Former Nigeria coach, Chukwu suspended from NPFL

A former Nigeria coach and now Enugu Rangers general manager Christian Chukwu has been suspended from all Nigeria Professional Football League activities with “immediate effect” reports Extrasportsnigeria.com. The League management Company announced on Friday.

Chukwu, himself a former Rangers and national captain, was slammed with the suspension following what was described as his “conduct in the dispute resolution proceedings between Rangers and their former coach, Imama Amapakabo.

“Rangers General Manager Christian Chukwu has been suspended from all NPFL activities with immediate effect pending his appearance before the Ethics Committee of the NFF,” the LMC stated.

Amapakabo, who won the Nigerian title for Rangers for the first time in 32 years last season, was sacked in April while still under contract with the club.

However, Rangers after terminating Amapakabo’s contract, failed to pay up for abruptly ending the deal – insisting that the coach failed to meet the terms of the deal being that in the event of a string of poor results he will be fired.

The deal also has a clause where the club would have to meet their obligation of paying the coach’s wages due to serve as motivation in his head coach role.

When the LMC arbitration panel met over the issue, they ruled in favour of the coach. But while still within the premises of the league body, Amapakabo was arrested by policemen allegedly on the orders of the Enugu State government – owners of the club. He was released the following day. The Rangers management are believed to be angry that Amapakabo has refused to return the club’s official car given to him while in service.

On Thursday and at the heat of the confusion, Rangers were ordered to pay N16.7 million in compensation to Amapakabo. This includes his salaries (as well as wrongful termination of the deal) between April and October this year amounting to N14.6 million and another N1.6 million for his November and December 2016 salaries. They are also to pay up N600 000 for match bonuses owed to the coach and $725 for international allowances while he was in charge of their continental games earlier this year.