‘Coaches, Players’ Welfare, Key To League Progress’

A former coach of Crown FC of Ogbomosho, Godfrey Esu, has advised the management of football clubs in Nigeria to make players’ and coaches’ welfare paramount, to ensure progress in the industry.

Esu said this recently in Lagos while reacting to the resignation of Austin Eguavoen as coach of Sharks FC and the strike by some Nigerian clubs players over non-payment of their sign-on fees.

Esu told newsmen that it was one of the reasons he parted ways with Crown FC.

“Clubs need to know that the welfare of players and technical bench is needed for a healthy working relationship.

“That will translate into good performance by both the players and coaches, but on the other hand, an unhealthy working environment will result to poor performance,” he said.

The coach said that clubs should be made to pay a certain amount of money as a criterion for admission into the professional league.

“Let the NPFL board mandate clubs in the league to pay a certain amount to ascertain their financial strength.

“And anyone who defaults will be made to forfeit its place in the league, and that way, clubs will not owe their players”.

Esu added that the lack of financial rewards in the league was also a reason for players seeking better deals in Europe and neighbouring countries.