The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has disowned a controversial press release that blamed Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong and striker Cyriel Dessers for the team’s 1-1 draw against South Africa in Tuesday’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier

Nigeria needed all three points to stay in contention for automatic qualification, but the draw now leaves the Super Eagles six points behind group leaders South Africa, putting their playoff hopes in serious danger.

The widely circulated statement, issued by the NFF’s Communications Department shortly after the match at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein, had singled out Ekong and Dessers for poor performances.

Speaking on AIT on Wednesday, NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi dissociated the Federation from the release, stressing that it was never approved.

“The Federation is pleased with the players, but not with the result, and we apologise to Nigerians for this disappointing outcome,” Sanusi said. “It was a painful result, but as a believer, I know that whatever comes is from God.”

Sanusi reiterated that victories and defeats must be seen as a collective responsibility, adding that the NFF holds all its players in high regard. He praised Ekong’s past contributions, recalling his ‘Player of the Tournament’ award at the last AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire, and expressed disbelief that such a divisive statement was issued.

“No player aims to score an own goal; it was an unfortunate event,” he said. “The NFF, National Sports Commission, and federal government remain fully behind our players despite the disappointing result.”

He confirmed that the Federation has launched an investigation into how the press release was published and promised that those responsible would be sanctioned.

With just 11 points from eight matches, Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup are now hanging by a thread, raising fears of missing back-to-back tournaments after failing to qualify for Qatar 2022.