The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) spokesman, Ademola Olajire, has denied reports that the federation did not provide money for the feeding of the national U-23 team during their 2019 AFCON first leg qualifier against Sudan in Omdurman on Thursday.
The Nigerians, current African U-23 champions, lost 1-0 to their hosts at the Al Merriekh stadium.
In the aftermath of the Olympic Eagles’ defeat to the Sudanese, a tweet by popular journalist, Osasu Obayiuwana, caused a stir amongst the country’s football faithful.
“I am very angry right now. How could the NFF send a team for an Olympics qualifier in Sudan and they have no money for food? This was revealed to me by a highly-placed NFF official just now. PinnickAmaju, Nigerians will ask for answers to this situation,” Obayiuwana tweeted.
However, Olajire denied the rumour, saying there was no element of truth in the report that the U-23 team were left unfed, in a telephone conversation with The PUNCH.
“Who said they went for a qualifier without money for food, you should speak with the team before making any conclusion. Were they not lodged in a hotel? Where is it done that people are lodged in a hotel and they are expected to buy food differently? Is it possible that you lodge someone in a hotel and you don’t make provision for food? I am just tired of all these negative rumours,” he said.
Yetunde Adegoke
