NFF crisis stalls Super Falcons’ bonus

The leadership crisis in the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) may have stalled the payment of winning bonuses to members of the senior women national team, the Super Falcons, following their home victory over the Teranga Lionesses of Senegal.
The reigning champions advanced to the 2016 Africa Women Cup of Nations final on 3-1 goals aggregate. The first leg in Dakar ending 1-1 and the Falcons beat their opponents 2-0 in Abuja on Tuesday, April 12.
Nigeria’s goals were scored by Rita Chikwelu and Osarenoma Igbinovia.
However, the players were unhappy when they received $50 (N10,000) each for booking a ticket to the Cup of Nations finals in Cameroon.
It was learnt that the payment was meant for their transport fare with plans to pay their bonuses soon.
A source in the NFF explained that “the lingering crisis in the Football House has not helped matters as well as the financial challenges.
“The players have really made us proud by qualifying for the Nations Cup finals and let me assure that their bonuses would be paid soon.
“What was paid was for their transport fare and we must appreciate their efforts and give them what they are really due to collect.”
Nigeria joined hosts Cameroon, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, South Africa, Cote d’Ivoire, and Zimbabwe as the eight finalists for the 10th edition of the continental showpiece, which will be held between November 19 and December 3.
Nigeria will defend the title it won in Namibia two years ago.
The team, tutored by Florence Omagbemi, resumed camp on March 7 and spent over a month to execute the successful qualification campaign.
It was decamped in the evening of April 12 immediately after it secured the ticket.