Month: May 2022

Celebrating the first-ever CONIFA Africa Cup

Posted on by President

Biafra Football Federation have been crowned inaugural CONIFA African Cup champions after a well contested 1-0 win over Matabeleland in the final.

The historic first-ever tournament took place in the city of Johannesburg, South Africa and ran from May 21st – 25th 2022.

Initially intended to run for over two days, a number of factors led to the unanimous agreement of the federations to extend the competition.

Ngala Maimo Wajiri, Continental President for CONIFA Africa, said: “At the end of the day, we made it and despite the hitches, speed brakes and challenges, we have had the maiden edition of the CONIFA African Cup. We will only get better.

“Special thanks to CONIFA Global President, Per-Anders Blind, and all his staff for their support and confidence.”

 

Biafra FF minutes before kick-off during the maiden edition of the CONIFA African Cup

The tournament’s three entrants – Matabeleland FC, Biafra FF and Yoruba Nation FF – played a total of four matches between them with the results as follows:

Saturday, May 21

Matabeleland 1-0 Biafra

YNFF 1-1 Matabeleland

Monday, May 23

Biafra FF 1-0 YNFF

Wednesday, May 25

Matabeleland 0-1 Biafra FF

Yoruba Nation FF ahead of their 1-1 draw with Matabeleland FC

Statistics

Winners: Biafra Football Federation

Runners-Up: Matabeleland FC

Third Position: Yoruba Nation Football Federation

Best Player: Joe Junior Ike from Biafra FF

Top Scorer: Shylock Ndlovu from Matabeleland FC

Best Goalkeeper: Nonjabulo Dube from Matabeleland FC

Tournament Update | European Football Cup

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On 26 April 2022, CONIFA’s European President Alberto Rischio was informed by a member of the local organising committee that County of Nice and the Municipality of Nice were stepping back from hosting the CONIFA European Football Cup, citing as a motivation a letter from the prefecture prohibiting the event.

CONIFA’s European President has repeatedly urged the sending of this document but has never received a reply.

Despite a written engagement by Mr Christian Estrosi, the Mayor of Nice and multiple letters, emails, calls and messages from CONIFA, both the FA and the Municipality remained unresponsive in the last two weeks.

With consideration of the above, CONIFA have to announce that the European Football Cup in Nice will not be held.

CONIFA is fully aware of the enormous damage caused to its members and its reputation and will seek for legal actions.

Statement | European Football Cup

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The Confederation of Independent Football Associations (CONIFA) are calling on the Municipality of Nice for action regarding their hosting of the European Football Cup of 2022.  

CONIFA has been informed by a member of the organizing committee, with reference to the Prefect of Alpes-Maritimes, that the County of Nice FA and the Municipality of Nice will step back from hosting the tournament. 

CONIFA Vice-President, Kristof Wenczel, said: “Despite a written engagement by the mayor of Nice, Mr Christian Estrosi, and multiple letters and approaches, both the hosting FA and the Municipality remain unresponsive. 

“With consideration to the above mentioned circumstances, CONIFA would like to alert all its partners, members and supporters that the tournament is in serious jeopardy.

“CONIFA highly regret the damage caused and will be seeking legal advice.”

We await correspondence from the Municipality of Nice and, while continuing to work with all concerned, shall provide an external update on the competition’s status in due course.