SAN FRANCISCO, October 29, (THEWILL) – Nigeria midfielder John Ogu has issued an apology for asking players of the national football team, the Super Eagles, to boycott the double-header 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Sierra Leone next month.
THEWILL recalls that sequent to the killings of peaceful protesters who were demanding an end to police brutality at the Lekki Toll Plaza on Tuesday, October 20, the former Hapoel Beer Sheva star took to social media in outrage.
Ogu who was personally involved in the #EndSARS protest on the streets of Lagos, argued that “politicians should ask their children to represent the Super Eagles in the next upcoming games” because Super Eagles cannot continue to represent politicians who don’t represent the people.
From his Twitter handle “@ogujohnugo” he stated, “The Politicians should asked their children to go and represent Nigeria in the next @NGSuperEagles , @thenff upcoming games . ???”
But the 32-year-old, who was part of the Nigerian team that won bronze at the 2019 AFCON in Egypt, apologised on Wednesday noting how he wants football to continue to unite the country even at this crucial period.
The apology read:
“I want to sincerely apologise to Nigerians, the Nigerian Football Federation and the players of the Super Eagles, both past and present and even those dreaming to wear the green and white jersey that I wore with great pride and honour.
“My comments about the Super Eagles boycotting the AFCON qualifiers, was said in the heat of the moment from a place of pain, frustration and anger for the shooting of harmless, flag-carrying and national anthem-singing Nigerians, at the Lekki Toll Gate.
“A national anthem and Green-and-White flag that I have sung and carried all my life with joy and pride. I admit that I crossed the lines by asking players to boycott the AFCON qualifiers. I have honoured all national team invitations with great joy and delight, with a deep desire to be part of a team that give joy to Nigerians and make them happy, football is the strongest unifying force in Nigeria.
“I wish that my comments that were spoken out of anger and pain would not cause more division in our football and even at a time such as this that the nation needs to pull together.
“Thank you.”
Gernot Rohr’s Super Eagles are billed to face the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin on Friday, November 13 with a reverse fixture four days after.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
