NNL: No Intention To Slash Players Salary~Abakaliki FC Manager

The Abakaliki Football Club manager, senator Obinna Ogba has debunked the speculation going round the social media that players are protesting against the management over the slash of May salary.

Senator Ogba made the disclosure while responding on phone interview with our correspondent saying that there's no plan to slash the players May salary despite their internal deliberation with the players that if they didn't perform well in their home match with Sporting Lagos Football Club that it would affect their salary as a motivational factor to stir them to improve their performance.

However , the State Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports, Prince Richard Idike, has defended the decision stating that cutting the players' salaries by 50% after consecutive defeats, including a second loss to Sporting Lagos was framed as motivational, not punitive, stressing that performance should dictate earnings. Idike highlighted generous incentives provided to the team, including up to ₦5 million in win bonuses and personal pledges. He clarified that the withheld wages could be reclaimed through improved performance, not permanently forfeiture.

The commissioner warned that relegation to the NLO would be disastrous for both the team and players' careers, placing the onus on the players to deliver in two upcoming crucial fixtures. He expressed confidence on players winning the president Federation Cup remained firm in his stance, citing global football practices and concluding that accountability is essential as the team fights for survival in the Nigeria National League (NNL). Recall that news recently filtered in the media space with players protesting that they received May salary and to their greatest surprise noticed that the salary was slashed by the club management.