Imama Amapakabo is set to continue in his role as the chief coach of Nigeria’s Under-23 team – the Olympic Eagles despite earlier press statement from the Communication Department of the NFF on Thursday announcing that Salisu Yusuf had served out his one-year ban over bribery incident, Completesports.com reports.
Yusuf was in charge of the team before he was caught on camera taking bribe from journalist posing as football agents, an action which earned him a year ban, prompting the NFF to draft in Imama to take over the side.
However, a controversial press release on Thursday came from the federation’s Director of Communication , Ademola Olajire suggesting what might have been a re-instatement of Yusuf.
But a top NFF board member in an exclusive chat with Complete Sports revealed that there was nothing like reinstatement of Salisu Yusuf.
He said: “It’s not the NFF [board] that will review the situation. And definitely for Imama [Amapakabo] doing well, the Technical Commitee will surely confirm him to continue with the U-23.
“For your information, even the WAFU Cup, NFF plans to use largely the U-23s so as to prepare the team, and it is Imama that was asked to submit the list and he has done so.”
Amapakabo on Tuesday led led the Olympic Eagles to qualify for the 2019 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations which will take place in Egypt in November after spanking Sudan 5-0 at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, and winning it 5-1 on aggregate.
By Oluyemi Ogunseyin
4 Comments
Coach Imama is doing well. He should be allowed to continue.
Best way to go, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.
We nigerians must start getting serious with negative forces like corruption, bribery, kidnapping,ritual wealth etc. We must be very vocal n show discontent n total disgust at such while disregarding anyone of such persons however well positioned they are. Salisu should just stay far away from the national team . Bribery is contagious n he, Salisu carries that with him as it is now and as such should just back off. Any other found patronising such acts must go same way.
It will also serve as deterrent to others. He should be re-integrated else where, not glamorously with a top responsibility as this.