Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi has described as untrue a statement by a former assistant coach of the team, Sylvanus Okpala, stating that the money given to the team by the Cross River State Government after last year’s Africa Cup of Nations triumph was shared by the Nigeria Football Federation officials.
Keshi, who responded from Abuja through the team’s media officer, Ben Alaiya, described the comment as not only untrue but a calculated attempt to pit him against his employers.
He said, “I want to assume that Sylvanus was misquoted, but if not, then there is no truth in such a claim, because the NFF has never asked or shared from any money given to the team by supporters and well meaning Nigerians and state governments.”
Keshi also added that he as the coach does not handle money and could not have been the one that paid Okpala.
”We have our rules here in the team and the team administrator normally liaises with the captain and other relevant authorities before such monies are paid out. Indeed, the Cross River State government was very clear on who gets what and the money was paid directly to the accounts of all the players and officials.”
Meanwhile, in Germany, Fortuna Dusseldorf and Eagles rookie, Leon Balogun, says he will remove the Plastic of Paris on his injured toe by the end of this week. The player, who spoke on Sunday, said he was recovering well and no longer feels pain on the toe but had been warned against rushing to train.
Balogun said, “The recovery rate is perfect and by the end of the week I should drop the boot on the toe but I don’t want to make the mistake of many players who immediately rush back to training. I should be able to tell you my next move by the end of the week. I will be ready when the Eagles are getting back to camp.”
Balogun again praised the NFF leadership headed by Alhaji Aminu Maigari for the concern shown towards his recovery and promised to rededicate himself to the Nigerian cause when he recovers fully. “From the NFF, to the coach and all Nigerians, I am very grateful for all the concern they have shown me and I pray that I can repay them when I recover fully”, he said.