The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has now issued an official statement after reports suggested superstar striker Victor Osimhen was facing a major ban.
Rumours of a potential suspension emerged after the Napoli striker took to social media to respond to ex-Super Eagles boss Finidi George, who at the time was claimed to have criticised the forward for being unavailable to participate in the side's most recent round of 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
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Osimhen, while on an Instagram live stream, could not contain his emotions and launched a verbal attack on the former Nigeria boss, emphasising that he had picked up an injury during Gli Azzurri's final match of the season.
He also insisted that he had suggested that he still attend the camp, saying that George refused the idea and instead asked him to stay put and recover.
However, it has since been claimed that the words from George that Osimhen had responded to were from a false report, leaving the 25-year-old with egg on his face.
Despite reports stating that he would be punished for his outburst, though, NFF general secretary Dr Mohammed Sanusi has now confirmed that no action has been taken against the player.
"The NFF hereby implores the media to join hands with the federation to positively resolve issues and then focus on the big picture all the time, rather than needlessly escalate certain matters," he said in a statement, per THISDAYLIVE.
"There was no official communication from the NFF, yet some persons have gone to town to talk about a ban on Osimhen from the national team. This is not good at all.
"Our focus presently is to resolve all matters around the Super Eagles and be able to look ahead with confidence to the 2025 AFCON qualifiers and the remaining six matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification series.
"This is not the time to spread falsehood and foul the public space the more."
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George is believed to have handed in his resignation after drawing with South Africa and suffering a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Benin earlier this month, which led to the NFF's reported decision to appoint a technical director that would oversee him.
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