Director of the technical department of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Emmanuel Ikpeme, has denied any rift between the NFF and Super Falcons’ head coach, Kadiri Ikhana over the welfare of players.

Ikpeme addressed the coaching crew and other backroom staff of the Falcons at their base camp in Abia recently, pledging complete support from the federation.

There have been reports that the Football House regrets appointing the former Enyimba boss as the head coach of the senior women’s national team, a story vehemently denied by Ikpeme.

“There is no rift whatsoever between the NFF and Coach Kadiri Ikhana. As the head of technical and an insider, there is absolutely no truth to that report.”

He went further to add: “The NFF took a good decision by appointing a very competent man as the Falcons’ coach. We believe that he will redeem the team and take them back to the heights they were at before.”

Ikpeme also stated that the welfare of the players is very important and reiterated the NFF’s plan to ensure that the women are well taken care of.

“Recently the NFF increased the salaries of the coaches and this will also be applied to the players’ bonuses and allowances. The issue is being considered and at the appropriate time, we will implement the decision.”

Ikhana was unveiled as the Falcons head coach in April and was given the mandate to take the Falcons to the semi-finals of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Canada, as well as qualify for the 2015 All Africa Games in Mozambique and the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.

Ikhana also refuted the  recent reports and insisted he has a very good working relationship with the federation.

“I know nothing about that story and where it came from. No such thing, as reported in the media, has happened. I am just focused on my job and making sure that we achieve our goals.”