The Nigeria Football Federation ( NFF) has in a statement confirmed the reappointment of Salisu Yusuf as coach of the Nigeria U23 team after the expiration of the ban on him due to bribery allegation.
Salisu was caught on tape receiving financial gratification from a group of people posing as agents to some of the players in the Nigerian team to the CHAN Championship while in charge of the team during the WAFU tournament in Ghana.
The NFF after investigating the situation placed a one year ban on the coach who also doubles as the assistant coach of the Super Eagles and following the expiration of the ban they subsequently returned him as coach.
His return means coach Imama Amapakabo who led the team to qualify for the Africa U23 Cup of Nations just three days ago will now drop to the role of assistant coach ahead of the tournament which starts in November.
Explaining the situation, a board member of the NFF told Owngoalnigeria.com that the return of the coach to his job after the ban happened because he still has a valid contract with the Federation.
” Many people don’t know that among the offence that led to his suspension from the national team, none could trigger a termination of his deal. Beside from the day he was appointed Imama was told that upon the expiration of the ban on Salisu he will return. So the fuss about the decision is unwarranted “, he told Owngoalnigeria.com.
When pressed further on why Imama who has been with the team for a year wasn’t allowed to continue while Salisu should head the CHAN team instead, the board member said the terms of the contract of the Kano State born coach must be respected.
” We can only appeal to him on that but we can’t force it on him because he has a contract with spelt out conditions that we can’t breach. Maybe he will accept but we can’t force it on him”, he concluded.
Ade Emmanuel
