NFF President Gusau Denies Interfering in Super Eagles Squad Selection

Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Ibrahim Gusau has denied claims that the federation interfered in the selection of players for the Super Eagles.

The current squad excludes the likes of Kelechi Iheanacho, Umar Sadiq, Tolu Arokodare, Victor Boniface, Christantus Uche and Alhassan Yusuf. New faces in the team are defender Ryan Alebiosu, midfielders Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, Usman Muhammed and Tochukwu Nnadi, as well as forward Salim Fago Lawal.

Speaking on Eagles FM during an interview with Segun Odegbami, Gusau insisted that head coach Eric Chelle had full control over squad selection.

“I have never told any coach, for any of our national teams, which player to select,” Gusau said. “The coach has the freedom to make his decisions.”

The NFF and the coaching crew have come under criticism from fans and analysts, especially over the exclusion of goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, the recall of Francis Uzoho, and the inclusion of Usman Muhammed, Salim Fago Lawal and Tochukwu Nnadi.

During the same interview, Gusau was asked about Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the FIFA World Cup and whether it would affect his decision to seek a second term as NFF president.

“I have not made a decision yet,” he said. “When I do, I will let you know.”

Gusau was elected NFF president in 2022 after securing 39 of the 41 votes at the election held in Benin City, replacing Amaju Pinnick.

He also raised concerns about poor infrastructure, revealing that the Super Eagles currently lack a proper training pitch in Abuja.

“In the whole of Abuja, there is not one qualified training pitch for the Super Eagles to train on,” Gusau said.

The NFF president further defended government involvement in the national team, saying it is unavoidable.

“The Super Eagles are a public and government team,” he added. “There is no government anywhere in the world that does not support and fund its national team.”