Adamu, Anouma resolve WAFU crisis - As Congress holds April 22

Niyi Alebiosu, Lagos - 15.04.2008

Charleroi’s Nigerian striker, Joseph
Akpala (left) vies with Genk’s Sven
Verdonck for the ball during a Belgian
first division league match in Charleroi.
Charleroi won the match 3-1.
AFP PHOTOTHE lingering crisis rocking the leadership of the West African Football Union (WAFU) has finally been laid to rest, as both parties have agreed to work together in the interest of soccer development in the region.

Speaking at a media briefing heralding the WAFU Congress scheduled to hold in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, president-elect of the body, Nigeria’s Dr. Amos Adamu, who is expected to take over the mantle of leadership of WAFU by April 22, expressed delight that truce had finally returned to the sub-region.

“We have put to rest our swords. Most importantly, I am elated that Mr. Anouma will be handing over to my humble self in a friendly and warm ambience of peace during the congress,” Adamu said during the press conference held at the Sheraton Hotels and Towers, Lagos, on Monday.

Dr. Adamu then called on corporate organisations and media to join in the resurgence of WAFU, so as to take football to new heights in the West African region.

In his own address, out-going president of WAFU, Ivorian Jacques Anuoma, expressed willingness to hand over to Dr. Adamu, saying the reunion is the beginning of good things to come to WAFU.

Anuoma was represented by Cote d’Ivoire’s FA Secretary-General, Ouattara Hego, who explained the absence of the WAFU boss at the occasion, and pledged the support of his boss towards raising the standard of football in the region.

“It is high time we came together to move WAFU forward. My out-going president could not make it today because of flights hitch, but he has asked me to convey his message of support to the new president and come April 22 in Abidjan, the whole world will witness the re-birth of WAFU,” he assured.

Former president of WAFU, Jonathan Ogufure, who was present at the occasion, commended both leaders of the body for the truce in the house.

He charged the new president, Dr Adamu, to see as a matter of urgency the resurgence of grassroots football development in the region.