The Nigeria Football Federation has confirmed receiving part of the money approved by the Federal Government for participation of some National Teams in international competitions, including the Super Eagles’ participation at the ongoing 32nd Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
NFF’s Acting President, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi (in the absence of President Amaju Pinnick who is fully involved with organization as President of AFCON) said on Tuesday that the Federation received part of the money on Tuesday morning and had immediately launched the process to convert the sum to American Dollars to pay the players their only outstanding entitlement – the win bonus for the match against Burundi in Alexandria on Saturday evening – and for subsequent matches.
“We want to specially thank His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari for his keen interest in resolving this matter quickly, which has enabled us to receive part of the money in record time. We have immediately started the process of converting the money to American Dollars at the Central Bank in order to pay the players the bonus for the win over Burundi three days ago as well as plan for subsequent games.”
Akinwunmi added that on Monday, 24th June, the NFF had transferred to the players and their officials their camp allowances up to the last day of the group phase matches at the AFCON 2019, as well as the appearance fee for the friendly against Zimbabwe in Asaba on 8th June.
“We have paid these monies through our funds managers, Financial Derivatives Company on Monday, 24th June 2019. The only issue we had was that some of the players did not send their bank accounts and instead authorized the bank to pay their monies to some other individuals. The bank requested clear authorization for this to happen.
“I was on a telephone discussion with the Captain of the team Mikel Obi this morning and can safely say that all clarifications have been made and the usual cordial relationship and understanding between the players and we the administrators is still intact. I have challenged them to go all out and win the trophy assuring them that their monies all the way to the final is guaranteed. It is now for the players to focus on the championship and deliver glory to the nation. I have no doubt of their ability to do that.”
Akinwunmi also specially commended the maturity of the team and its leaders, including skipper Mikel John Obi and for their unflinching focus on the job at hand which is winning the AFCON Trophy.
10 Comments
Good but why bonus rift. Our players are money mongers, no passion for what they do. God help Nigeria.
You try,u hear? U try well well there.
@Kola,I’m sure you’re not money-consciuos.
Even the phone or laptop you used to type this comment was bought with sand.
Maybe you are a member of NFF trying to always shortchange your players and athletes in major tournaments.
Better condemn evil wherever you see it please.
When your own boss or clients pay you your dues..pls kindly decline collecting it or return it to them and tell them you are serving them just for ‘Passion’.
I am sure passion will feed you and pay all your bills now and even beyond your retirement.
Japan will feel hard done by with that harsh and painful penalty decision against them.It doesn’t look like a hand to ball more like a ball to hand. This rules are confusing I feel so sorry because they were by far the better team.
@Greenturf, Africa is out, South America is out and Asia is finally out (China sent home today too) — most of them in controversial circumstances. Finally, it’s left for Europe and the USA. I don’t have a good feeling about this Fifa Female World Cup. It seems it was designed for the so-called traditional powerhouses, and the refs and VAR officials are all culprits in these underhand, secret, tacit agreements.
For one, I think male refs should be officiating, please. These women are just women. Weak! And easily intimidated by the ‘big’ names and the home team. And why is there no scrutiny on the nationality of VAR officials? Why should there be European VAR officials dictating to an Asian ref in a match involving another European team? No matter the disciplinary measures England forces FIFA to take against Cameroon, Infantino and his team cannot deny this was a tainted World Cup. So many things were wrong! It was messed up. We all watched the male World Cup and no one raised an eyebrow with any of the games, even with VAR fully in play!
Her arm was outstretched. Simple..!
Next time, when in the penalty box, fold your arms behind you or keep them close to you as tightly as possible.
There is absolutely nothing controversial about it..! It was a penalty. Fin and klaar.
Why do the NFF need money from Buhari?
Where is the money they got from Fifa for the world cup just last year.
Did the jamb python swallow it?
Aborminable zoo.
CJ u dey mind them? Must they wait to be disgrace bfor they do the needful
Is always the same with Nigeria NFF having issue to settle players allowances during a competition.. They must be disgrace first bfor acting.. Why it is always NFF..U dnt hear that with other countries often.. Naija I hail ooooo
these are de reason i love PMB, make fifa chek dat nff boss pinnick wewel eno pure oo, make dem sack fas fast. weak nff, incopetent nff, fraudulent nff. efcc pls dont sleep.