The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has dismissed as outright falsehood the reports circulating online that Super Eagles forward, Victor Osimhen, may have been banned from the national team following his recent social media outburst.
NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi on Wednesday, June 19, 2024 via a statement released by the Communications department, expressed astonishment at these reports, clarifying that the Federation has neither initiated nor concluded any process to ban Osimhen.
“The NFF hereby implores the media to join hands with the body to positively resolve issues and then focus on the big picture all the time, rather than needlessly escalate certain matters,” Dr. Sanusi stated. “There was no official communication from the NFF, yet some persons have gone to town to talk about a ban on Osimhen from the National Team. This is not good at all.”
The NFF emphasized that its current priority is to address all matters concerning the senior national team and prepare confidently for the 2025 AFCON qualifiers and the remaining matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification series.
“This is not the time to spread falsehood and foul the public space the more,” the NFF statement continued.
Victor Osimhen, who experienced a mixed season in Serie A with Napoli remains a crucial player for the Super Eagles. His return to the national team setup is seen as essential for bolstering Nigeria’s chances of securing a spot in the 2026 World Cup, to be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
With Finidi George now replaced and a foreign technical adviser expected to be appointed soon, the NFF is keen on resolving any lingering issues and concentrating on the upcoming qualifying matches. Osimhen’s participation and form will be vital as Nigeria aims to achieve success on the international stage.
The NFF’s call for media responsibility underscores the need for accurate reporting and collective effort to support the Super Eagles’ ambitions and maintain a positive environment for the team.
