Mozambique football chief, Sidat said players may have to leave for their clubs if no agreement is reached
By Kehinde Okeowo
The much anticipated friendly between Nigeria and Mozambique risks being canceled after players of the South African nation threatened to shun the encounter against the Super Eagles due to a pay dispute with the country’s Football Federation.
Mozambique are scheduled to take on the Super Eagles at the Estadio Municipal de Albufeira on Monday (today).
But according to RM Desporto, the game risks being boycotted by the Mambas after they demanded $600 to take to the field.
Their Football Federation paid the players $600 each for their friendly against Angola on Friday but the players are demanding another $600 to play against Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the existing agreement with the Mozambican Football Federation does not provide for the payment of bonuses for friendly matches only payment of pocket money.
Owing to this, Mambas manager, Chiquinho Conde has not been able to prepare his squad for the friendly against the Super Eagles as the players boycotted training on Saturday and Sunday.
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The Mozambican Football Federation issued a press release on Sunday, stating that: ”it was taken by surprise with a demand from the players, for the FMF to make an additional payment of bonuses/pocket money from the aforementioned training camp, this being a precondition for the team to carry out the following training sessions, as well as the preparatory game against Nigeria scheduled for October 16th, at the Albufeira Municipal Stadium”.
The Federation further claimed the money being demanded by the players could jeopardize the holding of the friendly with Nigeria
Mozambique football chief, Feizal Sidat added that the Federation may decide to cancel the remaining period of the training camp in Portugal and ask the players to return to their respective clubs if no agreement is reached
