Wristwatch Causes Problems In The Super Eagles Dressing Room

Some Super Eagles players have accused one
of the coaches of the national team of
extorting money from players through his
wristwatch business.
The correspondent learnt that the coach would
buy the wristwatches at cheap prices in
Europe, only to sell them at ridiculous rates for
the players.
According to the players, they became enemies
of the said coach if they refused to buy the
wristwatches from him.
"The coach buys the wristwatches between
$500 and $1000 in Europe and forces us to
buy them for $10000. If you don't buy, you are
regarded as an enemy," one of the senior
players of the national team, who pleaded
anonymity, told our correspondent.
"The most painful thing is that these
wristwatches are sold at very cheap prices in
Europe; they go for between $500 and $1000
but he brings them here to sell for us at such
outrageous prices. I have to buy or I would be
seen as encouraging the other players not to
buy."
Another player, who plays in Eastern Europe,
also complained of the same problem. The
player, who also pleaded anonymity, said he
almost lost his place in one of the junior
national teams because of the wristwatches.
"Before I moved to my present club, I was on
an apprentice contract, which means I wasn't
collecting much money but the coach forced
me to buy the watch.
"The same thing happened to me, when I was
invited to the senior team. It is not good for
the team because a lot of players are
grumbling, though they can't come out and
say it."
An official of the team confirmed the story
saying, "I have heard about the story before."
But the Eagles media officer, Ben Alaiya,
denied any knowledge of the illegal
transactions.
He said, "I am not aware of any such story.
The Super Eagles is not a market place; if at
all anything like that is happening, I think it's
a private transaction between those involved.
But I am not aware of anything like that."