NFF Considers Legal Action Against CAF (Details)

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is reported to be considering possible legal action against the Confederation of African Football as it is yet to come to terms with the nation’s ouster from the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification series.

The Super Eagles, Nigeria’s senior national team got dumped from the continental fiesta scheduled for Gabon 2017 after going down 1-0 to Egypt in Alexandria on Tuesday, making it their second successive Afcon miss and third in four events.

However, the rather early exit was facilitated by the withdrawal of Chad from the series, leaving Group G with just one qualification spot and no option of best losers.

As a result, the under-fire NFF executive committee led by President Amaju Pinnick is considering measures to seek redress by dragging Caf to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS).

“It is rather unfortunate that Chad, one of the teams in the qualification group, suddenly pulled out of the race, leaving only three teams left in the group, and only the winner of the the group guaranteed qualification. This appeared to have taken away our worst–case scenario of qualification. However, our legal unit is looking at the propriety of changing the rules midstream’’, NFF Assistant Director of Communications Demola Olajire told newsmen.

There have been calls for the disbandment of the NFF and overhaul of the team following the latest embarrassment, with Sports Minister Solomon Dalung among the agitators.