Nigeria vs Libya: NFF yet to Secure Funds for Chartered Flight, match Bonus

Nigeria vs Libya: Cash crunch hits NFF …yet to secure funds for chattered flight, others ...as 15 Eagles arrive camp today By Admin With about four days to the first of the two African Cup of Nations qualifying matches between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and their Libyan counterparts, the Nigeria Football Federation is yet to secure funds to prosecute the back-to-back encounters. A reliable source told our correspondent that although the federation had lined up a good programme for the two important matches, the NFF chieftains were now running helter-skelter for the funds to execute the plans. The source added that apart from the fact that the players were unlikely going to get paid immediately after the two matches; the idea to get a chattered flight that would take the team to Tunisia, the venue of the the return leg, was being threatened by lack of funds. “The NFF does not have enough funds at the moment; I sympathize with them because the money they are expecting from the sponsors are not going to be enough to prosecute their plans. “As I speak with you, they are still to secure the chattered flight because payment is yet to be facilitated and the boys are not going to get their match bonus immediately after the games. They are planning to convince them the money would be paid later. “I can also confirm to you that the ministry of sports is willing to release funds but the permanent secretary will supervise over the disbursement of such money while sports minister Solomon Dalung is only ready to deal with the NFF’s Assistant Director of Technical Emmanuel Ikpeme whom he recognizes as the federation’s Secretary-General instead of Muhammed Sanusi. It is a complicated issue,” the source said. Meanwhile, 15 players are expected to hit the Uyo camp of the team ahead of the cracker slated for Friday. Our correspondent learnt that stand -in captain Ahmed Musa, defenders Leon Balogun, William Troost-Ekong, Leicester stars Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi will lead others to camp. Watford striker, Isaac Success, arrived Lagos on Sunday and is expected to hit Uyo before noon today. Kenneth Omeruo, Shehu Abdullahi, Oghenekaro Etebo, Moses Simon, Henry Onyekuru, Semi Ajayi, Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Ola Aina are other stars expected to reach camp today. Other players like Odion Ighalo, Ogenyi Onazi, Brian Idowu, Jamilu Collins, Alex Iwobi, Samuel Kalu, Francis Uzoho and Daniel Akpeyi are expected to arrive before the team’s first training session on Tuesday. Source: newtelegraphonline.com