The Nigeria Football Association has denied the claims that its president, Amaju Pinnick was snubbed by some players and officials of the Super Eagles when the team landed in Yaoundé, Cameroon last Sunday for the match with Cameroon.

“According to the statement from the NFF Media Department, “the truth is that by his position, the NFF President is father to players of all the national teams. In reality, the present crop of players in the Super Eagles sees and takes Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick as a big brother, and holds him in very high esteem.

“Nothing has happened to change that perception. The NFF President came down from the Bombadier CRJ 1000 jet on landing and opted to stay by the aircraft to appreciate the players and officials on arrival.

“The said players, and even goalkeepers’ trainer Alloy Agu, obviously did not know that the NFF President, having flown with the delegation on the same aircraft, would still be waiting by the aircraft to shake hands with them.

“Nothing was planned. He stood there simply appreciating the troops that had decimated African champions Cameroon in Uyo and were determined to do a double over the Cameroonians in Yaoundé.

“The said players, Ahmed Musa and Victor Moses, (and Alloy Agu) never showed disrespect to the NFF President, as can be attested to by the comments of Moses and Musa in the aftermath.

“Perhaps, the objective of the said video was to create disaffection between the NFF President and the said players, but this fell flat on its face as the players afterwards met with the NFF President and laughed the whole thing off as ridiculous.

“As the NFF and the Super Eagles unite to stay on the same page and prepare adequately for the must-win 2018 World Cup qualifying match against Zambia in Uyo next month, we appeal to all genuine stakeholders of Nigerian Football and friends of Nigeria elsewhere to focus on the many positives from the qualifying campaign so far, encourage both the Federation and the team to continue to give its best and appreciate that together, each will always achieve more.

“No scheme fashioned by anyone can bring schisms within the Super Eagles camp or between the NFF and the squad”.

In a WhatsApp comment to Sports Village Square, Aisha Falode, chairperson of the Nigerian Women Football League (NWFL), remarked that an analysis of the video clip posted on a social media platform did not in any way showed that the players snubbed the NFF boss.

“I feel it was an oversight. I have tried to look at it again and again and I must say that at that point when Moses appeared after Alloy Agu, Pinnick was a bit distracted.

“He looked to the right and turned immediately to behold the presence of Moses who on his part had sighted an unassuming Pinnick, so he already had his hand down after the last shake only for Pinnick to offer the olive branch and it looked as if Moses snubbed him.

“In any case, why will Moses snub Pinnick when the NFF president made life so comfortable for the players?  After the first leg against Cameroon they had over 80 m naira to share from donations influenced by Pinnick’s goodwill.

“Each player had their agreed match bonuses ready to hit their accounts as at Tuesday (yesterday) after the public holiday, they got an additional 20,000 dollars per goal promise before takeoff to Cameroon and celebrated like, it is the dawn of a new year.

“The players were so excited throughout the 45 minutes flight and shared jokes all through the journey. Yea I remember seeing Pinnick crack a joke in the plane with some of the players and I saw the air of friendship and brotherliness that pervades.

“If there was a divided house before kickoff, the Eagles would have lost. Gradually our influence in CAF and FIFA is showing in daylight, we are reaping the dividends of our labour now so let’s enjoy the moments.

“The implication of encouraging bad blood between administrators and players can be very grave. Let’s forget all the negatives, and focus more on the positives.  Four points from six, is a massive achievement.

“We can only look on to October when the Eagles will book their ticket to Russia. For now, let’s keep praying. Mr Pinnick, don’t be distracted by this, you faced bigger attacks on your way to CAF, as a leader, you will face these obstacles.

“I remember that inglorious handshake you offered me in Cotonou.  It struck me below the belt but I took it in good faith, today, a Daniel that has come to judgement tomorrow, it could be anyone. Peace must strive but Mr. NFF president, always learn to offer a smile, it would have killed the intentions and made that picture looked like a planned comic relief”, remarked Falode.