Amokachi, NFF argue over bribes offered to coaches to invite players

Former Super Eagles star and erstwhile assistant coach Daniel Amokachi and the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) disagree over whether or not agents of Nigerian players offer money to local coaches of the senior national men team to get their players invited for international derbies.

Amokachi had narrated that agents of Nigerian players usually offer money to coaches of the senior national men’s team to get their players invited for international matches.

But NFF’s General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi denied such practices and said Amokachi should provide evidence of such.

Amokachi, who worked as an assistant to Stephen Keshi (2011-15), Shaibu Amodu (2008-10) and Austin Eguavoen (2005-2007), said all three bosses used to complain about the practice.

“Agents always come to give money for their players to be invited to camp,” said Amokachi.

“Every time Amodu would tell me: ‘Can you listen to these useless agents that are calling me? They want to give me US$10,000, $20,000 and $30,000 to bring their players in.

“But he’s a man of integrity and wouldn’t take it. I worked with Keshi and it was the same scenario. With Eguavoen, it was the same,” he explained.

Amokachi also pointed out that he’s not being quiet about this because someone had twisted the situation the other way round and has rather put the blame on coaches for the setbacks being faced by the national team.

“Someone accused me lately, (saying) ‘the reason Nigeria did not qualify is because all you coaches demand bribes.’

“You understand? I felt the pain.

“So if he is painting me as a bad egg among a few, then somebody like me cannot be quiet about it.

“Coaches will confirm people bring money but they will not say it.

“Players will confess, even assistant coaches will confirm this thing is going on, but the system does not allow you because a lot of us are hungry and afraid that ‘when I say this, I will never be near that office again.’” he stated.

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Meanwhile, the NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi has denied being aware of such practices as alleged by Amokachi, and has called on the former Super Eagles captain to furnish the Federation with more information so that it can be taken up.

“I think it is unfair to make such allegations and not mention the names of those involved,” Sanusi told BBC Sport.

“It would be fair if he mentions the names of those who have either approached him or approached some people to give them money. He should also mention people who he knew collected money.

“I think that will be the best way to go about it.

“I have not heard of this issue from any quarter and I can tell you that the NFF will not tolerate this kind of behaviour. If Amokachi has evidence of what he has said he should bring it forward and we will take it up,” he added.

 

 

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