The Nigeria Football Federation and the country's players "signed an agreement concerning the payment structure" for the 2018 World Cup. NFF President Amaju Pinnick said that he is "determined to avoid the problems that have blighted African teams' participation at past World Cups." Nigeria Captain John Mikel Obi: "This is the first time since I started playing for the senior team that I would see everything regarding preparation and bonuses and allowances put down in black and white and a binding agreement executed" (BBC, 11/15).
The German FA (DFB) "stepped up its campaign" to host Euro 2024, launching a "United for Football. United in the heart of Europe" slogan on Tuesday. Germany and Turkey are competing to host the tournament, with UEFA's exec committee "due to make a decision next September." Germany's 10 potential host cities, including Berlin, Munich, Dortmund and Gelsenkirchen, have already been announced (ESPN.com, 11/15).
Gabon and Djibouti were banned from taking part in qualifying for the 2020 African Nations Championship (CHAN). The move by the Confederation of African Football "comes after both nations withdrew" from 2018 World Cup qualifiers "after they had started." CAF took the decision at a meeting in Morocco (BBC, 11/15).
