The Super Falcons of Nigeria on Friday, December 16, finally got paid by the federal government, but the sum given to the players and officials did not amount to what they were owed.
According to Ademola Olajire, NFF media director, the money released for the female players and officials was only meant for the African Women Cup of Nation (AWCON) triumph.
Super Falcons players and officials paid but not in full
Olajire noted that the government asked the federation to source funds to pay the team for matches played during the qualifiers.
A breakdown of the Super Falcons’ monies showed that each player got N5.4m, The Punch reports.
The federation said: “Each player got N5,494,500, less the sum of N600,000 that was earlier paid to each of the players at various times by the NFF. The amount is at the rate of $17,900 (converted to naira at the official rate of N305 to $1), plus the sum of N15,000 camp allowance and N20,000 transport allowance. All the monies were converted at the official rate of N305 to $1.
“Coach Florence Omagbemi got a total of N11,014,000 (less the sum of N800,000 paid to her earlier), while assistant coaches Ann Chiejine, Perpetua Nkwocha and Bala Mohammed, as well as the backroom staff were paid N8,274,250, less the N500,000 earlier paid to each of them.”
However, some of the players have greeted the payment with repulsion, adding they should have gotten more than the sums paid by the NFF.
But according to one of the players, who pleaded anonymity, the alert she got is not her full entitlement as her bonus and allowance for the AWCON qualifiers were not included.
She said: “Some of us have been receiving alerts while they said the others will come later but what we are seeing is not the full amount we ought to get.
“Our total bonus and allowances shouldn’t be less than N7m each but we are getting alerts of less than N6m. The allowances and bonuses for the qualifiers have been left unpaid.”
Another player said: “This is really unfair to us because we worked for this money. We have been patient for this long and for the NFF to shortchange us at the last moment is an injustice on their part.”
The federation reportedly owes each player up to $25,000 for allowances and match bonuses from the qualifier for the 2016 AWCON against Senegal to the 1-0 win over Cameroon in the final on December 3. The federation is also reported to owe the players for a 2016 Olympics qualifier and the 2015 All-Africa Games, where the team finished fourth.
