Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, newly appointed President of the West African Football Union (WAFU) Zone B, has unveiled an ambitious plan to advance football in the region, with a focus on grassroots development, youth competitions, and enhanced corporate partnerships.
Speaking to the press, Gusau, who also serves as the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), emphasized the importance of leveraging Nigeria’s leadership role to elevate the sport across West Africa.
“This is a significant opportunity for Nigeria and our football,” Gusau stated, noting that he is the first Nigerian to hold the WAFU presidency since Dr. Amos Adamu’s tenure from 2008 to 2010. “We must make a positive impact by fostering unity, promoting youth competitions, and aligning with the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) objectives to expand grassroots participation.”
Gusau highlighted the region’s football prowess, pointing out that WAFU Zone B, despite comprising only seven countries, remains a powerhouse in African football. He cited the recent U20 Africa Cup of Nations, where four of the eight quarter-finalists—Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, and Sierra Leone—hailed from the zone. “Football resides here,” he said, underscoring the need for more competitions to nurture young talent.
To fund these initiatives, Gusau proposed an aggressive marketing strategy to attract corporate sponsorship. “By investing in young players, we strengthen the talent pipeline for West African and African football,” he said, referencing the region’s storied success.
The region’s dominance extends to senior competitions, with Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire facing off in the final of the last Africa Cup of Nations. Nigeria has won the AFCON title three times, Ghana four times, and both nations have made history at the Olympics, with Nigeria claiming gold in 1996 and Ghana earning bronze in 1992.
Gusau, the fifth Nigerian to lead WAFU following predecessors like J.K. Tandoh, Chief Jonathan Ogufere, Col. Abdulmumini Aminu (rtd), and Dr. Adamu, stressed the importance of sustaining the region’s competitive edge. “We must maintain and elevate our performance in major competitions to uphold our pride of place in international football,” he concluded.
The NFF and WAFU Zone B leadership are expected to roll out detailed plans for youth tournaments and corporate engagement in the coming months, signaling a new era for West African football.