NFF admits to owing National Team coaches
The Nigerian Football Federation has owned up to owing its coaches across various levels in an interview between spokesman Ademola Olajire and BBC Sport Africa.
Rumours have flown round in recent months about the huge sums of money owed to Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro by the NFF, as well as sums owed to Super Falcons coach Randy Waldrum, but neither man has come out to openly complain about the situation.
In an interview with NFF Director of Communications Olajire, it was revealed that the Federation is cash-strapped, causing it to be in debt as it is unable to pay its workers.
“The NFF has been facing huge financial challenges and there is an ongoing effort to resolve all the issues relating to unpaid wages,” Ademola Olajire told BBC Sport Africa.
“It is unfortunately not something to be proud of and the new board of the federation is working hard to resolve the problems.”
New NFF President Ibrahim Gusau is working assiduously to raise funds to clear the debts, most of which were incurred by his predecessor, Amaju Pinnick.
Gusau has tried to find sponsors who are willing to take on the debt, which amounts to hundreds of thousands of dollars, while the country partly funds the federation.
It was noticed that UK-based business Tingo has taken over the sponsorship of the annual Federation Cup, sparking rumours of a general sponsorship for the NFF.
With multiple coaches and players owed competition fees, camp bonuses and match bonuses, the NFF is working hard to secure funding and offset their debts.
