Sports
Minister Explains Keshi’s Unpaid Salaries
The Minister of Sports,
Bolaji Abdullahi, has blamed the inability of Nigeria Football Association (NFA) to pay the salary arrears of Super Eagles’ coach Stephen Keshi on “system problems’’.
Abdullahi told newsmen last Wednesday in Abuja that the ministry and the NFA were however working towards resolving the issues which caused the delay in the payment of the salaries.
The minister, who is also the Chairman, National Sports Commission (NSC), also blamed Keshi for speaking to the media on the issue.
He said Keshi should have given his employers enough time to resolve the matter, instead of taking it to the media.
“If NFA is having problems paying Keshi’s salary, it means that the system has a problem and that system has to be addressed.
“It is unfortunate that Keshi has to bring out the issue of his salary and make it a media issue, because it is something that can be addressed internally,’’ Abdullahi said.
He revealed that the NSC had already waded into the matter, saying the issue should not have been brought into the public glare.
“We are taking the right steps to support the NFA to meet this obligation. But, for me, it is not something that is supposed to be a media issue.
“However, do you boycott working or call a press conference because somebody is owing you salary?
“When you get a job you do it and you don’t go about embarrassing your employers because your salary is delayed,’’ Abdullahi said.
The minister, however, assured that the National Sports Commission (NSC) would do all that was necessary to resolve the matter.
“Keshi is entitled to his wages. He is a great coach and has done a very good job. But the issues of his salary could have been settled between him and his employers.
“If his employers have problems that they cannot pay, then they will come to us.
“If we are not able to help, then, we go to the higher authorities and tell them that we have a problem,’’ Abdullahi said.
Keshi is being owed about N35 million in salary arrears by the NFA.
The NFA had at different occasions claimed it reduced the debt, but it had also failed to say how much it had been able to pay to Keshi who is on a monthly salary of N5 million.
Keshi had on October 23 told newsmen that the seven-month salaries being owed him by the NFA was “the lowest point’’ of his coaching career.
Aminu Maigari, the NFA chairman, had recently said that the debt was because the association was cash-strapped.
Table tennis players battling for honours at national event in Port Harcourt, recently.
Port Harcourt the capital city of Rivers State will be at the centre stage in Nigeria as Port Harcourt Arsenal Community will hold her maiden edition of Football Fans Fiesta (FFF).
The Fiesta scheduled to hold on the 13th December, 2025, at Eddiz wine bar GRA, promises to be all football fans carnival in the State , as there will be a lot of fanfares.
The Coordinator of Port Harcourt Arsenal Community (PHAC), Ugochukwu Oputa has said that the forthcoming Football Fans Fiesta was basically to promote peace, unity and love among football fans in irrespective of the cub.
He stated that sports is a catalyst to bring peace, love and Unity in any given society, hence the occasion was initiated.
Oputa said this in an interview with sports journalists in Port Harcourt yesterday, saying that arrangements are on top gear for a successful programme.
” This event is for all football fans irrespective of your club. It is basically to promote peace, love and Unity among fans.
“It is like stating the obvious that football is the catalyst of peace and unity in the world. So the Port Harcourt Arsenal Community want to use this avenue to bring people together and foster friendship.
“There is no gate fee, but it is expected to put on jersey of your club as to make the event look unique” Oputa said.
The Coordinator used the forum to advice football fans in the world to love one another, and equally urged fans that will attend the occasion to be of good conduct and behaviour.
Tonye Orabere
Liverpool’s season of abject misery worsened as they were beaten with embarrassing ease by a hugely impressive Nottingham Forest at Anfield.
Arne Slot’s Premier League champions were looking to bounce back from a heavy defeat at Manchester City, but instead ran into a Forest side revitalised under new manager Sean Dyche and looking back to their best.
Liverpool head coach Slot gave £125m British record signing Alexander Isak a start, but he was totally anonymous once more and only lasted 67 minutes.
Forest went ahead after 33 minutes when defender Murillo shot powerfully past fit-again Liverpool keeper Alisson to subdue an already anxious Anfield.
Igor Jesus had a second ruled out for handball, but Forest doubled their advantage 39 seconds after the break when former Liverpool defender Neco Williams set up Nicola Savona for a crisp finish in front of The Kop.
Liverpool could barely raise a response in a desperate display, Forest increasing their lead 12 minutes from time when Morgan Gibbs-White scored after Alisson saved from Omari Hutchinson.
It means Liverpool, who lie 11th before Saturday’s late fixture, have now lost six of their past seven Premier League games as Slot’s near £450m summer spending spree comes under further scrutiny.
Forest, meanwhile, are surging away from the relegation zone and are up to 16th.
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