NFF Deny Picking Players

The Nigeria Football Federation has denied speculation in sections of the media that some members of its Executive Committee had imposed players on the Super Eagles’ technical crew for the on-going Africa Cup of Nations.

“This is absolutely incorrect. No member of the Executive Committee or Management had ever imposed any player on any coach of any of the national teams. If any member of the technical crew of the Super Eagles had made any such assertion, it is a lie from the pit of hell.

“That the team lost against Egypt is no reason for anyone to start putting other people in bad light. The selection of Nigeria’s final 23 players for the African Cup of Nations in Angola was down to the coaches. I can say this anywhere,” said chairman of NFF Technical Committee, Taiwo Ogunjobi.

Ogunjobi, also member of the NFF Executive Committee, also dismissed insinuations that Executive Committee Members have any say in the selection of players for matches.

“We are responsible people and we know that the buck stops at the Head Coach’s table, so no one tells him who to play and who not to play. It is irresponsible for anyone to shift blame by saying that the final team or the team that goes out to play each time has been imposed by the NFF Executive Committee.

“All over the world, coaches take responsibility for success or failure. The NFF Executive Committee had nothing to do with the final list of 23 or the team that played against Egypt, or the one that defeat Benin Republic yesterday. All the dark rumours and silly speculations should stop, “Ogunjobi said.