2nd May, 2014
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has cautioned fans to tune down their high expectations from the senior national team, the Super Eagles ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil this summer.
NFF general secretary, Musa Amadu, while speaking on the expectations of the federation, advised soccer loving Nigerians not to get their hopes up too high for the global showpiece, which kicks off on 12 June in Brazil.
Amadu, however, stated that the federation, like most Nigerians, wants the Super Eagles to surpass the previous exploits of other African countries in the competition, by going beyond the quarter-finals.
He further informed that arrangements are in place to ensure Stephen Keshi’s men are well prepared, to ensure that they have a good outing in the competition.
“All we are doing is to ensure that the team is prepared adequately for them to give their best in Brazil and we are hopeful that they will give the best of representation to Nigeria because we are providing them the enabling environment to excel,” Amadu told Goal.com.
Meanwhile, FIFA has opened an investigation into allegations by convicted match-fixer Wilson Perumal Raj, that he helped Nigeria qualify for the 2010 World Cup.
In his book released last Monday, the 48-year-old Singaporean revealed how he met with a NFF official to try and fix games so that the Eagles could top their group.
He also stated in his book that he had an agreement with the Nigerian federation that he would organise friendly matches for its men’s national team as well as some percentage of whatever FIFA pays the country in lieu of qualifying.
NFF spokesperson, Ademola Olajire confirmed FIFA is looking into the matter with full cooperation from Nigeria.
Olajire affirmed that the NFF has received correspondence from the football ruling body related to the case and are watching tapes of the games Nigeria played during the qualifying series for the 2010 World Cup.
“We have forwarded the letter to our match-fixing officer Dr. Mohammed Sanusi and NFF’s Integrity Officer Dr. Christian Emeruwa. All enquiries should now go to FIFA as I explained in my earlier release on the matter,” Olajire told SuperSport.com.