Sport

We owed Amuneke, Siasia but they won Trophies – NFF blasts Oliseh

Published

9 years ago

February 4, 2016

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has once again criticized head coach of the Super Eagles, Sunday Oliseh, for blaming the federation for the country’s poor outing at the ongoing CHAN 2016.

Oliseh claimed that his squad were not well motivated and he had to spend $4,000 of his personal money, during their training camp in Pretoria, South Africa.

Responding to the former national team skipper’s claims, NFF board member, Chris Green, told Oliseh to imbibe tolerance like Samson Siasia and Emmanuel Amuneke, who despite being owed went ahead to win important trophies for Nigeria.

In an interview with TheCable, he said: I don’t think it is very fair to the NFF that Sunday Oliseh will say the team was not motivated. Of course, he sent his programme to the NFF, for him to camp in Nigeria as well as Pretoria in South Africa and that programme was executed. In South Africa, he had good matches to play, which he played. These were part of the preparations for the CHAN tournament.

“Ordinarily, in a tournament where one will have domestic players, one would have said they should remain in the country and prepare. But in this case, in total obedience to the programme of the coach, they had to leave Nigeria and went to Pretoria. And so, I will not want to say that the NFF did not motivate the team.

“What about Samson Siasia’s team that played all the way to the final and won the cup without being paid their match bonuses and allowances? What about Emmanuel Amuneke that played till the final and won the World Cup in Chile without being paid?

“Also, what about the girls that went to Namibia and won? They all know that their money will be paid to them. And I can assure you that very soon, all debts will be cleared when the NFF receives its money.”

Green also admitted that the federation were broke and that is why they were finding it hard to clear up debts and pay allowances.

“You and I, just like every Nigerian, know that the federation is very stretched financially, and money that has accrued to the federation is being expected. I wonder why, when we are getting to the tail end of when the money will be delivered to the football federation, one will now start saying it is because money was not given to the players that they were eliminated from CHAN at the early stage. I know that very soon, even though they did not make it to the next stage of CHAN, the players will be paid what they are owed,” he added.

Sport

NFF Denies Blacklisting Leon Balogun from Super Eagles

Published

2 months ago

February 18, 2025

lagoslately

Leon Balogun, whose sudden absence from the Super Eagles squad raised concerns, especially after his comments on players’ welfare, has been cleared by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF). The NFF has denied that his exclusion is related to his outspoken interview.

In a statement, NFF spokesman Ademola Olajire addressed the rumors, stating that the claims were incorrect.

“The interview in question was in June 2021. Since then, Balogun has participated in seven games for the Super Eagles. This is verifiable. He was included in the squad for AFCON but missed out due to injury. He returned in 2022, playing in both World Cup qualifier matches against Ghana and in the AFCON qualifiers under coach Jose Peseiro,” Olajire explained.

He continued, “Claims that Balogun’s absence is due to his interview are unfair to the NFF. We do not make player selections for coaches, and the concerns raised by Balogun in that interview were addressed by us. No directive has been given by the NFF to blacklist him from the Super Eagles.”

With Eric Chelle’s list on the horizon, fans are hopeful for a potential Balogun return. His wealth of experience and continued presence in top-tier football make him a valuable asset, and many, including this writer, believe his inclusion would still be beneficial for the national team. Fingers crossed!

Sport

Ghana Coach Relieved to Avoid Nigeria in Group Stages

Published

2 months ago

February 15, 2025

lagoslately

Ghana’s Black Satellites head coach, Desmond Ofei, has expressed his team’s relief at not being in the same group as Nigeria for the upcoming U-20 AFCON.

This follows their 2-1 loss to Nigeria in the final of the WAFU B U-20 Championship in Togo last year.

“We’re happy not to be in Group B because it’s a very competitive group,” Ofei shared with Joy Prime Sports. “I believe we’re in a position where we can control the flow of this tournament from our side.”

Ghana has been placed in Group A for the competition.