NFF football ties with China deepen after talks in Abuja on youth tournaments, women’s football and future collaborations

The Nigeria Football Federation has intensified efforts to build stronger football relations with the Chinese Football Association following a high-level meeting between NFF officials and the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Yu Dunhai, in Abuja on Thursday.

Also read: NFF confirms major youth coaching appointments

NFF President, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, said football remains a powerful tool for strengthening international relationships and disclosed that the federation is eager to deepen cooperation with Chinese football, particularly in women’s football where China has earned global recognition.

Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau revealed that discussions are ongoing for Nigeria’s U17 girls team to participate in a mini-tournament in China in July, describing the proposal as a promising step towards a long-term partnership between both football bodies.

“We have received an offer from certain persons who are close to the Chinese FA, and who want our U17 girls to participate in a mini-tournament in China in July.

We believe that this will be the beginning of a great working relationship with Chinese football,” Ibrahim Musa Gusau said.

The NFF president added that the federation hopes to establish more regular international matches involving teams from both countries in Nigeria and China while sustaining communication with the Chinese Embassy.

Speaking during the meeting, Chinese Ambassador Yu Dunhai welcomed the proposed collaboration and noted that Nigeria and China already maintain robust ties across several sectors.

Yu Dunhai described football as a unifying force capable of promoting youth engagement and international friendship, while also recognising the increasing number of Nigerian players and coaches active in the Chinese league.

“My first knowledge of Nigeria came through football, when your boys won the Olympic football gold in Atlanta in 1996,” the ambassador said.

The envoy also recalled Nigeria’s silver medal achievement at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing and praised the country’s impressive pedigree in youth football, especially the achievements of the Golden Eaglets at the FIFA U17 World Cup.

According to Yu Dunhai, although China’s men’s national team is still developing, the country has recorded greater success in women’s football, which continues to enjoy massive support among Chinese fans.

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

Also read: NFF denies Osimhen exit rumour after AFCON camp tension

The latest engagement signals a strategic and potentially transformative effort by both countries to strengthen football development through international cooperation and youth-focused programmes.