The Nigeria Football Federation has issued a statement decrying media reports that it sacked two members of the Super Eagles’ technical crew, Messrs Finidi George and Ike Shorounmu from the team.
The statement read: “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.”
He knew at that time that the next trip would be that of Mr. Usman Abdallah. Abdallah is simply taking his turn to be in the camp for the program of Super Eagles Vs Djurtus of Guinea Bissau, and Mr. George will be around for the next program.
“The other person who could have been contending, Mr. Salisu Yusuf, has been sent to the U23 team. There was no victimization, sleight of hand or any disrespect meant to our illustrious ex-international players.
“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 the 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.”
Boniface praises Orban after fastest hat-trick
Royale Union Saint Gilloise striker Victor Boniface has praised countryman and KAA Gent forward Gift Orban for his sensational scoring form.
The 20-year-old scored the fastest hat-trick in Gent’s 4-1 away win against Turkish Süper Lig Istanbul Basaksehir in the Europa Conference League Round of 16. The Nigerian grabbed the three goals in three minutes to take his goal tally to five goals in five Europa Conference League matches.
“His great quality is that he knows how to score goals, which is important for a striker,” Boniface said.
Boniface and Orban have been brilliant in the European club competitions this season, with Orban even being named Player of The Week in the Conference League, while the Union SG forward was also named the UEFA Europa League Player of The Week after his outstanding two-goal performance against Union Berlin.
This article was most recently revised and updated 2 months ago
