In a shameful manner, the Nigerian Football Federation has allegedly given a paltry sum to the Super Falcons who have been protesting over owed salaries and allowances.
The Falcons have been protesting over owed allowances
Ten days after winning a record eighth African women title after a 1-0 triumph over the Indomitable Lionesses, they the Nigerian Football Federation has paid a paltry sum of hundred thousand naira [about $200] of the $16,500 accumulated bonuses from winning the 2016 African Women's Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
This is coming after the women protested for days and refused to leave their hotel rooms waiting to be paid their money. Even after the Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung goofed by saying
he didn't expect the girls to win the competition which forced Nigerians to blast him, he is yet to do something tangible.
According to Goal.com, though NFF sources had claimed the 100,000 naira was meant for transportation home with a promise to offset their outstanding debts in few days to avert further national embarrassment.
However, the players have resolved not to vacate the Agura Hotel until they get all their entitlement.
"We got 100,000 naira but we were told it is part of our money. So, we are still here until we hear from the sports minister," a player who spoke on anonymity told Goal.
In the same vein, the fate of the team's coaching crew hangs in the balance with no surety of when they will access their salaries since their appointment on interim basis in February.
It will be recalled that the Nigeria U17 women team to the 2016 Fifa U17 World Cup were paid N10,000 each on return from Jordan, as the team to the Fifa U-20 World Cup in Papua New Guinea received N30,000 per player after they protested a proposed 10,000 naira stipend.