By Albert Akota
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has blasted former Super Eagles’ Assistant Coach, Mr. Sylvanus Okpala for dragging the name of His Excellency, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR into the small matter of his (Okpala’s) retrenchment by the federation.
Okpala at the weekend issued a statement claiming that NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari had boasted that not even President Goodluck
Jonathan, GCFR can compel him (Maigari) to return him (Okpala) to the Super Eagles.
NFF General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu was aghast at Okpala’s puerile effort to blackmail the NFF President.
“Mr Sylvanus Okpala must come out clearly to tell the world at which forum the NFF President made such a statement. It is infuriating that a former employee of the NFF would go to that length to try and blackmail the NFF President and the Executive Committee.
“Mr. Okpala’s statement was wholly in bad faith and was a poor attempt at showcasing the NFF President in bad light.
“Alhaji Maigari is universally known to be, as a result of his background, respectful of persons in authority and would never issue such a statement.
“The NFF is taken aback that Mr. Okpala also went ahead to say that the NFF killed his mother! How could we have done that? I remember quite well that when Mr. Okpala lost his dear mother, the NFF issued a condolence message and even sent him a letter of condolence.”
Amadu recalled the months before Okpala was employed as Assistant Coach of the Super Eagles, when he persistently asked the NFF to intervene in his contractual dispute with his then employers, Rangers International Football Club of Enugu.
“The NFF President and members of the Executive Committee and
Management went all out to back Mr. Okpala in his case. It is
regretable that the same man can turn around to be painting the NFF in bad light.
“He is commenting on a case that is in court, which leaves him open to contempt. The NFF never wanted to comment on this matter but for the misconduct of Mr. Okpala in bringing the name of President Goodluck Jonathan into this matter.”
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