NFF Denies Sanctioning Vilifying Report Targeting Troost-Ekong and Dessers
- The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has distanced itself from the match report after the 1-1 draw against South Africa
- NFF’s official match report singled out captain William Troost-Ekong and Cyriel Dessers after their performances
- Troost-Ekong scored an own goal while the Panathinaikos striker was subpar while deputising for the injured Victor Osimhen
The General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation has dissociated himself from the viral match report, which singled out William Troost-Ekong and Cyriel Dessers.
Nigeria played a 1-1 draw against South Africa, which made their chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup more difficult, though still mathematically possible.
Source: Getty Images
The NFF published a match report, which blamed Troost-Ekong for his own goal and humiliated Dessers for his performance, and it sparked outrage in the media.
“The Super Eagles’ fighting spirit was diminished for a period after team captain William Ekong inadvertently swept the ball into his own net in the 25th minute, wrong-footing Stanley Nwabali to give the Bafana the lead and great impetus,” a part of the statement reads.
“Cyriel Dessers, who had an unimpressive game in Uyo where he turned out to be a substitute that was substituted, did not have a better game as he was too slow to latch onto passes, could not win aerial balls and did little in bringing alive the Nigerian attack,”
NFF denies authorising viral report
The Nigeria Football Federation, through its general secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, have denied authorising the part of the match report vilifying Cyriel Dessers.
“Nobody in the NFF posted that release. The NFF did not direct it. The NFF has respect for all the players, and it was a collective responsibility,” Sanusi told Brila FM.
“When we win, it is not an individual effort. And if we lose, there should not be blame on any individual player. It is a collective one.”
Sanusi further condemned the part targeted at captain Troost-Ekong, a player who has given over 10 years of dedicated service to the country.
“Nobody was happy that an individual was singled out. That player has contributed significantly to the development of football in Nigeria. Remember the last AFCON, when he was the best footballer? He was the best player and we celebrated him,” he added.
Source: Getty Images
“No player would want to score an own goal. The intention was for him to clear the ball. But as God would have it, it was destiny that the ball went in. Ekong would not deliberately score an own goal,” he added.
The part of the statement about Dessers has been brought down on the website, while the part describing how Ekong inadvertently scored an own goal is still up.
The captain has endured a difficult time in the national team in the past month as he gradually nears the end of his decade-long era in the team.
Asisat Oshoala slams NFF
Legit.ng reported that Asisat Oshoala slams NFF for the statement singling out Cyriel Dessers for criticism after the 1-1 draw against South Africa.
The six-time Women's African Footballer of the Year reacted to the post on Instagram and has shown love and support for the Belgian-born forward.
Source: Legit.ng
