Posted by By Tunde Oyedele/Wale Joseph P.M. News (Lagos) on
Nigeria's preparation for the Benin 2005 African Youth Championship (AYC) beginning in Cotonou on 15 January, suffered a great setback last night when the management of Rulles Centre Inn, the hotel where the Flying Eagles are currently being camped at Wuse 2, Abuja, threatened to eject the team due to huge debt incurred by the disorganised Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
Nigeria's preparation for the Benin 2005 African Youth Championship (AYC) beginning in Cotonou on 15 January, suffered a great setback last night when the management of Rulles Centre Inn, the hotel where the Flying Eagles are currently being camped at Wuse 2, Abuja, threatened to eject the team due to huge debt incurred by the disorganised Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
P.M.Sports gathered early this morning that the hotel management, in a letter sent to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), stated that it would send the U-20 team packing from the hotel tomorrow (New Year), if their outstanding bills are not settled before the close of work today.
Some of the players who spoke to P.M.Sports expressed fears that their plan to win the Benin 2005 AYC and also qualify for the U-20 World Cup may be shattered if the authorities do not come to their aid in good time.
"We are worried about the latest development in our camp here in Abuja because the staff of Rulles Hotel keep molesting us that we are debtors.
"We are supposed to be happy playing for our dear country, but it is unfortunate that we have to face this ugly situation in the New Year," one of the players said this morning.
It was also gathered that the hotel's management has directed its staff to stop feeding the 36 players and their technical crew led by Coach Samson Siasia this evening if no positive response comes from the Federation.
There are fears that the players may eventually be ejected because the sacked management board led by former NFA Secretary-General, Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi, has no power to spend a dime from the coffers of the Federation.
Also, the newly appointed management to be headed by Chief Segun Odegabmi is to be inaugurated on Monday, 3 January, 2005.
Meanwhile, the Sports Minister, Col. Musa Mohammed (retd) has maintained his position on his recent re-organisation of the soccer house, saying world's soccer governing body, FIFA, is aware and in support of the development.