Fresh facts have emerged regarding why erstwhile Super Eagles midfield enforcer, Daniel Amokachi, opted to go AWOL barely 24 hours before Nigeria’s all-important World Cup qualifiers against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana, The Guardian can exclusively report.

Nigeria resumes 2026 World Cup hostilities against one of its fiercest rivals, South Africa, at the Nest of Champions, Uyo, Akwa Ibom on Friday with one of the assistant coaches missing in camp.

Word was rife in Abuja that the former Super Eagles interim gaffer had demanded to be excused from Friday’s encounter on health grounds, with a top Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) chieftain confirming the report.

However, a The Guardian’s source revealed that Amokachi’s absence from the team’s camp has to do with his grievances over what his take-home pay should be.

Recall that NFF President, Ibrahim Gusau, stated in clear terms that assistant national team coaches will henceforth be paid based on invitational allowances instead of receiving monthly salaries, as part of the federation’s cost-cutting efforts in the face of the country’s tough economic situation.

Miffed by Gusau’s unwillingness to back down on his decision, the former personal assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on sports matters had demanded a contract, given his personality and experience. However, NFF hierarchies turned a deaf ear, which may have necessitated his decision to stay away from the Super Eagles camp as of press time.

His absence in Uyo has continued to send tongues wagging, with critics citing sabotage and his unwillingness to see Finidi George bark out orders to Super Eagles stars from the touchline while he takes a back seat in the dugout.

“Amokachi did not have any problem working with Finidi George as widely rumoured by many Nigerians,” began globally renowned sports editor and publisher of 234sportsng.com Kayode Thomas.

“The problem has to do with NFF, who are not willing to offer detailed contracts to him. Amokachi demanded a contract, which Gusau and his cronies were not willing to offer.

“How can you expect a legend like Amokachi to live based on invitational allowances as a Super Eagles assistant coach? That is not possible.

“This was Ike Shorumun’s grievance with NFF when he walked away from his goalkeeper trainer’s post. Amokachi has no problem working with Finidi,” he told The Guardian on Thursday morning.

Unconfirmed reports also have it that Amokachi, who is third in the pecking order of the hierarchy, felt slighted by Finidi, who preferred Ben James as his first right-hand man.

It remains to be seen how NFF intends to paper over cracks with Da Bull, with Nigeria, needing his best brains in the dugout to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after missing out on the last edition in Qatar.

Nigeria’s poor start, drawing matches against Lesotho and Zimbabwe, has left the group wide open, and South Africa could put themselves in the driving seat with positive results in next month’s matches.

Nigeria needs an outright win over Bafana Bafana to stand a good chance of qualifying for the World Cup after missing out on the last edition in Qatar.

Super Eagles will also take on Benin Republic in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier at a neutral venue after the Confederation of African Football, CAF, ruled that stadiums in Benin are not good enough to host international matches. (The Guardian)

Update news