Investigation : Coach Nduka Ugbade Behind Flying Eagles New Zealand Flop; Manu Garba Distances Himself From Bribery Allegations

A close ally to under  - fire Flying Eagles coach, Manu Garba, has dismissed suggestions that he received gratification from Saviour Godwin’s agent to include the FC Sports forward in his 21 - man roster for the World Cup at the expense of Alhassan Ibrahim.

And he has stressed that Manu Garba’s lieutenant, Nduka Ugbade, was behind Godwin joining the team after he was snubbed for the African Youth Championship.

“Nduka Ugbade brought Saviour to the team not Manu Garba, he asked him to come back and join them after he played for the Olympic Team in the Super 6,” the top source told allnigeriasoccer.com.

Kelechi Iheanacho dropped to the bench after the Flying Eagles opener against Brazil and there had been suggestions that Manu Garba took that decision after the Manchester City starlet refused to pay him a bribe.

“If you watched the game with Brazil, deep inside you, you will say the truth that Kelechi was a shadow of himself.

“We can not question the coaches for not playing Kelechi, Success and Musa Yahaya because they know these players more than any other person.

“It was coach Nduka that asked Manu Garba to remove the three players from the starting line-up after the Brazil game.

“The people making these false accusations are after their personal interest,”he concluded.

The Nigeria squad will land in Abuja tomorrow after departing New Zealand on Friday.

Photo Credit : mcfc.co.uk