President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, has firmly dismissed claims that he interferes in player selection for the Super Eagles, warning football fans to be wary of misinformation circulating, especially on social media.

 

Speaking with Eagles FM, Gusau described the current football space as heavily polluted by unverified reports and narratives pushed by agents and interest groups. He stressed that at no time has he influenced team selection or instructed any national team coach on which players to invite.

 

According to the NFF President, maintaining professionalism and technical independence remains a top priority of his administration. He revealed that he deliberately keeps his distance from the team to avoid any form of distraction or undue influence.

 

“I will never tell a coach to pick this player or that player. Since I became President, I have never stayed in the same hotel with the national team because I do not want to interfere or become a distraction,” Gusau stated.

 

He further disclosed that Super Eagles head coach, Eric Sékou Chelle, has been handed a clear mandate by the federation to guide Nigeria to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

 

Gusau reaffirmed that all technical decisions, including player selection, rest solely with the coaching crew, adding that the NFF remains committed to professionalism, transparency, and respect for the technical department in the management of the national teams.

 

Meanwhile, there is a sigh of relief among some aggrieved football stakeholders in Nigeria following the recovery of over N500 million by the Players Status and Arbitration Committee (PSAC) of the NFF, reports www.totorinews.com.

 

A member of the PSAC, who pleaded anonymity, revealed that the committee has been very active under the Ibrahim Gusau-led NFF board, with plans underway to further improve its operations in line with FIFA standards.

 

“I can tell you for a fact that PSAC has been very active. The welfare and development of active stakeholders on the field, like players and coaches, is very paramount to this present NFF board,” the official said.

 

“Interestingly, in the last three years, PSAC has recovered over N500 million for players and coaches. This is worthy of commendation because it was achieved within a short period of time, unlike in the past.

 

“Some of the cases handled had been there for years, but there is a sigh of relief when PSAC came to the rescue of these players and coaches. The NFF wants to improve the framework of PSAC in line with standards obtainable at FIFA in order to be more effective in handling football disputes relating to the welfare of players and coaches,” he added.

 

The developments underline the NFF’s renewed focus on professionalism, accountability, and the protection of players’ and coaches’ rights under the current administration.