Nigeria vs Ghana: NFF Apologises To Nigerians, Sacks Super Eagles Coaching Crew

The Nigeria Football Federation has tendered an apology to the Federal Government and Nigerians for the failure of the Super Eagles to qualify for this year’s World Cup finals in Qatar.

NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, regretted that the team failed to qualify despite the enormous support of the government and Nigerians, who turned out in throngs to fill up the 60,491-capacity Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja for the clash with Ghana’s Black Stars on Tuesday.

“There was nothing the team needed that was lacking. The Government provided necessary support; the NFF put all logistics in place with the active support of the sports ministry and Nigerians turned out en masse to support the team. The truth is that we left nothing to chance. It is said that things turned out the way they did.

“Sport is about winning and losing. Nobody wants to lose but sometimes it happens that way. We are quite sad that despite playing a draw in Kumasi, the Super Eagles could not win here in Abuja. We apologize unreservedly to the Government and people of Nigeria for this non-qualification.”

The Super Eagles could only achieve a score draw (1-1) against the Black Stars, which ended their hopes of playing at the World Cup finals in Qatar as Ghana sneaked through on the away-goal rule.

NFF Terminates Super Eagles Technical Crew, Eguavoen Steps Down

However, the Nigerian Football Federation has also terminated the appointment of the entire technical crew of the national team.

It also said Austin Eguavon has stepped down as the technical adviser of the Nigerian National Team.

This was contained in a statement on its website titled, ‘NFF disengages Super Eagles’ Technical Crew’, and signed by the NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi.

The football body noted that the termination takes immediate effect.

The statement read, “Following the failure of the Super Eagles of Nigeria to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the erstwhile Technical Adviser, Augustine Eguavoen has stepped down from that position with immediate effect.

“The NFF has in the meantime withdrawn the two-and-half years’ contract offered the coaches and terminated the appointment of the entire technical crew of the team with immediate effect.

“A new crew will be announced after a proper review to lead the new charge of reinvigorating the Super Eagles to face future challenges appropriately.

“We thank the coaches and team officials for their service to the nation and wish them success in their future endeavours.”