Late football legend, Christian Chukwu,
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has firmly denied reports circulating on social media alleging that it owed money to former Super Eagles coach and captain, Christian Chukwu, who passed away on Saturday.
In response to a specific claim that the football body was indebted to Chukwu in the sum of $128,000, NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, dismissed the allegation as baseless.
“There is no record in the NFF of any outstanding indebtedness to ‘Chairman’ Christian Chukwu,” Sanusi stated.
“During the first term of the Board headed by Mr. Amaju Pinnick, a committee was set up to diligently peruse the papers of coaches who were being owed, even from previous NFF administrations.”
Sanusi further explained that the committee was mandated to verify all such debts and ensure payment to the affected coaches.
According to him, Chukwu was officially employed by the NFF between 2002 and 2005 before being relieved of his duties following a 1-1 World Cup qualifying match against Angola in Kano.
“I am aware that ‘Chairman’ was in the employ of the NFF between 2002 and 2005, before he was relieved of the post following the 1-1 draw with Angola in a FIFA World Cup qualifying match in Kano in August 2005.”
“There is certainly no record of indebtedness to him in the NFF,” he reiterated.
Sanusi also issued a challenge: “Anyone with genuine and verifiable documents of NFF indebtedness to any coach, who has worked with any of the National Teams over the past two decades, [should] come forward and tender those documents.”
He added, “As a credible organization that is very much alive to its responsibilities, if we are confronted with any genuine document of indebtedness to any coach, we will offset the debt immediately.”
Christian Chukwu, who was widely known as ‘Chairman’ due to his commanding presence and influence as a defender, died at the age of 74.
His passing has left the football community, his family, and the nation in mourning.
