By Judith Nwabia
The Nigeria Football Federation has made it clear that she can’t settle the bills owed falcons at the moment, even as she pleaded with the girls to show understanding.
NFF through her General Secretary Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, said the Federation is not happy owing players and coaches, but that the present severe economic challenges the country is passing through is to be blamed.
The Falcons have not been paid their entitlements for winning the Women Africa Cup of Nations for the eighth time.
“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 anytime stated otherwise. But the money is not readily available at the moment.
“I have come to appeal to you, to understand the situation of the Federation, to understand the situation of the country at the present and exercise patience. We will pay you all monies you are being owed as soon as we receive same from the Government, just as we paid the U17 boys who won the FIFA U17 World Cup in Chile last year, after the tournament. And just as we sorted out Coach Samson Siasia’s wages as soon as we had the funds, after the Olympics.”
Sanusi also recalled that the Super Eagles were owed monies for the match against Tanzania and were paid when funds for that match was made available by Government.
“As I speak with you, we are still owing the Super Eagles for the matches against Zambia and Algeria, but the memos have gone to Government and are being looked at.”
Stating that the NFF has embarked on aggressive drive to find a permanent solution to the issue of owing players and coaches, Sanusi said corporate players are now lending a listening ear to the NFF leadership and the Federation’s finances would soon improve. “We are also working to get monies outstanding from former sponsors of the National Teams, to complement what we are expecting from Government.
“In relation to all these, we are in the process of sorting out our TSA domiciliary accounts so that we can receive our due grants from FIFA and CAF, including the $80,000 prize money from the AWCON, once it is available.”
The Falcons while in Cameroon received N500,000 each and the technical crew and backroom staff were also paid.
On when the African Women Champions would be hosted to a state reception, Sanusi said the NFF is waiting for word from the Government.