NFF Vows to Punish Muhammed for U-23 AWOL
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has said it is disappointed with the action of Captain of the U-20 team, Musa Muhammed, who absconded from the U-23 team camp on the eve of their departure for Lusaka for a must-win All Africa Games qualifier with Zambia.
The NFF’s General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, said that the player’s action was unbecoming of a rising star.
“It will be an understatement for me to say the Nigeria Football Federation is disappointed by the behavior of Musa Muhammed. This is someone who should be a role model for the Nigerian youth,” Sanusi was quoted on the federation’s website.
“He is very good at what he does and we love him for that. But discipline is essential in any vocation and the NFF will no longer condone indiscipline on the part of any player or coach of any of the national teams.”
Sanusi was unequivocal that Muhammed and anyone found to have aided his unwholesome conduct would face severe sanctions.
“The player had been drafted to the U-23 team because the coach believes he has something to contribute to bring glory to the nation. Whoever is found to be culpable in this shameful act will be punished.”
Muhammed led the Flying Eagles to win the African Youth Championship in Senegal last month where he scored four goals to emerge top scorer.
He was also captain of the Golden Eaglets that won the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2013.
Muhammed, along with four other players from the Flying Eagles, had been invited to try out with the Dream Team by Coach Samson Siasia, ahead of Sunday’s clash with Zambia.
However, Goal.com reported on Wednesday that the right back, egged on by his agent, had left camp without informing any of the officials in order to sign a contract in Europe.
Siasia eventually included two players from the Flying Eagles – Taiwo Awoniyi and Bernard Bulbwa – in his final squad to Zambia on Wednesday with Muhammed who had been a favourite overlooked.