Nigeria NFF Disowns Statement Blaming Ekong and Dessers

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The Digest:

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has officially disowned a controversial statement from its communications department that criticized specific players for the Super Eagles' disappointing 1-1 draw with South Africa. The NFF's secretary general, Mohamed Sanusi, stated that the federation did not approve the release and that the team's performance is a "collective responsibility."

Key Points:

• The NFF has disowned a statement that singled out players for criticism after the draw with South Africa.
• The statement blamed William Troost-Ekong for his own goal and Cyril Dessers for his performance.
• NFF Secretary-General Mohamed Sanusi said the federation did not approve the release.
• Sanusi stated that the team's performance is a "collective responsibility" and defended Troost-Ekong, saying no player would deliberately score an own goal.
• The NFF promised to take action on the matter and emphasized that its leadership and the government are unified in supporting the players.

This move by the NFF aims to mend the relationship with the players and present a unified front after a disappointing result that has put Nigeria's World Cup qualification in jeopardy.