After Monday November 22 ultimatum: NFF yet to submit WCQ technical report to sports ministry
Despite the Monday, November 22 ultimatum, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is yet to submit the technical report of the last phase of the 2021 World Cup qualifiers (WCQ) to the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports Development. It will be recalled that following the unsatisfactory performances of the Super Eagles and subsequent moves by […]
NFF president, Amaju Pinnick (L) and embattled Super Eagles technical adviser, Gernot Rohr
Despite the Monday, November 22 ultimatum, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is yet to submit the technical report of the last phase of the 2021 World Cup qualifiers (WCQ) to the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports Development.
It will be recalled that following the unsatisfactory performances of the Super Eagles and subsequent moves by the NFF to fire Gernot Rohr and hire a new coach for the team, the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Sports, Alhaji Ismail Abubakar, directed the football federation to submit the technical report of the final phase of Qatar 2022 Qualifiers.
“The report must be on the table of the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development on Monday, the 22nd of November, 2021,” Abubakar said in a statement on Sunday.
However, a top official in the Ministry who spoke to Daily Trust yesterday on the condition of anonymity said the NFF had written to plead for more time to put finishing touches to the report.
He said “It is true they are yet to submit the report but in all fairness, they wrote to ask for more time to enable them to tidy it up.
“I am also in touch with them to ensure that they submit the report in good time so as to avoid any crisis between them and the ministry.
“The 2022 AFCON is around the corner and the final round of the 2022 World Cup is also to be prosecuted. We don’t need unnecessary distraction.
The source also explained why it is necessary for the NFF to submit to the supervisory powers of the Ministry of Sports.
He said it is wrong for the football federation to secretly fire and hire coaches because the national team is not a private company.
“In as much as the Ministry does not want to interfere in the running of football, it has the mandate to intervene when necessary. The Minister of sports cannot fold his arms and watch anyone embarrass this country.
“If NFF wants to sack the coach of the Super Eagles, they must discuss with the ministry. The same thing applies to hiring a new coach. They are not running a private company.
“This year alone, the NFF received N1.5b from the Sports Ministry. They received N750m twice, in March and October 2021. So it is just proper for the NFF to consult the ministry when taking critical decisions,” he said.