Nigeria assistant coach Amokachi ditches Super Eagles camp
Disputes over pay fueled Amokachi's departure ahead of their showdown with South Africa.
UYO, Nigeria — Nigeria assistant coach Daniel Amokachi stepped down from his role merely 24 hours before Nigeria’s vital match against South Africa. Reporters believe the dispute stems from the complicated contract situation and financial woes the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) suffers from.
Amokachi, who won 44 caps with the Super Eagles as a player, recently asked to be excused from Nigeria’s Friday match due to poor health. However, many correspondents close to the NFF believe that Amokachi’s absence stems from pay disputes and tensions with interim coach Finidi George.
“Amokachi may not be part of the technical crew after all because he feels Finidi was disrespecting him by saying he can only be the second assistant coach,” sources told Gistmania.
“You remember that Amokachi applied for the position of Chief Coach before it was given to Finidi, and the NFF feels he could help the system. There was no clarity as to his designation when they were unveiled and the NFF has been unable to get Finidi to accept Amokachi as his immediate righthand man.
“Amokachi has stayed away from the team but the Ministry of Sports has waded in asking the former assistant to the late Stephen Keshi to accept his new role.”
Reporters at The Guardian allege that Amokachi’s grievances aren’t with George but with the NFF itself. The NFF doesn’t pay its assistants in permanent contracts, rather giving them ‘invitational allowances’. Amokachi reportedly requested a contract, but due to rampant inflation in Nigeria, the NFF rejected his request.
“Amokachi did not have any problem working with Finidi George as widely rumored by many Nigerians. The problem has to do with NFF, who are not willing to offer detailed contracts to him,” journalist Kayode Thomas told The Guardian. “Amokachi demanded a contract, which Gusau and his cronies were not willing to offer. How can you expect a legend like Amokachi to live based on invitational allowances as a Super Eagles assistant coach? That is not possible.”
Nigeria will face South Africa in a vital match to help decide who will get a 2026 World Cup berth tomorrow at 7 PM GMT, 3 PM EST.
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