‘We didn’t approve it’ — NFF disowns statement criticising Ekong, Dessers

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has disowned a statement from its communications department that blamed specific players for the Super Eagles’ 1-1 draw with South Africa — a result that jeopardizes the country’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

In the aftermath of the match, an official statement attributed to the NFF singled out captain William Troost-Ekong and striker Cyril Dessers for criticism.

It suggested that Troost-Ekong’s own goal “diminished the team’s fighting spirit” and described Dessers as “too slow to latch onto passes,” claiming he “did little in bringing alive the Nigerian attack”.

The commentary provoked a chorus of condemnation across social media platforms, prompting a response from the federation’s leadership.

Mohamed Sanusi, NFF secretary general, in an interview with journalists, categorically distanced the federation from the statement.

Sanusi disclosed the NFF “did not approve the statement”, adding that Nigeria’s poor performance was a “collective responsibility”.

“Nobody in the headquarters was happy with that release, NFF did not direct it,” he said.

“NFF has respect for all the players, and it was a collective responsibility. When we win, it wasn’t an individual. And if we lose, there should not be blame for any individual player.

“It was a collective one. Nobody was happy. And we are not happy that an individual is singled out.”

Sanusi also defended Troost-Ekong, Netherlands-born 32-year-old defender who made his Nigeria debut in 2015, emphasising that no player ever intends to score an own goal. He vowed that the NFF will take action on the matter.

“No player would want to score an own goal. No player. When things come, they come spontaneously,” he said.

“The intention was for him to clear the ball. That was the intention. But as God will have it, it was a destiny that the ball entered. But Ekong would not deliberately score an own goal. No player would [want to] score an own goal. That is understood by everybody that knows football.

“That individual [Ekong] has contributed significantly to the development of football in Nigeria. Remember last AFCON, he was the best player, and we celebrated him. So, I don’t know how this thing came, but Nigeria Football Federation is taking action on that matter.”

The secretary general also dismissed any suggestions of internal conflict, asserting that the NFF, the National Sports Commission, and the Nigerian government remain unified in their support for the players and coaching staff.

“The house is already in order. We don’t have any problem. As I said, we are not happy with that release. There is no problem as far as we are concerned and as far as our relationship with our players are concerned and the coaching group,” he said.

“I can tell you that both the Nigeria Football Federation, the National Sports Commission, and indeed the government of Nigeria are happy with the players.

“We are not happy with the results, but we are happy with the players because they have given in their very best. You could see that the federal government delegation was there, and even after the match, the federal government delegation together with the Nigeria Football Federation were together encouraging the players to forget about what happened and let us look at what we have ahead of us.”