The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has apologised to Nigerians over the poor outings of the U23 men national team (Olympic Eagles) and the senior men national team (Super Eagles) in crucial international matches this week.
On Friday, the Super Eagles fell 0-1 to Guinea Bissau’s Djurtus in a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, two days after the U23 squad failed to beat Guinea in a first leg, final qualifying fixture for the age-grade Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
NFF President, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau said that the federation was nonplussed by the below-par outings, but would immediately work hard to ensure that the teams turn their qualifying games around in a positive way.
“We tender an unreserved apology to Nigerians for the poor results. We worked and planned hard for good results but things turned out differently on the pitch. Our focus now is on redeeming the situation in the return matches early next week”, he said.
Gusau expressed confidence that the Olympic Eagles would take their chances in Rabat on Tuesday against Guinea to qualify for the U23 AFCON, and that the Super Eagles would win in Bissau on Monday to return to the top of their qualifying group for the 2023 AFCON.
The NFF president also said that total commitment is now a pre-requisite for wearing Nigeria’s colours. He said on Saturday that visible total commitment implying patriotic fervour would be a key factor, apart from competence and current form, for any football player who wishes to wear the nation’s green-white-green jersey at any level.
Gusau’s words, spoken to players of the Super Eagles on Saturday morning, was a direct reference to Friday’s loss to Guinea Bissau, which pushed the Eagles down to second place in their qualification group.
Mama Balde’s 29th minute goal was the only strike in the encounter, condemning the Eagles to defeat in front of fervent home fans at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja. The Eagles created a dozen chances in the second half but failed to get the ball into the Wild Dogs’ net.
“Let us be very clear about one thing: no player will ever be encouraged against his wish to wear Nigeria’s colours at any time. If an invitation is extended to you at any time but you are not physically, psychologically or mentally up to it, you are free to decline.
“Nigeria demands good performances and positive results from any of the teams going forward. I was sorely disappointed by your performance against Guinea Bissau and I know that Nigerians at home and in the diaspora are more than disappointed. Things must change starting with the return match in Guinea Bissau on Monday. Our country is too big to be getting these poor results at international level”, Gusau admonished.
He said that the message is for all the teams, down to the U15 side known as Future Eagles, adding: “Total commitment that we can see in your body language and output will now be a key factor in who wears Nigeria’s jerseys. If some players are not ready to give their all at a particular time, others will be and will deliver for our country”.
Team captain Ahmed Musa apologised to the NFF and Nigerians for the defeat and assured that the players are ready to redeem themselves in the return match on Monday.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria delegation to Monday’s match in Bissau will depart from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja at 7 am on Sunday aboard a chartered flight. The match comes up at the Estadio 24 de Setembro starting from 5 pm Guinea Bissau time (6pm Nigeria time) on Monday.
