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WAFCON 2024: NFF President Ibrahim Gusau’s Spiritual Secret Exposed
By John Ideye, Abuja
The world is currently celebrating the victory of Nigeria’s Super Falcons at the just-concluded Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2024, held in Morocco.
The Falcons defeated the host nation, Morocco, in a historic comeback, ending the match with a 3–2 scoreline in Nigeria’s favor.
However, beyond the physical action everyone sees on the pitch, there is a great deal of spiritual preparation that goes into every game played by the Super Eagles, Super Falcons, and even the junior teams—thanks to the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau, who goes the extra mile for the teams in this regard.
Although many may believe that sports have nothing to do with God or spirituality, people like Ibrahim Gusau do not share that perspective. He believes that spiritual counsel has helped Nigeria’s football teams in numerous ways at various times. This is why some clubs perform rituals before tournaments—because sports, especially football, often intersect with spiritual beliefs and practices.
For NFF President Ibrahim Gusau, his trust has always been in God. One of his main spiritual channels is Primate Elijah Ayodele, the leader of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church.
Interestingly, Gusau is a practicing Muslim. His choice of Primate Ayodele as his spiritual advisor dates back to his campaign for the NFF presidency. While seeking support for the role, Primate Ayodele—who had never met Gusau personally—publicly predicted his victory. He warned then-president Amaju Pinnick not to seek another term and declared that Gusau had been divinely chosen to succeed him.
Gusau’s belief in Primate Ayodele’s prophetic ministry became evident when he welcomed the cleric to the NFF headquarters in 2022. He expressed his trust in Ayodele’s spiritual guidance, stating that his administration would continue to heed the prophet’s advice.
“I thank you for this important visit. I want to assure you that we will always listen to you. We believe in prayer, and we will continue to pray,” Gusau said.
“We will continue to pray. This is your time. If you said it and it came to pass, then my success is also your success. I know God will be with you, and I wish you good health. Under my leadership, I will not disappoint Nigerians and will do my best to get the best for Nigeria.”
Since then, Gusau has frequently been seen with Primate Ayodele, especially during the prophet’s annual thanksgiving service held every February.
At one such event, Gusau openly declared his unwavering support and appreciation for the prophet. He recounted how surprised he was to learn that someone who had never met him or even lived in the same city (as Gusau is not based in Lagos) could support him so strongly during his campaign for NFF president.
“One journalist sent me a video of Primate Ayodele during a press conference, speaking about the NFF election. He mentioned some of the contestants and said that, to him, the person who would become president was Ibrahim Gusau. The journalist was shocked because I’m not a Christian and had never met the prophet.
Consistently, he stood by his prophecy regarding football. To the glory of God, the election came, and I won. I felt I should take time to appreciate the man of God for his support. He visited me in Abuja, we spoke and ate together. There’s no way he would host an occasion like this, and I wouldn’t attend—it would mean I don’t appreciate God. We will continue to ask for your prayers and will not disappoint you.”
Since then, Gusau has regarded Primate Ayodele as his spiritual guide in football matters at all levels. The prophet’s counsel includes spiritual direction on players, coaches, and even the technical department.
Primate Ayodele often offers these insights privately to the NFF president. When he does, he shares specific details such as favorable minutes during a match, the opponents’ weaknesses, and strategies the Nigerian team can use.
In addition to personal counsel, Primate Ayodele is known for his prophetic warnings related to sports—particularly football. For example, during the launch of his annual prophecy book Warnings to the Nations (2025/2026 Edition) on Saturday, July 5, 2025, he predicted that the Super Falcons would reach the final, but warned they must be careful not to let the trophy slip from their grasp.
As it happened, the Super Falcons’ victory came by the grace of God after a dramatic comeback. They conceded two goals in the first half but equalized and eventually won. Late in the match, a penalty was awarded to Morocco, which could have sealed Nigeria’s defeat—but it was eventually overturned, and Nigeria triumphed.
Primate Ayodele has issued several warnings to Nigeria’s football authorities that later came to pass when ignored. In the last Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which the Super Eagles lost in the final, he had repeatedly warned that the team might “see the cup but not touch it”—a prophecy that proved accurate.
Today, Primate Ayodele is widely regarded as the “spiritual father” of Nigerian football, and NFF President Ibrahim Gusau is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that Nigeria’s football system continues to receive spiritual guidance.
