NFF Still Owing Super Eagles, U23, Golden Eaglets, Super Sand Eagles

  NFF Still Owing Super Eagles, U23, Golden Eaglets, Super Sand Eagles By Niyi Busari BSN Sports can authoritatively report that the Nigeria Football Federation despite the funds gotten from world football governing, FIFA, CAF, Governments and Sponsors in 2020, is still owing four different national teams. Super Eagles, we gathered, were last paid at the African Nations Cup in Egypt in 2019. One of the team's regular player who spoke on condition of anonymity with BSN Sports said that the players planned to stage a protest in the African Nations qualifier match against Sierra Leone but they were deceived when money in a Ghana-Must-Go bag was shown to them, that they will be paid after the match. "We discovered that the only way to collect our money to stage a protest. But I dont know how they (NFF) got to know our plan. One NFF top official came and showed us money in a Ghana-Must-Go bag and said we would be paid after the match against Sierra Leone in Benin, and till now, we have not been paid." The Nigeria U23 Eagles are the most hit, no thanks to their non-qualification for the Olympics. According to one of the officials of the team who pleaded for anonymous for fear of intimidation, said that, lack of funds affected the team's performance in their quest for 2020 Olympic qualifications. He alleged that the NFF kept promising them that all the money will be paid since the beginning of the campaign. "The problem started from the day when Nigerians went against their decision to name Salisu Yusuf as replacement for Imama Amapakabo. Each time we submit our budget, they kept telling us that there's no money, promising us that when they have, we will be paid. We borrowed money to cover up, so that we will not put the country and federation in a mess. We have spoken to those in the leadership of the NFF times without number and the Minister of Sports, Sunday Dare who promised to recover our money but he couldn't. Unfortunately, no money including transport fares which we took from our pockets have been paid till now." He highlighted monies the NFF is owing the U23 national team. "They are still owing us the match bonuses and camping allowance of Nigeria vs Libya. Home and Away. We resumed camp on 13th February 2019 to 26th March 2019. (42 days Allowance). Nigeria vs Sudan home and Away's camping allowance and bonus have not been paid. We resumed camp on 8th August to 11 September 2019. (35 days Allowance) to NFF discretion. After Qualification to AFCON 12th September to 31st October 2019. (49 days Allowance) to NFF discretion." Winning Bonus "Nigeria VS Libya (Home win ) $3,000 for players for officials $4,500. Daily camping Allowance (for 5 days). Nigeria VS Sudan. (HOME win) $3,000 for players $4,500. Transportation: Local transportation to all players and officials yet to be paid for all the camping period." U23 Afcon, Egypt 2019. "Win bonus vs Zambia $5,000. For players Officials $7,500. Draw bonus vs South Africa $2,500 for players Officials $4,500. Officials $21,000 including 49days camp allowance. Players, $13,500 Including 49 days allowance." Golden Eaglets The Nigeria Golden Eaglets who defeated Ghana 3-1 on penalties to lift the WAFU B U17 Championship in September, 2018 went ahead to finish 4th in the U17 AFCON and picked the ticket to the FIFA U17 World Cup. They were knocked out of the championship in the round of 16 by Netherlands who won by 3-1. Officials who guided the team to the three tournaments are crying over the non-payment backlogs of allowance and bonuses the NFF is owing the five-time world champions. One of the coaching crew who pleaded anonymity rolled out the monies the NFF is yet to pay as follows; The camping allowances and qualifying bonus for the CAF U17 Nations Cup in Tanzania. Though, he admitted that no exact amount was mentioned to be paid, the NFF is the one to determine how much will be paid to the players and coaches. He added that the qualifying bonus should be at least One Million Naira (N1m), plus three months camping allowances. Super Sand Eagles The Super Sand Eagles who was rated 20th in the world by FIFA in October, 2020 after the NFF disbanded the team without payment of their winning bonuses and camping allowances since 2015. BSN Sports spoke with three players and two officials of the team and all of them spoke with one voice confirming that they are being owed since 2015. A text message sent to NFF President, Amaju Pinnick in December, 2020 reminding him of the backlog of bonus and allowances was sent to BSN Sports. They highlighted money they're owing the two-time African champions. Though, those contacted couldn't ascertain the total amount they're being owed. And those who are in position to tell us the amount refused to talk. "We have not received the money they are owing us since 2015 and I have tried my best to talk to the leadership of the NFF. How can you disband a team without paying them the money you're owing since 2015? This happened in a year they received FIFA and CAF palliatives." The player lamented. He highlighted the competitions the team participated without being paid since 2015. "The winning and camping bonus in COPA Lagos in 2015, COPA Lagos 2016, African Nations Cup 2016, COPA Lagos 2017, FIFA World Cup 2017, Nations Cup 2018, FIFA World Cup 2019, COPA LAGOS 2019."