Bribery Allegations Threaten Nigeria’s Football Reputation, Says Former Super Falcons Coach

Former Super Falcons Coach, Godwin Izilien, has expressed concern over the recurring bribery allegations involving Nigerian coaches, stating that it is tarnishing the country’s reputation.

Izilien addressed the recent claims made against coaches Ladan Bosso, Nduka Ugbade, and Salisu Yusuf, emphasizing the need to halt the spread of such allegations as they have the potential to damage Nigeria’s standing as a football-playing nation.

Izilien strongly refuted the notion that coaches, striving for honor and respect in their careers, would demand bribes to select subpar players for international competitions. Instead, he urged football stakeholders to focus on preventing agents from approaching coaches with illicit offers of money and inducements. According to Izilien, these false allegations are likely being spread by agents and players who were overlooked during team selections for their respective championships.

The former coach emphasized the global scrutiny on Nigerian football development, highlighting the detrimental impact these accusations have on the country’s image. Izilien emphasized that no competent coach would prioritize financial gains over the selection of more deserving players, as it would undermine their professional integrity.

Coach Bosso, who recently led the Flying Eagles in the FIFA U-20 World Cup held in Argentina, vehemently denied the allegations of soliciting money from players for team inclusion. He refuted claims that talented players were excluded from the squad due to their inability to meet monetary demands.

In order to safeguard Nigeria’s reputation in world football, Izilien called for an end to the dissemination of false accusations. It is crucial to protect the integrity of Nigerian football by maintaining a high standard of professionalism and fair play. By curbing the influence of agents seeking to exploit coaches, Nigerian football can regain its positive standing and focus on fostering genuine talent development and success on the international stage.