In a bid to address the long-standing issue of payment for foreign coaches, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) says its President, Ibrahim GGusau, is already in talks with several sponsors, including Dangote Group, BUA, MTN, and Sir Kessington Adebutu a.k.a Baba Ijebu.
This development comes after the NFF’s previous attempt to engage Bruno Labbadia as Super Eagles coach fell through due to payment issues.
Gusau disclosed this while defending the 2025 budget before the House Committee on Sports at the National Assembly on Wednesday.
He said payment has been a significant embarrassment to Nigeria and that securing a reliable payment system is crucial before engaging any foreign coach.
Despite the impressive performance of interim coach Eguavoen, Gusau acknowledged the need to resolve the payment issue to attract top talent.
Payment delays plagued the NFF’s previous experience with foreign coaches, leaving former coach Jose Peseiro owing 18 months’ salary until President Tinubu’s government intervened to settle the debt.
To avoid similar situations, the NFF is seeking partnerships with reputable sponsors to ensure timely payment.
By securing sponsorship deals with these organizations, the NFF aims to create a stable financial framework for attracting and retaining top coaching talent.
The move is expected to boost the Super Eagles’ performance and Nigeria’s football reputation globally.
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