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By Amaechi Agbo

Assistant coaches of the Super Eagles have been working without signing contracts and monthly pay since they were “engaged” by the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF since they were appointed into the team in May last year www.bestchoicesports.com.ng can report.

This revelation came to the limelight following the exclusion of two indigenous coaches, Findi George and Ike Shorounmu with the team in the camp in Abuja as they prepare for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations AFCON qualifying double header against Guinea Bissau

Ike Shorounmu who confirmed the development said himself and his colleagues have not earned a dime as salary since their appointment adding that the NFF has been dilly-dallying in giving them appointment letters

“All we get is promises and to sleep and eat hotel food. When we went to Algeria for a game we insisted that we should be given contract to sign, they said that would be done when we get back home.

“Since then, we have literally not returned from Algeria. This contract thing dates back to before the NFF election in Benin last year. They said it would be sorted out after the election in Benin. Since after the election what we hear is the same story. Things are not done that way.

“We are not paid salaries, no allowances, no contract. What kind of job is that,” Shorunmu queried.

However the federation in a statement claimed that the issue involving the two coaches are quite different as Findi George was “excluded” from the team as part of measures to “cut cost” while the goalkeeper trainer showed no enthusiasm to be in camp

“As part of cost-cutting measures instituted at the beginning of the new administration, we established a rotation policy among the assistant coaches, based on the high number, which was agreed with all of them.

“The last time that the team had a programme, Mr. Finidi George was the person who travelled for the friendly match in Portugal. This rotation policy is only for matches. When there is a tournament, all of them will be with the team.

“The case of goalkeepers’ trainer, Ike Shorounmu is somewhat peculiar, as the former Nigeria goalkeeper showed a clear lack of desire to be in camp for the matches against Guinea Bissau.

We do not want to go into any details because we have the utmost respect for all our ex-internationals, including Mr. Shorounmu. It was only when we got the clear signal that he was unwilling to come, and the Head Coach was in a quandary, that he (Coach Peseiro) requested for the services of Olatunji Baruwa, who he had seen at work during the U20 AFCON in Egypt, to help do the work of training the goalkeepers.

“We agree there are a number of challenges concerning contracts of coaches of National Teams that we need to speedily resolve. The NFF is working on these and the issues will soon be in the past,” the statement read

Nigeria will take on Guinea in the first leg if the 2023 AFCON qualifier on Friday at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja by 5m. The return leg will hold at the Estadio 24 de Setembro in Bissau on Monday, 27th March, also starting from 5pm.