NFF to enforce code of conduct for Eagles, may sanction Osimhen

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is looking at re-enforcing the code of conduct for the national teams, with a view to ensure that players and their officials adhere to acceptable behaviour while serving the country.

A top official of the Federation told The Guardian, yesterday, that the measure has become necessary following Victor Osimhen’s recent media rant against former Super Eagles manager, Finidi George.

Osimhen in a viral video posting on social media used unprintable words on George for allegedly accusing him of feigning injury to stay away from Nigeria’s recent 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin Republic.

Nigeria drew with South Africa in Uyo and lost to Benin Republic in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire to put the Eagles’ bid to make the 2026 World Cup in jeopardy.

Following the uproar that followed the results, George resigned his position as Super Eagles’ coach barely two months after succeeding Portugal’s Jose Peseiro, who led Nigeria to a silver medal finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations held in Cote d’Ivoire early this year.

An NFF source, who pleaded anonymity, told The Guardian that the federation has decided to enforce the code to stem indiscipline among the players and officials invited to represent the country in competitions.

“Some of these players came into the country immediately after the conclusion of their leagues, but they refused to come to camp to prepare for such crucial games at the World Cup qualifiers. They cannot behave that way in their clubs, but once it is to play for Nigeria, they don’t show that same seriousness,” he said.

The NFF introduced the code of conduct for the national teams in 2015 to ensure players and officials adhered to a set of rules on national duty.

The 18-page document spells out NFF obligations and roles of coaches and players called up to the national team at all levels.
It also sets forth expected standards of behaviour for all players and makes it clear that violations could result in disciplinary action, fines, suspensions or even expulsions.

Apart from the code of conduct, the source said that the NFF would also sanction Osimhen “for acts unbecoming of a player seen by many young players as a role model.”

The Guardian learnt that the NFF would have banned the Napoli striker indefinitely from playing for the national team, but for the intervention of Sports Minister, John Owan Enoh.

A close confidant of the minister said that the NFF wanted to be hard on Osimhen, but was cautioned by the minister against “throwing the player under the bus.”

“The minister reminded the NFF that they have not really covered themselves in glory with the way they have handled the national team.

“He told them that it is because of their negligence that the Super Eagles are in their current position in a group that comprises Rwanda, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Benin Republic and South Africa. They agreed to sanction him not punitively, but as a deterrent to others who might want to behave the same way.”