The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has disowned a controversial statement from its communications department that blamed captain William Troost-Ekong and striker Cyril Dessers for the Super Eagles’ 1-1 draw with South Africa in a 2026 World Cup qualifier.
The release, issued shortly after the match, claimed Troost-Ekong’s own goal “diminished the team’s fighting spirit” and described Dessers as “too slow” to make an impact. The remarks sparked outrage among fans and analysts, who condemned the targeting of individual players.
NFF Secretary General, Mohamed Sanusi, said the federation neither authorised nor approved the comments. “When we win, it is collective, and if we lose, it should not be about blaming an individual player. It was a collective responsibility,” he told journalists.
Sanusi defended Troost-Ekong, recalling his pivotal role at the last Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where he was named Nigeria’s best player. “No player would want to score an own goal… Ekong would not deliberately score an own goal. That is understood by everybody that knows football,” he said.
He added that the NFF would take disciplinary action over the unauthorised release while assuring that the federation, the National Sports Commission, and the federal government remained firmly behind the players and coaching staff.
Despite disappointment over the result, Sanusi stressed that the team had given their best and should be encouraged rather than scapegoated as Nigeria pursues qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
