President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Musa Gusau (MON), has strongly refuted reports circulating on sections of social media claiming he was involved in a public spat with the President of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF), Mr. Fouzi Lekjaa, during a CAF Executive Committee meeting in Morocco.

 

The unsubstantiated reports alleged that Gusau, who also serves as President of WAFU B, engaged in a heated argument with Lekjaa, the 1st Vice President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), at a meeting held during the recently concluded 35th Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco.

 

Reacting to the claims, Gusau described the reports as “total falsehood,” stressing that relations between Nigeria and Morocco remain cordial both on and off the pitch.

 

“I really don’t know where the report is coming from. Nigeria and Morocco have very cordial relationships in the game of football, and even at the level of government, both countries have a warm relationship. Personally, I have always had a good relationship with Mr. Lekjaa,” Gusau said.

 

“There was no shouting match, neither were there any insults thrown. Whoever came up with that report engaged in mongering of total falsehood.”

 

The NFF President also denied allegations that the supposed disagreement stemmed from comments he made about the officiating of the second AFCON semi-final between Nigeria and Morocco at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on Wednesday, 14th January.

 

“Before the match, I had publicly made it known that the NFF was not apprehensive about the officiating. After the match, I made no comments whatsoever, and I am totally bemused at where the reporter got his story that Mr. Lekjaa and myself engaged in a shouting match because of my comments on the officiating of the game,” he stated.

 

Gusau concluded by commending the hosts and organizers of the tournament, noting that the NFF holds the Morocco Football Federation, the Local Organizing Committee, the Government of Morocco, and CAF in high regard.

 

“As far as the NFF is concerned, we only have praises for the Morocco Football Federation, the Local Organizing Committee, the Government of Morocco and the Confederation of African Football for organizing a very successful AFCON that had all the glamour and glitz that will stay in our memories for many years to come.”