The victorious Super Falcons on Tuesday revealed
that they have seized the trophy they won at the
just concluded CAF African Women Cup of
Nations in Cameroon until the authorities
concerned offset the whopping N238.05 million
accumulated debt arrears owed to them.
Some of the players claimed the debt the Nigeria
Football Federation owed each of the 23 players,
excluding the officials, in allowances and match
bonuses since the team started camping for the
tournament amounted to $25,000 (about N11.25
million).
Although the NFF has pledged to pay the players,
they however insisted they will not only remain in
their hotel camp in Abuja until NFF and the
Federal Government met their demands, they will
not also release the trophy until they received
alert of the payment, stressing that they can no
longer be deceived by the rhetoric by the
federation to get back to them.
According one of them: “I don’t want to talk
because even you the journalists know the
situation on ground more than us.
“All I can tell you is that we are not leaving this
hotel until we get alert.
“We are not also releasing the trophy until our
demands are met.
“They can no longer continue to deceive us with
the excuse of no money all the time.
“The authorities owe each of about $25,000
arrears of match bonuses and allowances.
“It is enough and we are waiting for the Federal
Government to intervene in this matter.”
Meanwhile, the NFF has pledged to pay the
players and officials all their entitlements for
winning the trophy, craving the understanding of
the team that the money is not readily available
at the moment.
The General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi,
who met with the players and officials on
Tuesday, said though the federation is not happy
owing players and coaches, the present severe
economic challenges demands it only continue to
seek the understanding of these persons, as well
as hoteliers, travel agents and Management and
Staff until the situation improves.
According to Sanusi: “There is no gainsaying that
there is severe economic challenges and all
organizations, whether government or private, are
feeling the pinch.
“It is not Government’s doing; it is not anybody’s
doing.
“We know we have financial commitment to you
(players and officials of Super Falcons) and we
have not at any time stated otherwise.
“But the money is not readily available at the
moment.”
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