ABUJA: Nigeria`s football rulers on Sunday sacked three of its top executives following the team`s poor showing at the World Cup and appealed to the country`s leader to reverse his international ban on the squad.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) said it had resolved at an emergency weekend meeting to dismiss president Sani Lulu Abdullahi, a vice-president Amanze Uchegbulam and executive committee member Taiwo Ogunjobi.

Traditional African powerhouse Nigeria finished bottom of their group in South Africa with just one point from three matches.

The remaining nine NFF executive members tendered "an unreserved apology" for the poor performance of the national team in South Africa.

They also resolved to "address the maladministration" of Nigerian football and appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to reconsider his decision to ban the national team from international competition for two years.

FIFA has given Nigeria an ultimatum to reverse its decision by Monday 1600GMT or the country`s federation faces a suspension.

BDST: 1403hrs, July 5, 2010