Stars-Eagles Match To Rescue "Broke" NFA?

The Nigeria Football Association (NFA) Chairman Sani Lulu Abdullahi has told media sources that his association stands to reap a huge 135,000 dollars as appearance fee for the Super Eagles when they play Ghana in London next month.

?The Super Eagles versus Ghana match in London will generate an appearance fee of 135,000 dollars (equivalent of 17 million naira),? Lulu revealed.

He disclosed that he would discuss with the organisers of the match to spread the gains so that the NFA could reap from it too.

?But obviously because I am also thinking about generating revenue, I am still going to discuss generally with the people who are participating that that money is not only meant for the players, but for everybody.

?It is meant for the development of the NFA. So I am going to see the best way to utilize that money to the benefit of everybody, particularly the new NFA that is on ground,? he explained.

'NFA Owes N300m Debts'

Chairman Lulu has disclosed that he met N300 million debt owed hotels, organisations, airlines as well as staff of the association when he took over last year.

Addressing newsmen yesterday Lulu said some of the debts were renegotiated especially with the hoteliers who saw the sincerity of purpose of the new NFA and agreed to settle for half of the money owed them.

He said the N168 million Globacom money given to the Association was used to settle all renegotiated debts, outstanding salaries of staff as well as some renovation at the Glass House.

He disclosed that after due consultation with the team and other people that mattered the $135,000 appearance fee for the February 6, Nigeria/Ghana friendly will be fully utilised for the benefit and development of football.

"In keeping with my campaign promises, in the last five months we have taken some positive steps which I believe will reposition Nigerian football better. You will recall that certain issues were topical like the hiring of foreign technical adviser, playing of friendly matches, restructuring of the NFA secretariat. As at today, these issues in accordance with the target of the Exco have been accomplished by the mercies of God and support of all Nigerians.
"The first being the technical adviser. It is no longer news that Berti Vogts is the new technical adviser of the Super Eagles. No one can dismiss his pedigree as a seasoned and an accomplished coach but even if they are those who do not trust our judgements we can only appeal to them to give him a chance. The coach has assured us that he will work hard to develop our football to an enviable level. He is not going to be a foreign coach that sits only in Germany or London to coach the Super Eagles. He will operate from this country. Above all he has promised to take Nigeria to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa."
He thanked the management and staff of Globacom especially its Chairman, Chief Mike Adenuga for all the support they gave in contracting Vogts. He said their transportation and accommodation in the UK and Germany was fully paid for by Globacom for the assignment of hiring foreign technical adviser.
On friendly match, Lulu said Nigeria intends to utility, all FIFA friendly days henceforth which was part of what Vogts emphasised on while being interviewed for the job. "Currently we are still the best in Africa and the ninth in the world. We want to maintain this position or even improve on it and that is why we have worked out programmes to ensure the Super Eagles play constant friendly matches on all FIFA match free windows.
Beyond playing Ghana on February 6 in London I want to assure you that more friendlies will be arrange for the team on all FIFA friendly days. I want to thank the Chief Executive Officer of OSMI, Mr. Rotimi Pedro for helping to secure this match.