Stephen Keshi Laments over 7 months unpaid wages

The entire football world was held in shock and disbelief when Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi revealed on Wednesday that he had not been paid seven months salary by the Nigerian Football Federation. It means the former Nigeria captain last got his salary in February, when he led the national team to a third Africa Cup of Nations title in 
South Africa. Thereafter, Keshi, who has also managed Togo and Mali, had led the squad to the FIFA Confederations Cup and has remained unbeaten in
the African qualifiers for the 2014 World Cup. In fact, one game stands between Keshi’s team and qualification for Brazil 2014. Nigeria’s fifth ticket to the Mundial looks almost sealed after the Eagles defeated the Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia 2-1 in Addis Ababa, in the first leg of the African final qualifiers for the
World Cup. With the nation in jubilant mood ahead of the second leg against the Ethiopians next month, Keshi’s revelation was the least any football
loving person would have thought about. The NFF over the years have earned a reputation for its inability to pay coaches of the national teams. In recent times, the likes of Shaibu Amodu, Christian Chukwu, Samson Siasia, Austin Eguavoen, John Obuh and Eucharia Uche have been owed salaries.
Chukwu, who led the Eagles to a third-place finish at the 2004 AFCON in Tunisia, laments Keshi’s situation “Maybe Keshi should have received his salaries ahead because if it was a white man, they would have paid him in advance.” “I can’t believe this is happening now. If what I read about
an official of the federation saying that his (Keshi) allowances were enough to
take care of him is true, then it is unfortunate. How can anyone say that?
“The coach is entitled to his salaries; just as he is entitled to his allowances and bonuses.” Observers say Nigerian coaches have a role to play in their
unfortunate predicament. A domestic league coach, who pleaded anonymity, said most of the coaches who get national appointments get carried away, without signing their contract papers
properly. “We have worked outside Nigeria before and nobody owed us. I got all my entitlements and was treated like a king when I worked in Lebanon and managed the Harambee Stars of Kenya. An Eagles midfielder, who pleaded anonymity, said the NFF’s attitude could affect the national team psychologically. “If they don’t pay the coach his money, how are we sure
they will pay our allowances and bonuses. What they are doing can
make the players not give their best to the team. Personally, if I get injured
while on national duty, will anybody look my way again? This is not good for our football. Pay the coach his money,” the
player stated. “As far as I am concerned, it is a national embarrassment. If they are having challenges with raising money, they should have come to us.
But they have not complained to us that they cannot pay,” NSC Director-General, Gbenga Elegbeleye, was quoted as saying.