in China in 1985.<\/p>\n
Concluding his remarks, the ambassador said football does not require a shared language. He acknowledged that China\u2019s men\u2019s side are not among the strongest, but said the country excels in the women\u2019s game and that the sport is genuinely loved by Chinese fans.<\/p>\n
The gathering also included key representatives from both football administrations and the diplomatic mission.<\/p>\n
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has stepped up efforts to build stronger links with the Chinese Football Association after a high-level meeting in Abuja involving NFF leadership and Chinese Ambassador His Excellency Yu Dunhai. NFF seeks closer China ties after Abuja talks The discussions took place at a time when the NFF is looking to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":843,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"NFF Meets China in Abuja to Boost Football Cooperation","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"NFF forges new football ties with China after Abuja talks, as leadership meets Ambassador Yu Dunhai to expand cooperation and deve","mma_seo_breadcrumb_text":"","mma_seo_breadcrumb_url":"","mma_seo_breadcrumb_hide_ui":"","mma_seo_breadcrumb_labels":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-844","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","","category-sports"],"yoast_head":"\n