On November 14th, 2022, we (BSN Sports) ran a story titled, “Why NFF Will Reduce Number of Nigeria Players Born Abroad In Super Eagles – Gusau, where the President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau stated that Nigeria footballers who are born abroad don’t have the African mentality to win matches (for Super Eagles), hence, his administration will increase the number of Nigerian players who were born in the country before they continue their professional career abroad.
A few days later, in a follow-up to our story, NFF Director of Media, Ademola Olajire was quoted in a press release to debunk the story labelling it an ‘incorrect report’ adding that the President meant something else.
The press statement reads, “The President, Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Gusau, says his administration will not discriminate against a selection of Nigerian footballers born in any part of the world into any of the national teams.
It continued, “NFF Director of Media and Communications, Ademola Olajire, disclosed this on Wednesday.
“This clarification becomes necessary given an incorrect report that has been given wings by a section of the media insinuating that the NFF President spoke of an impending wall against overseas-born or overseas-based players as far as the selection of players into the national teams is concerned.
“The NFF President spoke about something different from the message that is being conveyed. There is no way an administration that has promised inclusiveness and pledged to stick by merit and quality will go the route of discrimination.”
“The NFF president is unhappy with the slant given the story and insists that no form of discrimination or exclusivity will be tolerated under his tenure. The best will always be in the nest to represent the best interest of our great nation.
“Sentiments will have no place in the new administration. Anyone who is good enough and is a bona fide Nigerian will be given a level field to fight for the shirt, proudly sing the anthem and play under the flag of our nation.” the statement concluded.
It may interest the public that contrary to NFF’s claim, BSN Sports has the full recording of the Federation’s President interview where he categorically stated that the number of players born abroad and playing for the Super Eagles would be reduced because of their mentality towards African football.
What he (Gusau) said in the interview, “As for me, what to do is try and see how we can reduce the higher number of the Nigerian players born in diaspora in the team (Super Eagles). I am not saying they’re not Nigerians nor saying they’re not good enough but their mentality is not good for African football. And most of the matches we played are in Africa. At the global level, we only go for tournaments or friendly matches. But all our qualifiers are played within Africa.
“Most of these teams out of 54 countries in Africa, almost 46 countries use the bulk of African players. So many of them use players that are used to African football with the right mentality of African football. So, if we bring in players born abroad without an African mentality, there will be problems. But we don’t have a problem with players who are born here and are playing in Europe because they started here.” he concluded.
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