The controversy over the absence of former Nigeria international goalkeeper and present goalkeeper coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Ike Shorunmu has taken a different twist, OGN reports.
Shorunmu hasn’t been summoned to the camp of the team in Abuja ahead of the back to back Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers games against Guinea Bissau in Abuja and Bissau respectively. It was said his spot has been taken by Nigeria U20 coach Olatunji Abideen Baruwa.
Reacting to the report yesterday, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in a statement signed by the communication department explained that his absence is a peculiar case from the rest of the Nigerian assistant coaches, who will be rotated for different games as part of the cost cutting measures by the football house.
“The case of goalkeepers’ trainer, Ike Shorounmu is somewhat peculiar, as the former Nigeria goalkeeper showed a clear lack of desire to be in camp for the matches against Guinea Bissau”, the statement reads.
“We do not want to go into any details because we have the utmost respect for all our ex-internationals, including Mr. Shorounmu. It was only when we got the clear signal that he was unwilling to come, and the Head Coach was in a quandary, that he (Coach Peseiro) requested for the services of Olatunji Baruwa, who he had seen at work during the U20 AFCON in Egypt, to help do the work of training the goalkeepers”, it concluded on Shorunmu.
Reacting to the release, Shorunmu in an interview with Brila FM explained that his absence in the team is due to the fact that he demanded for his rights, which includes a valid contract and also what his pay will be as if he has been working without those areas sorted.
“I am just been a professional to stand on my feet that no contract, I don’t want to continue again with the state of things on ground”, he said.
“Because I have been there since last year without getting payment for what I have done for the federation and I have been asking please give us our contract, no contract, no payment, no allowances. My brother how do you want me to survive this as a family person? That’s the only thing. I don’t have a problem with the NFF that’s the only thing”, he rounded up saying.
Mohammed Mowiz