Contract Clause Nails Siasia —Ikpeme

Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme, has declared that the contractual agreement the NFF signed with the embattled Super Eagles’ chief coach, Samson Siasia, is enough for the Executive Committee to terminate his appointment as the coach of the team.

Siasia has come under heavy criticism after he failed to qualify Nigeria for the 2012 African Cup of Nations to be hosted by Equatorial Guinea and Gabon as a result of his team’s 2-2 draw with Syli Nationale of Guinea on 8 October, at the National Stadium, Abuja.

Speaking on BrilaFM early today, Ikpeme said both Articles 14 section 1 and 14.1 subsections 1 of the agreements states categorically that the coach must qualify the team to the Nations Cup and also make it to the semi final of the African tourney, failure of which will make the board to discharge him of his duties.

“The contractual agreement between the board and Siasia requires him to qualify the team for the 2012 African Cup of Nations and as well reach the semi-final of the tournament. He has not done this and that means he has ceased to be the coach of the team,” said Ikpeme.

The NFF topshot, however, said that it is the duty of the Executive Committee of the board to either sack the coach or pardon him, saying it is not the duty of the Technical Committee as against the assumption of many Nigerians.

“It is now left for the Executive Committee of Nigeria Football Federation to decide his fate since he has fallen short of the contract terms which, to everybody, are clear enough. The Technical Committee is not in a position to sack Siasia. All the committee is required to do is to make recommendations which it has done,” said Ikpeme.

—Bamidele Olowosagba & Bimbo Ajayi