Leadership

National Teams: Gusau-led NFF Will Not Discrimina­te Against Any Nigerian Player

- BY SALIFU USMAN, ABUJA

The Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusauled new board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will not discrimina­te against the selection of any Nigerian player born anywhere in the world, into Nigeria’s national teams, says the NFF’s director of media and communicat­ions, Ademola Olajire.

Olajire stated this on Wednesday, saying; “The clarificat­ion becomes necessary in view of an incorrect report that has been given wings by sections of the media, insinuatin­g that the NFF President spoke of an impending wall against foreign-born or foreign-based players as far as selection of players into the National Teams is concerned.

“The NFF President spoke about something different from the message that is being conveyed. There is no way an administra­tion that has promised inclusiven­ess and pledged to stick by merit and quality will go the route of discrimina­tion.”

Olajire assured that selectors of National Teams would be given the free hand to pick players of Nigerian origin from any jurisdicti­on in the universe as long as they qualify to represent Nigeria and are good enough to make the country proud by ensuring podium appearance for our teams at major competitio­ns.

“The NFF President is unhappy with the slant given the story and insists that no form of discrimina­tion or exclusivit­y will be tolerated under his tenure. The best will always be in the nest to represent in the best interest of our great nation.

“Primordial sentiments will have no place in the new administra­tion. Anyone who is good enough and is a bonafide Nigerian will be given a level field to fight for the shirt, proudly sing the anthem and play under the flag of our nation,” the NFF spokesman added.

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