NFF lambasts Sylvanus Okpala

 

The Nigeria Football Federation has blasted former Super Eagles'

Assistant Coach, Mr. Sylvanus Okpala for dragging the name of His

Excellency, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR into the small

matter of his (Okpala's) retrenchment by the Federation.

 

Okpala at the weekend issued a statement claiming that NFF President,

Alhaji Aminu Maigari had boasted that not even President Goodluck

Jonathan, GCFR can compel him (Maigari) to return him (Okpala) to the

Super Eagles.

 

NFF General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu was aghast at Okpala's

puerile effort to blackmail the NFF President.

 

"Mr Sylvanus Okpala must come out clearly to tell the world at which

forum the NFF President made such a statement. It is infuriating that

a former employee of the NFF would go to that length to try and

blackmail the NFF President and the Executive Committee.

 

"Mr. Okpala's statement was wholly in bad faith and was a poor attempt

at showcasing the NFF President in bad light. Alhaji Maigari is

universally known to be, as a result of his background, respectful of

persons in authority and would never issue such a statement.

 

"The NFF is taken aback that Mr. Okpala also went ahead to say that

the NFF killed his mother! How could we have done that? I remember

quite well that when Mr. Okpala lost his dear mother, the NFF issued a

condolence message and even sent him a letter of condolence."

 

Amadu recalled the months before Okpala was employed as Assistant

Coach of the Super Eagles, when he persistently asked the NFF to

intervene in his contractual dispute with his then employers, Rangers

International Football Club of Enugu.

 

"The NFF President and members of the Executive Committee and

Management went all out to back Mr. Okpala in his case. It is

regrettable that the same man can turn around to be painting the NFF in

bad light.

 

"He is commenting on a case that is in court, which leaves him open to

contempt. The NFF never wanted to comment on this matter but for the

misconduct of Mr. Okpala in bringing the name of President Goodluck