The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has refuted social media allegations that it was indebted to late former Super Eagles captain and coach, Christian Chukwu, who passed away on Saturday. The federation described the claim, which alleged a debt of $128,000 to the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations-winning skipper, as false and unfounded.
NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, stated that there was no record of any outstanding financial obligation to Chukwu within the federation. “During the first term of the Board headed by Mr Amaju Pinnick, a committee was set up to diligently peruse the papers of coaches who were being owed, even from previous NFF administrations,” Sanusi said.
He noted that Chukwu was employed by the NFF between 2002 and 2005, before being relieved of his post after a FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Angola in Kano. “There is certainly no record of indebtedness to him in the NFF,” Sanusi added.
Sanusi challenged anyone with authentic documents proving that the federation owes Chukwu or any other coach to present them. “As a credible organization that is very much alive to its responsibilities, if we are confronted with any genuine document of indebtedness to any coach, we will offset the debt immediately,” he said.
Meanwhile, attention shifts to the Round of 16 in the President Federation Cup, where a high-stakes encounter between former champions Bendel Insurance and Enugu Rangers headlines the fixtures. The clash is set to take place at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos, rekindling memories of their famous finals in 1978 and 1981.
In 1978, Insurance stunned Rangers with a 3-0 win in Lagos, while Rangers returned the favour three years later, securing a 2-0 victory. The latest chapter in their rivalry promises fireworks as both teams chase continental qualification.
In other fixtures, two-time CAF Champions League winners Enyimba FC will play Abakaliki FC at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba. Nasarawa United take on Bayelsa United in Anyigba, while Warri Wolves meet Wikki Tourists in Abuja.
Ikorodu City face Beyond Limits at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, which will also host Solution FC’s match against Kwara United. Plateau United go head-to-head with Osun United in Anyigba, while Akwa United tackle Inter Lagos in Abuja.
The matches to be played are as follows:
Enyimba FC vs Abakaliki FC – Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba – 4:00pm
Nasarawa United vs Bayelsa United – Anyigba – 10:00am
Warri Wolves vs Wikki Tourists – Area 3, Abuja – 1:00pm
Ikorodu City vs Beyond Limits – Benin City – 4:00pm
Akwa United vs Inter Lagos – Area 3, Abuja – 4:00pm
Solution FC vs Kwara United – Benin City – 10:00am
Plateau United vs Osun United – Anyigba – 1:00pm
Bendel Insurance vs Rangers Int’l – Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos – 4:00pm
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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