This was confirmed by Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, President of the NFF, who claimed that some outstanding salaries to national team coaches were paid using funds from the NFF's affiliate international bodies
Jose Peseiro, the Head Coach of Nigerian football team, Super Eagles, has been paid $210,000 (about N156,400,000), being three of the 10 months’ salary owed him by the Nigeria Football Federation, Complete Sports has reported.
This was confirmed by Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, President of the NFF, who claimed that some outstanding salaries to national team coaches were paid using funds from the NFF's affiliate international bodies.
It was learned that Peseiro had not been paid any salary since he was hired by the NFF's Amaju Pinnick-led Executive Board in May 2022.
The Portuguese was hired after the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Chief Sunday Dare, promised that the Federal Government would pick a foreign coach after the Austin Eguavoen-led technical team failed to qualify Nigeria for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The NFF boss, on the other hand, denied the viral report that Peseiro's salary had not been paid all along because the NFF insisted on the salary being paid first into the NFF's account before the coach could be paid.
“There is no truth in that publication because the sports ministry did not at any time ask the NFF to furnish it with Peseiro’s account details. Why will we do such? The coach is aware of the true situation and it is contrary to that report,” Gusau explained.
“When I assumed office as President of the NFF, I demanded to see Peseiro’s contract and the approval by the Federal Government agreeing to pay the coach’s salary. But to my utter dismay, there was no approval. I was made to understand that the approval was verbal.
“This also surprised the sports minister who asked us to write to get the approval, this we did since last year. We are still waiting for the approval and subsequent payment of the salary of the Super Eagles’ coach.
“Whoever published that story – that the NFF refused to furnish the Ministry with Peseiro’s account details is a liar who does not mean well for football in Nigeria, ” Gusau who assumed office in September 2022 stated.
On bonuses and allowances owed to various national teams, particularly the Super Eagles, the NFF President stated that everything will be resolved soon, adding that he has paid some allowances.
“The bills owed by the NFF are huge and we are working hard to offset them soon,” Gusau added.