SOME football stakeholders have tasked the Nigeria Football Federation to release the details contained in the contract of newly appointed Super Eagles coach, George Finidi, following his appointment on Monday.
The NFF Board approved the appointment of the former Ajax and Betis player following the recommendation of its Technical and Development Committee to hand over the reins to the 52-year-old.
However, details about Finidi’s contract have become a subject of discussion among a lot of football faithful.
The football governing body in a statement released on Monday which announced the appointment of the Enyimba gaffer did not specify the coach’s contract period or salaries.
“The Board of Nigeria Football Federation on Monday approved the recommendation of its Technical and Development Committee to appoint the former ace winger Finidi George as head coach of the senior men national football team, Super Eagles,” the statement read in part.
“George, a member of the so-styled ‘Golden Generation’ that won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Tunisia and emerged as the second most entertaining team in Nigeria’s debut at the FIFA World Cup finals in USA the same year, won 62 caps for Nigeria, including featuring at the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cup finals.”
Following the federation’s failure to give the details about Finidi’s contract, some fans have however asked the NFF to do so.
Former Chairman of the Gombe State FA Shuaib Gara-Gombe slams the federation for refusing to disclose the coach’s contract details.
“The NFF has never been transparent and I am not surprised,” he told this newspaper.
“Anyone who expects them to release the details about Finidi’s contacts is just wasting his or her time because they won’t and l know the day they release his contract details it is going to be embarrassing to the coach himself because I know he can take anything.
“Nigerians are entitled to call out on the NFF to give the details of the contract because they did the same with (Jose Peseiro) but is there anything that Nigerians are entitled to that they get from the NFF?”
Former Flying Eagles coach, John Obuh, also tasked the NFF to be transparent with the contract given to Finidi.
“I believe the pressure from journalists will prompt the NFF to reveal Finidi’s contract details otherwise it’s going to be the same old story,” he told this newspaper.
“We know they went for an indigenous coach to reduce cost from what Peseiro and Rohr earned and now that we have reduced cost, we should know how much he (Finidi) is earning and the duration of the contract.
“Unless the right questions are asked we won’t know but Nigerians deserve to know.”
Atlanta ’96 Olympic gold medallist, Abiodun Obafemi, wondered why Finidi’s contract is shrouded in secrecy.
“Honestly, the NFF owes Nigerians explanations and gives full details about Finidi’s contract,” he added.
“The same treatment given to Peseiro and Rohr should be given to Finidi but I am not surprised. Telling Nigerians how much he is going to earn and how long he will be in charge should have been the first thing, this will also give confidence to get the job done and encourage indigenous coaches. Nothing should be done in secrecy.”