Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Ibrahim Gusau has dismissed claims that the federation influenced head coach Eric Chelle’s final squad selection for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations.
Chelle recently reduced his provisional 54-man list to a 28-man squad, a decision that triggered criticism and speculation that senior NFF officials had pressured the coach to include certain players.
Speaking in an interview with former Nigeria international Segun Odegbami on Eagle 102.5 FM, Gusau described such allegations as unfounded and warned against misinformation.
He characterised the current football discourse as “highly polluted” and pointed to the growing influence of player agents attempting to shape public opinion.
“I will never tell a coach to pick this player or that player,” Gusau said. “Since becoming president, I have never even stayed in the same hotel as the national team during camps. I deliberately keep my distance so as not to distract the technical crew.”
The NFF president urged fans and stakeholders to treat rumours circulating on social media with caution, stressing that the coaching staff must be allowed to operate independently.
Gusau reaffirmed that all sporting decisions regarding the Super Eagles remain the sole responsibility of the technical team, free from administrative interference.
