“I Was Treated Like A Dog”: Ex-Nigeria U-17 Striker Who Broke Leg On National Duty Accuses NFF President Of Assault, Abandonment
In an exclusive interview with SaharaReporters, Mbet narrated a chilling account of abandonment, heartbreak and alleged physical assault at the hands of those he once proudly played for.
A former Nigerian U-17 striker, Ibanga Mbetobong Samuel, popularly known as Mbet Samuel, has accused the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau, of ordering his personal security aides to assault him when he visited the federation’s office in November 2024 to seek help for a career-ending injury he sustained while playing for the country.
In an exclusive interview with SaharaReporters, Mbet narrated a chilling account of abandonment, heartbreak and alleged physical assault at the hands of those he once proudly played for.
“I am a former Nigeria under-17 striker, having played and represented Nigeria in the CAF/Rwanda 2011 African Cup of Nations qualifiers against the Republic of Congo in Pointe Noire, Congo,” he said.
“I was injured on my knee en route to the qualifiers. They knew I was injured, but I kept playing. But after our loss to the Republic of Congo away match, I was dropped without treatment and that led to the end of my career.”
Mbet said he returned to Kwara Football Academy, where he had been on full scholarship under the Kwara State Government. But the damage was already done.
“There, I was sidelined for 1 year and two months before undergoing a knee operation at the University College Hospital, Ibadan.
“During the course of the operation, I was diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis disease, which has no medical cure. I was told by the surgeon, Prof. Temitope Alonge, that my football career was over because I had only five years left to play football,” he said.
He said the abrupt end of his promising career plunged him into despair and poverty.
“I had to return to Cross River State where I live with my widowed mother and younger sister in a one-room apartment, as my father died in 2005,” he said.
“The level of heartbreak and the end of my career at a very young age caused me a lot. I almost committed suicide, but Jesus saved my life. I lost my scholarship in Kwara Academy.”
Seeking some form of support, Mbet said he decided to visit the NFF headquarters in November 2024 to explain his situation to the federation’s leadership. But instead of empathy, he claimed, he met cruelty.
“I met with the current NFF President, Ibrahim Gusau, and he told me that the government did not give them any money to treat any footballer — not even the Super Eagles, or Flying Eagles, or the Super Falcons. Then how much more me that played for the Nigeria under-17?” he said.
“Then I said: ‘Sir, but my career ended playing for Nigeria’.”
According to him, the was when the encounter turned ugly.
“This was what seemed to pain him. He was vexed. This man treated me like a dog. He asked his personal security to assault me by pushing me away, and I almost fell. He didn’t even care if my leg was hurting me,” Mbet narrated.
“After that, he ordered the other security men at the gate to take me out.”
Mbet told SaharaReporters that he is not asking for millions or luxury but simply compassion and recognition for his sacrifice.
“My demand is not even about money, but at least NFF should show a little empathy for my condition. I lost my career while playing for this country, and I did not deserve to be treated like an animal the way the NFF President treated me,” he said.
“His actions to me show a sign of oppression and lack of care to players like me who sacrificed while playing for the country. They have no plans for us.”
As of press time, the NFF has not responded to these allegations. Efforts to reach Ademola Olajire, the NFF’s Director of Communications, for a comment were unsuccessful. He did not answer repeated calls or respond to the follow-up messages.
