The Nation Newspaper

Tag: contract

  • Adidas terminates NFF contract

    Adidas terminates NFF contract

    One of the world’s biggest sports kit makers, Adidas Group, will end its partnership with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) this year, supersport.com can report.

    The contract between Adidas and the NFF runs out this year and the former has stated that it will not renew its relationship with the football federation.

    “I can confirm that Adidas has decided not to renew the contract with the NFF and we wish them all the best for the future,” Public Relations Manager, Adidas SA, Gugu Ntuli, told supersport.com on Friday.

    However, supersport.com can also confirm that a letter dated August 12, 2014 signed by Adidas Vice President, Global Sports Marketing Football, Claus-Peter Mayer and Marketing Manager Federations and Leagues, Kai-Philipp Stief and addressed to the NFF, stated it will not extend the existing contract once it elapses on the last day of December.

    “Adidas has conducted an analysis of its football partnership and related business. Based on this evaluation and in combination with the recent correspondence between the parties we regret to inform you that Adidas has decided not to extend its current partnership with the Nigeria Football Federation as per the end of the agreement (i.e. 31 December 2014),” Adidas informed in its letter.

    Adidas, however assured the NFF of its faithfulness to serve off the terms of existing contract.

    “Adidas will continue to fulfill its obligations under the agreement as previously communicated and respectfully request the Nigeria Football Federation to do the same for the remainder of the contract period (including the obligation to share any third party offer pursuant to Adidas’ right of first refusal),” the sports kit manufacturing organisation stated.

  • Keshi’s contract talk heading for the rocks

    Keshi’s contract talk heading for the rocks

    • As NFF eyes Jonathan’s intervention 

    In as much as Super Eagles Chief Coach, Stephen Keshi has agreed to continue to coach the senior national football team, the major impediment to signing a new contract remains the monthly wages he is requesting for and such amount presently put at N15 million may not see the light of the day after all.

    A top source from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) revealed to SportingLife in Abuja yesterday that there is no way the Federation will be able to pay more than the N5million they have been insisting on to pay the former Green Eagles defender.

    As a result of this the source disclosed that they had already put machinery in motion for plan B in other not to caught unawares in case Keshi decides not to take up the job again. The source also added that unless the Federal Government through the National Sports Commission could come to the aid of the NFF to pay the bills of the coach, an agreement might not be reached by both parties at the end of the day.

    “As the situation is presently concerning the contract of Coach Stephen Keshi, I would say the ball is in Keshi’s court for us at the NFF to seal his contract once and for all. What people failed to understand is the fact that we labored hard to pay him the N5 million monthly salary we were paying during his first stint with the Eagles as the Chief Coach.

    “So, to tell us now to either double or triple Keshi’s monthly salary in the proposed new contract is like a proverbial camel to pass through the eye of the needle. It is absolutely difficult and I don’t see it as a possibility for now.

    “The only miracle that I believe could happen to rescue this situation is for our sports loving President Goodluck Jonathan to come to our aid by assisting the Federation in the payment of the Coach’s emoluments. Anything besides that I would say is a ruse. But in the alternative if the Coach agrees with our proposal then the contract will be instantly signed and work will begin.

    “This time around what we are guiding against is owing Keshi and other coaches their salaries. We want a situation where their salaries will be paid and get alerts as at when due every month,” the source SportingLife.

    The NFF influential member also said that this time around Keshi must be deeply involved in grass-root football and football development in the country is a primary assignment that the coach must ensure it is done in other to produce and prepare enough young and talented football stars for the nation.

    “All these will be duly discussed with Keshi and also be enshrined in the contract we will sign with him when we later agree on every areas of the contract,” the source summed up.

  • Lodz contract termination: Polish Federation backs Okachi

    Lodz contract termination: Polish Federation backs Okachi

    The Chamber for Dispute Resolution Sports of the Polish Federation has ruled in favour of Nigerian midfielder Princewill Okachi, authorizing him to cancel his contract with relegated Widzew Lodz.

    According to FIFA rules, a player can unilaterally terminate his contract with his employer if he is being owed wages for three consecutive months, and the position of the Polish Federation is not different from that of the governing body of football.

    Okachi resumed pre-season training late at Widzew Lodz,with the club claiming that the offense had earlier been repeated in the past.

