NFF admits owing Peseiro

NFF admits owing Peseiro
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Copa America 2021 - Group B - Venezuela v Ecuador - Estadio Nilton Santos, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - June 20, 2021 Venezuela coach Jose Peseiro during the match REUTERS/Sergio Moraes

The Nigerian Football Federation in a release earlier in the week has admitted that it owes Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro his salaries.

Several reports emerged in the media this week that the Portuguese was being owed six months' salaries.

Peseiro, 62, who was appointed in May, signed a one-year performance-based contract with the federation on a reported $70,000 monthly salary.

The General Secretary of the NFF, Mohammed Sanusi, said the federation was working on offsetting the debts owed the Portuguese coach.

“The NFF and the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development are working on Mr. Peseiro’s wages and this will be settled shortly,” Sanusi said.

In addition, Sanusi revealed that Peseiro is solely focused on the job at hand, and has even made his list of players for the upcoming international friendly against Portugal available to the Federation.

“We have a friendly match against Portugal coming up in Lisbon on November 17. Peseiro has compiled a provisional list and is only waiting for this weekend’s matches to submit his list of 23 players.

“We have a cordial relationship with the coach. He is doing his job and focused on his objectives.”

A special adviser at the sports ministry blamed the delay in paying the coach on the processes of receiving funds from the Government, but was confident the coach will get his pay “very soon”.

“His salary is being paid by the sports ministry, but we’ve quickly made an alternative arrangement, in conjunction with the ministry, to sort the salary payments this week,” he said.

Since taking charge of the Eagles in May, Peseiro has recorded three defeats – against Mexico, Ecuador and Algeria – all in friendly games.

Barring any changes, he is expected to lead the Super Eagles against his home country Portugal in a friendly in Lisbon on November 17.

This article was most recently revised and updated 2 years ago

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