Protesting players of the Nigerian senior
women’s national team, the Super Falcons may
have soft-pedalled on their decision to openly
confront the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF)
and the federal government over the non
payment of bonuses and other allowances
running into millions of naira after winning an
unprecedented eight African Women Cup of
Nations (AWCON) in Cameroon a fortnight ago.

The African champions refused to vacate their
hotel in Abuja, insisting they will remain there
until they were paid their money. A visit to the
hotel yesterday by Sports Vanguard showed
that the girls who were hitherto eager to talk to
the media concerning their plight were no
where to be found as they stayed back in the
rooms with a directive to the front desk staff
that they do not want to talk to anybody.

However Vanguard’s checks further revealed
that the latest action may have been informed
by the fact that the NFF last Friday paid the
sum of N100,000.00 naira to the bank account
of each of the players. The money, reports
informed, is part payment of their outstanding
bonuses and allowances.
A reliable source at the NFF who pleaded
anonymity told Sports Vanguard on phone that
the money was paid with the hope that the
protesting players will heed their plea to vacate
the hotel, but that may not have been the case.
“I can confirm to you that last Friday, the NFF
credited the sum of N100,000.00 to the account
of each of the players as part payment of the
unpaid backlog; and pleaded with them to
vacate their hotel with a firm promise to pay the
balance as soon as they get the money from the
federal government.

“But I can equally tell you that the decision of
the girls to remain adamant is because they
claim that the Minister for Youth and Sports,
Barr. Solomon Dalung who spoke to them last
Thursday had promised to ensure they get all
their entitlements, adding that he did not ask
them to vacate their hotel.”
Vanguard’s source further revealed that it may
be difficult for the players to accept a ‘mere’
N100, 000. 00 out of about $20,000 dollars
which the players claim they are being owed,
dating from their qualification entitlements.