Al-Adalah of Saudi Arabia midfielder, John Ogu, has tendered an unreserved apology over his comment urging Super Eagles players to boycott the AFCON 2021 qualifier against Sierra Leone.
Angered by the shooting of peaceful protesters by soldiers at the Lekki toll plaza, the lanky player pleaded with the members of the national team to, in protest, boycott the double-header next month.
The player however via his Twitter handle: @ogujohnogu, on Wednesday stated that he uttered the comments in anger due to the shooting incident in Lekki.
His words: “I want to sincerely apologise to Nigerians, the Nigerian Football Federation and the players of the Super Eagles, both past and present and even those dreaming to wear the green and white jersey that I wore with great pride and honour.
“My comments about the Super Eagles boycotting the AFCON qualifiers, was said in the heat of the moment from a place of pain, frustration and anger for the shooting of harmless, flag carrying and national anthem singing Nigerians, at Lekki toll gate. The national anthem and green and white flag that I have sang and carried all my life with joy and pride.
“I admit that I crossed the lines, by asking players to boycott the AFCON Qualifiers. I have honoured all national team invitations with great joy to Nigerians and make them happy, football is the strongest unifying force in Nigeria.
“I wish that my comments that were spoken out of anger and pains would not cause more division in our football and even at a time such as this that the nation needs to pull together.
“Thank you.”
Ogu was a member of the Super Eagles to the AFCON 2019 in Algeria.
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