Between the NFF and Siasia: 6 things you should know…

Samson Siasia's mother has been released by her abductors | YNaija.com

Nigeria’s U-23 team returned from the 2016 Rio Olympics with a bronze medal, the only medal Nigeria was able to clinch at the games but since their arrival, controversies have trailed the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) as regards their failure to pay up Coach Samson Siasia who led the boys to Rio. Over the last few days, there’s been a blame game between the NFF and Coach Siasia. Here’s 6 things you should know to help you understand the feud:

  1. Samson Siasia has accused the NFF of owing him five months salaries. Though his contract expired at the end of the Olympics, Siasia says the NFF is unappreciative of the team’s efforts at the games. According to him, “the team, coaching and backroom staff are yet to receive a “thank you” message for the turbulent and incredible campaign in Brazil.” It would be recalled that in July, former coach of the team, Sunday Oliseh also left the NFF after a row with the authorities over unpaid salaries. This drama is repeating itself with Coach Siasia but the NFF is yet to officially respond to the accusations.
  2. An unnamed official at the NFF has referred to Coach Siasia as an ingrate and the ultimate architect of the team’s failure to qualify for AFCON. After Siasia’s public accusations, this anonymous official has told newsmen that the NFF has its own side to the story. In the interview, the official stated “we have facts to show he was involved in some dealings that led to our failures at tournaments…he should not forget that our recent spate of failure to qualify for the African Cup of Nations was started by him.”
  3. Former Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Sports, Godfrey Gaiya has blamed the NFF’s actions on the inability of the body’s chairman, Amaju Pinnick to successfully manage the national teams. He stated that there has been a trend of coaches resigning after winning games and this means a bad omen for the sports body that they should pay attention to. Gaiya also accused the leaders of the NFF of insincerity and lack of focus.
  4. The NFF is able to end Samson Siasia’s coaching career if he does not shut up. According to this NFF official who did not reveal his identity, the body has endured Siasia’s excesses and is ready to shame him if he continues to rant. In his words: “we have received more petitions about Siasia than any other coach.”
  5. The NFF spent millions of naira on hosting FIFA President, Gianni Infantino while players and coaches are deprived of their financial rewards. This allegation was made by Godfrey Gaiya while speaking with newsmen. “I don’t see how we can host Infantino and his entourage in a 5-star hotel, yet our players are playing in penury.” He describes it as a misplacement of priority and unacceptable.
  6. The NFF might be unsatisfied with the bronze medal the team earned at the Olympics. According to NFF’s unnamed official, “a team that should have won gold, Siasia selected players based on favouritism, he wants us to celebrate bronze with him, we are wiser than that.” While the NFF has not made an official statement, their official has said so much already.

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

cool good eh love2 cute confused notgood numb disgusting fail