NIGERIA will not honour Saturday's African qualifier for 2012 FIFA
Futsal second leg game against Egypt.
The Nigerian team lost the first leg against Egypt in Cairo by 8-2 and the Nigeria Football Federation, (NFF), believes it is unwise to host the qualifier's second leg in view of financial and logistics commitment.
Spokesman of the NFF, Ademola Olajire, confirmed Nigeria's withdrawal and added that the body had written the Confederation of African Football, (CAF), of Nigeria's decision to opt out of the weekend's return leg which would have held at the indoor sports hall of the National Institute for Sports, (NIS), Lagos.
''We were informed of the NFF's decision on Monday and we have asked the players to return to their respective clubs,'' said Oyekale.
The former youth international explained that the development was unfortunate and disheartening to the players.
''We were looking forward to the match, the technical crew and the players wanted to use the second leg to prove a point. We had played against Egypt and we know how to tackle them.''
Oyekale explained that the 8-2 first leg loss was due to fatigue.
''We arrived Cairo at 1.a.m on the day of the match and the scoreline was 1-0 in the first half. Ten minutes into the second half, fatigue set in and we started conceding the goals''
Oyekale noted that the players were in high spirits for the return leg and ready to turn the table only for the NFF to announce the disbandment of the team following the cancellation of the return leg.
The Nigerian team lost the first leg against Egypt in Cairo by 8-2 and the Nigeria Football Federation, (NFF), believes it is unwise to host the qualifier's second leg in view of financial and logistics commitment.
Spokesman of the NFF, Ademola Olajire, confirmed Nigeria's withdrawal and added that the body had written the Confederation of African Football, (CAF), of Nigeria's decision to opt out of the weekend's return leg which would have held at the indoor sports hall of the National Institute for Sports, (NIS), Lagos.
''We were informed of the NFF's decision on Monday and we have asked the players to return to their respective clubs,'' said Oyekale.
The former youth international explained that the development was unfortunate and disheartening to the players.
''We were looking forward to the match, the technical crew and the players wanted to use the second leg to prove a point. We had played against Egypt and we know how to tackle them.''
Oyekale explained that the 8-2 first leg loss was due to fatigue.
''We arrived Cairo at 1.a.m on the day of the match and the scoreline was 1-0 in the first half. Ten minutes into the second half, fatigue set in and we started conceding the goals''
Oyekale noted that the players were in high spirits for the return leg and ready to turn the table only for the NFF to announce the disbandment of the team following the cancellation of the return leg.
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