The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has debunked earlier reports that Moshood Abiola National Stadium Abuja which was recently rehabilitated by the Dangote Group of Companies was banned by FIFA from hosting international matches.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria were held to a draw by the Black Stars of Ghana, a result which means they won’t participate in the upcoming World Cup in Qatar.
Fans of the West African nation invaded the pitch after the final whistle, leading to chaos that saw players and officials have a run for their lives.
FIFA medical officer Dr Joseph Kabungo who had a cardiac arrest on his way to the dressing room was rushed to the hospital but he passed on.
Joseph suffered a cardiac arrest during the commotion and was pronounced dead soon after.
NFF’s General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi in a statement released on Friday April 1, described claims of Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja being banned indefinitely by FIFA over the fans’ violence and the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) equipment used for the match being stolen as fake news.
The statement read;
“We are alarmed at the influx of incorrect reports, otherwise known as fake news, mostly in the social media.
“There is no truth to the reports that the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja has been banned for any length of time by FIFA.
“It is a concoction by some persons with fertile imagination. The NFF has not received any such communication from either FIFA or CAF.
“There has also been an outlandish report that the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) equipment that was installed for the match had been stolen.
“We initially thought this was an April Fool prank but it is alarming that some media outlets are taking it serious.
“Nothing of such happened. The VAR equipment remains intact and has been returned to the FIFA office in Zurich, Switzerland by Sebastian Runge, FIFA’s Head of Technology.
“The NFF understands that Nigerians in their generality were sorely disappointed by the result of the match, which came short of having the Super Eagles at the World Cup.
“It is a painful situation for everyone, including ourselves at the Federation.
“However, we are appealing that the propensity for half truths and outright falsehood be discouraged. We believe that the present squad of Super Eagles is still capable of achieving great things.”
