•Begs for payment of his, other coaches outstanding salaries
Former Super Eagles captain and coach of same team, Austin Eguavoen has beckoned on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to put their house in order and strive to correct the flaws that make successive coaches of the national teams to complain for the growth of football in the country.
Eguavoen, who was reacting to the resignation of ex- Eagles boss, Sunday Oliseh regretted the inability of the former Borussia Dortmund midfielder to steer the team till the end of the 2017 AFCON qualifiers but warned that the NFF must correct what makes coaches to complain during preparation for major competitions.
Despite the managerial change in the Eagles, Eguavoen exuded confidence that Nigeria will beat Egypt in Kaduna because the senior national team has been known to rise up to the occasion during big matches.
Eguavoen told SportingLife in a brief chat: “It is a pity that Oliseh had to resign. He has his reasons because every mature person has a choice. But for me I thought he would have stayed back to see the AFCON qualifiers through and if we qualify or otherwise so be it. He has done his bit and he can move on. He has his own reasons maybe it was money problem only God knows. I am not saying Oliseh was at fault and neither have I said the NFF too.
“For the Egypt game in Nigeria, it is a game we can win convincingly but the approach to that game must be very businesslike. For instance Ikeme has been doing very well as a good goalkeeper but back up I am not comfortable. If Enyeama were still around it would have been fine. I am not trying to draw a team list. We have a team that can beat Egypt if the approach is right.
“I will point a little finger at the NFF. The coaches are always complaining about things not properly taken care of, especially money-wise. If we have financial problem the NFF president should speak out because you want to keep your position does not mean that some principle actors have to suffer.”
On the appointment of Siasia Eguavoen told SportingLife: “Congratulations to Siasia and we will support him and also wish him well. But remember that when he spoke out that his team was suffering when they went to Senegal what did he get? He got a query and also a serious warning and was even at the verge of losing his job because he spoke out. God was with us in Senegal because the boys fought for their lives and we were the African champions and we came back everyone is happy. The same Siasia has been drafted into the Super Eagles. If he cries out tomorrow again of neglect by the NFF, what also happens? Two individuals are not the same. Oliseh has his own style and I have my own style too and as well as other past national team coaches with their own style and their way of operating in life.
If something goes wrong and Siasia stays back doesn’t mean I am weak and he is stronger, it is the way we approach things. The NFF should sit up and do their own thing so that they can confidently say that they have put everything in place and that it is up to the coaches and players to go do their job. NFF should not let any complain come from anywhere and I so much believe that Nigeria will beat Egypt (here at home)and people will be very shocked but right there in Cairo that I don’t know. I am certain that Nigeria always rise up to big games.”
Nonetheless, Eguavoen has beckoned on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to pay him and other coaches owed salaries for handling the national teams many years ago after their entreaties and appeals have not been honoured.
“I want to beg the NFF to pay us our salaries. It has been too long and it is the reason why I said I don’t want to speak about the NFF because anytime I do, I get upset. They always complain of lack of money but they are paying everybody. I have spoken to past presidents and present president of the NFF and nobody has come out to say anything. To serve Nigeria is it a crime? When somebody works please pay them. I am not the only one, Alloy Agu, Ben Iroha and I are also appealing on behalf of other coaches that are owed by them that they should pay them up,” he said.
