The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has vehemently denied reports suggesting the Federation has suspended striker Victor Osimhen.
Tensions around the Nigeria national team have been rising following their disappointing displays against South Africa and Benin in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers earlier in June.
Having extended their winless run in World Cup qualifying to four matches after drawing at home against Bafana Bafana and losing to Benin on the road, Super Eagles head coach Finidi George resigned from the role after the NFF decided to appoint an expatriate “technical adviser”.
Following an unverified report that quoted Finidi as saying he “will not beg Osimhen to play for Nigeria”, the 25-year-old, who was ruled out of the June fixtures with injury, then responded by launching a tirade against the erstwhile head coach.
NFF refutes claims of impending Victor Osimhen ban
Earlier this week, reports in the local media suggested the NFF was planning to sanction Osimhen over the incident.
However, the Federation has released a statement debunking such reports and describing them as false. The NFF’s General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, said contrary to reports, there’s been no official communication on the matter.
“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… This is not good at all,” Sanusi said, as quoted by the NFF’s official website.
“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.”
Meanwhile, Nigeria remain winless after four rounds of matches in the CAF World Cup qualifiers. The Super Eagles currently occupy the fifth position in Group C, two points behind Lesotho and a further two below Rwanda, South Africa and Benin.
