Nigeria have requested for an adjustment by CAF in forthcoming full international matches so that the final rounds of 2023 AFCON qualifiers will only be played in June, NFF president Ibrahim Gusau said.
The shift of the 2023 AFCON to January 2024 has re-arranged the Super Eagles qualifiers for the tournament.
The team will play against Guinea Bissau home and away this month with remaining matches against Sao Tome and Principe as well as Sierra Leone scheduled for June and September.
However, the NFF president said they have requested that the final rounds of the AFCON qualifiers to be staged in June to give countries a window to play friendly matches in September and November ahead of the tournament proper in Cote d’Ivoire in January 2024.
“CAF plan for us to play the remaining (AFCON qualifiers) in June and September, but we are telling them no,” he disclosed. “We want the final games in June, so that in September and November, we could play some friendly matches.”
Meanwhile, Gusau has assured the team he will not make any promises to them that will not be redeemed.
“The key thing I wish to tell you is that I as the president of the NFF will never come before you and tell you what I will never do for you,” Gusau said while addressing the Eagles in Abuja ahead of today’s 2023 AFCON qualifier against Guinea Bissau. “Whatever I know is possible to do for you is what I will tell you.
“And whatever I know we cannot do, I will look at you and tell you. We will discuss it and we agree.
“There is no point to come and tell you lies tomorrow and next tomorrow. You know I will not do that.”
Gusau therefore solicited for the co-operation of the team because the Super Eagles is the biggest marketing brand of Nigeria football.
“Whatever we do at NFF and we do not get it right with the Super Eagles, forget it! Just forget it!” he said.
“Sponsors who want to bring money into the NFF, they are looking at the Super Eagles.
“We are all looking for success and success for our country, so we have to work as a team.”