President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau, has strongly denied allegations that he interferes in the selection of players for Nigeria’s national teams.
The release of the Super Eagles’ final squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has generated widespread debate and criticism among fans, media practitioners, and other football stakeholders, with claims circulating that the federation influences squad decisions.
Addressing the issue during an interview on Eagles FM Radio, Gusau dismissed the allegations, insisting that national team coaches are granted full autonomy in selecting their players.
“I have never told any coach, for any of our national teams, any player that they should select,” Gusau stated.
He emphasized that the role of the NFF is to respect the independence of the technical crew while providing the necessary administrative and logistical support to ensure optimal preparation for international competitions.
Gusau’s remarks come amid sustained scrutiny of the Super Eagles squad, as debates continue over certain inclusions and omissions ahead of the continental showpiece.
Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.
