The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has refuted claims circulating on social media that the football-governing body is indebted to former Nigeria captain and coach, ‘Chairman’ Christian Chukwu, who passed away on Saturday.
Responding to a social media post alleging that the NFF owed the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations-winning team captain the sum of $128,000, NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, stated:
“There is no record in the NFF of any outstanding indebtedness to ‘Chairman’ Christian Chukwu.
“During the first tenure of the Board headed by Mr. Amaju Pinnick, a committee was established to thoroughly review the files of coaches who were being owed, even from previous NFF administrations.
“That committee was given a clear mandate to verify all debts and ensure that affected coaches were paid promptly. I am aware that ‘Chairman’ was in the employ of the NFF between 2002 and 2005, before he was relieved of his position following the 1-1 draw with Angola in a FIFA World Cup qualifying match in Kano in August 2005. There is certainly no record of any debt owed to him by the NFF.
Sanusi further challenged anyone with genuine and verifiable documents showing that the NFF owes any coach who has worked with the national teams over the past two decades to come forward.
“As a credible organization that is fully committed to its responsibilities, if we are presented with any authentic documentation of debt owed to any coach, we will settle it without delay.”
(Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe)
