Posted by By Onochie Anibeze on
Nigeria Football Asso ciation has appealed to world football governing body to quash the yellow card issued Onyekachi Apam for fouling Moroccan attacker in the semi-final match of the on-going World Youth Soccer Championship going on in The Netherlands.
Nigeria Football Asso ciation has appealed to world football governing body to quash the yellow card issued Onyekachi Apam for fouling Moroccan attacker in the semi-final match of the on-going World Youth Soccer Championship going on in The Netherlands.
The card, the second Apam was getting after the group stages meant that he would not play in the final tomorrow.
After watching, repeatedly, the replay on video, it was clear the Moroccan dived without Apam making any contact with him. Nigeria's coach Samson Siasia discovered this while reviewing the match to find out where his players got things wrong and how to correct them before the next game. He promptly informed NFA and asked them to appeal immediately, attaching the video clip which is allowed by FIFA. This was done immediately.
Siasia told this reporter on phone that 'after watching the replay we had to appeal for them to cancel the yellow card because the Moroccan player feigned the foul. He took a dive. There was no contact before he fell. We have protested. I hope that our appeal is heard and granted so that Apam can play. If it's not granted, James can come in but he has an injury that is being treated right now."
NFA chairman Ibrahim Galadima said last night that they were still expecting a reply from FIFA.
But the good news is that the team doctor confirmed that James has recovered reasonably well and can play the final tomorrow.
Another boost for the NFA is that a new Adidas contract that is expected to be signed tomorrow morning has a bonus of $100,000 for the association if the Flying Eagles emerge world champions.
Mike Itemuagbor of Pamodzi who is behind the new contract said yesterday that the details of the contract will be made known after the signing ceremony.