NFF boss Gusau denies any altercation with CAF Vice President Fouzi Lekjaa

The President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau (MON), has described as “total falsehood” a report circulating on sections of social media claiming that he had a public spat with the President of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF), Mr Fouzi Lekjaa, during a CAF Executive Committee meeting in Morocco.

The unsubstantiated report alleged that Gusau, who is also President of WAFU B, engaged in a heated argument with Lekjaa, who is also the First Vice President of the Confederation of African Football, at a meeting held during the just-concluded 35th Africa Cup of Nations finals in the North African kingdom.

“I really don’t know where the report is coming from. Nigeria and Morocco have very cordial relationships in football, and even at the level of government, both countries enjoy warm relations. Personally, I have always had a good relationship with Mr Lekjaa.

“There was no shouting match, neither were there any insults exchanged. Whoever came up with that report engaged in the peddling of total falsehood.”

Gusau also denied making any comments regarding the officiating of the second semi-final of the AFCON between Nigeria and Morocco at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on Wednesday, 14 January.

“Before the match, I had publicly made it known that the NFF was not apprehensive about the officiating. After the match, I made no comments whatsoever, and I am totally bemused as to where the reporter got the story that Mr Lekjaa and I engaged in a shouting match because of my comments on the officiating of the game.

“As far as the NFF is concerned, we have only praise for the Morocco Football Federation, the Local Organising Committee, the Government of Morocco and the Confederation of African Football for organising a very successful AFCON that had all the glamour and glitz that will stay in our memories for many years to come.”