FG Demands Explanation For US President’s Cup Fiasco

Sports Minister Taoheed Adedoja is demanding an explanation from the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for the US President’s Day tournament debacle.

Nigeria’s B national team travelled to the United States last week, only to learn on arrival that the tournament had been ‘postponed’ and they were the only team to arrive.

Special Assistant to the Minister, Laja Akintayo says the minister is asking for clarification as to how and why the national team and the entire country were exposed to the embarrassment.

“The minister is miffed about the whole saga,” Akintayo said. “He has invited Maigari and his people for a meeting and . . .wants to know the circumstances surrounding the botched match and why the team was stranded in the US.

“The organisers have embarrassed the government and people of Nigeria. The minister is utterly disappointed with the turn of events and has called for details in order to prevent future occurrence.”

Coming less than a month after the cancellation of a proposed friendly with Guatemala, Akintayo said the government was keen to ensure that future events do not go down the same route.

“It is high time we stopped these agents from taking Nigeria for a ride,” he said.

“The minister is not trying to interfere in football matters but when Nigerian citizens are being embarrassed with impunity, the government can’t fold its arms. We will get to the bottom of this matter and if necessary we shall aid the NFF to seek redress.”

Nigeria football officials have already said that US-based match agent Pius Oleh, who put the tournament together, will be reported to FIFA as the country seek compensation.

Chelsea’s Frank Lampard (left) celebrating the Blues winning goal against Man United, last night