The Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, has told Nigerians to hold the Nigeria Football Federation responsible for the failure of the Super Eagles to qualify for the African Cup finals in Gabon next year January.
Dalung said the NFF erred by not attending the meeting organised by the Confederation of African Football to rule out Chad from the competition.
He said this was despite the fact that the leadership of the NFF knew that any decision taken will affect Nigeria’s chances.
Speaking in Abuja at a news briefing, Dalung said: “It is sad that we are not attending the Nations Cup back to back and I guess it is because that we are not playing the politics of football well.”
He said if one or two Nigerians are in the CAF executive committee, the situation would not have been so.
He said until the NFF stops its internal wrangling, the national team will make no progress.
Dealing said: “Hiring and firing of coaches is a problem.
“If the coaches are wrong and the NFF are right, then one should know that something is wrong.
“People should not put personal interest over national interest.
“We have not measured up to expectation.
“I have convened a meeting of the entire NFF Board where I will x-ray their performance and present an authentic position of what transpired to Nigerians.”
Dalung said the NFF and the Ministry of Youth and Sports lack explanation and justification for not qualifying for the AFCON 2017 because everything needed was provided.
He added: “The problem started when the national coach resigned two weeks to the match.
“It is like a General resigning before a war.
“I did my best to pacify the coach, but opted to resign, claiming some booby traps were set for him.”
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