The Nigeria Football Federation has insisted that its relationship with Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro is smooth despite him being owed six months salaries.
The sports ministry and the NFF have promised to settle Peseiro’s entitlements soon, but there have been reports that the Portuguese coach was on the verge of quitting.
NFF has however strongly denied the speculations, insisting that Peseiro is happy to work with the Super Eagles.
“Most of these speculations and innuendoes are simply ridiculous, because we have no problem whatsoever with Mr. Peseiro,” NFF general secretary Dr Mohammed Sanusi said in an official statement today.
“He is doing his job as head coach of the Super Eagles and, contrary to some of the more fictitious claims, he has not reported the NFF to FIFA with regards to his wages.
“I want to appeal to the media to make efforts to get their facts right before going to press. There is no need to speculate and engage in half-truths and outright falsehood in these matters. Some of these speculations and innuendoes create disharmony and disenchantment in key quarters.
“The NFF and the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development are working on Mr. Peseiro’s wages and these will be settled shortly.”
Sanusi emphasised that Peseiro has been doing his work without any distractions, and has even drawn up his list of players for the upcoming international friendly with his native Portugal in Lisbon on November 17.
“We have a friendly match against Portugal coming up in Lisbon on Thursday, November 17. Mr. Peseiro has compiled a provisional list and is only waiting for this weekend’s matches to submit his list of 23 players,” Sanusi added.
“We have a cordial relationship with the head coach. He is doing his job and focused on his objectives. The media should desist from reports and speculations that are aimed at causing discontentment and disenchantment among the Ministry of Sports, NFF and Mr. Peseiro, as all parties are working in harmony.”
Former Saudi Arabia and Venezuela head coach Peseiro took over from Austin Eguavoen in May, after the former Super Eagles defender temporarily succeeded Gernot Rohr.
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