World Cup Unpaid Bonus: Why NFF Pays 5 Owed Falcons Players

Why NFF Pays 5 Owed Falcons Players

By Niyi Busari

Fresh facts have emerged as to why the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, hurriedly paid the five Super Falcons players who were owed the world cup bonus.

On Monday, 7th October, the Super Falcons failed to progress to the next round in the 2020 Olympic qualifier as they lost on away goal rule to Cote d'Ivoire.

Following their failure to pick the Olympic ticket for the third consecutive time, the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, in order to cover up their costly mistakes quickly paid the five owed members of the Super Falcons.

An unnamed source told BSNSports.com.ng that the NFF was embarrassed by their decisions to allow Falcons coach, Thomas Dennerby leave for his country and never recall him before appointing Christopher Danjuma as interim coach as well as scrapping of captain armband from Desire Oparanozie created division in the team.

Also, the federation was worried about the fact that the affected players with nothing at stake will begin to speak up and expose the abuse and antics of the NFF's maltreatment Falcons players go through particularly the recent maltreatment meted out on former captain, Desire Oparanozie and coach Thomas Dennerby and the role their absence caused the team inability to beat the Ivorians, seeing the embarrassment coming the leadership in the secretariat acted fast by paying allowances.

The source also added that the entitlement was also paid following the Minister of sports, Sunday Dare's announcement that tough questions will be asked as to why the Falcons crashed out in the 2020 Olympic qualification.

It was reported that five Super Falcons players were unable to receive their World Cup entitlements few months after the competition.

The NFF had said that the reason the affected players could not receive their entitlement was that they did not have domiciliary accounts in which their money could be deposited.

They (NFF and affected players) agreed that the money should be paid into the former captain, Desire Oparanozie's account but they the money was not paid until Tuesday 8th October, 2019.

The affected players as reported by BSN Sports are goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, defender Chidinma Okeke, forwards Ogonna Chukwudi, Alice Ogebe and Chinwendu Ihezuo who have now confirmed that they have been paid.

The players confirmed receipt of the other outstanding bonuses of $3000 each along with $1400 accumulated daily allowances apiece.
"We have all received our monies and wish to thank the Nigeria Football Federation [NFF] for fulfilling their promise," an unnamed player told Goal.

"We also wish to appreciate everyone who intervened on our behalf on this matter. Thank you, all."

With their bonuses now in the bag, the country's contingent will be expecting their 30 percent share of a $1 million appearance fee in France

The women national team of Cote d'Ivoire on Monday progressed to the next round of the 2020 Olympic qualifier after securing a 1-1 draw in Lagos.

The Ivorian had on Thursday 3rd October held the Super Falcons to a goalless draw in Abidjan and therefore qualified for the next round of the African qualifier for the Olympics on away goal rule at the expense of the nine-time African champions.