The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Thursday announced the return of Salisu Yusuf to the national team after serving a year-long ban for his involvement in a bribery incident.

His return to the national team has sparked reaction on social media, with many Nigerians criticising the NFF for bringing him back to take charge of the U23 football team.

In 2018, Salisu was found guilty of collecting an amount of money reported to be around $1000 and was sanctioned by the NFF Ethics Committee with a fine of $5000 and a year ban from football-related activities.

The former Enyimba and Kano Pillars coach was caught on camera receiving money to influence his team selection for the 2017 Wafu Cup of Nations in Ghana.

Announcing his return in a statement on Thursday, NFF said:

“The Nigeria Football Federation has noted that the Chief Coach of the Super Eagles, Salisu Yusuf has now fully served the one–year suspension clamped on him last year.”

“The Federation thanked Coach Imama Amapakabo for his sterling efforts while in charge of the U23 National Team in the absence of the suspended Yusuf, and for eventually seeing to the team’s qualification for the U23 AFCON.”

 

See some of the reactions:

 

#Sportivation

Salisu Yusuf is back as Super Eagles Assistant Coach after serving a year ban for receiving bribe.

Disgraceful.

— Taiwo Sport Ibrahim (@Sportivation1) September 12, 2019

If Ganduje who was caught on tape collecting bribe can be reelected, Maina reinstated by Buhari, Festus Keyamo, Timipre Silver and Akpabio made ministers by Buhari and heads did not roll, what makes you think @thenff reinstating Salisu Yusuf is a thing to worry about.

— David Okpako (@David_Successor) September 12, 2019

Coach Imama Amapakabo puts in his best to ensure the U23 Eagles qualify for the AFCON in Egypt this year.

Just this afternoon, the @thenff sends a release that Salisu Yusuf is back and will be taking over the team.

This is why our football will never grow! Nonsense!!

— Jessica Amadi (@Isiokpobabe) September 12, 2019

Salisu Yusuf one-yr ban ends today according to the NFF!

Salisu Yusuf was banned last year for taking BRIBE from an undercover Journalist

He will resume his role as the U23 Eagles coach and will take over from Imama Amapakabo immediately

The bribe was a gift afterall ?? pic.twitter.com/1Dns1LjfnW

— IbkSports (@IbkSports) September 12, 2019

Hello Nigerians, remember Salisu Yusuf? The CHAN Eagles coach that collected bribe and was exposed by undercover journalists, he is back as an assistant to Rohr and has taken over the U23 team which Imama Amapakabo qualified for the U23 AFCON.

He collected bribe, and he’s back. pic.twitter.com/TJ0BGrrO8l

— Bayo Adegboyega (@bayoadegboyega2) September 12, 2019

Fifa on allegation and refusal of Samson Siasia to honor their summon banned him for life

NFF, we evidences and clearly confession banned salisu Yusuf for a year and now they want to get him back the post he was before ban.

Nigeria is weird
.

— Revolutionary Predator King ? ? (@Samcleave_Ng) September 12, 2019

Remember the big THIEF called Salisu Yusuf who was caught taking bribe? @thenff & @PinnickAmaju led team said he has served his 1 year ban and can return to the SE and head coach of U23.

But Siasia is serving life ban.

We joking in this country.

— End in Praise #AFC (@Superlative89) September 12, 2019

If Akpabio and T Silva can be appointed as ministers,why not Salisu Yusuf,he only collected $1000 dollars as bribe Sir,Aluta Continua joor ?? https://t.co/7ryTVGdvMf

— COMANDA MOROCO (@ibrahimu14) September 12, 2019

This country is a failing nation. If someone tell me that Salisu yusuf the super Eagles Coach caught on camera receiving bribe. Will come back to his position after one year

Tells you the kinda country we have here. Nobody is interested in making this country a better place for

— ONUGBU ANDY OKWUISE (@INTERMEDIARY_NG) September 12, 2019

Salisu Yusuf,a coach caught on camera receiving bribe for player selection in to the national team reinstated after a year suspension..

Wonders shall never end..
Only in Naija…
Them Lot are jokers men..

Only in Nigeria where anything goes…
Doherty David ..see your people

— Shabba Records (@shabbarecords) September 12, 2019

Salisu Yusuf knows so many dark things about NFF board members that’s why he was reinstated after suspension. He was promised his job back to keep quiet. Nonsense

— El’chingy (@MikeChingy) September 12, 2019

So, I went for my exam and was just away for 3 hours, then boom, I got a mail from the NFF confirming the return of Salisu Yusuf as the U23 Head Coach after a one year ban for collecting bribe.

I’m coming. I don’t know what to make of it yet but first, it’s disgraceful!

— MikeThePundit (@MikeOsareme) September 12, 2019