You're Wrong On National Teams Performance Indicator, Payment To People With Expired Contract - NFF Replies Minister of Sports

You're Wrong On National Teams Performances, Payment To People With Expired Contract- NFF Replies Minster of Sports

By Niyi Busari

The Nigeria Football Federation has stated that the country's football is moving in right direction as against the opinion of minister of youth and sports development, Mr Sunday Dare and many Nigerians, BSNSports.com.ng can report.

The minister had on Monday raised eyebrow on the poor performance of the national teams in their recent outings and demanded a written explanation as to the exit of national teams in four different tournaments.

In a statement by the federation on Tuesday, the NFF faulted Sunday Dare's assessment generalising the national teams performances as failure saying the failed national teams are age grade which are meant for developmental processes.

NFF president, Amaju Pinnick explained that the best performance indicator for any country in international football is the senior national team. He added that the performance of Super Eagles which should used as yardstick has been excellent.

The NFF in press release made available to www.bsnsports.com.ng reads in part:

"Pinnick also stated that the best performance indicator for any country in international football is the A team, in this case Super Eagles, which in recent times drew with five –time world champions Brazil and Ukraine in friendlies, and defeated Benin Republic and Lesotho in 2021 AFCON qualifying matches. These, after finishing third at the first –ever 24 –team AFCON in Egypt this year summer."

*Moreover, the statement continued, "A high number of the players in the present Super Eagles squad passed through the various developmental teams, showing that Nigeria is moving in the right direction."

Meanwhile, Sunday Dare during the meeting with the NFF chieftains on Monday demanded for the nominal roll of the NFF because the federation was alleged to be paying people with expired contracts.

In a statement signed by the Media Office of the Minister of Youth and Sports Development reads:

"The Minister also demanded for the nominal roll of the NFF as it was revealed that the federation has continued to pay some people with expired contracts. He (Sunday Dare) said the Ministry’s concern goes beyond the dismal performance but is also about the domestic league."

While NFF response states thus:

"On the issue of the nominal roll, which has also been submitted, the NFF clarified that there is no person on its payroll whose contract has expired, and that every individual on the nominal roll has specified schedule of duty as prescribed by the Federal Civil Service or in line with his/her contract.

It is yet to be seen whether the minister or the NFF is right on the payment to people with expired contracts.