The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, is set to unveil the 32nd edition of his annual prophecy book, Warnings to the Nations, in July.In a statement signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, the cleric expressed gratitude to God for the privilege of publishing another edition of the prophecy book. He described Warnings to the Nations as more than an ordinary publication, saying it is a compilation of God’s mind concerning nations and the world.Primate Ayodele explained that he began publishing the annual prophecy book in 1994 after receiving divine instruction from God, adding that the publication has continued to grow in scope and impact over the past 32 years.Speaking on the contents of the new edition, the prophet revealed that the 32nd edition contains prophetic warnings and messages for nations, presidents, governors, political leaders, and government officials. He added that it also covers several sectors of society, including education, sports, politics, governance, corporate organisations, and individuals, among others.Furthermore, Primate Ayodele stated that more than 22,000 prophecies contained in previous editions have been fulfilled, describing the publication as not merely a literary work but the word of God.”I’m grateful to God that we are still alive and strong in the Lord to compile another edition of Warnings to the Nations. It has been 32 years since we began this assignment, and God has never failed us. May His name be praised forever.”Warnings to the Nations, as many people know, contains God’s mind concerning nations, presidents, governors, political leaders, ministers, individuals, organisations, and many other areas of life. It also covers several sectors, including education, sports, governance, and the corporate world.”It is not just a book or a piece of literature; it is God’s word. I am glad to say that we have recorded over 22,000 fulfilled prophecies from previous editions of Warnings to the Nations. This is a testament to God’s hand upon this publication.”Explaining how the latest edition was compiled, Primate Ayodele disclosed that the process began in March 2026 and involved several months of fasting, prayer, and seclusion to receive divine revelations before documenting them.”It took months of fasting and isolation to receive what God has in mind for His people. This is a deeply spiritual publication that required spiritual preparation from beginning to end.”He also urged those who will receive the prophecy book, especially individuals, organisations, and leaders mentioned in the 32nd edition, to take its contents seriously and heed the warnings contained therein rather than ignore them.
As it has been established in the Holy Bible that nothing happens without God informing his prophets, so has it also been established that virtually nothing serious happens without Primate Elijah Ayodele talking about it before it happens.This is not for self-glorification but to acknowledge the fact that God speaks to Primate Elijah Ayodele every now and then.The bible has also made us understand that a prophet is known when he speaks and it comes to pass; obviously, Primate Ayodele is a typical example of who the biblical prophet is.One of his most recent words that came to pass is the resignation of UK Prime Minister, Kier Starmer, who exited his position a few days ago.Right from the beginning of Kier Starmer’s administration, Primate Ayodele had warned that he would have issues regarding his policies. He stated that forces will influence his government.“The Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, should be focused because he will face so many troubles on the NHS, workers, immigration law and the economy. There are lots of things they will want him to do which he won’t be able to do.“Forces will attempt to influence his government and push him to enact some policies; he must be careful of certain decisions that would be detrimental to his government.”https://theeagleonline.com.ng/primate-ayodele-warns-uk-prime-minister-keir-starmer/Also in April 2026, Primate Ayodele stated that he sees the Prime Minister saying bye-bye to his seat.“UK Prime Minister, I see you saying bye-bye to your seat in the next few months” This happened barely two months after his prophecyhttps://www.tiktok.com/@primateayodele/video/7654145483304226068Likewise, A bomb explosion caused panic on Monday at the Shoe Materials Market in Mushin, Lagos, after an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) reportedly planted under a vehicle in the area went off.The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Mr Fatai Tijani, said the area remains safe and under control after security operatives carried out a full search.Earlier in April, Primate Ayodele mentioned that he foresees multiple bomb blasts in Nigeria and even gave a timeline.“I see multiple bomb blasts from May to July”https://www.tiktok.com/@primateayodele/video/7654647153041657095As he said, the blast happened in June, still within the time frame the prophet warned about.
An attack by armed men on an airport in Niger’s capital has killed 11 soldiers and two civilians, authorities said, five months after a major assault.Twenty-two armed attackers were also killed in the assault, and about 20 suspects were apprehended, the Ministry of Defence added in a news statement read out on national television on Thursday.Soldiers in Niamey fought suspected rebels around the Diori Hamani International Airport and a military airbase on Thursday, sources told Al Jazeera earlier in the day.This unfortunate incident is in fulfilment of the prophecy of popular Nigerian prophet, Primate Elijah Ayodele, which he shared in his prophecy book released in 2025.The prophet, known for his frequent prophecies about nations, warned the leadership of the Niger Republic to be careful against major attacks. He warned them that rebels will continue to attack the nation, but there will be major ones which the nation will struggle to come out of.On page 65 of the prophecy book, the man of God warned the government of the day to be careful of unpleasant things.These were his words:“NIGER: I foresee the country will be tensed up and must be careful because they will face attacks and counterattacks. They will suffer economic damages. They will enter into bilateral agreements that will be unfavourable. The country must be careful of explosions and fire outbreaks. They must be careful because a lot of things will change in the country that will not be pleasing to the people. There will be a plan to remove the government of the day either through revolution or coup or protest or uprising. These are the revelations from the Lord.”Apart from this, the prophet mentioned it in another prophecy book titled Warnings to the Nations (2025/2026) edition that the Niger Republic will be attacked.These were his words:“NIGER: The spirit of God says the country will have long term political crisis. I foresee the political stability of the country will be shaking. The country will face major crisis and must be careful not to be attacked. The country will operate under a new political dimension and dispensation. The country must be careful of serial killings. There will be new developments in the country. The country will face lots of crisis. The country will take some steps that will not give the country the needed impetus to grow. I foresee the resources will be hijacked by foreign exploiters. I foresee the economic growth will be trouble shooting. There will be gang up against the administration of the country. The country must be watchful against attacks.”Likewise, in his new year prophecy, he made it known that the country will continue to suffer from major attacks.“……Rebels will be attacking the government forces at all times…however, there is going to be a serious attack in the country as the country will continue to struggle to excel so says the Lord”.These prophecies have been fulfilled with the attacks on the Niger Republic, especially the recent one.
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