Siasia blasts NFF over treating local coaches differently from foreign ones
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Samson Siasia || Image credit: Imago

Siasia blasts NFF over treating local coaches differently from foreign ones

Faruq Ibrahim 18:01 - 20.04.2024

Former Super Eagles coach discussed the inferior treatment local coaches face at the hands of NFF compared to foreign managers.

Former Super Eagles coach Samson Siasia opens up on the ridiculous pay disparity and welfare offered by the NFF to local coaches compared to expatriates in the same role.

Samson Siasia was himself a legend of the Nigerian national team before his retirement and subsequently took up coaching. 

Famed for his expansive and entertaining brand of football, Siasia is one of the most successful local coaches in Nigerian history. He has taken charge of the Nigerian men’s team across various age groups: the U-20s (taking them to the finals of the 2005 Under-20 World Cup and winning the African Youth Championships); the U-23 (with whom he won the Olympic silver and bronze medals); and the Super Eagles.

Siasia criticises NFF

As Siasia gears up to return to football, with his five-year FIFA ban set to expire in August 2024, he had a lengthy interview with Ex-Super Eagles goalkeeper Emmanuel Babayaro and journalist Matthew Edafe on the fourth episode of their Special Delivery podcast. 

The 56-year-old discussed many issues, including his coming up, his time with the Super Eagles, and his various coaching stints. One particular talking point stood out, however, as Siasia spoke on the different treatment, payscale and attitude in the NFF dealings with local coaches compared to foreign coaches.

"They didn't give me Super Eagles from the beginning and give me four years," Siasia said, highlighting the poor conditions local coaches are saddled by the NFF.

"They didn't give Nigeria people four years, you lose one match they fire you. That's the truth. The white people with come, you give them, you pay them more money.”

Samson Siasia || imago
Samson Siasia || imago

The older Babayaro brother chipped in saying "We had a white person that came, after he lost, not only did the NFF increase money, they also sent him on a coaching course."

Siasia picked it up from there, saying, "And we, they won't send us anywhere and they want us to be better."

"They will pay the white man $50,000 monthly, and pay local hires ₦1,000,000. From the million naira, the coaching staff will also take inside, and you also have to feed your family."

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