By Amaechi Agbo
Barely a week after he called on his fellow Super Eagles players to boycott the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Sierra Leone due to Lekki killing of ENDSARS Protesters by the Nigerian army, John Ogu has tendered an apology over the comment.
Following the mass shooting and killing of peaceful demonstrators at the Lekki Gate in Lagos, Ogu had called for the team to boycott the matches so as to allow politicians who are killing the citizens to send their children to represent the country.
However, in a tweet on Wednesday, the midfielder said comment was out of anger and pain for #EndSARS protesters shot by soldiers at the Lekki toll gate plaza Tuesday las week.
Ogu had asked his teammates to boycott the game billed to hold on November 13 at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Edo with the reverse fixture in Freetown on 17, as a form of support for the #EndSARS movement.
“I want to sincerely apologise to Nigerians, the Nigerian Football Federation and the players of the Super Eagles, both past and present and even those dreaming to wear the green and white jersey that I wore with great pride and honour,” Ogu said,
“My comments about the Super Eagles boycotting the AFCON qualifiers, was said in the heat of the moment from a place of pain, frustration and anger for the shooting of harmless, flag-carrying and national anthem-singing Nigerians, at the Lekki toll gate. A national anthem and green and white flag that I have sand and carried all my life with joy and pride.
“I admit that I crossed the lines, by asking players to boycott the AFCON qualifiers. I have honoured all national team invitations with great joy and delight with a deep desire to be part of a team that hive joy to Nigerians and make them happy, football is the strongest unifying force in Nigeria.
“I wish that, my comments that were spoken out of anger and pain would not cause more division in our football and even at a time such as this that the nation needs to pull together.”
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