NFF pardons Enyeama, Onazi

The Nigeria Football Federation has pardoned Super Eagles Captain goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, and Ogenyi Onazi for their offences following pleas by some sports loving Nigerians.

Enyeama was queried for his comments on the Kaduna venue of the Super Eagles clash against Congo in a African Cup of Nations qualifier.

Onazi had questions to answer for his ungentlemanly conduct during the match, which led to his receiving a straight red card.

The Chairman of the NFF Disciplinary Committee, Barrister Christopher Green, said the NFF has pardoned the two players for the offences committed before and during the tie in Kaduna.

Green said: “We have waved the $5,000 fine placed on Onazi and warned him to be of good conduct in future.”

For Enyeama, Green, who was initially reluctant to say yes or no, finally said the case has been closed and the Lille of France safe pair of hands can return to the national team and turn a new leaf.

Enyeama did not attend the NFF Disciplinary Committee’s summons to explain his comments on the choice of Kaduna as venue for the country’s Gabon 2017 African Nations Cup qualifier against Chad on June 13.

Enyeama had on the eve of the game expressed his dissatisfaction with the choice of the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna as venue for the game, citing security challenges in the northern part of the country.

But the NFF did not take kindly to his comments.

The body set up a committee to question the Super Eagles’ captain on the comments with a view to ensuring that no other player challenged the NFF’s right to decide where the national team games would be played.

Enyeama was, however, conspicuously absent when the Organizing and Disciplinary Committee of the federation sat over some issues that bothered on team discipline.

Onazi on his part has formally apologized to the NFF for his on-field action that led to a straight red card in the same qualifying match against Chad in Kaduna.

In a letter dated June 30, 2015 and addressed to the NFF General Secretary, the SS Lazio of Italy playmaker wrote: “Sequel to your letter REF: NFF/OGS/Admin/Vol.V/009, I hereby tender an unreserved apology with respect to my conduct which led to my dismissal in the game against Chad in Kaduna.

“I accept the fact that my act was tantamount to an unacceptable one on the field of play. However, I want to inform you that my action on the pitch was not premeditated and was only a reaction to a violent attack on me by the Chadian player, who hit me from behind while I was standing outside the penalty box.”

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