The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has distanced itself from a controversial statement issued by its communications department, which blamed captain William Troost-Ekong and striker Cyril Dessers for the Super Eagles’ 1-1 draw with South Africa in a crucial 2026 World Cup qualifier.
The statement, released after the match, alleged that Troost-Ekong’s own goal “diminished the team’s fighting spirit” and criticised Dessers as being “too slow to latch onto passes,” claiming he “did little in bringing alive the Nigerian attack.”
The comments provoked widespread outrage on social media, with many fans and analysts condemning the singling out of players.
In response, NFF Secretary General Mohamed Sanusi firmly rejected the statement, insisting it was neither approved nor authorised by the federation’s leadership.
“Nobody in the headquarters was happy with that release; NFF did not direct it,” Sanusi told journalists. “When we win, it is collective, and if we lose, it should not be about blaming an individual player. It was a collective responsibility.”
Sanusi defended Troost-Ekong, recalling the defender’s pivotal contributions, including his standout performances at the last Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where he was named Nigeria’s best player.
“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 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 further assured that the NFF would take disciplinary action over the unauthorised release, while reiterating that the federation, the National Sports Commission, and the Nigerian government remained fully supportive of 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 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,” he said.
Despite disappointment over the result, Sanusi emphasised that the players had “given their best” and should be encouraged rather than scapegoated as Nigeria continues its World Cup qualification campaign.
Melissa Enoch
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