The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has expressed disappointment with Super Falcons’ player, Gloria Ofoegbu’s smear campaign against the Federation over an injury that she sustained from her club, Rivers Angels, and not in the camp of any of the National Teams.
NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, who disclosed that the Federation had been much concerned for the player and was making moves to ensure she got required treatment to return to action, but is miffed at suggestions of abandonment.
“The fact that we must make clear is that Gloria did not sustain the injury in the camp of any of the National Teams. It is sheer blackmail for her to go on air and start castigating the NFF.
“As a federation that cares much about the welfare of players of the National Teams, we have been making arrangements to ensure she gets the best treatment and is able to return to action. But she has been telling half -truths everywhere, suggesting the NFF as a body and some individuals have neglected her. It is very unfair.”
Ofoegbu’s allegations have now compelled the NFF to release her medical report, as written by Super Falcons’ doctor,Omoye Akhigbe and team physiotherapist, Adaku Nwachukwu.
In the report by Mrs Nwachukwu, the 29 –year old player was examined on 4th April 2014 while in the Super Falcons’ camp for an African Women Championship qualifier against Rwanda, and it was discovered that she had been nursing chronic right knee injury for five years.
On assessment, findings were: swollen right knee, reduced range of motion (flexion nd extension), joint line tenderness (laterally and around patella), positive McMurray’s test, poor proprioception,
“Ofoegbu was managed conservatively with physiotherapy modalities and exercises. On further investigations, MRI & X-Ray were done on October 31, 2014 and June 24, 2015 respectively. Impressions given were (R) knee effusion and osteoarthrosis from MRI and synovial osteochondromatosis from X-Ray. On review of the X-Ray and MRI, it was observed that she has degenerative changes on her knees which can be reviewed by an orthopaedic surgeon in Nigeria.
“Ofoegbu’s claim that she sustained the injury at the African Women Championship in Namibia is incorrect. She should stop whipping up sentiments and focus on her treatment, which can be handled in Nigeria. What she has is arthritis (a fact confirmed by another medical test by Port Harcourt –based Dr. O. S. Alasia),” explained Nwachukwu.
On her part, Dr. Omoye Akhigbe dismissed claims by Ofoegbu that she was injured in Namibia.
“She was not injured in Namibia.I remember clearly that she played a match in Namibia and never complained of injury. In fact, she never reported for any treatment in Namibia.
“I am shocked she is going about putting blame on NFF for injury she sustained playing for her club more than five years ago, and which NFF was trying to see how best they can help treat it. That is very bad,” said Dr. Akhigbe.
Sanusi requested Ofoegbu to provide evidence that her injury was sustained in the National Team camp.
“We have been concerned for her because she has served the country diligently and we feel a sense of responsibility to help her return to what she loves doing so much. But we will not condone a campaign of calumny.
“I also remember giving Gloria personal money to take care of the injury sometime last year. She has turned around to be accusing the NFF unjustly.”
A most recent example of the fact that the NFF is not in the business of abandoning players of the National Teams is the Obinna Nwobodo case. The Flying Eagles’ midfielder, injured in the final match of the 2015 African Youth Championship in Senegal in March, was flown to the world –renowned ASPETAR Hospital in Qatar for treatment, had a successful surgery and is well into the period of recovery ahead of playing again.
