Coca-Cola has terminated their contract with the Nigeria Football Federation, just over a year after signing a fresh, five-year deal.
Very competent sources told KickOffNigeria.com that the soft drinks giants wrote to the NFF last week, saying the continued crisis within Nigerian football was hurting their brand.
“Coca Cola said they cannot continue because the crisis year-in, year-out in Nigerian football is not helping their brand,” KickOffNigeria.com was informed.
Coke's contract with the NFF to sponsor the national teams is worth N100-million annually, and was due to run until 2014.
The company say they will now focus their attentions on their Copa Coca-Cola, a nationwide grassroots tournament which started two years ago.
The news will come as a massive blow to the NFF, as Coca-Cola have been involved in Nigerian football sponsorship for over a decade, sponsoring both the national teams and the FA Cup. They relinquished their FA Cup rights two years ago, and have now completed their withdrawal.
Thats sad. To much corrunption in the country. Its many big talents who never get the chance. The need money to build up their league and federation.
Yes, they need the money. But must behave and show fair play outside the field aswell.