Secretary Normal of the Nigeria Soccer Federation (NFF), Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, has disowned a press assertion from the Federation’s communication division that blamed Tremendous Eagles stars Cyril Dessers and William Troost-Ekong for Nigeria’s failure to beat South Africa in Tuesday’s FIFA World Cup qualifier.
The Tremendous Eagles had been held to a 1-1 draw by Bafana Bafana in Bloemfontein, a outcome that left Nigeria’s possibilities of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup hanging within the stability.
Troost-Ekong, the staff captain, was unlucky to attain an personal purpose, whereas Dessers was accused of underwhelming efficiency within the NFF communication division’s launch.
The controversial assertion faulted Dessers for being “sluggish” and recommended he shouldn’t have made the staff, whereas blaming Ekong for the personal purpose.
Nevertheless, Sanusi clarified on Wednesday that the discharge didn’t symbolize the official place of the Federation.
“I noticed the discharge similar to everybody else did. No person within the Federation is pleased with it,” Sanusi advised the Information Company of Nigeria (NAN).
“The NFF didn’t authorize that assertion. We’ve nice respect for all of the gamers. Blaming a person for a staff result’s unfair.”
Sanusi careworn that the South Africa match must be considered as a collective effort, insisting that the Federation wouldn’t help makes an attempt to scapegoat any participant.
He described the criticism of Troost-Ekong as unjust, recalling that the defender was named the Most Precious Participant on the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire.
“It was an unlucky personal purpose. Anybody who is aware of soccer understands that such issues occur,” he mentioned, whereas confirming that inner disciplinary measures could be taken over the unauthorized launch.
Sanusi additional expressed confidence within the unity of the staff, assuring that preparations had been ongoing for the remaining qualifiers and the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.
Nigeria presently sit third in Group C with 11 factors from eight matches, behind leaders South Africa who’ve 17 factors.
The Tremendous Eagles should now win their remaining video games towards Lesotho and Benin Republic, whereas hoping different outcomes go their manner, to safe a playoff spot as probably the greatest second-placed groups throughout the CAF teams.
