NFF denies crack, disowns statement criticising Ekong, Dessers
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has disowned a statement issued by its communication department, criticising Super Eagles’ caption, William Troost-Ekong’s failings in the 1-1 World Cup qualifying match between Nigeria and South Africa.
Troost-Ekong had scored an own goal to put South Africa in the lead before the equaliser that levelled the scoreline. The initial NFF statement singled out Troost-Ekong and Cyril Dessers for blame.
However, in a roundabout move, NFF secretary general Mohamed Sanusi, told journalists that the federation did not authorise the statement.
He also said that the denial was not a confirmation of a crack among members of the NFF leadership.
Sanusi said: “Nobody in the headquarters was happy with that release, NFF did not direct it.
“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.
“No player would want to score an own goal. No player. When things come, they come spontaneously.
“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.”
“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.”