    Thus, the 23 – year – old was ordered to undergo individual training, while he waited for a decision from the Federation.

    The former FC Midtjylland player appeared 83 times for Widzew Lodz in the topflight scoring 3 goals.

    His contract with the club was due to run out at the end of this season.

  • ‘Chibuke deserves new contract’

    ‘Chibuke deserves new contract’

    Mikko Perälä, the agent of Francis Chibuike, is delighted that Finland’s topflight team KuPS have extended the contract of the striker until the end of the 2014 season.

    The former Midtjylland Academy player arrived for a second stint in Scandinavia last May, penning a short-team agreement which ran out on July 31.

    The five-time Veikkausliiga champions have not ruled out the option of offering the 21-year-old fresh terms at the end of this year, having inserted a clause that permits the club to prolong his stay for at least one more season.

    ”His contract was extended because he has shown good form on the pitch and he is still young.

    “Strikers with good speed and mentally strong character are always hard to find,” says Mikko Perälä to SL10.ng.

    ”He signed until end of the season. Then the club’s option for the next two contracts, one year at a time.”

    The CEO of TopSpot went on to talk about the latest regarding the physical condition of Francis Chibuike, who had to be substituted after 24 minutes in Sunday’s game against RoPS after suffering a knock.

    ”He played a bit in the last match but was forced out in the first half. I don’t know when he’ll be fully fit. Maybe in a couple of weeks.”

    The KuPS number 30 has found the back of the net 3 times in 13 matches.

  • Contract extension: NFF gets Keshi’s riot acts

    Contract extension: NFF gets Keshi’s riot acts

    • Big Boss says not business as usual
    • Eagles coach won’t pay for assistants again
    • Glasshouse chiefs prepare letter of intent for him

    Coach Stephen Keshi has told AfricanFootball.com he wishes to finish what he has started and so his desire to extend his contract with Nigeria.

    The Africa Cup of Nations-winning coach speaking from his base in the USA told AfricanFootball.com: “Yes, I met with Deji Tinubu in Lagos before heading out for the US to see my family.

    “It’s my country, I am ready to serve. I have started something I would love to finish.”

    However, Big Boss quickly added the working conditions for his new deal have to be better than what he had previously.

    “But I cannot work the way I worked last time, it’s not possible! All my staff, no!no!!no!! We have to be professional, everybody has to do what they are supposed to do,” he told AfricanFootball.com.

    “I cannot be paying another staff salary, when I am not the Nigeria Football Federation. We will see how it goes. If the conditions are met, we will be there, no wahala.”

    In the meantime, the NFF have disclosed to Africanfootball.com they will forward a letter of intent for contract renewal this week to Keshi.

    Head of a three-man committee for Keshi’s contract renewal, Deji Tinubu, who discussed with Keshi last week in Lagos, said: “We have made tremendous progress.

    “We will first send a letter of our intent for a renewal of his contract and expect a reply from him as quickly as possible.

    “This would allow us to start working on the terms of contract. We would have our terms and we know he would have his terms, but we would be working in such a way that we would arrive at an agreeable term that would suit both parties and then hopefully he signs.

    “We can’t put a time limit on this, but we hope we are done with it as quick as possible considering that we have a game in September.”

  • Makinwa signs one year contract with ND Gorica

    Makinwa signs one year contract with ND Gorica

    Nigeria international Stephen Makinwa will be playing for Slovenian side ND Gorica this coming season, Nigeria Federation licensed agent Akinola Makinwa has told allnigeriasoccer.com.

    The experienced attacker has been without a club for the past five months after his acrimonious departure from Beijing Baxy, China.

    “Stephen prefers to stay close to his family now, and that is why he chose to sign for ND Gorica.

    “He has signed a one – year contract with the club but he hopes to be there as long as they want to keep him,” Akinola, who is legally permitted by governing body of football, Fifa, to represent his brother, told allnigeriasoccer.com.

    A product of famous grassroots team FC Ebedei, Stephen Makinwa was a household name in Italy with Atalanta and Palermo which earned him a move to Lazio in 2006.

    He has also sported the jerseys of Como, Reggiana, Genoa and Modena amongst others.

    The 31 – year – old joins compatriot Marshal Johnson at the four – time Slovenian champions.

