Adedapo Adesanya
By Adedapo Adesanya
Following the failure of the Super Eagles of Nigeria to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the Technical Adviser of the team, Mr Augustine Eguavoen, has stepped down with immediate effect.
The NFF in a statement said it has in the meantime withdrawn the two-and-half-year contract offered to the coaches and terminated the appointment of the entire technical crew of the team with immediate effect.
It was also disclosed that a new crew will be announced after a proper review to lead the new charge of reinvigorating the Super Eagles to face future challenges appropriately.
“We thank the coaches and team officials for their service to the nation and wish them success in their future endeavours,” said NFF General Secretary, Mr Mohammed Sanusi.
This comes as Nigerians heightened the call for the 1994 African Cup of Nations winner to be relieved of his job.
Nigeria had its seventh World Cup dreams dashed on Tuesday following a 1-1 draw with Ghana that eliminated the Super Eagles on away goal rules at the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
Following the crash, the NFF offered an apology saying, “There was nothing the team needed that was lacking. The government provided necessary support; the NFF put all logistics in place with the active support of the Sports Ministry and Nigerians turned out en masse to support the team. The truth is that we left nothing to chance. It is sad that things turned out the way they did.
“Sport is about winning and losing. Nobody wants to lose but sometimes it happens that way. We were quite sad that despite playing a draw in Kumasi, the Super Eagles could not win here in Abuja. We apologise unreservedly to the government and people of Nigeria for this non-qualification.”
The NFF also expressed shock and sorrow over the death of FIFA/CAF Medical Officer, Dr Joseph Kabungo, who died after the game.
Dr Kabungo was the Doping Control Officer for the match and despite various media reports stating that the Zambian medical died following the fans’ violence after the match, it was revealed that he died of sudden cardiac arrest.
