‘ I think NFF should pay me ‘ – Veteran Nigerian coach Christian Chukwu laments over owed wages
Former Super Eagles coach, Christian Chukwu, has once again raised concerns about the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) not paying him his dues for nearly two decades since he left his coaching role.
During an interview with the AthleticNG on Monday, Chukwu highlighted various issues regarding the treatment of local coaches by the football governing body.
“I am still owed up till today. They still owe me till tomorrow. My files are there with the NFF. What can I do? There is nothing I can do to get them to pay me,” Chukwu expressed his frustration.
He emphasised that this problem is not just his alone, saying, “Not only me, but other indigenous coaches are being owed too. Some are late.”
Chukwu pointed out the disparity in treatment between Nigerian and foreign coaches. “They owe Nigerian coaches. They don’t owe foreign coaches. It is a problem because they know them,” he stated.
Reflecting on his service to the nation, Chukwu remarked, “If it is a price I think the nation should have paid me and not me paying the nation, for serving the nation and serving them well. I think I should be paid and not them owing me.”
Expressing hope for resolution, Chukwu mentioned, “It is my money lying down there for nothing, I will go and discuss everything with him (Gusau), and if he pays me that is wonderful.”
Chukwu’s illustrious career in Nigerian football includes captaining the national team to their first Africa Cup of Nations title in 1980 and leading Enugu Rangers to victory in the Africa Cup Winners Cup in 1977. He also served as assistant coach for the Golden Eaglets in their FIFA U-17 World Cup win in 1985 and the iconic 1994 Super Eagles team that qualified for Nigeria’s first FIFA World Cup finals.
