The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has disowned a statement from its communications department that blamed specific players for the Super Eagles’ 1-1 draw with South Africa — a result that jeopardizes the country’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
In the aftermath of the match, an official statement
attributed to the NFF singled out captain William Troost-Ekong and striker
Cyril Dessers for criticism.
It suggested that Troost-Ekong’s own goal “diminished the
team’s fighting spirit” and described Dessers as “too slow to latch onto
passes,” claiming he “did little in bringing alive the Nigerian attack”.
The commentary provoked a chorus of condemnation across
social media platforms, prompting a response from the federation’s leadership.
Mohamed Sanusi, NFF secretary general, in an interview with
journalists, categorically distanced the federation from the statement.
Sanusi disclosed the NFF “did not approve the statement”,
adding that Nigeria’s poor performance was a “collective responsibility”.
“Nobody in the headquarters was happy with that release, NFF
did not direct it,” he said.
“NFF has respect for all the players, and it was a
collective responsibility. When we win, it wasn’t an individual. And if we
lose, there should not be blame for any individual player.
“It was a collective one. Nobody was happy. And we are not
happy that an individual is singled out.”
Sanusi also defended Troost-Ekong, Netherlands-born
32-year-old defender who made his Nigeria debut in 2015, emphasising that no
player ever intends to score an own goal. He vowed that the NFF will take
action on the matter.
“No player would want to score an own goal. No player. When
things come, they come spontaneously,” he said.
“The intention was for him to clear the ball. That was the
intention. But as God will have it, it was a destiny that the ball entered. But
Ekong would not deliberately score an own goal. No player would [want to] score
an own goal. That is understood by everybody that knows football.
“That individual [Ekong] has contributed significantly to
the development of football in Nigeria. Remember last AFCON, he was the best
player, and we celebrated him. So, I don’t know how this thing came, but
Nigeria Football Federation is taking action on that matter.”
The secretary general also dismissed any suggestions of
internal conflict, asserting that the NFF, the National Sports Commission, and
the Nigerian government remain unified in their support for the players and coaching
staff.
“The house is already in order. We don’t have any problem.
As I said, we are not happy with that release. There is no problem as far as we
are concerned and as far as our relationship with our players are concerned and
the coaching group,” he said.
“I can tell you that both the Nigeria Football Federation,
the National Sports Commission, and indeed the government of Nigeria are happy
with the players.
“We are not happy with the results, but we are happy with
the players because they have given in their very best. You could see that the
federal government delegation was there, and even after the match, the federal
government delegation together with the Nigeria Football Federation were
together encouraging the players to forget about what happened and let us look
at what we have ahead of us.”
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