Former Nigerian goalkeeper, Emmanuel Babayaro, has backed Daniel Amokachi in his decision to reject the opportunity to work with Finidi George as an assistant coach, Soccernet.ng reports.
Babayaro, who spent most of his playing days with Plateau United, was a part of the Nigerian team that claimed the Olympic gold medal in Atlanta, in 1996—together with Amokachi.
Finidi George was appointed as the head coach of the three-time CAF winners, with Amokachi reported to join in as a part of the assistants to aid the former Ajax winger as he heralds a new era with the Super Eagles.
According to ScoreNigeria, Amokachi opted out of the deal with the NFF due to the difference in monetary expectations. Besides that, the deal also meant the former Everton would only get involved whenever Finidi deemed fit.
“Amokachi was appointed Super Eagles assistant coach under these conditions – No salary and his appearance in any Super Eagles engagement is on a needs basis and subject to the head coach’s discretion. How demeaning can these conditions be? Amokachi said yes to the appointment as the Super Eagles assistant coach but an emphatic no to the demeaning conditions attached to it, and yes, the conditions were only just communicated recently,” Babayaro said in quotes revealed by Score Nigeria.
This means the Super Eagles will be without Amokachi’s expertise for the time being until a compromise is reached between his party and the NFF. If not, both parties will move on without any contact.