How NFF Masterminds Super Eagles Ouster In 2014 World Cup - Ex-Minister of Sports

NFF Corruption Not France Knocks Super Eagles Out of 2014 World Cup - Ex-Minister of Sports

Former minister of sports, Tammy Danagogo has finally opened up on why Nigeria's Super Eagles were unable to beat the France national team in the Round of 16 at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, BSNSports.com.ng can report.

Tammy Danagogo let the cat out of the bag on Monday in Port Harcourt when he was reacting to the ouster of the Super Falcons from the 2020 Olympics after a 1-1 draw with their Ivorian counterparts. The nine-time African champions failed to progress on away goal rule, having recorded a 0-0 result in Abidjan last Thursday.

Danagogo who was the minister of sports in 2014 said that the Nigeria Football Federation officials held on to the Super Eagles allowance and bonus that was supposed to be paid to the players ahead of their second round match against France. According to him, federal government through his office had paid into NFF account but some individuals sat on the money.

The players in protest failed to train for three days and insisted that they must receive their unpaid outstanding before they can go back to the pitch.

"2014 World Cup in Brazil was the year that Nigeria suppose to beat the record of Clemence Westerhof. But we couldn't, though we met that record which is Round of 16 at the World Cup and came back to Nigeria (after losing to France). Danagogo stated.

"What led to it was that their (players) entire payment were not paid to them. And then, i was the Sports minister and footballers are complaining and i know the money was with some people and i called these people to pay the players and officials.

"And they (NFF officials) said they will pay but yet they didn't pay. So, these boys (players) said they were not playing again. So, they neglected training for about three days before the Round of 16 match against France and then we went to the pitch and lost.

"And when they came back to Nigeria, i said to myself, i will rather leave as sports minister or they leave as administrators of the game. And then Sports Writers were calling me names that 'i am bull in the cynosure'. And i said it is better at that time to be a bull in the cynosure than watching them perpetrating evils.

"Rather than watching corruption continued, because the players complained that the same thing happened in 2010 in South Africa.

"And when players asked for it they (NFF officials) said, for asking for the money, they won't play for the national team again. And truly the players were not invited again.

The ex-minister was surprised at the rate of corruption being perpetrated in the glass house which affect the development of the game adding that Sports Writers are the one who can force the administrators to reduce their illicit way of acquiring money meant for the game by educating them and the public .

"I am surprised at the kind of corruption at the glass house. And i believe, i have to say all these because the people who should be in the fore front to help this country and correct what is happening in the administration of sports is Sports Writers because they need to enlighten the people." He concluded

Stephen Keshi-led Super Eagles of Nigeria lost 1-2 to France in the Round of 16 at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.