NFF said, “Our focus presently is to resolve all matters around the Super Eagles and be able to look ahead with confidence to the 2025 AFCON qualifiers and the remaining six matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification series”
By Kehinde Okeowo
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has refuted claims that it has barred Napoli forward, Victor Osimhen from playing for the Super Eagles.
TheNiche had earlier reported that Osimhen responded fiercely when former Super Eagles’ coach, Finidi George questioned his commitment to the national team.
Finidi had suggested that it was challenging to discipline certain players, claiming that Osimhen opted out of the two crucial 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against South Africa and Benin
despite being fit to play.
Angered by these accusations, Osimhen took to Instagram Live to voice his displeasure.
“I called Finidi George when he was appointed and told him: ‘Let’s do great things together.’ I asked him to let me stay with the players in the camp, but he told me to stay with my family. Now, after two bad games, everyone is blaming me.”
He continued, “I always play my heart out for Nigeria. I know how many injuries I’ve played through for Nigeria. But after two bad games, everyone is attacking me. I have lost all respect for him.”
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Following his outburst, some online publications on Wednesday reported that the NFF banned the Serie A striker from the national team.
Reacting to the claims, NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi stated that the football governing body has not initiated any move to ban the powerful forward.
“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. 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,” he told thenff.com.
“Our focus presently is to resolve all matters around the Super Eagles and be able to look ahead with confidence to the 2025 AFCON qualifiers and the remaining six matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification series.
“This is not the time to spread falsehood and foul the public space the more.”