NFF attempt to mend Dennis relationship

Watford's Emmanuel Dennis

Wednesday Feb 16, 2022. 16:00

Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) officials met with Emmanuel Dennis in London to have “clear the air” talks with the Watford striker and other Super Eagles players.

Dennis was included in Augustine Eguavoen’s squad for the recent Africa Cup of Nations, but ended not traveling to Cameroon over a dispute between the Premier League club and the NFF with regards to call-up protocols.

The 24-year-old only has three caps for his country and didn’t feature in former manager Gernot Rohr’s plans, however, Eguavoen is keen to call on him for the World Cup qualifying double-header against Ghana on March 24 and 27.

Hornets team-mates William Troost-Ekong, Samuel Kalu and Peter Etebo were also present at the meeting, which was attended by NFF president Amaju Pinnick, who is determined to see the West Africans go to the World Cup finals in Qatar.

“In furtherance to my tweets regarding our plans to ensure we qualify for this year’s @FIFAWorldCup in Qatar, we’ve held a series of meetings in London with our Super Eagles players. It was me, the team secretary, the coach & technical adviser of the team,” Pinnick wrote on Twitter.

“The Ministry of Youth & Sports Development, led by the Honourable Minister, @SundayDareSD also had a zoom meeting with over 30 players of the Super Eagles squad. Aside (from) the chance to introduce the new members of the coaching crew to the team, it was also a chance to have “clear the air” talks.

“And I’m so proud of the committment [sic] and zeal I’m seeing and getting from the team. From players like Etebo, Kelechi [Iheanacho], Troost & new lad, [Ademola] Lookman, the message was & is clear; we will play at the World Cup and give a good account of ourselves.

“We are not going to Qatar to make up the numbers. We are going to give it our best shot. I’d like to, again, thank the Honourable Minister, @SundayDareSD. It might sound like a broken record at this point, but his support is truly massive.

“From ensuring we get the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja, to joining in the zoom call with over 30 members of the National Team, his energy is truly infectious. Again. Make no mistake. World Cup qualification is non-negotiable. We are putting all of our efforts on getting the ticket.”