The Federal Government will intervene in the running of football in the country because Nigeria is sovereign nation and the sport is “critical” and “everyone has a stake”, according to Sports Minister John Enoh.
World football governing body FIFA have banned countries on account of interference of government in the running of the sport.
“Football cannot just be the exclusive preserve of some people. I won’t keep quiet because of fear of FIFA ban,” stated the minister in an interview today with Eagle7 FM.
“There are interests and emotions of Nigerians, who expect that our football be run properly and that we get results.
“Football is the responsibility of the NFF, but Government will periodically intervene and support.
“Nigeria is a sovereign country and I have my reservations on FIFA ban.”
Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup are in shambles as they are second from bottom in Group C after four rounds of matches.
The minister said failure to qualify for the World Cup back-to-back is not acceptable.
“We almost won the AFCON (in February) and now we’re struggling to qualify for the World Cup,” he said.
“Nigerians won’t accept non-qualification for the World Cup.
“Everybody has a stake in the game, we all as a country played the last AFCON.”
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The Super Eagles may be languishing second from bottom in their qualifying group, but Sports Minister John Enoh has insisted it is not impossible for them to still qualify for the 2026 World Cup. “The majority opinion is that it’s not impossible yet (to qualify for the World Cup),” the sports Minister said in an … Continue reading here ▶
Super Eagles midfielder Alhassan Yusuf was mobbed by hundreds of fans in Kano after he scored twice and provided an assist for his neigbourhood club to win a holiday kick-about. Kano fans up close and personal with Alhassan Alhassan shone with the Super Eagles at the 2023 AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire earlier this year. The … Continue reading here ▶