Brazil 2014: NFF Explains Argument over Eagles’ Bonus

 

Super Eagles

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has moved to explain the furore over bonuses for players that reportedly erupted after the Super Eagles defeated Kenya’s Harambee Stars 1-0 in a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier last Wednesday.

Players of the Super Eagles reportedly refused to accept the $5,000 offered to them by the NFF for the win against Kenya as they insisted on being paid $10,000 which was what they received as winning bonuses for their previous matches.

The NFF has now explained that the players did not reject the money but only asked for some time “to carry out consultations amongst themselves.”

According to supesport.com, an  executive committee member of the NFF, who wanted to remain anonymous, explained  that the football federation had good reasons for its decision to slash the players’ monies by half.

“We have explained severally that the NFF is struggling in the aspect of funds. We reduced the number of members of the backroom staff for this reason,” the NFF member said.

The Super Eagles will face Namibia in a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Wednesday in Windhoek and many believe the row over the bonuses might affect team spirit and eventually hamper Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for a second consecutive tournament.

“This issue will create no problems as the boys are all professionals. Let me also state here that the boys never said they will not accept the $5,000 we offered.

They only said they needed to carry out consultations amongst themselves. The consultations will involve even the players who are not in Windhoek at present so it may take a while.

“I want to commend (head coach, Stephen) Keshi and (assistant, Daniel) Amokachi for stepping in and appealing to the players to accept the money.

The NFF is passing through a lot of difficulty and we only receive N1.5 billion annually from the government to prosecute all our programmes.

“We do not take care of just matters relating to the Super Eagles. We have the senior women’s national team and the other age grade teams who play in continental and global championships. There is also the Beach Eagles and other programmes too.

“Also, we spend as much as N120 million for each home international of the Super Eagles and as much as N150 million when the team plays on the road.

“The national team should never be all about money but patriotism, honour and joy to represent the national team.

“I still recall vividly those players of South Africa’s Bafana Bafana at the 2013 AFCON said they would not receive any dime as bonuses until after they qualified for the quarterfinals. The Kenya team we defeated on Wednesday; their players are paid just $500 for a win so I do not think the NFF is doing too badly in this regard,” the NFF member said.