Legendary Nigerian former captain and coach, Christian Chukwu, who died on Saturday in Enugu, waited in vain for the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to settle his outstanding wages put at over $120,000.
The unpaid salary dates back to 2006 when he left as coach of the Super Eagles after Nigeria’s failed attempt to qualify for the Germany 2006 World Cup.
Chukwu, who was Super Eagles coach from 2002 to 2006, led Nigeria to a bronze medal at the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations, in Tunisia, but failed to take the country to the 2006 World Cup, which ticket was won by Angola.
In an interview by theathletic.com.ng last year, Chukwu lamented that after several attempts, the NFF failed to treat his file, which “is still lying there at their office.”
The Chukwu, who died aged 74, said: “It is annoying that I worked so much and these people at the NFA cannot figure out ways of sorting out the money they owe me.
“I have made several efforts through writing, telephone calls, and visits to the NFA office, but there is still no word from the authorities.
“The last time, they assured me that they would get to the bottom of the matter. It’s very frustrating and annoying to be treated this way, I am very sure a foreign coach will not be treated this way.”
Yesterday, a member of the family told The Guardian that until his death, Chukwu was hopeful that a top government official would fulfill his promise of ensuring that the NFF settled the former coach’s outstanding emoluments.
Pleading anonymity, he said: “Although this is not the time to start talking about the many failed promises by Nigeria, it is unfortunate that the country failed us.
“Apart from the Enugu State government and former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, as well as some businessmen, nobody remembers the sacrifices Chukwu and his mates made for Nigeria.”
