The Nigerian Football Federation is trying redeem itself following the sudden resignation of the Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh last weekend after barely six in charge. After accusing the federation of a lack of support and a breach of his contract, with claims of unfulfilled promises and unpaid salaries spanning over four months for him and his coaching staff.

However, the NFF came out on Monday with an apology to Nigerian fans for Oliseh’s abrupt departure. In an official statement posted on it’s website, the federation assured Nigerians that it would not let the  development affect the team’s preparation for the crunch 2017 Africa Cup of Nations tie against one of Africa’s football power houses, Egypt in Kaduna on 25th March 2016.

“The NFF seizes the opportunity to apologise to Nigerians for the situation that we, through no fault of ours, find ourselves, but assures the teeming Super Eagles supporters that we shall patriotically remain committed to the success of the team.

“This is already evidenced by the swiftness with which we have reconstituted the coaching crew and received the assurances of the patriotism of the Super Eagles players who have vowed to fight for the Nigerian flag and spirit, and ensure that not only do we qualify for the African Nations Cup but also that our long term goals are not derailed.

“The NFF gives the foregoing assurances despite the circumstance which has arisen with the untimely resignation of Coach Sunday Oliseh and despite the fact that the decision was taken unilaterally without discussion with NFF or any of its officials or board members, without giving the requisite 1 (one) months notice as stipulated in his contract immediately after he was paid his arrears of salary and housing allowance, after his request to travel across Europe to visit potential call ups for the matches against Egypt was approved by the President of the NFF, and despite the fact that we have crucial qualifying matches to play next month,” the federation added.

The NFF accused Oliseh of lying about contract violations, unpaid wages and benefits to players and assistant coaches as reasons for his sudden resignation. The NFF also accused Oliseh of backing out of their agreement after collecting his salaries and other allowances.

The federation also claimed that Oliseh tore apart the team with his management style, sacking people at will and that if the NFF did not step in, all the senior players in the team would have dumped it like erstwhile captain, Vincent Enyeama.

“The coach virtually tore the team apart with his impulsive style of man management, if not for the way the NFF president and vice presidents handled the matter, his disagreement with erstwhile captain Vincent Enyeama would have seen all the senior players quit the Super Eagles,” it said

Apparently, the last straw for Oliseh was the woeful outing of the Super Eagles at the CHAN competition in Rwanda, where the team was eliminated in the first round.

Following widespread criticisms that greeted the team’s elimination, a Youtube video soon surfaced in which Oliseh lambasted his critics, referring to them as “insane”.

Oliseh announced his resignation on Twitter, saying he took the decision due to the inability of the NFF to honour the terms of his contract.

“Due to contract violations, lack of support, unpaid wages, benefits to my players, assistant coaches and myself, I resign as Super Eagles Chief Coach,” he tweeted.

In a preceding tweet before announcing his resignation, Oliseh thanked Nigerians for the opportunity to serve as coach of the national team

“I feel fortunate, blessed and eternally grateful for having the honour to play, captain and coach this great nation of ours, Nigeria.”

Oliseh’s appointment was made with much fanfare by the NFF, but that was short lived and soon started having problems with the executives of the federation over remuneration, match tactics and results.

His complaint about being owed was not well received by the NFF, which rather threatened to sanction him.

He also had challenges managing the players. An altercation between the coach and the team’s former captain and the country’s most capped goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, led to the goalie’s premature resignation from the team last October.