  • Ogu to terminate Academica contract

    Nigerian midfielder John Ogu has revealed that he will terminate his contract with his Portuguese club Academica Coimbra after he was informed he was surplus to requirement.

    Ogu, who is currently training on his own in Lisbon, also regretted the new coach’s  decision to sanction him for resuming late despite informing the club officials for his lateness

    “There’s no point staying with a team that doesn’t need me,” he told SportingLife from Lisbon.

    “It is better I end it with them since I’m not wanted anymore. My lawyers will be writing them in a couple of hours from now to terminate my contract with Academica,” the Nigerian international revealed.

    When quizzed on where his future lies, the former Uniao de Lieria player added that he is hopeful of joining a new team that will respect him better.

    “I’m hopeful of a new team by God’s grace.”

    Ogu played only seven games in the past season compared to the 20 games he featured in the 2012/2013 season.

    He scored his first international goal in his second start for the senior national team against Mexico in a friendly game which took place at the Reliant Stadium in Houston.

  • Double contract: Abwo faces ban in Poland

    Double contract: Abwo faces ban in Poland

    Former Flying  Eagles midfielder David Abwo is in hot water with his Polish fourth division club, LZS Piotrówka, who have threatened to take him to court for not honoring contractual obligations.

    Despite having an existing contract with LZS Piotrówka, Abwo sensationally turned up in Turkey this week to pen a two – year deal with I Lig newcomers Giresunspor.

    Przegladsportowy.pl is reporting that Abwo had no choice but to sign for the Polish basement side as he wanted to extend and legalize his stay in the Eastern European country after his contract with Zaglebie Lubin was not extended following their demotion.

    Now, without telling his new employer, he suddenly flew to Turkey to pen a deal with 2 Lig champions Giresunspor.

    “We managed to get all the papers allowing Abwo remain in Poland. The player signed an agreement with Piotrówka.

    “He then flew to Turkey without our permission. If necessary, we do not rule out legal consequences,” Ireneusz Strychacz, the president of LZS Piotrówka, said.

    Abwo was rated among the top ten players in Poland in the early part of the second half of the season, after scoring four goals in three consecutive games between February and March.

  • Sheyi Ojo signs pro contract with Liverpool

    Sheyi Ojo signs pro contract with Liverpool

    Liverpool youngster Sheyi Ojo has signed his first professional contract at the club, according to Sky Sports News.

    The former MK Dons junior is tipped for big things at Liverpool and turned 17 last month.

    Along with Ojo, Reds U-18 teammate Jordan Williams also signed a new contract.

    Williams made a senior debut for Liverpool at the end of last season in the friendly win over Shamrock Rovers.

    Ojo’s sensational move to Liverpool occurred back in 2011, when the young England U-17 international was aged just 14. However even that didn’t prevent the Reds from spending an incredible £2m on the player.

    Ahead of his move to the five-time European champions, he attracted plenty of interest from an abundant number of clubs, due to him making incredible strides at his boyhood club MK Dons.

    Ojo regularly featured for the Dons’s U-18 team, and even trained with the club’s first team on numerous occasions.

    Ojo’s main strengths are his lightning pace and dazzling skills, that enable him to go past any defender on his day.

    At his best he’s a joy to watch as he is capable of scoring goals from long distance, recently showcasing that side of his game netting a scorcher against West Brom. Ojo is also well renowned for his magnificent technique and composure on the ball allowing him to pull off skills with ease.

  • Adidas suspend Nigeria contract

    Adidas suspend Nigeria contract

    Nigeria kit sponsors adidas have put on hold their contract with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) after a row, which could well force FIFA to ban the country this week.

    A top source told AfricanFootball.com: “adidas have asked that Nigeria stop wearing their brand with immediate effect after what they described as an embarrassment on account of the latest impasse involving the country’s football.”

    FIFA are set to ban Nigeria should the country’s government insist on sticking with a decision to appoint a sole administrator after a court in Jos reportedly sacked NFF president Aminu Maigari, his executive committee and the NFF congress.

    The world football governing body have handed Nigeria a Tuesday deadline to revert to status quo, stating that this is a direct interference by government on the country’s football.

    German kit manufacturers adidas have been kitting the country’s various national teams since the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia, which Nigeria won.

    It is understood that several of the country’s sponsors are also considering going the way of adidas until the vexed matter is resolved.