7th March, 2013
The panel of inquiry set up by the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) to ascertain the true club of Super Eagles’ midfielder, Sunday Mba, on Thursday reserved March 11, for the verdict.
Mba, the revelation of the just concluded Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), is at the centre of ownership tussle between Rangers International FC of Enugu and Warri Wolves FC.
Mohammed Sanusi, the Chairman of the four-man committee, told newsmen after its sitting that it would report to the leadership of the football house before making the decision public.
Sanusi said a decision had been taken by the committee but the panel would want both clubs to iron out some grey areas themselves.
According to him, the NFA will intervene when it becomes necessary, but it will not affect the committee’s resolution.
“We were sent by somebody to do this job and we want to report back to the person who sent us. Until that is done we don’t think it is right for us to say what has happened but we will make it public immediately that is done. However, that the two teams came to argue on a matter and later became happy shows that the best has happened.
“We all agree that the interest of the player is paramount and we have his interest at heart; we will not do anything that will jeopardise the player’s career. So, we will make the decision available as quickly as possible so that the player can go back to his training. High calibre of persons came to represent the clubs and you can see that they are all happy and this should suggest to you that something good has happened,’’ Sanusi said.
Sanusi, who is also the NFA Director of Competition, said not even the presence of lawyers led by Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), intimidated the panel.
Austin Popo, the Executive secretary, Nigerian Players Union, told NAN that the matter had almost come to an end.
“The decision of the panel is very clear. The only reason why am here is to protect the interest of the player and am happy that all concerned agreed that they will work for the good of the player. We all know what Mba has contributed to Nigeria football; he is not somebody we will treat with disdain.
“Everybody knows where the player belongs. Even the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) management came and made a presentation. It said Mba had existing contract with Warri Wolves that will end in Dec. 2013, and you know that the NPL is the clearing house.
“It is another issue when a player tells you that he is no longer interested in a particular club,’’ he added. (NAN)