The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding the payment of match bonuses and allowances to the Super Falcons. NFF President, Ibrahim Gusau, clarified the situation during a hearing before the House of Representatives ad hoc committee on the dispute.
Gusau explained that no funding was allocated specifically for the team’s participation in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup. However, he highlighted that all 32 countries that qualified for the 2023 edition of the tournament, co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, received $960,000 from FIFA as preparation money.
The NFF president emphasized that the federation relies on financial support from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA. While CAF provides an annual subvention fund of $250,000, the NFF also receives operational costs from FIFA.
“We cannot utilize this money to settle the outstanding allowances from the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup,” stated Gusau.
Blessing Onu, the chairperson of the committee, raised concerns over how the NFF managed to fund the Super Falcons during the 2019 World Cup in France. She requested that NFF submit documents, including a breakdown of match bonuses and payment records for the 23 players and coaching staff, before August 30.
The issue of unpaid allowances for the Super Falcons highlights the financial challenges faced by the NFF. Despite their remarkable achievements in international competitions, including multiple African Women’s Cup of Nations titles, the team continues to struggle for fair compensation.
As discussions continue, the NFF faces mounting pressure to find a solution and ensure that the Super Falcons receive their deserved financial remuneration. The resolution of this dispute is crucial not only for the players but also for the overall growth and development of women’s football in Nigeria.
