BY JOHN IGBOKHAN
Former Chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Anthony Kojo-Williams has condemned the Nigeria Football Federation for dropping five players from the Flying Eagles squad to next month’s FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey, without the consent of Coach John Obuh.

Obuh only yesterday raised eyebrows over the provisional 30-mam list released by the NFF, stating that he was surprised that five players, comprising Lukman Dimiyo, Moses Epele, Bobby Ikpeazu, Ozioma Maduako and Ezeugo Samson were dropped without his

Kojo  added that Nigerians should not hold Obuh responsible if the team failed at the tournament, starting June 21to July 13 in seven cities in Turkey. Nigeria play Portugal in their first Group B match on June 21 in Kayersi,

Speaking yesterday to Sports Vanguard, Kojo said that Obuh has no business staying for the start of the tournament if the NFF failed to re-list the dropped players for the World Cup.

“He has no business staying for the tournament since the NFF has tampered with his list. He should resign and take the next flight back to Nigeria and allow the NFF to carry on with their plan to run the show for him.

“If Obuh truly knows his onions, he should simply resign now and move ahead with his life, instead off allowing some persons, who do not have a clue on how to manage a national team to dictate to him. He is the coach and he has proved to be a good and capable coach. So I am shocked that the NFF can be tampering with his list for the tournament.

“It is bad how they treat our local coaches. I am appalled and baffled with this sort of treatment.”

Could they have done this to a foreign coach?. This is the same way they treated Stephen Keshi, when they sacked his assistants, without his consent. This sort of treatment must stop.

We cannot allow dictatorial  leadership in our football. This NFF has shown they are dictators.”, added Kojo, who urged the Ministry of Sports, to call the NFF to order before they mess up Nigeria’s hopes at the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

“Since the Sports Ministry gives the NFF the money they spend for tournaments such as the FIFA U-20 World Cup, I think it is proper for them to call them to order”, said. Kojo.

Efforts to reach the Spokesman of the NFF, Ademola Olajire to get their side of the story failed as his telephone was switched off