Match-fixing allegation against Nigeria is propaganda – Omidiran

The former sports administrator said she believed Nigeria would progress beyond the group stage of Brazil 2014.

The Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Sports, Ayo Omidiran, Thursday, called the match fixing allegations against Nigeria “propaganda by opponents to cause distractions during the World Cup in Brazil.”

Speaking to PREMIUM TIMES in Abuja, the former coordinator of the female national team, Super Falcons, said the allegations were a plot to distract the players and paint the nation black in the face of the world.

“It’s just propaganda and I think our opponent just want to lower the morale of our players and paint us in bad light. You know, it’s all part of the under-hand games that some people play to make sure that they weaken their opponents,” she said.

She said Nigerians do not believe in the allegations made that some of Nigeria’s previous matches, particularly prior to the 2010 World Cup, were fixed.

“Looking at Nigerians, such things don’t bother us. We know that we do not fix matches. We know that we always play to win and no matter what story they tell, nobody is taking them (the propagators of the match-fixing claim) seriously around here.
“It’s only for their own people to find a way to make us look bad in the eyes the rest of the world.

“They are only saying all that in their own backyard. The players should face the job at hand. Nobody should mind the stories and what they are saying. We should only play to win as usual.”

Ms. Omidiran exonerated Nigeria and the Super Eagles on the alleged match fixing scandal.

“Once people watch our team, the way our players play, they will know without any doubt that we do not fix matches. Such things can never happen to us, no matter how many people are trying to investigate. Let them bring people to investigate; I know we will come out clean,” she boasted.

On the Super Eagles preparations for the World Cup, she said it did not matter that the team had drawn its two pre-World Cup friendlies.

She said the players were playing safe to avoid any injuries before the tournament starts.
“The fact that we draw doesn’t mean we cannot win. The draws are better than loses,” she said. “I know they are playing with caution to avoid injuries. Their names are already with FIFA and if they have injuries that will be the end of it all.”

The former sports administrator said she believed Nigeria would progress beyond the group stage of Brazil 2014.

“If I speak with my heart, I will say Nigeria will get to the final and if by my head, I will say that I am hoping that we at least get to the quarter finals.

“Our best at the World Cup was the second round but subsequently, we have been dropping at the group stage. This year, from the trend of what we have been seeing, we have the capacity to move beyond the second round.

“Our team has been together for some time now and there is no reason why we will not get out of the group stage,” she said.