*Sanusi, NFF Board Members Throw In Towel Too
By Tony Ezimakor, Abuja
The leadership crisis that has trailed the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in the aftermath of serial failure of the various national football teams, came to a head on Thursday (today) with the resignation of NFF President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau and the federation’s General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi, exactly one month to its scheduled elective Congress in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
Their sudden exit had been predicted and followed enhanced scrutiny in the running of football in the country by the Federal Government (FG) despite huge resources and abundant football talents in the country.
Alhaji Gusau was primed to be returned in Lafia but the powers-that-be felt otherwise as government, through the anti-corruption bodies, beamed searchlight on N20 billion allegedly released to the federation for the national teams.
Gusau, who announced his resignation at a press conference held at the federation’s headquarters in Abuja, said he had also advised other members of the board to consider their position.
It was however, gathered that majority of the NFF board members have sent in their resignation letters, thus throwing their proposed Congress in Nasarawa State into jeopardy.
Earlier in the morning, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, the General Secretary, had thrown in the towel, handed over the books to Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme, his deputy, before addressing the staff.
“As you know, everybody has been hearing a lot of things going on to the point that my name has even become more popular than American President, Donald Trump. I thank God that I have been able to serve as the NFF President for over three years.
“I am proud of my achievements especially in the national team players getting houses and honours. I have to thank all my board members because with them I have the opportunity of sitting on the board of West African Football (WAFU B).
“Unfortunately, we were unable to qualify for the FIFA World Cup for both the Super Eagles and Super Falcons and because of that we came under severe pressure. As Nigerians, nobody is above the country.
“So we made all our consultations and I want to tell you that I decided to resign my position as the President of the NFF. I involved my board members and told them that anybody who wants to resign can do so. As it is now, I cannot tell you who and who has resigned with me,” he said, declining questions from the media.
Alhaji Gusau who gave a brief scorecard, announced that the NFF had just struck an $8.5 million deal with sportswear giants Adidas, comprising $4.5 million cash and $4 million in shirt sponsorship.
Additionally, he said the federation would be earning 20 per cent royalty on retail sales, describing it as the biggest kit sponsorship agreement in African football.
With just 13 sales outlets in Nigeria, he said Adidas plans to expand its stores to 32 within two years, assuring that the improved sponsorship package would strengthen the NFF’s ability to engage quality coaches for the Super Eagles and Super Falcons, maintain facilities and invest in youth development.
He said the federation has made tremendous progress in the area of facility development, adding that the FIFA-sponsored federation headquarters in progressing as scheduled and would be ready in March next year.
“These three years and eleven months did not just come like that. At least we have something that we can tell Nigerians and the world that we have achieved for the little opportunity we had during this period,” he said.
He cited the revival of coaching education as one of the administration’s major achievements, noting that virtually all categories of coaching courses had been conducted.
According to him, the CAF A Licence course, which had not been held in Nigeria for eight years, would commence on 16 September, with arrangements already concluded.
He also pointed to stability in the domestic leagues, particularly the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), saying his administration had restored greater certainty to the football calendar with the date of commencement and conclusion of the league no longer left to chance.
On refereeing, Gusau said Nigerian officials were gradually regaining prominence in continental competitions, citing their appointments to officiate semifinal matches at the U17 Africa Cup of Nations and the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
On the financial difficulties faced by the federation, Gusau blamed the devaluation of the domestic currency which he said put more burden on participation of national teams in international competitions.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Alhaji Gusau.
