Fès (Morocco): The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has dismissed reports claiming that the duo of Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams have left the Super Eagles’ AFCON camp.
Speculation had emerged suggesting Adams was granted compassionate leave to be with his mother, who was allegedly hospitalised.
However, Promise Efoghe, the Super Eagles Media Officer, clarified the situation on Tuesday.
Efoghe said that Adams only briefly left the team hotel to see his parents in Fez and returned within an hour.
He stressed that Adams remained fully with the squad and was never granted permission to leave camp on compassionate grounds.
“Akor Adams did not leave camp permanently. He only stepped out briefly to see his parents, who live a few minutes away,” Efoghe said.
“He returned in less than an hour and rejoined the team before lunchtime. He is fully with the squad,” he added.
Efoghe also dismissed claims of a lingering rift between Osimhen and Ademola Lookman.
There were speculations suggesting Osimhen dropped his accreditation and threatened to quit the national team.
Efoghe explained that issues arising from an on-field argument during the match against Mozambique had been resolved internally.
“The primary reasons and aftermath of the on-field remonstration between two of our players during the game against Mozambique have been nipped internally,” he said.
“Kindly ignore all reports that suggest otherwise,” Efoghe told reporters.
He confirmed that the team would travel from Fez to Marrakech on Thursday ahead of Saturday’s quarter-final against the winners of the Round of 16 match between Algeria and DR Congo.
“A press parley will be held on Wednesday, with details to be communicated.
“A recovery session is about to commence at the Sardienne Complex, with 26 players training, while injured defender Ryan Alebiosu will continue his rehabilitation programme,” he said.
Nigeria defeated Mozambique 4–0 to secure a place in the AFCON quarter-finals on Monday.